Notes: First BFL ejection

Manager argues with umps; ejected
By Beth Sass / hereforthesass.blogspot.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- Here for the Sass owner and manager Beth was ejected for the first time in her BFL career Wednesday afternoon. She came out of the dugout to argue a called ball by home plate umpire Andy Fletcher in the fifth inning. Fletcher nearly immediately ejected her.

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who was behind the plate at the time and thus was in on the conversation said that Beth came out and said, “I know I’m not supposed to argue balls and strikes, but I could see that was clearly a ball even if I were in the Cheap Seats!”

Matt Guerrier, who was pitching, said he was shocked when Beth popped out of the dugout, but even more shocked when she was ejected. “She’s normally fairly even-tempered so it takes a lot just to get her out there. For her to infuriate the umpire enough to eject her…well, that’s completely out of character.”

Rumors circulated that Beth wanted to be ejected so she could go up to the clubhouse and take a nap. Beth is currently ailing with a cold, and if it lingers much longer, she will be placed on the DL and sent to join Dawn, Rocco Baldelli, Grant Balfour, Justin Duchschererer and Tomo Ohka on the DL.

Opposite Day: Looking at the box scores from Wednesday’s games, Beth realized it was opposite day.

“JEn [outfielder Juan Encarnacion] is usually our least reliable hitter. He hasn’t hit for power or for average so far this year, making him in many ways, the weakest link in our outfield,” Beth said after the game. “However, today he was the only guy on our roster to get multiple hits. Most of our roster didn’t get any hits at all.”

The Sass hitting collectively went 4-for-29, while they were not at all helped by their pitching, who had a collective ERA of 10.97. The pitching paired up nicely, with two starters and two relievers pitching, one each had an ERA of 27.00 and 4.50.

New pricing tiers announced: The Here for the Sass front offices finally have announced the new pricing tiers. All ticket face values will remain exactly as is printed on the schedules. However, anyone showing up wearing Sass team apparel--defined as anything branded with the Sass logo--will be given $2 off per ticket. Mockball Madness fans will get the same discount.

Anyone showing up wearing the apparel of any team below the Sass in the league will get $1 off per ticket. Anyone found wearing the apparel of the Assassins will pay double the face value of the ticket, as well as having their names taken down for ridicule purposes during the game.

Tonight: Tonight there will be limited playing time, due to the players union demanding some guys get days off, so many bench players will take the field. The Sass will only have starting pitcher Brad Halsey on the mound, with Julio Mateo and Ambiorix Burgos ready for relief work. The will be playing with one outfielder in Emil Brown, and the infield will consists of first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz (who will also fulfil the duty as catcher), second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, third baseman Placido Polanco (moving over from his usual second base position), and shortstop Carlos Guillen. Any one of the players may be given a day off to rest, as well, but starting line-ups have not been finalized yet.