Rarely has such a glorious day of Squidding been experienced. Even for Squidball, Tuesday night was a total doozie.

Yes, only with extreme infrequency do the stars align as they did Tuesday night to create a truly outstanding Squidball experience as that undergone at Lyon Park this very week.

First of all, as with Monday, it was our first day back after a two-week-long break. Second, there were zero no-call-no-shows. Third, the second game saw, at long last, the unveiling of the new bag of sunflower seeds: they’re Reggie Jackson brand, and they were worth the wait, I swear. Flavorful, large, and minimal on the empty shells (I hear that Mr. October himself hand-picks every single one that makes it onto the shelves–honest!). David, eat your heart out. Fourth, a small handful of (non-S.O.–to diminish none whatsoever the top-tier quality of, and appreciation and love I have for, S.O. Squidfans, but non-S.O. Squidfans are particularly unique, especially in such great quantity) Squidfans, comprised of erstwhile Squids and otherwise (KATJES and ANNIECUPCAKE and SECRETLY STEPHIE to be exact). Fifth, Squidbot 9000 was immaculately programmed out to 87 places to account for the disparity between number of Squidguyz and Squidgalz and for ease of SquidMix navigation. Sixth, we were playing probably the awesomest team in the league (Squidfans in their own right), The Misfits. Seventh, those of us that Squidded the previous night, were still on the high afforded by our most domineering Squid victory, as F.I.L. will tell you below. Eighth, DONRUSS and I happened upon a giant toad (a good omen if you ask me) before the game. Truly there were probably ten thousand other things I didn’t even notice or can’t remember right now but the bottom line is, everything was in order specifically to spell out V-I-C-T-O-R-Y for the S-Q-U-I-D-S.

Good grief I have not even begun to review the games yet. Rest assured they were practically flawless. Honorary game ball for all Squids, as usual (though usually unspoken). T-BAG and PAYNIS awarded specific game balls to COOLHAND for 1-2-3-style pitching prowess, hot corner coverage while not on the mound, and molten lava hitting, and to DONRUSS for bigtime play after bigtime play at shortstop and the batter’s box alike. Those two will be awarding the game balls next Tuesday (our last Tuesday game of the fall season), as per NEW SQUID PROTOCOL. Other noteworthy accomplishments: SWITCHBLADE with strikeouts galore and a lock on immediate infield plays and major slugs over the heads of The Misfits. Can I declare, once again, that Squid pitching staff is second-to-none? SCHRAPPEN with a clampdown on some admittedly wild throws and hits to first base. KRUKKER keeping his head in it 100% on some crazy plays. [blank] with some major whops into the abyss. DES. and MIRANDAMAZING and MONGOOSE chasing outfield fly balls down like nobody’s business. JANTERNET with some brick-wall snags as catcher, runner advancement at every turn, and for resiliency after a hardball to the chin (see below). T-BAG for the usual rough-and-tumble play and the not-quite-Squidcolored knee-high socks. Most of all, though, PAYNIS for a double-take-inducing, bases-loaded-with-two-outs, written-off-from-the-get-go, sailing-towards-right-center-but-never-made-it-there, 17-foot-in-the-air catch that was snaked out of the air, thanks to some major vertical action. The deafening slap of that ball in the pocket of that glove was enough to cause an eruption of incredulous and ecstatic cheers. Best play of the game, hands down. Hike!

The post-game (oh yeah, we slaughtered those jokers, by the way) practicing, also an awesome circuit. Good job Squids.

Official weekend practice on Sunday, 10/05/08, at noon. I know Tuesday-leaguers will (barring rainouts) be done by then but that is no excuse for not showin’ up! Our last practice was rained (or rather, monsoon’d) out, let’s make up fer it.

Also, let’s get some Tuesday-only Squids to Monday’s game (and vice-versa) next week! Squidfans…They make all the difference. Don’t doubt that!

Ink ‘Em And Sink ‘Em,
PANCAKE MASTER #88