Game 2: The aftermath

In true Metrica style the Ballbusters remembered that the real game is played in the pub, long after the sun has set on Primrose Hill.
After enjoying some pleasant refreshments...










... the pace increased ...










... but at the end of the evening the true team spirit of the Ballbusters prevailed.

Game 2: London Raiders

The stage was set, Primrose Hill pitch 2., a classy and sophisticated venue for the Ballbusters’ cultured style of softball.

I must say, from the look of the opposing team, who seemed to have actually played softball before, I thought we were going to get a pasting. However, the game got underway and my doubts proved to be unfounded as the Ballbusters really began to show their mettle.

Tyrone was pitching for the opposition and despite having all the gear, he was useless, throwing ball after ball and getting increasingly more angry with himself. His team however didn’t seem to be too phased by it and offered him odd words of encouragement/advice such as ‘easy on the fingers Tyrone’, ‘just have fun with it’, ‘loving your work Tyrone’ etc. etc.

As the game continued the Ballbusters really controlled the play. Special mention must go to our pitchers Tim J. Weeks, Paul Kenno and Jags who were doing great work. John smashed a couple of corkers as per usual. Lucy, against all odds used her good eyes to ignore all of Tyrone’s useless pitches and was top scorer with three runs. Well done Lucy, no one doubted your talents. James ‘Velcro Hands’ Taylor just couldn’t tear himself away from the bat and insisted on running with it, much to his team’s dismay. Lorraine struggled against adversity and continued her high standards of batting and fielding despite a crocked leg. Richard Bennett also was the unhappy recipient of a torn hamstring, and, like a true man, he limped off out the game. Special mention has to go to Tim (J. Weeks) and Tom, who, at a vital point of the game were preparing to catch an absolute peach of a shot, completely unaware of each other and collided in comical fashion. Everyone however put in a great performance and showed that Metrica can really bust some balls.

In the final innings we were 7-6 up and needed to ensure that the Raiders didn’t score. We put the game on total lock down and forced them off the field, with our fielders really getting on top of things and getting the raiders out with ease.

The elation in the team was palpable as we were nearing a historic victory as the sun came out to herald our success. We batted last and the game was over, final score 7-6. WINNERS!!! We shook hands with the losers and sauntered off to the pub whilst the Raiders enjoyed a huddle and de-brief after the game. That victory pint was the sweetest I have ever tasted.

Again, well done team, it was a glorious day for the sport of softball, here’s to many more victories, lets hope they are all as comical and satisfying as the last one.

(The final score should have been 8-6 but an error in the score taking meant that Jack's first innings run wasn't marked. We don't care, we still whipped their arses.)

Game 1: Latitude

We arrived late and bedraggled to the arena of sporting greatness that is pitch 15 of regents park softball field. Latitude were even more late, looking equally confused. Game on.

The game got underway and it was clear that neither side had any idea of the rules, with Coach/Umpire/Match Fixer Alan barking out cryptic Softball do’s and don’ts, ordering us about and generally adding to the air of confusion around the game. It was clear that the other team was pretty intimidated by the talent on show among the Ballbusters, and one guy even left to go to toilet and ran home, never to be seen again.

Most of our points came from letting the useless bowlers from the opposing team throw foul balls, and then prancing to first base triumphantly. It was pretty even going for the first couple of innings, with both teams equally useless and playing with a dogged determination to get to the pub and escape the rain.

Notable incidents include Golden Boy John’s sweet shot into the stratosphere which broke some poor girl’s hand, me roughing up an opposing player, Anita falling over, and Ed clattering a poor defenceless girl on third base which was applauded by Coach Alan as being ‘the right thing to do’.

In the final Innings we were 8-4 down, needing 5 to win. We started off well, loading the bases and profiting from Latitude’s erratic bowling. However, Alan, who it must be said, had it in for Metrica from the off, started to show his true colours. Displaying a rather annoying habit of telling the other team how to get us out, whilst keeping it a secret from us, he ruined Lucy’s joyous run to the home plate by informing Latitude that she could be run out by tagging her with the ball. Whatever that means.

We were told, whilst congratulating each other for some great play, that we were all out and we had lost the game, 8-5. It’s a shame because we were definitely the better team, I mean, we had matching T-Shirts; that has to count for something surely. And they were using our mitts! we should have forced them to use bare hands. Next time we need to be more ruthless.

In summary I would say we wuz robbed by a conspiracy between dastardly Latitude and Alan, who showed in the pub afterwards that he will, if asked (and we didn’t) talk about softball literally for the whole evening.

Great effort Ballbusters, thanks to everyone for turning up and enduring lengthy spells of inactivity in a rainy field, we really showed them what we were made of. If its that much fun in the rain, just think how good it will be when/if its actually sunny.