Blue Thunder Makes it Rain

The biggest thunderstorm of the year rolled into Central Texas to cap off a grueling weekend for NAO's Blue Thunder. With lightning off in the distance, the A-Town girls decisively closed out the visiting Manor Mustangs behind solid pitching from Cheyenne and Ciera, and a couple fine plays at third base from Alejandra, finishing out a stretch of five games over three days with a record of 3-2. Saturday started early as the Cholas De Azul caravan bumped up Highway 183 into Cedar Park for the Cinco de Mayo tourney. The outfield corps that included Gracie and Anna made sure that the other team wasn't going to have it easy. Solid base running from Alyssa P. and crew run maxed the Mustangs 12-5 boosted by Kimberley's base clearing triple off an outrageously high fastball.

The road show then continued north to Georgetown where the girls fought hard especially at the plate but came up a little short losing 6-5. The defense shined, especially Sarah, who's backing up the pitcher helped as much as her vocal leadership from the dugout. By the time the Blue Thunder returned for their second tournament game in Cedar Park the thermometer read 95 degrees and the familial entourage was beginning to wilt. Thunder bats however caught fire. Things looked good in the first, as the top of the order maxed on runs and set up pitcher Jordyn with a comfortable lead. The host team from Cedar Park had other plans though and they stayed with the Thunder every step of the way. The battle heated up in the next inning highlighted by a dropped third strike triple from Keyahna, who subsequently scored, stealing home on the next pitch.

Yazmin appeared in the afternoon game too, revitalizing the team at the plate and on the base paths. Jordyn threw the Wolves more heat, and required rehydration herself at one point. The game came down to the final at bat for the home team with the Thunder clinging to the narrowest of margins. Cedar Park put the winning run on base and it looked bleak as they loaded the base. Thunder struck next though in the form of Alyssa C. who pounced on a bunt, stomped the plate, and tagged a runner charging for home to shock all of Williamson County with an unassisted double play and trip to the championship game on Sunday.

Sunday's Championship game against the Leander Lionesses was a well fought heartbreaker. Multiple generations of Austin women filled the stands at Cedar Park's Diamond. “T” played great and the girls battled until the end coming up just one run short. The defense was great and when a player needed backing up, another kid was there. The cheering was loud and the hitting and walking produced plenty of runs and when all was said and done “Lucky” Dorman McGinty and the Blue Thunder brought well earned runner-up trophies back home to North Austin.

Trivia: Who Stopped MJ from wearing #23 on the Sox?

Since the Rangers are going to stop showing clips of Robin Ventura's most memorable moment in his playing career, I have to keep showing it.
The Original RG was in town this week. We had to argue a little sports and cheer on Nana and the Jordynaires softball squad since only Barack could resolve our serious argument about the Chicago G8. One argument ended in a quick draw, that of nature vs. nurture on why doesn't Jay Cutler throw like a girl. I defer to this article in the Atlantic by James Fallows for the answer.
The other dispute was over Robin Ventura as Ozzie's [who makes an appearance at 0:17 in the video] replacement. I defer to Nolan Ryan there. It is agreed that baseball managers don't do much, and maybe anyone could do it. The thing is, I watch managers do the one thing they have to nail, change pitchers, poorly, I know I could do better, but some are masterful and deserving of the blackbelts they carry. Robin Ventura is a crapshoot, when a guy like Bobby Valentine was in the minors has a track record that is measurable statistically. I can even see hiring a proven winner as a player, but Ventura underachieved statistically and disgraced the number 23 in his one big emotional moment when Nolan took pummeling practice on his melon. Personally, I would go with Jim Riggleman who would be in the same price range as Robin. We'll see by the All-Star break if Ventura is still the tomato can he was back when Nolan Ryan won one for the geezers. I'm an instant fan if he goes into the stands after the nearly 100 year old Ryan. That could top the disco demolition!

60-0!

At first blush this score would appear a little lopsided, but this is not LBJ beating up on Eastside memorial. The Longhorns faced 3 solid D1 schools and Colorado State even brought their own snow.
Things look really good for these women to back up this blogger's boast about a national championship.
With the addition of Gabby Smith and the resurgence of Kim Bruins, the pitching looks almost unhittable.
The dropoff behind the plate with All American Amy Hooks' departure is nil with Mandy Ogle hitting better than her boyfriend and ably blocking Blaire Luna's dazzling array of magical pitches. With Nadia Taylor, who plays every position except pitcher like a pro, filling in on Mandy's off days, I defy anyone to find a weakness other than media silence which is out of these women's control and may actually enable a little flying under the radar so they can sneak up on the last year's Big 12 powerhouses Oklahoma and Mizzou.
All the pieces are in place, and with the best coach on the whole 40 acres, these Horns are gonna be stronger than ever.

Chitown's Greatest #23?

I believe the definition of greatness is if "they" change the rules to try to stifle the greatness. Tigerproofing golf courses, the ever moving three point line and the outlawing of dunking in college basketball back in the day are all examples of this.
The first "great" of this decade is Devin Hester. We can't even use electrifying anymore to describe Hester. It just doesn't do his greatness justice. This year the NFL tried to supress Devin by moving the kickoff and it took only 3.3 games for him to adjust. Hester ran one 70 yards from 9 yards deep. Unbelievable! Then he punctuated it with a TD punt return to break Texas-ex Eric Metcalf's record in half the time. Listen to the announcers tryto descibe #23's greatness over the years.
Of course, the original RG reminded me that the rule changes cut both ways and in the case of ski jumper Eddie th Eagle the rules were changed because he was so bad and something needed to be done to save dreamers from death at 90 meters:


I still think the definition works and thus Eddie was actually great. The adjacent articles make this page a classic. Tiger, of course. And the Canseco (steroid testing) vs. Herschel(underclassmen in the draft) fake martial arts fight. How great is that?

Soccer Belles

The biggest game of King of the Hill is shaping up nicely at 7,000 feet. July 15-17 brings all the soccer teams from Colorado to Steamboat Springs for the annual Mountain tournament to determine state supremacy. The Steamboat Strikers(U-10), coached by Bill and Ted of Excellent Adventure fame, are gelling as a team and are blessed to have the powerful leg of Caroline "Drive" Lupori in the event of any shootouts. If her performance at the Border Battle in Grand Junction in May is any indication, the younger girls should improve on their fourth place finish in that tourney. A quiet leader pictured here with team physician Chicago Sling, "Drive" personifies stealth, and should be more than ready to take on all comers in the upcoming tourney on home turf. Caroline's sister, Ellese, shown below, leads the U-13's. The older Lupori is a seasoned veteran on the pitch and is surely looking to avenge a loss to Grand Junction in the Border Battle. The loss was especially agonizing as it was played on a literally uneven playing field and facilitated by the hometown ref, Jackpot Cruikshank, who extended injury time indefinitely until his 19 year old daughter could put in the game "winner." Look for Lupori to drill a couple through early to remove the possibility of a repeat of the travesty. One disgruntled Steamboat supporter was overheard saying, " I can't wait to get those bitches at altitude."
The Grand Junction roadtrip also involved an exhibition race between Steamboat FC striker Kenzie G. and the crippled old man who carries the water and oranges for "Drive." In a stunning upset, Sling won! The video below cuts off abruptly but rest assured Sling won, and Kenzie should be especially motivated to win the Steamboat tourney next month. Sling is reported to have retired from racing, but his son, "Condor" should be available for any 6 yard dash challenges from anyone.