Mirage Softball Report, Thursday June 9: WHAT HEAT?

Despite field temps of 104 degrees, 12 ballplayers from the Mirage made the trip to Waretown.

Your lineup: Skip Vaccarello, Pat Pipi, Marty Lisella, John Arena, Robin Greenwald, Rich Zaccagna, Ben LoScalzo, PPP, Bill Farmer, Kenny Kaufman, Artie Posillipo and even though he could not play, CSM Charlie Thomas showed his respect for the team with his presence.

Heritage Point and Greenbrier combined could not field a full team so, as usual, the Mirage had to lend them a couple.

The game just got started when two ladies from the Waretown senior center came running onto the field.

"What are you guys, crazy? Don't you know how hot it is?"

"Sure we do. We are ballplayers, and this is what we do. PLAY BALL!" said Skip. The ladies offered for us to come inside and cool off. Guess they don't know us very well.

Then there was the story of Billy F.

I was standing with Billy on Tuesday night at Marty's victory party when his lovely wife Barb came over, saying "I just heard the temps for Thursday, Bill, and there is NO WAY you are playing!"

"But Barb, we need him" I said. "Lets go home Bill." On the way out the door Bill turned his head and silently mouthed the words,"I'll be there."

Fast foward to Thursday, 12:45 p.m.

Marty came over to me and says,"Bill called and he will be late, he has to wait for the air conditioner guy."

I say to Marty, "genius, pure genius." I bet Barb would not let him out the door so he made up a perfect story for us so we would not tease him.

With temps near 100 degrees, who wouldn't believe him.

"I'm a street kid, Marty, and I know a story when I hear one. I will bet you a nickel he never shows." Me too, says Marty, but I think he's telling the truth."

The second inning starts and around the corner here comes Bill, "Pat you owe me a nickle" says Marty.      

"My wife said that she will never talk to me again if I played today, I waited till she turned her back then I ran out the door. I wanted to be here for my team." We can all learn a lesson from Bill.

Sorry I doubted you, Bill.

(Don't worry about Barb not talking to Bill anymore. As a matter of fact I bet he is hearing her quite well right about now.)

The heat was intense, but not one complaint from these players. Playing great defense,the Mirage outlast the mix team 2-0 and raise their record to 13-2, reducing their magic number for clinching to three.

In the managers' show, Skip said that he could not express how proud he was that his boys would come out to play despite this heat. "Guys half our age would not have the guts to play in this weather."These are true ballplayers."

Bomber Bits:

Larry is home and resting. Dr Gaynor said that this was the worst shoulder that he ever worked on. Skip and John A. went over to see him with balloon in hand.

Dom, who had an injured rotator cuff a few months ago is coming along and will be at the opening of our new field.

CSM Charlie pulled a quad on Monday, the hope is that he will at least be able to DH this Saturday.

Tough players compete while others accept defeat. No Curfew tonight boys.