1) Tammy is trying to find some females who would like to play regularly
for a Monday night team. The team is called Downsized (not as cool as
Ice Weasels, but what can you do?). Please contact her if you are
interested: Tammy.Gipson@...

2) Another reminder: we are having practice on Saturday at 3:30pm on the
Zilker Field. WE REALLY NEED THE PRACTICE. So please show up if at all
possible. It's fun, I promise. I'll buy you a drink after practice.
Directions are on the web page:
http://www.mitcharf.com/~mitcharf/softball/zilker.html

3) The game write-ups...

First game: The Outfield @ Ice Weasels

The Weasels were not at their best, defensively or offensively, in this
game. A notable exception to this was Cory, who made several nice
catches in right-centerfield. The Outfield hit the ball consistently
well, and played a good defensive game. By the end of the game the
Weasels' defense and offense had started to come together, but it was
too little too late. Final score, Outfield 19, Ice Weasels 4. Thanks to
Pam, for subbing for us. Especially great thanks to Tammy, who agreed to
play with fewer than 2 hours notice before the game, after she had been
told earlier in the day that she didn't need to play -- above and beyond
the call of duty!

Second game: Ice Weasels @ Crestview Home Repair

Crestview Home Repair was only playing with 9 players, so they had to
take an automatic out when their nonexistent 10th batter came to the
plate, and they had only three outfielders. Despite this, the game was
close. It was an example of the Ice Weasels not playing especially well,
but playing well enough. Both pitchers had trouble throwing strikes. In
the beginning of the game, this led to a lot of walks. Toward the end of
the game, most batters chose to swing rather than take walks. There were
defensive errors on both teams, as well as some bad throws. Crestview
was hurt more than once by misthrows to third base. The ball got past
the third baseman, and ended up in a mudpit over by the dugout. By the
time the third baseman recovered the ball, the runners had advanced a
base or two. The mud pit never worked against the Weasels, fortunately.
The Weasels learned of a new rule in this game, however. One of
Crestview's batters had an unusual batting stance, which looked as
though he wasn't fully in the batter's box. Neil was about to pitch to
this guy, thought the batter wasn't ready, so he did not release his
pitch (although he brought his arm forward from behind his back). This
was declared an illegal pitch, and the batter walked. The offensive
highlights of the game were a triple and a grand slam by Cory. The most
impressive defensive play of the game came when Matt was chasing a pop
fly into shallow right field. It was a tough play, and it went off his
glove. The runner was on his way to second base. Matt gunned the ball
directly to Cory, who applied the tag just in time to the sliding
baserunner. Nathan and Susanna made some nice catches in the outfield.
The Weasels made their share of defensive blunders, and in the end were
just able to hang on to the win (assuring them 4th place for the
season). Final score, Ice Weasels 25, Crestview 21.

Now it's back down to low novice for the Weasels. I am proud, though,
that our record improved each season at low intermediate. We were 0-8
our first season at this level, then 1-4, and finally 2-6.

Our first game for the Spring season will probably be on Thursday,
February 14th.

--
http://www.mitcharf.com/

"Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it
flips
over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come."
- Matt Groening