The Songs We Chose
Theme: Anything That Pumps You Up
Byrd: Pump Up The Jam - Technotronic
Lauren: Death on Two Legs - Rooney (Queen cover)
Aaron: Rock Star - N.E.R.D.
Charles: Cult of Personality - Living Colour
Tracy: Bad to the Bone - George Thorogood
Noel: Revolution Is My Name - Pantera
Amanda: Come On Feel The Noize - Quiet Riot
Brian: Blitzkrieg Bop - Ramones
Ian: Unbelievable - EMF
Angela: Jump Around - House of Pain
Matthew: Titanium Expose - Sonic Youth
Guillermo: The Final Countdown - Europe
Koryn: Everybody Dance Now - C & C Music Factory

Other Songs You May Have Heard
Thunderstruck - AC/DC
Rock You Like A Hurricane - Scorpions
Lit Up - Buckcherry
Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Iron Maiden
Duellists - Iron Maiden
Right Now - Van Halen
Cherry Pie - Warrant
Rag Doll - Aerosmith
Round and Roud - Ratt
Oh Yeah - Yello
For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) - AC/DC

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Post Game Blogs
Brought to you by the Band-Aids Management Team

Anton Sport Falls Short...Way Short...We're Talkin' My Short-Shorts Short
- or-
Anton Sport: What is that, like a deodorant or something?
By Lauren Henschen, Manager

All I could think about when the game ended was wow. "Wow. I have so much to write about in my recap for the website..." :)

Sunday started out like any other Sunday. Aaron was watching some sports on tv at home and I had my biggest/baddest ear-covering headphones on, creating the playlist for the big game. And as much time as I spent listening to every song and cuing them up to just the right part...I cued my own song up incorrectly. So when I came up to bat, instead of hearing "Death on two legs!" all we heard was "Two legs."

No matter. We all knew this game was going to be tough, the toughest yet. Yet, unlike Anton Sport, we began the game without attitude. They were so sure of themselves..and we were just ready to fight. And the main reason I knew we were going to win...we had an AWESOME playlist this week.

Starting off in the field gave us the advantage. As Anton Sport scored four runs in the first inning, we knew we had to counter, not only offensively, but also with defense. Because face it, if they scored 4 runs an inning for 6 innings, that's 24 points. That could not be allowed.

Going into the game, Anton Sport had already scored 101 cumulative runs this season. We'd scored 113 or something like that. On the other hand, Anton Sport had only allowed 20 some runs. We had allowed 60 some. This game could have gone either way and we knew that a strong defense would be crucial.

Luckily, our bats were flying too. Right off the bat (pun intended) Byrd knocked in a homer. Noel's first hit soared over the fence and cemented the Band-Aids as a force to be reckoned with. Oh and did I mention it was a grand slam?! Both Conrad boys pulled a two home run game. And Brian had an inside-the-park homer too.

But my favorite plays were on the field, not in the batter's box this week.

Favorites:
-Amanda's awesome pitching, despite being incredible sore from a certain birthday party (with alcohol permit) in the park the day before.
-The infield's double play at first and second.
-The amazing relays from the outfield that prohibited every one of those Anton Sporters from getting an in-the-park homer.
-And perhaps my favorite was Noel's headfirst dive into third base. He got right under that third baseman and avoided the tag. Had he not slid like that, and even if he had slid feet first, he would have been out (by my estimation). Byrd screamed "WOW, Noel hasn't slid for anything since he was like 18."

And there we were in the final inning, up by 6 runs, holding tight, eye on the prize. One out. Man on third. The hit: a long fly ball heading into foul territory in left field. Only one thought crossed my mind, "book it!" It's amusing to me that when we rehash the game at Casey Moore's afterwords, people recall all sorts of things that I never pay attention to. Like which players on the other team hit to what spot and play which position. All I am ever able to think about is "That pitch is bad, don't swing. That pitch is good, swing away," or "that guy's practice swing makes me think that thing is coming my way...get ready to run...pull your hat down for aerodynamics, Lauren."

So I booked it and ran as fast as my legs would carry me. I'd already caught two fly balls during the course of the game and the same thing was happening to me this time as had happened the first time...my eyes were jostling in my head from running so fast. It makes it hard to focus, much less perceive distance. So I'm running and my eyes are jostling and it seems so far out of my reach. Everything of course is in slow motion at this point. And as the ball came down I did all that I could; I lunged with my legs, jumped into the air facing the other direction, turned my glove hand backwards, opened and closed it.

Somehow, the ball ended up in my glove. I honestly could not believe it. It was like a dream, or like I had just woken up and wasn't quite sure what was happening. The last time I saw the ball it seemed like there was no way in hell I was going to catch up to it. And when I caught it, I wasn't looking at it at all...I was facing the other direction.

Next thing I know I'm chucking it in to Noel. The dads in the stands are shouting, "Tag third, tag third! He didn't tag up!" And thank goodness they did, because all of us were totally unaware of what was going on. Noel flips the ball to Charcho. Charcho tags. Ump calls the third out. Anton Sport is FURIOUS! A few of them storm the field and challenge the call. They were so upset that I honestly felt that some of them were just going to leave the field and not participate in the post-game high-five.

Luckily, they were not unsportsmanlike, just competetive. And I genuinely appreciated them for it. Well, except for that time I was up to bat and they yelled something everytime I tried to swing.

Oh Anton Sport, well played...but no cigar, my friends. I have a sneaking suspicion we'll see them in the finals. Until then, let me just say this:

THE BAND-AIDS ARE THE OFFICIAL SPRING '08 SEASON CHAMPIONS!!!

See you at the tournament.

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Band-Aids Easily Defeat Anton Sport's "Da Crew"
By Charles Pheanis, Assistant Manager

The word invincible is thrown around a lot, however, The Band-Aids epitomize the word as there is no other team past or present that can defeat us. There is a possibility that we will be pitted against teams from other brackets in the tournament. I'm not concerned. Unless the City of Tempe recruits the best players of Major League Baseball and forces them to play us, we will take the title. As equitable as it would be to give us such a sufficient challenge, I assure you that in the wake of Tempe's budget deficit, such a challenge will not be available.

I learned a lot from Sunday's game against Anton Sport's "Da Crew." Despite our great performance throughout the season, I was nervous going into Sunday's game. Nervous because Anton Sport also had a perfect record, and nervous because of the hype about their talent. I think most of us were somewhat anxious for the clash of the titans, and it probably helped our game. But ultimately for me, it made the victory bittersweet. I was so psyched out for the game, that they got under my skin when they took our dugout. Once the game was over, I was so consumed with the desire to win that I could not revel in the victory.

The disputed call at the end of the game made for some tense moments. I had my back to the runner at third, but I was assured by four reliable witnesses that he did not tag up after Lauren's amazing caught foul ball. When I turned and saw the runner on his way to home, I assumed that he tagged up. But in response from our fans, I called for the ball and tagged third. The officials both said the runner never tagged up. Earlier in the game I tagged up at third and ran home on a fly out. I tried to leave the instant the ball hit the outfielder's glove, but coach Bob thought I left early. I guess what we can take from this, is to just wait a beat before taking off after tagging up.

Over all, I felt that Anton Sport was sloppy in the field and slow around the bases. On the other hand, we played great. With Byrd's lead-off home run and Noel's grand slam, we had instant offense and a lead to hold on to. My play of the game goes to Tracy Sohn for turning a beautiful double play. Attaboys for Noel and Brian at short and first for making the play possible. I'd also like to note that late in the game, Brian hit a long way foul ball to left. He then hit a grounder, but made up for it with speed to beat the play at first. When he was at first, I applauded him for his hustle to beat the throw, but asked him what the deal was with his grounder. He said he intentionally hit the first ball as far left as could, and had tried to send the second to right field. Mad props for the attempt. A ball placed in right would easily have been an infield home run.

The biggest thing I'm taking away from the game is a reminder to be focused on having fun rather than focused on the win. Great job Band-Aids. See you in the playoffs!

If I had a dollar for every time we won this season, I'd have...7 dollars!
By Amanda Telloni, Assistant Manager

Anton Sport: Da Squad is our name, losing is our game
A Special Guest Blog By Noel Conrad, SS