Another Those Guys softball season is upon us.  All 2023 Stats have been archived and I am awaiting on the schedule for the upcoming season.  Many new faces to the team this year….let’s see what we got!

You may need to turn your phone to landscape mode to properly view the stat table. . .

There is a 6 game minimum to qualify for team leaders.

So close yet again!  On a beautiful night at the Joliet softball fields, Those Guys played one of their most complete games of the season but ultimately losing a tough battle against Cooms Corner/Hooters 13-12 in 7 innings.  Granted, mistakes were made but everyone showed up to play on defense and offense.

We’ll start off with Robby Granato JUST CRUSHING THE BALL!  He finished last nights game 4 for 4 with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs!  Andrew McCann continues to be the butt spark plug at the top of the order with a 4 for 5 performance and 4 runs scored.  Everyone else was patient at the plate, as the team drew 4 walks on the evening and scored a total of 12 runs.  It was a close game overall, but we failed to tack on some insurance runs late, which ultimately did us in during the bottom of the 7th inning.  Maybe next time boys.

Next game is on May 17th at 7:30pm vs. Diablos on Field #1

Box Score

With another new season coming upon us, Bill Skowronski has taken over managing duties for this years team.  Bryan Kouba will still run the website & stats just like before.  All stats and previous game recaps have been moved into the Archives menu for the upcoming 2023 season.

The 2022 D league experiment has come to an end…and the final result?  We had fun while getting kicked in the dick!  I am proud that many of our guys still continued to come out and play knowing what the outcome was going to be.  Last nights game was no exception.  Losing 25-2 in the final game sucks but going and having drinks with your teammates seemed to always makes it better.  Next season is open to whomever would like to lead the team as I only wish to participate in a supporting coaching role.  We will most definitely get us into the correct league in the future, maybe even on a different night, so that we could maybe even win a game or two.  Thank you to all the subs who stepped in this season, without you guys, we would of had many forfeits!  David Januszewski, Cameron Jablonski, & Brett Nolan were huge for keeping the season going with their commitment to playing with the team -THANK YOU!  Ok boys, that’s all I got.  Hope to see you all next season.  It was fun.

You may need to turn your phone to landscape mode to properly view the stat table. . .

There is a 6 game minimum to qualify for team leaders.

Tonight was the last regular game of the season before the start of the double elimination playoffs; so technically, we can win the entire thing!  We started off the night with 4 straight hits and scoring 3 runs immediately.  Ben Duggan went 2-3 with 2 runs scored, Bill Skowronski went 3-3, 2 runs scored, and 1 RBI, and Dave Januszewski went 2-3 with 2 RBI.  Defensively, Januszewski made some great defensive plays at short stop while Mike Hoyt still struggles making diving plays at second base; although the effort is very commendable.    However, the offense of Dirty Dozen kept us from winning a game this season and our record now falls to 0-10.   Next weeks game is at 6:30pm vs. Anthonys/The Crowd on Field #1

Box Score

I think we’ve been here before.  JR taking line drive shots off his body, our team making mental mistakes defensively, and the struggles at the plate continue.  Even with the disappointing outcome each week, I’m still having fun just getting out there and playing ball.  Some positives from the game:  Mike Hoyt went 2-2 while Cameron Jablonski, Scott Jablonski, Mike Hafner, and Scott Schager each added a hit of their own.  Next game is at 7:30pm on July 11th vs. Dirty Dozen on Field #1.

Box Score

We decided to shake up some things tonight with position players & the batting order.  Tonight we see Bryan Kouba (1-3, Double, 2 RBI) out in left center, Dave Januszewski (2-2, HR, 2 RBI) in left field, Mike Hoyt at second base, and Ben Duggan at shortstop.  These minor shifts in the defense really sparked us.  Cameron Jablonski played a great game out in right field tracking down several flyballs and having a solid contact night at the plate going 2-4 with a run scored.  New comer Brett Nolan displayed great contact at the plate going 2-3 with a run scored and fielding some hot shots over at 3rd base.  For the most part, we were in that game for the full 7 innings because of the stellar defense we all showed out there.  I think every single defensive player made a good play at some point in the night.  Next weeks game is at 6:30pm on Field #1 against VFW Snappers

Boxscore

Let’s start with the positives:  We had 10 guys show up (although that was a challenge to start with), no one got hurt, and Bill Skowronski got the only hit to allow all our batters to get at least 1 at bat.  Aside from that, it was a hot sticky night that just didn’t go our way.  I think the best part of the 8:30pm games are the “practices” afterwards.  It’s a tough season, in the wrong league, but the end is near.  Let’s get through this and stay healthy.  We have the last of our 8:30pm games next week against Anthony’s/The Crowd on Field #6

Box Score

With rain in the forecast, it wasn’t looking like the game was going to happen.  This caused some of our players to opt out of the game which put us in bind trying to field the mandatory 10.  Luckily, David Januszewski was able to find a player (Avery) from another team in our league to sub for this game.  With a persistent drizzle, the game was played and we didn’t do that bad.  Some fielding mistakes and missed opportunities at the plate but we felt we could hang with FORE.  Too bad this is the only meeting we have with them.  As for the game, substitute Avery had a hell of night going 3-3 with a HR & 2 RBIs, while David Januszewski went 2-3 with a double, Bill Skowronski went 2-3 with 3 RBIs, Scott Jablonski went 2-2 with 1 RBI, and Mike Hoyt 2-3 with 1 RBI.  8 out of 10 players had at least 1 hit in the game and 9 out of 10 players reached base in the game.  That’s progress.  Let’s keep that momentum going for next weeks game against Lumber Company @ 8:30pm on Field #6.

Box Score

On a great night for a softball game, Those Guys offense started off with the first 5 batters reaching base.  Coming back from a 4 year hiatus, Eric Willis (2-2, 2 singles, 2 runs) started off the game with a walk, followed by 4 straight singles which plated in 2 runs to kick off the game.  Down 10-2 and the bases loaded, Bill Skowronski says “Watch this…“,  Dave Januszewski (3-3, 1 HR, 2 singles, 5 RBI)  on the next pitch blasts a grand slam to bring the team within 4 runs.  Those Guys was able to squeak out 2 more runs in the 4th inning but ultimately Team Penske put on a hitting show hitting the gaps for doubles & sometimes in the park home runs; not to mention the limited 3 allowed over-the-fence home runs.  After the game, many players stayed behind for an impromptu practice which hopefully will help in next weeks game against Boetto & Boetto @ 8:30pm on Field #6.

Box Score

Finally some nice weather with some crazy wind to go with a crazy game; for all the wrong reasons.  The start of the game was pretty typical for Those Guys’ season.  The other team bombed a homerun (which easily carried out because of the wind) but some great defensive plays in the infield made the inning end quicker than usual.  Ben Duggan (2-2, 1 RBI, 1 Run) started off the with a lead off single that was immediately matched by Scott Schager (2-3, 1 Run).  Bill Skowronski joined the hit parade with his own single scoring Duggan from 2nd and Cameron Jablonski drove in Schager on a long winded fielder’s choice double play for a 2 run first inning.  Then all hell broke loose in the 3rd inning when team captain Ben Knight went down with what appears to be a season ending leg injury (Hamstring).  This put the team down a man which opened the flood gates for Dirty Dozen to go on and score 16 runs in the inning.  I will say this, Dirty Dozen were great sports about our situation, only taking singles on balls they could of ran forever on.  They tried to keep the game fun which is what the season is all about.  In the bottom of the 3rd, we did get to get the bats going again, with Scott Jablonski hitting a triple to plate 3 RBIs.  Next weeks game vs. Team Penske on Field #6 @ 8:30pm

Box Score

At some point, we will start to click and play more than 4 innings a game.  🤣😂  For tonight’s game against the VFW Snappers, we had to call in the reserve-reserves to fill the voids of a few players not able to make it.  Thanks to Cameron Jablonski and David Januszewski for filling in tonight; both of which had a hit in the game.  Bryan Kouba went 2-2 for the night with two line drive singles down the left field line and Mike Hoyt continues to get on base via the walk.  Defensively, we got better from the previous game but the opposition sure knows how to hit it where we ain’t.  The key thing we have to remember, “It’s for fun.  Play your game & position the way you can and let’s see if we can win one for the gipper!”   Next weeks game should have some decent weather in the 80’s against Dirty Dozen at 6:30pm on Field #1

Box Score

On a cold night in April, Those Guys have finally returned to the field after a long 2 year break due to COVID.   We welcomed in 10 new players to fill the voids left vacant and are hopeful everyone can have some fun & stay healthy.  Last night verse Anthonys/The Crowd, we knew we were in for a challenge and that team did not disappoint coming out of the gate hitting 3 home runs the first inning.  The game was pretty lopsided for the 4 innings of play but some highlights for Those Guys included Ben Knight hitting a double in his first at bat and Audomaro Farias going 1 for 2 with the teams only 2 RBIs.  Defensively, we need to tighten up a bit but Mike Hafner made some great catches on missiles off the opponents bats.  All in all, it was great to finally get out there and play.  We are in it for the fun and if we can make some games competitive, I think many of us would be happy.  Next week, 7:30pm game against VFW Snappers on Field #1

Box Score

The 2022 season begins on April 25th @ 8:30pm against Team Penske on Field #1.  It’s been a long time since Those Guys have made it out on the field; so let’s shake of the rust (or is it dust?) and have some fun!  Welcome to the 10 new players to team, hope you can carry us!  🤣😂  See you on the field Monday!
-Bryan