Blood is thicker than water; Summer fallow ends

Well, let's just say the Herd is struggling a wee bit this year. Many softball pundits are leering towards Casual Observer with pointed fingers and how he has virtually destroyed the team "Summer Built". "Hey we are above .500, that's not bad" remarked Casual.

Casual's casual style is not only reflecting a casual winning percentage, it is also starting to see players question some of the moves. "He put Murray (Casual Observer's brother) on third when clearly the better choice was Summer" mentioned a disappointed Sharon. Murray let a hard hit ball go by him as he "casually" announced "I couldn't see it!"...to which summer noted that he saw it enough to move out of the way. Certainly not the golden glove performance ala His Hughness. Pictured are the hats worn by both Casual and Murray.

Summer filled in adequately at 3rd last game he played (see previous article). Anyway, the Herd put together a much needed victory off of Summers bat as he went 5 for 5 with 7 ribees in a 20-13 victory. "I saw the stats and the Horns were sitting at .500, we have never been that low at this point in a season...I told Casual I would come out and help the squad". And help he did! Summer also took on a big hit towards him and snagged it (much like the one that Murray deeked) . "He was their big bat, shut him down and the game is ours" indicated Summer.

Other notables for their play today were Sharon with a solid game on the mound, Mike may have found himself a spot as a paying player next year, and Preston....umm...no...Preston needed some help today with 2 or three dropped balls and only making it to first base once in the evening. Certainly not Presto the Magnificent as he has been coined.

"We expect more out of Preston" noted Casual. "Today I think his biorhythm was off."

The team was Built to Win, and the losing slide had to be stopped. It came to a screeching halt on Wednesday night. Great job Herd. The Herd is looking forward to seeing Tannis get back into game shape (really bad leg) and Hugh and Tiny returning from their vacation. It would be nice to see Gobbler back in form at the bat as well. The Elkhorn GM was missed by his lack of leadership in the bar apres the game.

It took less than half a game.....

..............for Le Grande Gobbler to pull it out....

Down by 9 runs after 4 innings of play, Casual looked at Summer and said "Get yer cleats on, we're in trouble". Summer hesitated for a bit, but when he saw how serious Casual was, he knew there was a job to be done. Les was down for the count with a back injury from playing with his hose to long. Summer, (pictured left) was clearly not in his usual game shape but always willing to help out a team in need.

"Play where ever you need to" barked Casual. Summer replied, " Put me where you need me most". To third base Summer went and the rest is history.

Without a warm up pitch Summer proceeded to light the ball right into Tiny's glove for an out. " A little higher or lower?" Summer asked. "Nope, just right" cooed Tiny. "I can throw it harder if you like" yelled Summer. Tiny just said "Our normal 3rd baseman throws it my way hard so I am used to it!" ................'nuff said.

Then, a line drive that Summer handed so Casually it made Casual "Elkhorn Green" with envy.

A fielders choice off Summers bat and a few Ribees and the Herd was off and running.

In the end, the Herd came back from a 9 run deficit to squeak out a much needed victory.

"I really wanted to just sit back and enjoy the ball game, but Casual was really insistent..in the end he made the right move." noted Summer in a post game interview.

"Sports just comes easy for that guy" noted Gobbler"..."he does this stuff all the time."

Le Grande Gobbler at 3rd certainly took it all in stride...."I just love to hang with the in crowd...." noted Summer

Thank goodness Casual made the right move this time around...not like the manager in the Cartoon!