By: Lassie Bonnie Doone LaFitte
In an unexpected upset, the Buccaneer co-ed softball team beat their arch-rivals Sycamore Sluggers 13-10, to clinch the National League title late Sunday night. After finishing the regular season in 3rd place with a 4-4 record, the Buccaneers made it to the playoffs for the first time. Taking the first Sunday night game against the 2nd place Commandos 18-9 was no surprise, as this was one of the teams they had defeated earlier in the season. Immediately following, manager Craig Middlebrook’s Buccaneers took on the undefeated 1st place Sycamore Sluggers, managed by Paul Arden. In one of the most exciting games of the season, the score went back and forth several times, with numerous homeruns and outstanding defensive plays by both teams. Midway through the game, with the score tied, half of the lights went out at Heasley Field! Firing them back up would take time, and a discussion ensued as to whether it was safe to continue the game, so the umpire left it up to the team managers to decide. Stopping the game would mean resuming on Wednesday evening before the A & B League championship games. After some taunting by the Sluggers, the Buccs agreed to take the field in limited light, and went on to win the game 13-10.
The National League Division Champion Buccaneer team takes on the American League Champion Avengers on Wed. night to determine the winner of the Sierra Madre co-ed adult B League, immediately following the A League’s final game.
Special props go out to the loyal Buccaneer fans, who consistently outnumbered all other teams’ fans, complete with pirate regalia and rousing cheers: Buccaneer, Buccaneer, Aaaarrrrggghhh!