This was a game which, again, featured two recent winners of the league.  Like the Saltires last week, Pimpin’ retained much of their old squad, with the Badgers featuring a number of newer players.  It was tight for the first three innings with only 1 run the difference between them.  Pimpin’ put up a 5 spot at the top of the 4th which was enough for the win.  They kept adding on with the Badgers responding but unable to keep up the pace ending up the first full game of the season and a win for Pimpin’.

MVPs for Pimpin’ Jen T (for her consistent batting) and James (for hitting the long ball several times and strong defence in the outfield).
MVPs for Honey Badgers Julia (for solid defence at 2nd featuring a snagged hard liner) and Casper (for his outstanding defence in the outfield).

Next up? Pimin’ look to keep rolling against AJs (rec) and Honey Badgers look to get their first win against the Fockers.

Having faced the AJs (rec) team in a close game last week, this was going to be a tough game for the Rocks, as they featured a lot on new faces against a consistently strong AJs (comp) team.  The AJs took the lead in the first inning and never looked back.  Their only stress coming in the top of the 4th inning when the Rocks, proving that you should underestimate them at your peril, scored 6 runs to bring the difference to only 3.  The AJs answered with 5 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning, immediately taking back control.

MVPs for the Rocks Flip (for her hitting) and Eric (for his defence in out field)
MVPs for AJs (comp) Jen M and Ken (both for their prodigious batting)

Next up? The Rocks play another tough game against the Saltires and AJs (comp) face a challenge against the Highland Chargers.

With the Ajs (rec) coming off of a solid win last week and the Fockers still looking for their first one, this was going to be a good game.  The Ajs started off strong plating 4 runs in the first inning (and unlucky not to score more!) and keeping a nervy Fockers team to nil point. The nerves didn’t last long, however, and the Fockers defence tightened up and their bats came alive reversing the goose egg placed on them and plating 10.  As it turned out, this was enough as the Ajs couldn’t keep up and the Fockers again scored 10 in the bottom of the 4th to win by the run-ahead rule after 4 1/2 innings.

MVPs for AJs (rec) were Mhairi (for her hitting) and Fraser (for his solid defence at 3 and strong hits*)
MVPs for the Fockers were Novalia (for her hitting, hustle and comedy slide) and Dave (for hist powerful stroke)

Up next? Fockers face a test against the Honey Badgers and Ajs (rec) take on Pimpin’

• Edit – the initial wording of sting hits was a typo.  We have no idea the relationship between Fraser and the former lead singer for The Police.  Maybe this will be uncovered at the end of season party.  If we are allowed one.

The Highland Chargers were looking for their first win of the season and were facing a Saltires team which put up a strong showing against the badgers last week. The game was held tight through the first 5 innings thanks to strong defence, timely hitting and consistent pitching from two pitchers who were new to the league – Richie from Saltires and Chris from chargers.  By the bottom of the 6th the Saltires were up by only three runs.  Their bats came alive, scoring 12 runs, to end the game by the run ahead rule.

MVPs for the Saltires were Eilidh (for her consistently good offence) and Jesse (for solid defence at 3 and his long ball)
MVPs for the HIghland Chargers were Jenny and Tyson (both for going deep in right).

Up next? The Saltires face another good team in AJs (comp) and the Highland Chargers take on the Rocks.

The Pimps has long been one of the stronger teams in the league. One of 3 teams who have won in recent years, this time they faced the Highland Chargers, themselves a solid top half team. Both teams feature excellent players with loads of experience. The Chargers just let in a couple more runs than they scored for most of the game, with the defence only starting to click when the damage had already been done.

MVPs for the Highland Chargers were Megan (for staying with it and eventually getting the out) and Chris (for pitching well through adversity)
MVPs for Pimpin’ were Jen P (for her defensive prowess in the outfield) and Kez (for his defensive prowess at 3rd base)

Next up?  Highland Chargers face a tough test with the Saltires and Pimpin’ take on the Honey Badgers.

Pimpin’ write up:
Kicking off the 2021 season with a win! We came together as a team, dusted off the rust, shook off the nerves and played a great first game! A huge welcome to our new players, who are fitting in fabulously and to the rest of the Pimps for coming back. Looking forward to this season and getting back to normal!

This match up would give an early indication of how these two teams would fare in rest of their upcoming games, with the AJs (comp) team regularly ending up above the Fockers even though games were always close. And as expected, this was no different. In a game which both sides looked to have taken control in the early going with timely hits and good defence from each side, the Fockers were leading by 1 after the 4th inning. Unfortunately, the AJs staged a big 2 out rally in the 5th, plating 6 runs, and taking a lead which they never gave back. The Focker’s offence couldn’t manage any more runs and the AJs (comp) walked away with the win.

MVPs for the Fockers were Anna (for her hitting prowess) and Tony (for playing good defence even when being singled out)
MVPs for the AJs (comp) were Sara (also for her hitting prowess) and Ken (for solid defence and strong offence)

Next up? Fockers face AJs (rec) to complete the set and AJs (comp) face the Rocks.

A good game for both of these teams to start of the season as they have been evenly matched in the league for years. Each have a number of new players this year and have been training hard in preparation, so this was always going to be a close one. It didn’t disappoint. AJs (rec) started off well with the Rocks clawing back to even after the 3rd. It remained tight until the AJs posted a big inning in the 5th. Were it not for the new timed game rules, the Rocks would had the tying runs up in the 6th. Instead the game was called and scores reverted. Both teams will be happy with how well they played.

MVPs for The Rocks were Louise and Ian (both for their ability to hit the long ball and play excellent defence).
MVPs for AJs (rec) were Mhairi (for her good defence and offence) and Coco (for his quality pitching)

Next up? AJs (rec) face another close game against the Fockers and The Rocks set their sites on the AJs (comp) team looking for revenge.