Friday, September 3, 2010

Day 226: The Beatitudes

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 145mm, f/3.5, 1/640, ISO 1600)

This is it.  The final game of the regular season... after the break.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated games all season by some of the players on Ekklesia was the one that would pit them against the famed Beatitudes.  Not exactly your run of the mill team, they've been playing together for quite some time. 

(Nikon D60, 18-55 VR @ ~36mm, f/5.6, 1/125, ISO 200)

Prior to this game there seemed to be a buzz amongst the younger players, to the point where I personally thought this game was being a bit overhyped.  Of course, it's only my second year around the CCSA, so what do I know, right?  :~)

(Nikon D60, 18-55 VR @ ~18mm, f/5.6, 1/100, ISO 200)

On the whole, a pretty interesting game.  Arguably the most intense of the season, with the score remaning incredibly close the entire time.  Both teams played fairly well, although probably ended up committing more errors than either one should have. 

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~135mm, f/4, 1/1600, ISO 400)

Offense on the other hand was quite the show.  Hitting was precise, and runningwas aggressive.  So aggressive, that Albert Kong took a bit of a spill (below) on his way to first, tripping on the bag as he crossed it.  He's okay, sans a few scrapes and perhaps a slightly bruised ego (the parents in attendance).  The worst part?  He was out by not much more than half a step probably.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 170mm, f/4, 1/640, ISO 800)

Neither team really blew out the other on the scoreboard, and the game would continue to go back and forth with Ekklesia clawing back ever so vigorously to minimize the deficit as much as possible..

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 200mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 1600)

By the time the game had reached the final half inning, Ekklesia was down a couple of runs.  Eventually, Wesley (below) would reach second base, advanced on a single by Cindy.  One run was already in, with Wesley being the tying run.  Patrick would ground a ball to the Beatitudes shortstop.  Seemed rather simple, and my heart dropped a little because I figured it was over.  Not quite.  Rather than going for an easy force out, the shortstop tries to tag Wesley, misses and ends up overthrowing the ball to second.  Cindy is safe and starts taking off for third, while Wesley is already also scores.  The Beatitudes recover the ball in short order and gun it to third.  Cindy slides.  Everyone who had a good vantage point was pretty sure she's safe.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 112mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 1600)

Not quite.  The third base umpire called her out.  Inning over, but the tying run did make it in.  It was certainly a controversial call and one that some might argue is outright wrong, especially given the circumstances in the photo below.  She's already hit the bag - her legs are literally sitting on top of it - and the tag is still making it's way to her back.  Unfortunately, there's no real way of overuling that call save for the home umpire, which didn't happen.  So that's how it ended.  Tie game. 

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 120mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 1600)

Afterwards, it was clear that Cindy was quite visibly upset.  I think she had no real need to be though.  Wasn't really her fault.  She did all the right things (hell, she slid!  I've never seen her do that) but just got knocked by the system.  To her credit, she's probably one of the most improved juniors from last year in my opinion.  Not to detract from the others, but I seriously had doubts about Cindy's readiness for Seniors.  I honestly thought she'd get destroyed, but she did just the opposite: she persevered, she worked hard, she overcame. 

(Nikon D60, 18-55 VR @ 29mm, f/4.8, 1/160, ISO 800)

It was - in my opinion - probablhy the best way to go into playoffs.  A sobering tie to let the team know that they weren't exactly invincible, and that as they entered the post-season they'd be meeting stiffer opposition to which they would have to work harder than ever.  In any case, this one was in the books and with it, another regular season over. 

An incredible game, and certainly one to remember.

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