Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

A's Prevail on Day of Action!

When the F'n A's began play three seasons ago, expectations were low. After all, the large majority of players had never played softball before. Several had never played any sport. A few had trouble with basic motor skills. That team struggled to a 1-20-1 season, but at least avoided the ignominy of losing every game, and proved the resiliency of the squad by maintaining tremendous turnout all season long in spite of the losses.

In 2006, the stakes were a bit higher. Manager Mitchell/Hungus had recruited a new player to work as his assistant, a handful of rookies showed promise, and the originals all had a year of experience under the belt. When that team stumbled out of the gates to a 1-10 start, there was real frustration - a sense that the team was underperforming, or was distracted by an everpresent film crew. After a majority of the A's returned froma team building/wedding retreat in Chicago, the team gelled, finished the season 5-5, won a playoff game and nearly snuck into the finals, losing 12-10. (Highlights of the season are available in the 38 minute feature "F'n Amazing: The 2006 1st F'n Amendments", available on DVD for $6.95)

This year, most outside observers looked at the A's and saw a team that might make a deep playoff run. Added to the roster were Herr German - an FBI assassin, Mattallee - a highly recruited shortstop out of Illinois, Jojomojo - a human tornado of athletic energy, and several others. All of the key players from 2006 were back. When the A's lost the opener, it stung, but they looked good. As losses two and three came in, there was mounting concern, but the scores were close and there were some good plays. Mitchell was faced with strange attendance - just when someone would show up and play well, they would disappear for four weeks. As the losses kept occurring, a piece of Mitchell the manager started to die. Though folks were still showing up in great numbers and having a good time, the joie de vivre around the team was definitely muted. Then last week, the ship that is the A's seemed to run aground completely. Facing a hot team desperate for revenge, the A's got humiliated in every facet of the game in a 33-7 loss to the One Hitters. This followed three straight last inning/one run losses - maybe the pressure of almost breaking throug but not quite finally caught up to them. After the loss, the F'n A's went to radio silence. Noone discussed the game. Noone even talked about the next game, as it was almost an afterthought due to the giant ACLU Day of Action rally requiring everyone's full attention. A funny thing happened when the team stopped fretting...

One struggle the A's have faced this year is a terribly inconsistent lineup. Over 30 people ave played, but few with regularity. While not everyone was available, for the first time all season Mitchell was able to field a lineup pretty much like he'd imagined in spring training. The Department of veterans affairs could have no idea what was about to be unleashed on them.

The A's were the road team, and with one down and runners on second and third in the first, they saw an opportunity wasted so many times before. This time, Young William came through, eschewing the long ball for the sure hit, knocking in two, and sparking a three run inning. When the A's sent out their defensive alignment, Mitchell felt somewhat confident, but a few key pieces were still missing. Mattallee was finally ensconced at short, Mitchell and Young William patrolled the left side of the outfield, Herr German and Habeas were on hand. It looked pretty solid, but Fight Club (who showed up in the 2nd)and Dilg and Berg were out of action. Then the unthinkable, hits and errors and runs, and the A's were down 4-3 and still hadn't recorded a single out. Things looked their bleakest as the number 5 hitter blasted one past Young William in center. He trotted the bases blissfully unaware of the fate about to befall him. Young William never gave up on the ball, and launched a laser beam to his cutoff, Mattallee. Mattallee smelled blood, and blistered a perfect strike home to Ian covering the plate. Ian's sure hands never moved, and the tag caught Mr. I-Thought-It-Was-A-Homer right in the jaw. One out! Though they still led, the Veterans never recovered. The inning ended with the score 4-3, but the A's had all the momentum and never looked back. This could easily become the season defining play - the momet that turned a game and a year around.

The A's didn't break though until the 4th inning, but something about the way the game was going never left any doubt how it would end. Mitchell and Ass Manager were reunited as the pitching battery and shutout the Vets over five innings. Mattallee made some sensational plays drawing ooh and ahs even from the opposition. Ian went 3 for 3. German played a shut down third, Sneaky Pete played all over, Habeas settled in at first, Fight Club held down left, Puma again did what was needed of him in the field and stroked the ball at the plate, Booze Cruz got a hit and boozed superbly (side note - the A's were out of beer by the 5th - great job A's!!!) Shinouye rediscovered his swing, and intern Loftman scored and looks to be this season's good luck charm. Everyone really turned in great performances, as the A's won 11-6.

Does this mark a turnaround? Mitchell sure thinks so - he has scheduled some additional games in the upcoming weeks to capitalize on the momentum. With games on the 10th, 16th, and 17th the A's have a chance to move up the standing in a hurry.

Next game: Tuesday June 10th vs. Undefeated in Name, 15th and Constitution