Galaxy Softball Newsletter
for Week Ending 17 Jan 2010

Welcome back and I hope you all had a wonderful break.

Here's the weekly wrap for the first games of the new year. There were only 2 senior games this week as the T Ball and Under 12's don't return until 30 January.

C Grade - Galaxy 2

This week we played RPCYC Gold.

The batting line up and fielding positions are as follows:

Galaxy                                RPCYC Gold

Carmel - catcher                    Angela - short stop
Steph - 3rd base                    Julie - 3rd base
Marg - 2nd base                    Sue - 2nd base
Anne - short stop                  Margaret - centre field
Nettie - 1st base                   Bronwyn - 1st base
Lyanne - pitcher                    Jenny - pitcher
Niva - centre field                  Michelle - left field
Sue - left field                       Catherine - catcher
Rachelle - right field               Joy - right field
                                         Aeron - bench

Gold won the toss and sent us in to bat.

Carmel steps up to the plate and hits a hard ball to short stop, who then throws to first base for the first out.  Steph is up next and is thrown out at first from a dropped third strike, making the second out.  Marg steps up and hits the ball to short, who fumbles, allowing Marg to get safely to first base. Anne, our slugger, then steps up and hits a screamer out to centre field and sending Marg to second.  Nettie then faces the pitcher and hits the ball right back at her, unfortunately not making it to first base and ending the top of the innings at 0-0.

Angela steps up and hits the ball to Marg at 2nd, who unfortunately doesn't get the ball to first base in time to make the out. Julie is up next and hits a high fly ball in the infield, confusing Anne, Marg and Lyanne, none of whom can get to the ball, in the mean time, Angela has stolen 2nd base and has been advanced to 3rd by Julie.  Sue steps up next, and during her bat, Angela steals home on a passed ball. Sue hits a ground ball to Lyanne, who throws her out at 1st base for our first out.  Margaret steps up and the outfielders all move out, however, a beatiful pitch and even more beatiful swing, sends the ball out to centre field for a home run, bringing home Julie as well.  Bronwyn is up next and hits a nice hard, safe ball to Steph. Jenny is up next and hits a nice 2 base hit to centre field. Up next is Michelle, who sends the ball out to right field, allowing her to safely reach first base and bringing home Bronwyn.  Catherine is up next and hits the ball to centre field, bringing in Jenny. Joy is the next batter up and hits a hard line drive straight to Anne at short, who tags out Michelle trying to get to 3rd, and then popping the ball to Marg to making a double play for the third out, beatiful team work. Bottom of the innings and the score is 0-5.

Up first for us is Lyanne, who hits the ball straight to short stop, who makes the throw to first base for the first out.  Niva then steps up and hits the ball to short stop, who fumbles the ball, allowing Niva to make it safely to first. Sue is up next and hits the ball out to centre field, advancing Niva to 2nd base and making it safely to first base.  Up steps Rachelle, who unfortunately is struck out for the 2nd out, however, during her bat, both Niva and Sue advance bases on steals.  Carmel is up again and hits the ball right back to the pitcher, who can't make any outs, and brings Niva home.  Steph is up next and hits a high fly ball to 2nd base, ending the innings at 1-5.

Up first for Gold is Angela. She hits the ball to straight to Steph, who makes the throw to first base for the first out. Juile is up and hits the ball to Marg, who also makes the throw to first base to get the second out of the innings. Sue steps up and hits a hard ball to Anne, who unfortunately couldn't get the out. Margaret steps up and everyone automatically moves out, knowing she's a big hitter. On the first pitch, she finds the hole between Anne and Sue and makes it safely to first base. Bronwyn is next to face Lyanne, and hits a high fly ball out to left field, Sue taking the catch with the tip of her glove and holding it for the third out, beatiful catch. Score at the bottom of the innings is still 1-5.

Top of the third and the first batter for us is Marg. She hits the ball hard to third base, who makes the throw to first base for the first out. Anne is up next and hits a wonderful 2 base hit to left field. Nettie steps up and hits a fly to 2nd base for the 2nd out of the innings. Lyanne takes 2 strikes before the catcher drops the third, letting Lyanne make it to first base, however, in the mean time, Anne has stolen third base and makes it home when the catcher tries to throw out Lyanne at first (and allowing her to make it to 2nd base).  Niva steps up, and hits a beautiful 3 base hit to centre field, bringing home Lyanne and putting herself in a perfect scoring position.  Sue is up next and hits a ground ball to short stop, who fumbles it before trying to throw her out at first, letting Niva get home and Sue to get safely to first base. Rachel is up next and hits a Line drive straight to Bronwyn on first base, make this the third out. Score at the top of the third innings is now 4-5.

Before the start of the bottom of the dig, Aeron is brought on to replace Bronwyn and the field is changed around a bit. Jenny is first up and hits the ball hard to Marg, who make a minor fumble, unfortunately not getting the out at first base. Michelle steps up and lets the first pitch go, so that Jenny can steal 2nd base, however, the umpire catches Jenny leaving the base early and calls her out for our first out.  Michelle then hits the ball to Steph and makes it safely to first base. Catherine is next up and hits the ball straight to Anne at short stop, who opts for the easy out and throws the ball to Marg on 2nd base to get Michelle out for the 2nd out. Joy then hits safely to short stop and advances Catherine to 2nd base. Angela then steps up and hits the ball to Steph at 3rd base. Steph tries to throw her out at first, and Catherine makes it home, however, when Joy tries to steal 3rd base, she is put out by Anne, ending the innings at 4-6.

Top of the fourth innings and up steps Carmel, hitting the ball out to centre field and getting safely to first. Steph steps up, and not to be out done by Anne and Niva, hits a beautiful, and the first of the season for the team, home run out to right field, bringing both Carmel and herself home. Marg faces the pitcher next and hits the ball to short stop, who again makes an error, allowing Marg to reach first base. Anne steps up and hits the ball to short stop, hoping she'd error again, however, she opts for the easy out, throwing the ball to 2nd base.  Nettie is up next, and again hits to short stop (I don't know why, but they all liked hitting to her) and again, short opts for the easy out and takes the third out at 2nd base on the force play. End of the dig and it's 5-6, with about 10 minutes to go until the end of the game.

From here, lets just say that Gold really wanted to win this game and started to hit good, and safe, balls and, a few minor errors made by some fielders, let the score get away from us. Anne took a high fly ball and a hard hit line drive to her to make 2 outs, however, time and game and the final score is 5-18.

All in all, it was a good game to watch, we kept them close and I think it's a great effort from everyone considering it was the first game back after a 5 week break.  Thanks for a very enjoyable and entertaining game :o)


B Grade - Galaxy 1

This week we played Brighton 3.

The batting line up and fielding positions are as follows:

Galaxy                                  Brighton
Lil - First base                        Gail Z - third base
Anne - left field                      Teena - short stop
Denni - catcher                       Belinda - first base
Niva - centre field                    Ali - pitcher
Sam - third base                     Gail B - catcher
Melinda - short stop                 Prisceila - centre field
Wendy - second base               Melissa - right field
Marg - right field                     Beth - left field
Carmel - DP (for Jenny)            Sindy - second base
Jenny - pitcher (doesn't bat)
Sue - bench


Brighton won the toss and elected to bat first.

Up first is Gail Z, who through some great pitching from Jenny (or should I call her Monica???  grunt grunt), was left standing at the plate, wondering what had happened and where the ball was (she's been struck out and is the first out for the game).  Teena is up next and hits a safe hit to centre field, making it to first base. Belinda steps up next and leaves the first pitch, allowing Teena to steal to 2nd base. Belinda hits the ball hard to Melinda, who makes the throw to Lil on first base, making the second out of the innings. Teena meanwhile, has made it to third base.  Ali steps up and hits the ball to Sam, who makes a small error, allowing Ali to safely get to first base. Teena decides this is a good time to get out of the sun and makes a run for home, making it safely.  Up next is Gail B, who hits the ball to Wendy at second base, who throws to first to end the innings at 1-0 and bring the ladies in for a quick drink before we bat.

Up first is Lil who bunts the ball, however, instead of hitting the ground, the ball rises and as Lil ducks under it to run to first, the ball drops and touches her and stays fair. The umpire calls her out as she's been hit but a batted ball out of the box, first out.  Anne is up next, and hits the ball to Sindy on second, who throws to Belinda on first base, getting the 2nd out of the innings. Denni then faces Ali and is walked. Niva, on a high from the C grade game, hits a beautiful 2 base hit out to centre field, advancing Denni to 3rd base. Up next is Sam, who hits the ball hard but to the Ali, who throws to Belinda on first, getting the third out and ending the innings at 1-0.

Prisceila is up first for Brighton and hits a high fly ball out to Anne at left field. Anne takes the fly on the run, making the first out (beautiful catch by the way). Melissa steps up and hits a fly to Wendy on 2nd base - 2nd out and there's only been 3 balls pitched so far. Beth then faces Monica, I mean Jenny, and hits the ball hard to Melinda at short stop, who makes the throw to Lil and gets the out. Score is still 1-0 and only 6 balls were pitched in the innings.

Melinda steps up to the place to start the bottom of the 2nd innings and is left swinging at the plate, nice pitching doing the job and striking her out.  Wendy is up next and hits the ball to Teena at short stop, who makes the throw to first base for the 2nd out. Marg then steps up, and like Niva, is on a high from the previous game and hits a safe hit to left field.  Carmel then steps up and hits the ball back to Ali on the pitching plate, who throws her out at first. End of the innings and the score is still 1-0.

Top of the 3rd Innings and Sindy is up first. She hits the ball to Mel at short (what's with everyone hitting to short stop, can't they pick on someone else??? hehehe) who throws to Lil on first, getting the first out.  Gail Z then steps up and hits a ball straight up, making Denni do some work looking for the ball. Denni takes the catch for the 2nd out.  Teena steps uop and hits a the ball safely to Anne in left field. Belinda, not to be outdone, hits the ball safely to short stop and advances Teena to 2nd base. Ali is up next and hits the ball to Sam on third, who takes the option of the easy out and puts out Teena at 3rd. End of the innings and I haven't had to use my calculator at all. Score is still 1-0.

Bottom of the 3rd Innings and both Lil and Anne are left standing at the plate, one swinging and the other questioning if it really was a strike hehehe. Denni is again walked and Niva is struck out by some great pitching from Ali. Score is STILL 1-0.

Top of the 4th and Gail C steps up to the plate. It takes 5 pitches from Jenny, but Gail is finally struck out.  Prisceila is next and she hits a beautiful 2 base hit to centre field. Both Melissa and Beth are struck out. 1-0 again.

Bottom of the 4th innings and up first is Sam, who is walked.  Melinda is again struck out by some fast pitching (even I had trouble seeing them). Wendy steps up and hits the ball safely out to left field.  Marg is next, and wanting to at least get to first, hits the ball to left field and advances Wendy to 2nd base.  Carmel is up next and hits a high fly ball to 2nd base, making the 2nd out. Lil steps up and hits the ball to 2nd base, who makes the final out of the innings by throwing the ball to Belinda on first. 1-0 at the bottom of the dig.

Top of the 5th and Sindy is up first.  She hits the ball straight to Wendy at 2nd base, who throws to Lil at 1st, getting the first out. Gail Z steps up again and hits the ball straight to Jenny, who throws to Lil for the 2nd out.  Teena hits a beautiful ball out to Niva at centre, unfortunately for Teena, Niva takes a fantastic catch and retires the side. 1-0 and the tension is building....

Bottom of the 5th and Anne is first up to bat. She hits the ball back to Ali, who gets her out at first.  Denni is struck out by some great pitching and Niva hits a hard line drive to 2nd base, for the third out. 1-0.

Top of the 6th and I can sense that something's gonna happen....maybe. Belinda is up first and hits to Mel at short who makes a small error, allowing Belinda to safely make first base. Ali is up next and while facing Jenny, Belinda steals 2nd base.  Ali then hits the ball back to Jenny, who throws to Lil for the first out, however, Belinda takes the plunge and safely gets to 3rd base, ready to score (hang on, let me get my calculator out).  Gail B takes her stance at the plate and hits the ball to Jenny, however, Belinda has taken a lead, forcing Jenny to eye her off and not throw to Lil. In the stand off, Gail steals to 2nd. Jenny throws the ball to Sam, who has been closely shadowing Belinda.  Bel takes the initiative and runs for home, however, Sam throws the ball to Denni, who makes the out. 2 down and Gail on 2nd base, perfect scoring position.  Up next is Prisceila, who hits a high fly to left field. Anne's running in to catch the fly, however, she trips on a divot and headbutts the ground, the ball falling safely just in front of her. Prisceila makes it to first base and Gail to third and the umpire calls time so we can check on the health and well being of Anne.  Anne comes off for a well deserved break (hip, side and head hurting, but no major injuries) and Sue takes her place in left field.  Melissa is up next and is walked. Jenny decides to take herself out of pitching and changes with Wendy. Wendy pitches to Beth, who hits it back at her but is thrown out at first base.  This ends the game and as it is not even innings, the score reverts back to 1-0.

Even though Brighton won the game, it was a great game and again, the team did well considering the long break.  Well done ladies.



Player Profile

Well, I did it again, and forgot to interview someone for the player profile. I can't interview myself again as you all know the answers to the questions from last time. I'll get my act together and definitely interview someone for the next newsletter.

Next weeks games

T Ball and Under 12's don't return until 30 January, so we can all sleep in :o)

2.50pm - Galaxy 1 Vs Demons 2  (B Grade) on Diamond 6
4.30pm - Galaxy 2 Vs Brighton 3  (C Grade) on Diamond 3 

Umpiring - 1.10pm on Diamond 3 - Galaxy 1 - Plate & Base

Please see Jenny if you can do the umpiring. 

Please call your respective coaches closer to the date to make sure there haven't been any changes to the games etc. Or you can get draw information from the Redcliffe Softball Assoc website at www.redcliffesoftball.com.au and click on the 'Draws' tab.

Important Information

Last Word

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. 

I'm in the process of trying to organise a Saturday at Bunnings, either Rothwell or Carseldine, doing a sausage sizzle.  It'll probably be around July or August, just in time to start the next summer season. We will need volunteers from all our teams, so if you can spare an hour or 2 on the day (when we get it), it would be very much appreciated - I'll let you know as we get closer.  

Be good, or at least don't get caught

Wendy Dags