Season wrap-up

Guess I ought to get around to wrapping up the 2011 season.

We split our last two games to finish at 7-5. Not a bad season for a bunch of old men. I think we tied for third place.

Sorry I didn't update as regularly down the stretch.

Game 10 Report — Entrup Painting 24, Tap Outs 15

Your diamond warriors were back in action after a bye week. It wasn't pretty as the Tap Outs fell to 6-4 on the season with a loss at Upper Moorman Park.

The game was actually much closer than the final score indicates ... I think.

The Entrup boys bashed their way to a 16-4 lead early in the game, reaching the three home-run limit in the process.

The Tap Outs got back on track thanks to Josh, who belted a two-run homer — the Tap Outs' first over-the-fench homer in a long time. The Tap Outs eventually pulled within 18-15 with a monster rally that DOB was actually part of.

Batting in the last spot in the Tap Outs' lineup, DOB went 2 for 4 and drove in three runs. He had a two-run double and a run-scoring single, coming through with the bases loaded on the two-run shot. His hits were indicative of the Tap Outs' night. Other than Josh's bash, the Tap Outs just nickeled and dimed their way back into the game.

Down 19-15 going into the seventh, the Tap Outs couldn't complete their comeback. The Entrup boys finally wised up and quit hitting the ball out of the park — they hit two balls over the fence after reaching the limit that went for outs. They tacked on six more runs and the Tap Outs couldn't answer in the bottom of the inning and wound up with the loss.

As good as DOB was at the plate, he was just as awful behind it. He dropped a potential 1-2-3 double play ball from Jazzy Jeff. He then threw the ball away trying to gun down a runner at first base on a pickoff attempt. Yadi Molina, he ain't.

The Tap Outs are likely out of the running for a trophy this season, their first at the Division IV level. They have two games left. They'll be back in action at 7 against Outdoor Power at Moorman Main.

Games 7, 8, 9 Report — Tap Outs win two of three

Sorry for the lack of updates. Just too lazy to do much updating right now.

The Tap Outs suffered a 12-11 setback to Noxin Trucking on June 23. Had a chance to take the lead in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded, but Home Run Baker popped out to end the game.

With DOB gone playing mud volleyball on June 30, the team did what it does best with him gone — win games. The Tap Outs won two games, beating Overhead Door in a regularly scheduled game and then winning a makeup game against someone. Does it really matter?

The Tap Outs are now 6-3 in their first year in Division IV play. They have a bye tonight and will be back in action at 6 p.m. on July 14 against Entrup Drywall at Upper Moorman. There are just three games left in the season.

Game 6 Report — TapOuts 5, Flying Inn 1

Records were set the last time your Quincy Park District Division IV warriors met up with the folks from the Flying Inn.

It was a little bit of a different story on Thursday night at Wavering as the Flying Inn's lineup was more enhanced than the stable of girls at PT's in Sauget. Even with a few extra ringers in their lineup, the aeronautical enthusiasts were no match for the TapOuts, who improved to 4-2 with a win.

Jazzy Jeff was downright nasty on the mound, allowing only a solo home run. The TapOuts did enough on offense to get the win.

Sorry for the lack of details tonight, but DOB got there in the fifth inning after piloting his youngest boys' Pinto League team to a dominating performance in its season opener. DOB came in and contributed less than nothing. He popped out in his only at-bat as the slump continues.

Home Run Baker did look pretty sweet in some old pinstripe uni that he dug out of moth balls. He was the best dressed TapOut for sure.

Your diamond warriors are back at it next Thursday when they meet up with Noxin Trucking at 7 p.m. at Upper Moorman. The TapOuts already own a win over the truckers this season.

Games 4 and 5 Report: A split decision

A bye week and two straight rainouts kept the TapOuts off of their appointed rounds in the Quincy Park District Division IV play for nearly a month.

However, the boys were able to finally get back to action on Thursday night at Moorman Main. It was a Demons/TapOuts first — a doubleheader. The boys played their regularly scheduled game against Bryant's Lawncare before making up a May 26 date with their former Division V nemesis, Entrup Drywall and Painting.

Even though it had been a while since they played a QPD game, many of the TapOuts played in a wooden-bat tourney last weekend at the Knights of Columbus. The TapOuts took second, making $150 as a team.

DOB wasn't on that tourney team. Maybe if he wouldn't have been around on Thursday night, the TapOuts would have swept their foes. Bryant's Lawncare wound up pulling out an 11-8 victory over the TapOuts in the opener. In spite of having DOB in the lineup, the TapOuts were able to hold off Entrup 17-13 in the nightcap to improve to 3-2 on the season.

In their opener, the TapOuts hit the ball hard for most of the night, but it was right at the Bryant's defense.

The TapOuts offense, however, came around in the nightcap as your diamond warriors built a 14-4 lead going into the bottom of the fifth. The Entrup pitcher had all kinds of problems finding the strike zone and wound up walking in a run before Kriss Kross followed with an inside-the-park grand slam to push the lead to 10 runs.

Entrup, which tied the TapOuts, for the Division V title last summer, tried to mount a comeback and got within 14-12 after six innings, but the TapOuts prevailed. Nothing But Triples Baker (formerly known as Home Run Baker) had a big triple in the seventh to help the TapOuts extend their lead.

Nick Jr. had a great day at the plate in the nightcap, reaching base every time he batted. The team also got a lift from Donny Wahlberg, who made his triumphant return to the squad.

The entire organization had to make up for DOB's shortfalls on the night. DOB knew it was going to be a rough night when he was called on strikes on his first at-bat of the night, a call that was wrong. DOB jawed with the officials all night, eventually drawing a warning in the nightcap from one of the blind boys in blue.

DOB finished the twinbill 1 for 9. The only thing he did right was tag out a runner at home in the second game. DOB had clearly thrown a would-be base stealer out at third base against Entrup as well, but Quincy's verison of Danny Davis called the guy safe. Just another case of the QPD trying to keep the TapOuts down.

We'll be back in action next Thursday at 6 p.m. at Wavering when we face the Flying Inn for the second time this season. We were able to slip past the Flying Inn earlier this season.

Hopefully, DOB isn't demoted to the minors by then.

Game 3 Report: Overhead Door 21, TapOuts 6

First off, sorry for the long delay in getting this one posted, but the software that I use to update the site was down for several days.

Not that we had a ton to talk about from last Thursday's crushing loss — The TapOuts' first since joining the QPD Division IV ranks. We ran into a buzzsaw. Umpire Frank told me that they're one of the top-scoring teams in the league.

We'll we hadn't done so badly ourselves in scoring runs until we ran into this outfit.

Jazzy Jeff was roughed up in his return to the circle as the Door Jambers knocked him around the park. These guys were about as close to professional as we've ever played. To be blunt, we had little business being on the same field as them.

Not even an inspirational visit by Herald-Whig Demons legend the Weamster could lift our spirits. If only Hitman Hart had shown up for this one.

Hopefully, the DOB in the leadoff spot experiment is over. He went 1 for 3, not the kind of production the teams needs there. We did have a mostly full roster for the first time this season, which was good to see. We needed all the help we could get against that crew.

The TapOuts have the league-mandated bye this week. We're back in action at 6 p.m. May 26 at Wavering against Entrup Drywall and Paint.

Game 2 Report — Tap Outs 16, Noxin Trucking 4

Another night, another submission hold performed by the Ted's Shirt Shack Tap Outs.

The truckers from Noxin Trucking — a unit that once sponsored one of my kids' youth league teams — were no match for your diamond heroes on a moist night at Wavering Field. The offensive onslaught that the Tap Outs rained down in its Quincy Park District Division IV opener couldn't be matched, but the team still made the base paths their own personal merry-go-round.

The Tap Outs wound up winning by the slaughter rule despite an off night from their lead-off hitter. For some reason, Kriss Kross decided to plug DOB back into the No.1 spot. Unlike last week, DOB struggled a bit. He went 1 or 4 with an RBI and a run scored. He hit one other hard ball and —gulp — fouled out for the first time since the 2008 season.

This game was kind of like when the Bulls win without a big night from Derrick Rose. Even with DOB, who is the straw that stirs the drink, struggling on offense, the team was able to survive.

The team had its first real homer of the year as Home Run Baker hit a blast over the left field fence — a grand slam no less — in the third inning. After a quiet fourth inning, the Tap Outs put BJ and the Bear out of their misery when Cory in The House hit an inside-the-park grand slam to end it.

Kriss Kross had another solid game inside the circle and was backed by a stout defensive effort. Nick The (Not-so) Quick made one of the nicer plays, using all of his mobility to snag a ball at second base.

It was good to see Big John Studd back in the fold after he missed the opener. The Tap Outs only had nine players there and still beat the fully-staffed gang of truckers. We've yet to hear from Jazzy Jeff, who may have lost his pitcher's job to the wily southpaw, Kriss Kross.

The Tap Outs, who are now 2-0 and have outscored their hapless foes 52-13, will be back in action next Thursday at 6 p.m. against Overhead Door at Upper Moorman.

Game 1 Report — Tap Outs 36, Flying Inn 9

Yes, the headline is correct.

In their first game at the Quincy Park District Division IV level, your diamond heros absolutely laid the smack down on the Flying Inn crew in front of a standing-room only crowd at Moorman Main.

The people who packed Moorman certainly got what they paid for. Their choice to skip out on the NFL Draft and resting up for the big royal wedding paid off in spades. The witnessed history as the Tap Outs set a franchise record for runs in a game.

As you can expect, there were a certain amount of nerves for the crew going into the game. First, of all, they were bumped up a division after showing utter dominance in Division V, winning two titles in three seasons. Instead of having a chance to defend their title, the Tap Outs were bumped up. The Quincy Park District tried to keep us down, but we rose to the challenge on our first night in a new league.

We were also a bit short-handed on opening night as just 10 Tap Outs were in the house. Big John Studd and Eric B. were wrapping up their marathon bowling season, leaving them out of the mix.

It didn't matter. With Eric B. out of the mix, team skipper Kriss Kross decided to put DOB at the top of the order. The moved proved to be a prudent one. DOB made like a vintage Vince Coleman in the leadoff spot. He set the table all night, going 4 for 5 with a walk. He scored three runs and drove in three runs all while playing a flawless game at catcher.

With an .800 batting average and an .875 OBP, it's going to be hard for Eric B. to reclaim his spot atop the order.

A couple of newbs also had good games in their Tap Outs debut. We welcomed back Bad Brad from a few seasons back. We added Nick Jr., who isn't related to Nick the Quick, but does give us another Nick on the squad.

Home Run Baker will man shortstop for the departed Hitman Hart and hit cleanup. He didn't go yard, but hit an impressive, towering 15 foot blast while trying to bat left-handed late in the game when the Tap Outs were up 23.

Josh, who will be known as Jay-Z on this blog, made his presence felt. He capped a wild night of offense by clubbing an inside-the-park grand slam, a move that drew the ire of the Flying Inn's catcher.

"That's stupid," the Flying Inn catcher said after tasting Jay-Z's dust, "you're not a good enough player to do that."

Sadly, Jay-Z didn't turn around and say "Scoreboard," to the disgruntled backstop.

We were also without our regular hurler as Jazzy Jeff was too busy coaching up the Highland Cougars. Kriss Kross responded by keeping the Flying Inn bats for most of the night. One cat on the Flying Inn did crush a three-run homer, but that's about all of the damage the Inn-Keepers managed.

The Tap Outs will be back in action next Thursday at 7 p.m. at Wavering. Who are they playing? It doesn't matter who they're playing.

Movin' on up

Fresh off its second Quincy Park District Division V title in two years, the Ted's Shirt Shack Tap Outs have been forced to move up to the Division IV ranks by the opressive powers-that-be at the Quincy Park District.

There must have been a lot of hand-wringing amongst the Division V teams. Since they couldn't beat a bunch of old men, they must have decided to force The Tap Outs (nee Demons) move to a higher division.

The Tap Outs' 2011 campaign is slated to start at 8 p.m. Thursday at Moorman Main. I'd love to post the rest of the schedule, but the Park District doesn't want the general public to know when people play since they've yet to post it on their website.

As always, we'll have updates on the season here, your official home of the Tap Outs.