| Under a warm summer sky, and to
the din of thunder, trains, cars, and other cacophony, all was righted with
the world as the CD's regained their stature as champions of one of the country's
most prestigious organizations; "Wellesley Precinct Softball". In
winning their sixth title in the league's eleven years, the team
reestablished its position as defending champions.
Being removed from the success of the late '80's and
early '90's, when the team captured five championships in seven years, today's
team was regarded more as a dinosaur than a dynasty. In the past, that has
proven harmful or even fatal. The team meandered through an uninspiring regular
season finishing in the middle of the pack of the six-team league. Despite
a history of stepping it up several notches in the playoffs, the team still
inspired little fear. The first two-of-three series saw the CD's bookend
wins against the "Ice Packs". The second series matched the CD's with the
only other existing charter member of the league, "The DPW" lead by Bobby
Furdon. Although the CD's won both games, the DPW predictably played them
tough as has been their track record.
The Championship Series brought together the CD's
and George Riley's "Double D's" for the third consecutive year. The 'D's
finished first in the regular season and were looking to be the first team
to win three consecutive championships.
That will have to wait for another century, however,
as the CD's took both games that fine Thursday evening behind the heroic
pitching of Dr. Steven J. Rosenzweig. "This was very satisfying,"
remarked the pitcher after the game. "It reminds me of the 2-1 game we had
a few years ago..." At that point, however, coach Jerry ("somebody call
me an") Emde interrupted, "It was a team effort. Everybody contributed.
Stew, you still owe me money for the season ."
As always, the coach was right. Everyone played key
roles in the two wins. Peter Strzetelski started the whole night off
in the right direction with a first-inning home run in game #1. Dick ("Hit
'em where they ain't") Ewing dropped in hit after hit before blasting
a triple over the unsuspecting left fielder. His spectacular play at second
and third base, despite a glove made of paper mache, helped keep the opponents
in check all night. Kirk ("Pardon my appearance while I renovate")
Companion lived up to his role as the consummate table-setter, and even
hauled his carcass out into the field for an inning. Rabbi David
Jeongstein, attired in his Craftmatic Adjustable shin pads, ripped a
couple of line drives over the aqueduct in right-center, prompting an examination
of his bat and a urine test (both of which turned up no wrongdoing). When
asked about the commotion, Jeongstein simply stated, "Sorry." Kevin
("The Kid") Foley, despite a questionable job of coaching third base,
contributed several key line-drive hits. He also showed his versatility by
playing both center field and then shortstop, making the transition,look
as smooth as a baby's bottom. "I was angling for a move to the infield",
said Foley. "They just aren't hitting it to center," he told coach
Emde, who took over center field and proceeded to have the defensive
game of his life. Kenna Juliani had some well-placed and well-timed
hits, advancing several rallies. In addition to hurling, Doc Rosenzweig
had the offensive game of his life, rolling a double over the aqueduct and
legging out a triple that inspired comparisons to the PBS documentary,
"Instinctual Herding Behaviors of the Central African Wildebeest." Charlene
"Chuck" Baker adapted quickly to her new outfield position making several
key catches (including one ball that was hit so high, it had burn marks sustained
during reentry). Baker, a first-grade teacher in the off-season, said
she can't wait to tell her class all about it. Her husband, Larry Weiss,
was a mid-season steal; signed off the sandlots of Mobile, Alabama. As was
his routine all year, he lulled the opponents to sleep with a couple of
pedestrian at bats and then unloaded a monstrous blast to the nether-regions
of left-center field for a home run. Perhaps the most "prime-time big-money"
plays were turned in by Coach Emde and Tracy Ryan in the nightcap.
Tracy, who just made the game from a week at the beach on Cape Fear,
was playing first base for the hobbled Kirk Companion. Jerry
Emde, from center field, TWICE threw runners out at FIRST BASE to end
innings, the second time nullifying two runs in the process and virtually
insuring the outcome. And finally, trying desperately to remain humble while
writing this article, Stew Pruslin capped off the offense for the
night with his second poke over the aqueduct in right field. Finishing off
a busy night in left field, he also ended the last inning with an awkward,
stumbling, and unnecessarily embarrassing line drive catch, thus bringing
the game, series, and season to a climactic end.
While not able to play in the final two games, the
contributions of several other players were also essential for the team's
being there in the first place. Dan Juliani (present but injured),
took over some of the administrative duties on the sideline. His most memorable
moment came when he had to administer CPR to a flustered Steve
Rosenzweig after telling him that he was moving to first base (an idea
that was later reversed). Maureen Feuerman was unable to attend as
she was continuing her thesis study of cows and trees in Maine and New Hampshire.
Tim Hill made it at the end of the evening - just in time to avert
disaster, making sure we all shook hands with our right hands (rule #42,
section 17.3.2, subsection D). And Russ Young (his offense is just
like Penn State's - three out of four times right up the middle) was away
on vacation.
And so ends another memorable season. While the whole
experience was exciting for the games, the lasting enjoyment came, as always,
from the fun the team has playing together and the anticipation of starting
it all over again next spring. |
