Spring Co-ed Softball at Rose City Park Sunday

Spring softball kicked off in fine fashion on Sunday at Rose City Park with a whale of a game between team No Glove No Love and team Fireballz. Both teams shook the winter rust off quickly at the plate, looking like their off-season training programs were well worth the investment. Leading the charge for No Glove No Love was outfielder Jeff Dillon, a man with a sweet stroke at the plate and a golden glove on his left hand. He owned the outfield all game long, with many sure to be base hits being denied by a player with serious wheels and a knack for the ball. As one of his teammates was overheard saying..."and that's why he's out there in left center field." In a back and forth game, No Glove No Love outlasted the veterans Fireballz with an 18-13 victory and fine start to a sure to be competitive season at Rose City Park.

There are certain plays throughout a softball season that makes everyone stop in their tracks and simply shout "holy cow, that was amazing!"…such a play took place between teams No Glove No Love and Beerstroyers on Sunday.
A sun-drenched field and the notorious thin air at Rose City Park were perfect conditions for a lot of balls being hit a long way on an outfield that appears to have no end. At one particular point in the 4:30 game, a big hitter from No Glove No Love crushed a ball in the air to left center field...and when I say crushed, I mean absolutely CRUSHED! Bets were being made between the players if it was going to land on top of the school...it was that kinda hit. Elliot thought what the heck it’s worth a shot, taking off in a full sprint from the get go and making the kind of over the shoulder catch Underdog softball legends are made of...a catch for the ages and admired by those lucky enough to witness on this fine Sunday for softball.

The 12:00pm game between Spawners and Beerstoyers was a milestone for Ryan Williams, a player who has come a long way at the plate over the past couple of weeks. The days of him have happy feet in the batter's box and testing the softball bunt rule are all but a distant memory...an RBI machine was born today at Rose City Park, just in time for the playoffs and a morale booster for the entire team. Not even a conversation with a teammate in his dugout while he was at bat could stop Ryan on this day, with what many believe to be the first no-look base hit in Underdog softball history.
Solid work Ryan & congrats on a fine all-around performance on this awesome day for Underdog softball.

Those teams who have played against Sheridan's this season at Rose City Park have felt the presence of Alex Henshaw, a player whose vocal love of the game and willingness to poke fun at himself have been on display throughout the entire season. He's had his ups and downs both on the field and at the plate, yet always seems to find a way to keep his focus on the next opportunity to make an outstanding play at shortstop or get a rally started for his team at the plate.
The 12:00pm game against team dickbatz.biz was a competitive game from the first pitch, with team Sheridan's only trailing by six runs entering the top of the 3rd. Alex stepped up to the plate determined as usual, ready to start a much needed rally to keep the game close. One pitch, one swing, one crushed softball to right center field...this looked to be the one. He eventually found his way around the bases and touched home just in time to beat the throw, leading to much needed solo home run and 1st of the season for the team in green. Even though dickbatz.biz may have eventually won the game, it was Alex's determination to lead his team in home runs for the season and love of the game that made the first game of the playoffs one to be remembered.