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FISH TALES
(Also known as
Rich Fisher's blog)

July 24, 2010
Random thoughts on a red hot weekend
           It’s gonna be a zillion degrees today from what a I hear. A good day to sit in the air conditioning and read this meandering blog. And make no mistake, it does meander.
     * * *
            First things first.
           I am going to Camden Yards to take in the Orioles game today and the Baltimore night life tonight. At first I was in a tizzy of how we could post all the Babe Ruth and legion stuff in my absence.
        Thus, my advance “thank yous” go out to our videographer/photographer/writer extraordinaire Ken Weingartner, who is going to cover and attempt to post today’s action. So I thank Ken and hope the followers of this site appreciate his efforts. Not only today, but every day. Ken and photographer John Blaine have been unbelievable during our summer surge in visitors.
          Not to be left out are the legendary O'Gorman cousins, Joe and George, who have been a big help with Babe Ruth information. Thanks guys!
            * * *
            Looks like former Hamilton West baseball standout Ryan Zegarski is tapping his alma mater’s old rival pretty effectively in order to improve the Mercer County Community College softball team.
            The MCCC manager, who got the Vikings to the national tournament this spring, procured Steinert catcher Angela Marinos before the high school season was out. Just recently he added Lauren Manfredi to next year’s team. They were two of the top players on Steinert’s Mercer County Tournament champion.
            What’s interesting is, Zegarski has reportedly told Manfredi she will be a pitcher for him. Manfredi had been a standout hurler until her last few years at Steinert, but it appears she and Marinos will be batterymates once again after spending their senior seasons at shortstop and first base. Should be interesting.
            * * * 
            I’m a week late with this, but last Sunday’s Nottingham-Hamilton 15-year-old Babe Ruth battles were outstanding.
            I’m not a big fan of tournaments where the top two teams advance to the next round, because it takes away that drama of “finality.” Yes, I know teams are playing for a District One title and it’s a championship and it’s a big deal.
            But when the team that loses is also told its season is done, that to me makes it a little more exciting. You’re not only playing for a title, but a chance to move on. No safety net. Win or go home. Pressure adds excitement.
            That being said, when it’s Nottingham and Hamilton, all those things go out the window. They really do play for pride and bragging rights. Those two clawed at each other last Sunday at Switlik like life itself was on the line, even though both were guaranteed a spot in the states. They never disappoint. It’s pretty cool.
          * * *
            Has anybody ever won anything?
            I’m talking about radio contests. I just heard someone win a trip to Cancun on a radio station and the guy kept going “This is great. I’ve never won anything in my life.” Like he’s proud of it.
            Has anyone ever said anything different?
            Have you ever heard someone win a contest and then go “Yeah, this figures. I always win this stuff. I win all the time. I’m not excited by this at all.”
            Seemingly, every winner never won anything in their life. So I guess the rule is, when you win, you can never win again. Lotsa losers out there.
            Wouldn’t you think I’d have enough to concern myself with, than to worry about that?
            Talk about a loser huh?
July 14, 2010
How ‘bout those
Hurricanes!
            Anyone who has watched a Joe Pesci/Robert DeNiro movie has eventually heard the phrase – albeit somewhat saltier – “are you freakin’ kiddin’ me!”
            When Bob Fremgen sent in the report on Monday about the HGSA 18U team winning the War at the Shore, I uttered that same phrase, albeit somewhat saltier.
            As if Sunday was not incredible enough for the Hamilton Girls Softball Association, when the 8U, 10U and 12U teams all won Southern New Jersey Babe Ruth titles, add to it what the 18s did.
            After a sub-par Saturday in which they went 2-2, the oldest Hurricanes won five straight games on Sunday against teams seeded much higher than them in the final round.
            Is this program impressive from top to bottom, or what?
            After spending a weekend at the HGSA complex covering the 12s and keeping tabs on the 10s, I can see why. It has good fan support (though I could have done without the World Cup horn in center field, lol), a great snack shack, league officials who make sure things run smoothly and coaches who care about getting their kids positive publicity.
           In this, our first year of Fish4Scores.com, the HGSA coaches have been outstanding in supplying us with photos and tournament reports. I can only hope this will serve as an example for other rec leagues when fall sports start up (for you HGSA coaches or parents whose kids play fall sports, start spreading the word!).
           Visits to the website have been steadily rising and your contributions helped us set a new single-day record with 433 visits on Monday. That got me excited until I saw that we smashed that record with 502 visits on Tuesday.
         Of course, District 12 Little League and Babe Ruth are helping immensely, but when a team wins four championships in one day, that’s gonna draw a crowd.
         And while the infrastructure of HGSA has much to do with its success, it still comes down to the players and coaches. They are good. Really good.
            For veteran HGSA followers I’m writing nothing new here, But for folks who haven’t seen these teams play – like me, before this year, -- its good, solid, entertaining softball.
            The 12Us won with great fundamentals and dominated every opponent in the SNJ Tournament. The 10Us won with guts and tenacity, mounting several comebacks. I don’t know how the 8Us won because I didn’t see them, but I’m sure it was good stuff.
            As for the 18Us, I didn’t see them at the Shore, but I’ve seen most of them play in high school so their stellar effort did not surprise me.
            It was just a great day for a great program.
            And I ain’t freakin’ kiddin’ youse.
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