It wasn’t much of a game (if you were a South Division manager, at least). You could blame the manager. You could blame the players. But when it came down to it, we couldn’t roll the dice. In the Illowa APBA League annual All-Star Game this past weekend, the South Division was one-hit by the Chicago Division and lost 9-1. It was the second time in three years that the South Division was one-hit by the Chicago Division in the All-Star Game.
Chicago Highlanders’ thirdbaseman Mike Young was named All-Star Game MVP and he didn’t even enter the game until the sixth inning. That didn’t prevent him from collecting three hits, two rbis and a run scored. One of those hits was a double.
Secondbaseman Robbie Cano got into the action with a double in the second inning and homerun in the fifth.
The South Division’s only run was scored without the benefit of a hit. In the second, Matt Cain’s error allowed Twin City Thunderchicken Albert Pujols to get on base. Thanks to a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly, Pujols scored the South’s only run.
Molly Putts Marauders outfielder Hideki Matsui (who barely made the team because of a snafu that left him off the ballot), got the South’s only hit (a single) in the third inning when he pinch hit for the pitcher.
Congrats to the Chicago Division!
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Here are some more photos from the weekend…
We all got a series in before the All-Star Game. Yes, that’s me playing Rob Moore and his Chicago Highlanders. Thanks to Brando who took the initiative and got the camera and got a shot of me. Since I’m the one with the camera, there aren’t a lot of pictures of me.
Don Smith with the old style boards at the ready. He’s playing his brother, Keith.
It’s All-Star time!! Chicago manager Todd Ventresca (sitting) ponders his next move while Rob Moore appears to be giving thought too. Chuck Lucas, however, seems to be acting as security.
Here’s a look at the South Division managers. Commissioner Mike Bunch (sitting, left) is keeping score while John Brandeberry (sitting, right) is this year’s manager. Surrounding them is Marcus Bunch (left) and Don Smith.
Brando is looking to the bench for a pinch hitter (pick Ellsbury!).
After the Game, we got back to the regular season (not fast enough for us downstaters). One thing I noticed was that by random chance, everyone lined up by division… South Division one side…
… and the Chicago Division on the other.
Despite the absence of Tedd Mallasch (we missed you, Tedd!) and the abysmal showing by the South Division in the All-Star Game, I think we all had a great time. For my part, my Thunderchickens went 12-12 which is about as good as I could expect my team to do especially considering some of the teams we played.
We’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The best part of the Illowa APBA League is the people. We’re made up of guys from a variety of backgrounds, ages, opinions, etc, but when we all get together as a group, it’s a blast.
