Burden of Undefeated Season Lifted

Sadly, the Bad News came up just short in the Ball Field Battle of the Media Titans, losing 4-3 to the New York Daily News. Both teams came into the game with matching 3-0 records, but only one team could leave the Coleman Oval with their undefeated record intact.

While the Daily News lineup resorted to a unique mix of coercion tactics throughout the game -- including an infield that enjoyed making ball and strike calls for the ump, and a number of players who attempted to intimidate via cutoff t-shirt -- the Bad News instead relied on their signature mix of pluck and guile to bring a 3-3 tie into the final inning.

Defensive Play of the Game has to go to an absolutely amazingly executed rundown in the bottom of the 5th. With the game still tied and runners on, Frank Stingone fielded a hit to left field and threw a bullet to Alicia Korney at third base. With a runner caught between her and home, Korney shoveled an underhand toss to pitcher Art Glavas, who was covering the plate. Glavas then ran the runner back to third, hitting shortstop Damian Nash, who applied a tag to record the out.

All in all, a textbook 7-5-1-6 play.

The Bad News did have their offensive chances -- Kevin Ma took advantage of those chances twice, contributing a pair of RBIs to go with his pair of hits -- but the team left the bases loaded in the top of the 6th, and were only able to bring Nash home once, despite his three hits. One of those hits, Nash’s second double of the night, led off the Bad News' final frame.

After the first out of the inning was recorded, Korney (0-for-4 and ashamed of it) hit a line-drive shot at the Daily News' third baseman -- ignoring her own instructions to take the first strike -- and Danny D'Amico (2 singles) was doubled off first to end the game. But that’s an outcome Korney will have to live with.

With last ups, the Daily News was able to easily push across the winning run in the bottom of the 7th. (Though a small measure of revenge was claimed this morning, with my purchase of the New York Post.)

Glavas showed heart on the mound, pitching a great complete game in making his softball pitching debut at any level. Also, big shout out to Kristine P., for catching a full 7 innings as a pinch-hit player. I feel guilty just typing about it the day after, remind me of that, and I'll buy you another big Styrofoam beer next chance I get.



Next game: Tuesday, June 12, 6 p.m.
The Bad News tries to make its Central Park debut again, taking on Innovation, at Heckscher Ballfield #2.