Double Headers

With temps in the low-to-mid 60's this weekend and a week to make up, let's play two. Friday, Feb. 29 (Note the goofy start times): 9:30 AM: Hit Squad @ 4U2NV (Umps: Slackers)* 11:00 AM: Slackers @ Hit Squad (Umps: 4U2NV + Green Monsters) 12:30 PM: Green Monsters @ Nomads (Umps: Hit Squad)* 2:00 PM: 4U2NV @ Green Monsters (Umps: Nomads) Saturday, March 1: 10:00 AM: Trojans @ Slackers (Umps: Nomads)* 11:30 AM: Trojans @ Nomads (Umps: Slackers) * Week 7 makeup games.

Taters

How about a record nine home runs in one day? That's what we had on Friday, February 22, 2008. Welcome back, Freak. Nomads' Shukri Saleh responded to the challenge and put himself in a tie for the home run chase...in three at-bats. Green Monster Ash Samawi became the first player to homer for two different teams during the same season...and he did it on the same day. (One for his team and one for Hit Squad.) His teammate Javier "Gunny" Diaz kept up with a bomb of his own. Yet another Monster, Jeff Coupe, sent one into orbit--just 'cuz it looked like it'd be enjoyable. Who the heck does Nadim Kayyali think he is? The Slacker went yard in the morning game, which means you should be on the lookout for beasts out of the sea and earth. And don't forget about the talking trees. The Trojans have a beast of their own in Aaron Bouchane. The rookie absolutely crushed a meatball into the lot behind left field. Now can someone please explain why Aaron was batting seventh? As always, only "real" homers count. The record for a total season (including the tourney) is 6, by Shukri Saleh (Nomads, Summer 2007). The record for a regular season tally is 5, by Mike Moore (Green Monsters, Winter 2007). Here's the way the Home Run Race looks through Feb. 22: 3: Javier "Gunny" Diaz, Green Monsters Shukri Saleh, Nomads Ash Samawi, Green Monsters 1: Yazan Barghouti, Slackers Saif Barhoum, Trojans Aaron Bouchane, Trojans Jeff Coupe, Green Monsters Nadim Kayyali, Slackers Larry Martin, Hit Squad 0: Omar Massarweh, Nomads Tiny "Yeah, I'll Be There" Saleh, 4U2NV Honorable Mention: We haven't had a woman hit one out yet, but Green Monsters' Brooke Sartawi has come closer than anyone else, falling only about 15 feet short in the Week 3 game against the Nomads. With Zaki Ibrahim playing left field on the 150' arc, Brooke sailed one roughly 130' over his shocked head, a 280' single-bouncer to the left-field fence. In retaliation for my wife's attack on him with her bat, Zaki had his wife, Ghadeer, attack me with her cell phone. (Note: Brooke does have three inside-the-park homers this season, all of them screamers.) Hopefully I don't have to sleep on the couch again. ;)

Ketchup

Catching up on all the results from the last three game days... WEEK 8 (Feb. 22, 2008): Slackers 47, 4U2NV 7 Nomads 19, Hit Squad 8 Green Monsters 31, Trojans 16 WEEK 6 (Feb 8 & 9, 2008): Nomads 32, 4U2NV 14 Trojans 7, Hit Squad 1 Green Monsters 19, Slackers 15 WEEK 5 (Feb 8 & 9, 2008): Nomads 23, Trojans 20 Slackers 29, Hit Squad 28 Green Monsters 24, 4U2NV 9 Week 7 will be played as part of a Friday/Saturday double-header this weekend, along with Week 9's games. Your captains were given the details on when each team plays. The schedule will be updated and posted as soon as we sort out the umping assignments.

Rainout = Naughty Time

The games of Friday, February 15, have been postponed due to rain (and mud). Next week's games will be played as scheduled on February 22, and we'll make up the rained out games later this month. Next Games, Friday, Feb 22: 10:00 AM: Slackers @ 4U2NV (Umped by Hit Squad) 11:30 AM: Nomads @ Hit Squad (Umped by Monsters + 4U2NV) 1:00 PM: Green Monsters @ Trojans (Umped by Nomads) Get naughty with your sweetheart today. Sleep it off tomorrow.

Week 5.5: A Legend Is Born

History was made today by Hit Squad's Mailyn Magpanty when she became Amman Softball League's first ever female pitcher. She didn't just pitch, either. Mailyn only gave up seven runs in a complete game, had four strikeouts, two unassisted putouts and, as usual, did well with the bat. Hit Squad couldn't get the win for her, but we are all very proud of the way Mailyn played today. We'll have some video featuring a couple of those strikeouts very soon. Welcome to Legend Status, Mailyn! The full results from Friday, Feb. 8 (Details to follow soon): Nomads 32, 4U2NV 14 Nomads 23, Trojans 20 Trojans 7, Hit Squad 1

Shbotmahlorbot: Weeks 5 & 6 Preview

Before the previews, please heed this bit of advice: Stop cursing, yelling and arguing. It's been getting progressively worse, and I will personally take the blame for that. But from now on, the response from the League will be just as ugly as the acts of bad sportsmanship. -Mude It's time for some separation. After this weekend, each team will have played the other five teams at least once. All ties will be broken. And with two games each, now is the time to set the tone for the home stretch of the season. Who rules ASL?

If you want the full schedule, constantly updated to match the weather, go to the Downloadables section, below the Standings in the green column.

Friday, Feb. 8: 10:00 AM: 4U2NV @ Nomads (Umps: Trojans) The Nomads got a lot younger lately. Will they bring coloring books and crayons to keep their new members occupied? Envy look to avenge the loss they suffered the last time they went up against the 'Mads, but they'll have to do it without Jiries Azar, who starts a three-game suspension for starting a fight. Last meeting: Nomads 30, 4U2NV 2 (Week 1) Ziggy & Schwa say: The Youth prevail. Nomads by 6. 11:30 AM: Nomads @ Trojans (Umps: Hit Squad) The Trojans look to start a winning streak with some new players. If that happens, we're hearing rumblings that Nomads captain Omar Massarweh will have the "C" ripped off his chest by Zaki "Crank Yanker" Ibrahim, who pulled a first when he argued against a called strike by citing the very rule that made it a strike. Ziggy & Schwa say: What does that "C" stand for, Rofelio? Trojans by 1. 1:00 PM: Trojans @ Hit Squad (Umps: Nomads) A tough double-header for the kids from Troy, but we hear they have some "builders" coming in. Could the Trojan Horse's historical role get reversed and help them win? It all depends on which Hit Squad shows up -- the Hittin' one or the Sittin' one. Last meeting: Hit Squad 19, Trojans 14 (7 innings, Week 1) Ziggy & Schwa say: We smell an upset. Trojans by 2. Saturday, Feb. 9: 10:00 AM: Hit Squad @ Slackers (Umps: Green Monsters) Hit Squad is coming off a stirring comeback against the Nomads, while the Slackers just had home run hitter Yazan Barghouti suspended for one game for swinging his handbag at a player who who threw three punches from 40 centimeters away and didn't land any. Before you think there might be misbehavin' in this game, look who's umping. Ziggy & Schwa say: Curse once and we'll snack on your entrails. Hit Squad by 3. 11:30 AM: Slackers @ Green Monsters (Umps: 4U2NV) A couple of teams fancy themselves the rivals of the Green Monsters, but there is no more heated derby than when the Green & Orange collide. Just ask Northern Ireland. Or Ash Samawi, who goes up against friends and family with "Ex-Slacker" across the back of his Monsters jersey. Even Ash's lovely wife, fellow ex-Slacker and current Monster Abeer Kayali, still hates the Green so much, she hasn't even shown up for a game yet. Fact: The last team (still playing) to have beaten the Monsters? Slackers, back in July, 2006. Last meeting: Green Monsters 33, Slackers 11 (Week 1) Ziggy & Schwa say: Over/Under on Walid Abu Hassan + Rocky Abu Shaar outbursts: 2. 1:00 PM: Green Monsters @ 4U2NV (Umps: Slackers) Research just in has confirmed that 4U2NV is the first ASL team to have a fancy design in the fabric of their team jerseys. I'm not saying it makes them look soft. I'm saying I envy it. Harar Mismar talked some smack about his Envy team taking the Monsters to the wood shed. Let's hope he and Hussam Arafah say some extra prayers this week. Ziggy & Schwa say: Dirty Water, baby. Green Monsters by 6.