1-0 Lightning Strikes Twice

Following Saturday evening's 1-0 nail biter at Citi Field, what would be in store for the Harrisburg Senators Fan Club's first 2015 road trip on Sunday? The Nats had been blanked for eight straight innings; the Mets for nine consecutive. Plus the Mets shut out the Nationals 4-0 Friday night.

Very little scoring, but big time baseball drama this week in Queens. And that's what we saw by the time we arrived at the ballpark.

We weren't the only ones arriving late due to the NYC traffic snarls. That meant the game was starting yet security lines were lengthy. Fortunately, folks with children and anyone without a bag could jump the line. However, it didn't take long for the security line to shrink for the others. (I tip my Senators cap to those burdened by this huge responsibility. They took it in stride and remained pleasant throughout their encounters with fans.)

Once inside I peered onto the field from the open concourse. From the time I settled into my seat, I felt a more intimate ballpark than I'd expected.

Sure, it's big. But Citi Field is mostly tall. I expected the huge video boards to appear farther back from the outfield fence. The field played smaller than a big stadium should.

From Section 125 the action easily unfolded before us and 41,000 others. The Shea Bridge provides uniqueness to the outfield backdrop.

The large Citi Field logo is visible both inside and out. Mindy appreciated that the batting team lineup and stats always remain on the left video board; the defense and pitching stats on the right.

On the heels of our last Fan Club trip (Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter to close the curtain on the Nats' 2014 regular season, we witnessed no runs at Citi Field. Ryan Zimmerman's 1st inning broken bat flare scored the only run of the game.

Not that we minded. Every pitch was meaningful. Both teams had opportunities, pitched extremely well and played good defense. The Nats stranded both 1st & 3rd one inning and bases loaded in another -- both with no outs -- yet Mets' pitching miraculously worked out of those jams.

It was good to see the Mets faithful respond to the team's early 1st place effort. The atmosphere nearly felt like playoffs to me, which added to the excitement.

Of course many former Senators saw action, including three relievers that Matt Williams paraded from the pen following Doug Fister's stellar 6.1 IP. Tanner Roark got two key outs; Aaron Barrett K'ed the only Met he faced to end the 8th; and, Drew Storen closed the door with a perfect 9th.

A Washington team hadn't won two straight 1-0 games since "Senators" displayed across their jerseys. However this game had turned, it was bound to be a classic, especially on the heels of the previous night's 1-0 contest.

Runs? Overrated

Since the DH debate has been boiling over yet again, let me start by saying that no one will ever convince me that baseball is a 9-and-a-half player game. That DH game may be called something, but it isn't "baseball" to me.

One of the main reasons why we must suffer this aberration of the game was lack of offense. Well, guess what? In many games, there's still a lack of offense. And guess what again? I'm perfectly fine with that.

I'm a big fan of crisply played, well-pitched 1-0 games. (Hey MLB, you want to trim time from games? Not many fans will be riveted to a 3.5 hour, 12-5 mopping with nine walks when pitchers can be replaced (or not) at will.

I don't care how long a 1-0 game takes to play. Baseball allows me to forget about the clock for a spell. Every pitch can change the outcome. Base running, moving runners and bunts matter. Every play in the field is magnified.

That's the game the Harrisburg Senators Fan Club enjoyed yesterday on our first ever trip to Citi Field. Due to the five-borough bike race street closures, we missed the only score in the top of the 1st. MLB Network provided the highlight(?) late last night as Ryan Zimmerman's broken bat blooper over 1st scored Jayson Werth.

Good teams seem to score runs this way more often than lesser teams. The Mets have been doing it this year. So have the Astros and Cards. In fact, St. Louis swept the Pirates this weekend in tight, low-scoring affairs on hundred hoppers, infield hits, bloop doubles kicking up chalk, and then finally a power display walk-off by Kolten Wong.

This time, it was the Nats' turn. Two consecutive 1-0 classics, Saturday evening and Sunday, both where the only run scored in the 1st inning. The rest of the games developed with all on the edge of their seats, many standing in key situations, including us yesterday.

More to come on our trip and why the DH would have ruined this game, but remember: if you ever feel the need to convince me that the DH belongs in baseball, you can save your writing/debating prowess for another topic. Because in my math, when it comes to baseball, 9 never equals 9.5.    

Double Reminders

Tough loss at Metro Bank Park last night, but there were some positives: Great outing by Tim Alderson and more offensive/defensive highlights from Pedro Severino. I'm eager to see how Brian Daubach's team responds in today's quick turnaround matinee. Oh, and I have another positive takeaway that we'll get to in a moment.

Here's the first of our reminders: if you're joining us for Sunday's bus trip to Citi Field, please remember that we're leaving the Radisson/Perkins parking lot along Routes 11 & 15 (West Walnut Street, Camp Hill) at 8:30 AM. Thanks to your tremendous response to this trip, we'll be traveling in a big Wolf's bus. Hopefully, the Nats can carry the excitement from last night's historical comeback along to New York this weekend.

Secondly, we'll hold our next Harrisburg Senators Fan Club meeting this Tuesday, May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) at Shugar's Philly Deli, 316 Bridge Street, New Cumberland. The Senators have home games both May 12th and May 19th, so we opted for an earlier meeting, even though the American Legion has a scheduling conflict.

Our guest speaker will be baseball historian, Ted Knorr. Members still discuss Ted's terrific reenactment of the 1960 World Series at a Fan Club meeting a couple of years ago.

This Tuesday, Ted tackles a controversial subject: the greatest year in Pennsylvania baseball history. Ted hopes to make his presentation interactive, so come prepared to offer your suggestions. Could it be 1960 (Pirates championship)? 1980 (Phillies long-awaited championship)? 1929-1931 when the Philadelphia A's dominated? How about 1999 when the Senators most dramatically sealed their unprecedented fourth consecutive Eastern League championship? We're eager to hear your opinions and Ted's take.

You can order from Shugar's menu on Tuesday. They also offer bottled wine. If you prefer beer, you may bring your own as they offered to provide refrigeration. Should be a great time!

Now, one more tidbit about last night's Senators' game. You may or may not be aware that this is Harrisburg Beer Week to benefit Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services. One of the many daily events was held in the Giant Picnic Pavilion during last evening's game. An interesting four-course food/beer pairing more than satisfied this baseball fan.

I've never before enjoyed such tasty cuisine, real utensils and glass plates at any ballgame! I raise my glass to Chef Paul, Ashley Grotte and the Senators front office for participating in this cause. I look forward to more unique events like this at the ballpark.


Brian Williams, President

Cinco de Mayo

If you don’t speak Spanish, we aren’t talking about a whipped condiment. We’re talking about the next meeting of the Harrisburg Senators Fan Club.

Following our Sunday, May 3rd trip to Citi Field to see the Nationals and Mets wrap up their weekend series, we’ll gather Tuesday, May 5th for our first in-season meeting.

I don’t mean to throw you a curve (I never really could!), but we’ll start at 6:30 PM at Shugar’s Philly Deli, 316 Bridge Street, New Cumberland. Our usual spot has a scheduling conflict so the folks at Shugar’s were kind enough to invite us to try their new meeting room.

Our guest speaker will be baseball historian Ted Knorr, who will make a case for the best year in Pennsylvania baseball history. Order from Shugar’s menu if you please.

Oh, and you’re welcome to BYOB. Shugar’s offers bottled wine and refrigeration if you’d like to bring along your own bottled or canned beer.

One more note: please complete sales of your May Daily Number fundraiser tickets and send your stubs and payment before the end of April. This is very important for our accountability of all sold and unsold tickets.

We look forward to celebrating Cinco de Mayo with you and the Senators Fan Club! Bring an amigo or two to join our ranks.

Brian Williams

President

Better Than Opening Night

While Game One was exciting, Matt Skole made sure that Game Two had a better result for Senators fans. Leading off the bottom of the 11th, Matt launched a drive the opposite way. My only hesitation was whether the ball would reach the corner of Ollie's Cheap Seats or bang off the wall beside them at the 335 mark.

Matt took a walk-off stroll around the bases, Paul Demny racked up the Senators' first W after 2 IP, and the home crowd enjoyed the game-ending fireworks as much as the post-game version. Even the weather cooperated and remained a good ten degrees warmer than Thursday night.

For the second straight game, the one-run difference featured our first MLB rehab participant, Pirates catcher Chris Stewart. Although Chris went 0-2 in the opener, he notched a pair of singles (2-4) in Game Two as he nurses a right hamstring injury.

Newcomer Joe Ross pitched the first 4 innings. Derek Self and Robert Benincasa followed with 5 scoreless frames to set up Demny and Skole's dramatic finish.

Oh, and the dancers returned, receiving a healthy round of applause following their between-inning performance. This is a must-see.

Paolo Espino, who held Eastern League hitters to a .229 average through 29 appearances (16 starts) with the Senators last year, takes the hill tonight. His mound opponent will be the Pirates' #1 prospect (according to MLB and Baseball America), Tyler Glasnow. This will be his first game at the AA level.

Finally ... Opening Night

As much as we celebrated the return of baseball Tuesday, April 7th at Welcome Back Senators Night, last evening proved it's really here. Honest. The Senators and Altoona Curve crossed the white lines on a misty, raw 41-degree evening; however, I only witnessed smiles as baseball is truly back.

My observations:

The teams played a crisp, pitching-dominated opener ... Only one error per side. Both had to be scored on tough plays to third ... Catcher Pedro Severino opened a lot of eyes by quickly releasing lasers to catch four Curve runners running the bases ... Austin Voth's 6 scoreless IP shouldn't go unnoticed ... Kudos to Aaron Margolis and his team for the scoreboard and ribbon board updates. Everything is much easier to read at a glance. I'm really impressed ... The front office and fellow fans were downright giddy that we were actually watching a baseball game take place. It didn't have anything to do with shivering from the dampness or even $2 beer night. I guess this off-season and winter really were that depressing! (I'll never understand why those in charge of calendars steal days and weeks from a baseball season, multiply them, and indiscriminately stick them into the off-season. It just isn't fair.)

Each team managed just five hits, not unusual considering the weather ... Five of the six combined walks didn't hurt, although each team had scoring threats ... A lead-off walk, however, still does hurt. (I'm still amazed by how many lead-off walks score in MLB.) Nothing against Abel, who battled through his first hitter of the season in less than stellar conditions. You know it's cold when Bob Hauer's wearing long pants and long sleeves!

I look forward to Game 2 tonight. The temperature should be higher, but it'll be tough to beat a tight 1-0 Opening Night final.

One final note: If the weather scared you away last night, be sure you don't miss the new synchronized dancers between innings tonight.

Opening Day Eve

Welcome Back Senators Night reunited the team, front office, media and Fan Club members last night (Tuesday, April 7th) at the West Shore Elks Lodge. We also greeted new Senators players and some new attendees that we look forward to seeing at Metro Bank Park this season.

What I most enjoyed from last evening's event:

Just seeing my "baseball family" again ... dinner with Matt Skole ... all the smiles as we celebrated the return of the game we love ... words of wisdom and "Harrisburg hospitality" from Mayor Reed ... words of excitement from the Senators' new principal owner, Mark Butler ... the beaming faces of youth from CD Rec Softball at Linglestown and New Cumberland Minor Athletics as they interacted with Senators players ... my beaming face as I welcomed back manager Brian Daubauch, Ricky Hague, hitting coach Mark Harris, Bryan Harper, new first base coach Devin Ivany, et al. ... Randy Whitaker's "all-time alphabetical modern Senators" ... the fact that Devin Ivany made that list! ... President Kevin Kulp announcing the 2015 front office roster ...more youth attendees ....

The Elks' fantastic spread of hors d'oeuvres, dinner and dessert ... the "home run trot" of each prize winner (I really wanted to win those Spot Dogs! The Spot makes baseball season on City Island doubly awesome.) ... Baseball historian and author Andrew Linker getting snubbed for an autograph of his first pair of books prize ... After winning the second set that Andy donated as prizes, Ricky Hague accepting Andy's autographs. (Now Ricky can enjoy some fine road trip reading.) ... Meeting new Senators players ... Brian Daubach introducing the coaches and players ... Kevin Kulp leading us in "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" to honor the memory of long-time Fan Club member Nancy Tacchi.


Just as it had 28 times before, the 29th annual Welcome Back Senators Night has now ushered in the new 2015 season. As Mayor Reed reminded us, this traditional celebration began in Harrisburg and is now celebrated by minor league teams everywhere.

We can be proud of this and all of our Harrisburg baseball traditions. I certainly delight in those traditions today.

And tomorrow? The latest Senators team takes the field.


Brian Williams, President
"From Deep Short"