Mirage Softball: Revenge on Brackman Field...The Mayor Takes a Swing

Twenty players went over to Brackman field this morning and found as always our field was manicured to perfection. AD John Germano and BOE president Lisa Becker promised us before the season started that we would have a nice field to play on and all the Mirage ballplayers would like to again thank them. We will not soon forget.

If you are a fan of this column than you are well familiar with what went down on Lower Shore on Memorial Day. If you are an alien or a newborn, we will bring you up to speed.

The short version is that Team Artie fixed the game, yes even in this day and age a game can and was fixed. What should have been an easy win for team Lou turned into a devastating loss. We was ROBBED.

Today all family business would be settled.

This game was so big that Mayor Jeff Melchiondo and Deputy Mayor Al Cirulli felt the need to attend. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor both took swings before the game, and both landed clean singles into the outfield.

The sides. Team Lou: John Vaccarello, Pat Pipi, Marty Lisella, Tino, Joe Germano, CSM Thomas, Joe Feeney, Lou Traficante, Mike Pappas and New Mike. Vs. Jerry Giemzo, Rich (crazy legs) Zaccagna-Larry Wolven, Toto Garcia, John Arena, Jay Lombert, John Stinson, Andy Gish, Arti Posillipo and Kenny Kaufman.

The Commissioner ruled that the Memorial Day game be stricken from the record books and that today's game would settle the dispute once and for all.

Trash talk was plenty as team Artie took the field. Artie may have been too strong early as his pitches were all  up in the zone and team Lou took full advantage scoring 5 runs in the top of the first, two in the third and one in the fourth, and they now carry an 8-zip lead.

Crazy Legs #1: In the bottom  of the fourth, Team Artie had a rally going with one run in and Craze on third, a grounder to short and a flip to first – out number 2. For a reason only known to him, Craze then makes a mad dash to the plate and is toast for the third out. We love you anyway, Craze.

Entering the sixth, the trash talk takes a turn. Skip gets a single to center and makes a wide turn at first, Artie tries to sneak in behind him for a possible pick off – here comes the throw – safe. Skip gives Artie what looks like an accidental shove, Artie swings at Skip's head and misses, benches empty and the players are then seperated.

Pat is the next batter and with the 1st pitch Artie buzzes him with a little chin music. Pat takes two steps toward the mound before cooler heads prevail.

Crazy Legs #2: For three years running, Rich has gotten the award for Mirage baserunner of the year, there has never been a runner up. Looks like Craze may be a shoe-in for the fourth year in a row.

In the bottom of the eighth, team Artie gets the first two men on with no outs. Up steps Craze, He hits a bullet over third, knocking a run in and the man on first advances to third. Craze again for a reason only known to him rounds the bag at first and starts toward toward second, alert CSM Charlie throws behind him and Craze is picked off first, thus killing the rally. Rich looked around but could not find a hole big enough to hide in. We really, really still love you, Craze.

Team Artie does go on to score four more runs in that inning, and that cuts Lou's lead down to 8-6 as we enter the ninth. Team Lou scores three in the ninth before holding off an Artie rally in the bottom and the revenge is complete.

Team Lou 11, team Artie 7.

The Boys all shook hands as they left the field – the feud is over.

BOMBER BITS:

Deputy Mayor Al Cirulli was so impressed by our play today that he scheduled a tryout early next week and could be a member of the Mirage Bombers as soon as Saturday.

Al Bille plays 2b for Heritage Point and Marty Lisella is a fixture at third for the Mirage. All we need do now is convince Mayor Jeff to suit up and our town board really will be well represented.

The clock is always ticking. Moving hands are on the dial. Precious time is fleeting. We are here for just a little while. Lets play ball.