Remember to let her into your heart

Lots of words today. Be sure to check the archives, as not all of today's updates appear on the main page.

At the top of your Softblog this fine Wednesday are a few pics of a beautiful young girl, Maryam. She had open-heart surgery in March, 2007, one of ten children that Gift of Life Amman (GOLA) helped as part of a medical mission between Al-Khalidi Hospital here in Amman, Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, and many generous corporations, individuals, and volunteers from all over the world.

Maryam is back at home, and she's doing great. (Her aunt & I message each other frequently.) I want to thank each of you for joining Amman Softball League and contributing to GOLA's success in saving the lives of needy children. And thanks to Amman Little League Association and its president, Mr. Nabil Khoury, as well as all of their volunteers, for hosting us and making ASL a win-win for both organizations.

GOLA is an officially-regsitered charity, and we are always in need of financial contributions. Thanks once again for your generosity, and if you can afford to give a little more and wish to do so, please email AmmanSoftball@gmail.com, and I will put you in touch with our co-chairmen.

And now, here's Maryam...

Adoring Dr. Mark Turrentine, the surgeon from Riley.

Breaking my heart...

...and on her way home.

But when you talk about destruction: Eagles @ Stars

9:00 AM (81F/27C)
Umps: Slackers

Quite a war of words erupted between the two captains in the days leading to this much-anticipated game between two fired up teams.

Eagles captain and gyroball pitcher Tom Manning was in a confident mood, practically guaranteeing his team’s victory.

“We’re known as the team with all the kids, and that may give some of our opponents false hope,” said Manning, “But I have faith in our players because we all believe in our system.”

When reached for comment, Stars’ captain Pat Hillman, AKA Abu Mitchell Al-Zarqawi, all but issued a fatwa. “The blood of my enemies,” began an agitated Hillman, “shall flow like a river through the heart of the thirsty ballfield. Once quenched, the sand will shoot trees up to the heavens. And from these trees, we shall fashion wooden bats with which to score a whole lotta runs.”

“He’s all talk,” retorted Manning. “I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’ll head over to Farah Women’s Hospital right before game time and pick up their nine newest babies. Me and nine newborns, and we’ll pound the Stars.”

“Wait a minute,” shot back an incredulous Hillman. “There’s a women’s hospital in Jordan? Is that even legal?”

The Eagles and the Stars. You can’t make this stuff up.

(Actually, I just did make it up. All of it. But ignore the Fear Factor System at your own peril.)

Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you…The Beats @ Slackers

10:30 AM (85F/29C)
Umps: Stars

It’s History Week here at Amman Softball League. I’m here to tell you about the game known as “The Miracle On Sand Part II, Miracle Sandier.” My personal recollections of most of that game are vague, as I was busy umping it. (And everyone knows I don’t pay attention to the game when I ump.)

The last time the Slackers and Beats played against each other, it was the penultimate week of the 2007 Winter regular season, March 2, 2007. The Beats were short a couple of key players, including their captain, Marikay Satryano, who was selfishly off saving some baby’s life. (What’s with these do-gooders?)

The Slackers, on the other hand, were all present and cruising to a second-place finish, aiming to peak at the right time for the tournament. They did peak...

To a 24-8 lead after four innings of a six-inning game. Those were the happiest four innings of the Slackers' ASL careers. Everything was going their way, from diving catches to stellar pitching to one hit after another on offense. This effort was kept going at key moments by the women on the team, Tania & Dana Jordan, Nada Samawi, and Abeer Kayali. They raked.

Miracle On Sand II: Rocky Abushaar keeps a close eye on brother Laith's at-bat.

Were the Beats demoralized, you ask? There was some anger, sure. But they never stopped playing and smiled often at their misfortune. Karma would later reward them with a friendly, two-inning visit.

The Slackers, the visiting team, were shut out in the top of the 5th. The Beats then followed up on their tight defense with eight runs of their own. It was less muscle and more patience that got the Beats turned around. After four innings of superb pitching, the Slackers’ Karim Barghouti Laith Abushaar just couldn’t find the plate. One walk followed another and another, with the occasional power shot by Mark McPherson and Dwaine Chide. Finally, the third out came.

And then the third out came again, but this time for the Slackers in the top of the 6th. They were barely up before they went down. Still, they were ahead, 24-16, with just a half-inning to go in the game.

Marikay Satryano and Greg Ambrosio, at the Winter Tourney.

Watching the Beats circle the bases in never-ending flashes of blue streaked with red, combined with the hot, orange gesticulations of the Slackers, was like watching a Merry-Go-Round on an acid trip. It was surreal. It was beautiful. It was tied at 24 with two outs.

When yet another issued walk pushed the speedy Chris Byrd to second, Mark came up to bat with the winning run (how did we get here?) in scoring position. Ash Samawi, the Slackers’ captain, had had enough. He pulled Karim Laith and inserted himself as the pitcher, for this was no ordinary batter at the plate.

Mark is a large man. He is athletic and intimidating. He is able to change a game with his bat or with his glove. He was the MVP of the Beats.

He was also the wrong batter, according to the lineup. Too flustered to notice, Ash began to pitch around Mark, finding a loophole in the “only one intentional walk” rule as easily as a nose can find body odor in a Left Bank cafe'. But France is only stinky; lawyering yourself an edge in sports is downright poopy.

The count got to 3-1 before the Slackers’ scorekeeper noticed the batting order was wrong. She brought it to the attention of the ump (me, remember?) who, by rule, declared that the correct batter must assume the count; the game-ending out could not be called unless the mistake was brought up immediately after the at-bat was completed. The rule was explained to all and Ash put the icing on the mistake by promptly tossing ball four to the correct batter. Oops.

Bases loaded, two outs. 24-24, and back on the right batting order. Who was digging his feet into the deep hole that was now the batter’s box? Mark. With Chris at third and all kinds of ducks quacking behind him, Ash had no choice but to throw strikes.

Mark had no choice but to deposit one of them over the left-field wall. One duck, two duck, three duck, four. Walk-Off Grand Slam. Karma leans back and smiles.

Marikay received the frantic updates from her team on their amazing win as she got the news that the baby she was trying to save would be able to have heart surgery, and that he would live. And the Beats go on...