It’s Wednesday and I still haven’t done a write-up on the Illowa APBA League All-Star Game last weekend. Time management issues happen when the Cubs get to the playoffs.
IAL managers all arrived at the Downers Grove Comfort Inn last Friday. Chuck Lucas was nice enough to give me a ride from the Metra train station. For his trouble, he was given a Ruben Sierra autographed ball as promised.
Friendly banter between ASG managers
There were nine of us who attended the weekend including newbie Scott Fennessy. My buddy John Brandeberry couldn’t make the trip from Montana. In addition to playing the All-Star Game and annual league meeting, we each played regular season intersquad series games. We got started early Friday afternoon.
Well, most of us did. I had the bye so I sat then. I made the most of it by playing my Boys of Summer APBA League week’s games against Shawn Baier’s Traverse City Panthers on my laptop while I waited. Going into the series, I had a five game lead in the NL East. The Panthers took advantage of my depleted bullpen and took 4 of 6. I hoped that I would better luck against my IAL opponents.
Don Smith was up first on my schedule. It was probably the most interesting series I’ve played in a while (and not in a good way). After three games, Don’s Molly Putts Marauders and my Twin City Thunderchickens scored five runs, TOTAL. Don’s dice picked up and he started scoring runs. I did not. I plated a grand total of six runs in six games against Molly. Fortunately, Joe Kelly managed a 1-0 shutout to preserve one win for the T-chix.
Don Smith makes a point at the league meeting
Things got better for us as we split 3-3 against relative newcomer Dan Bunch who took over for the Iowa Oinkers (we’re preserving the name till the new season for records’ purposes). Then it was everyone’s favorite time of the weekend. LEAGUE MEETING!!
Despite Brando not making it to Chicago, we established a video Skype connection with him over my phone and he was able to participate… even more when the camera wasn’t pointed at the ceiling (sorry, John!). I won’t bore you with league meeting details. We rarely vote in favor of anything anyway.
Dan Bunch rolls during the ASG. Can you spot Brando on the phone at the far end?
After the league meeting and with Brando still with us over Skype, we had our All-Star Game. It was the City Boys (primarily Chicago guys) vs. the Country Gents (the downstate and out of state guys). It’s not a steep rivalry but we have fun with it. Last year, the Country Gents won in a comeback style.
This year, behind the brains of substitute manager Rob Moore, the City Boys got their revenge in a nice even victory. MVP Mike Trout was the big hero with a two-run homer in the fifth to seal the win. Mookie Betts also went 2 for 5 with an rbi and run. The four-run 5th inning was all the City Boys needed to win 5-1.
Congrats to Rob!
The cards went back to their original teams and we all got back to rolling the bones for our own teams after the high-fiving and congratulating was finished. They say you shouldn’t make your boss mad but I was playing my commissioner, Mike Bunch and wow, he just couldn’t roll. Jung Ho Kang had a good series and before I knew it, my Thunderchickens had swept his Green Rock Bombers 6-0.
Last up came the Marcus Bunch and his Moline Upperdeckers. I was hoping to capitalize after my series sweep but we just couldn’t get it going. We could only muster two wins in the six game series.
So, counting my series against Brando played earlier, we went 16-14. I don’t think we’re in last place any more.
Further thoughts
This was Scott’s first official weekend as a manager in the IAL but he’s attended plenty of others as a guest. I haven’t talked to him since the weekend but it seems like he had a great time. He’ll be a great fit in our league. Welcome Scott!
By Saturday night, most teams had finished their games and since the Cubs were playing in Game 1 of the NLCS, we all headed to a sports bar to watch them beat the Bums. I was sitting next to Rob Moore who has Miguel Montero on his team. Always nice to see your player do well even it’s in the playoffs.
More photos from the weekend here.
