Officer Schneider wins the game ball

June 4, 2006

Baseball on the Barn was a blast! Loyal commenter, JW, was the first to arrive for the barbeque. Then “Simon Oliver Lockwood” and his wife showed up, followed by WFY, his wife, and editor Fritz. Love using all the codenames. Oooh the anonymity of us all. Watching the game in the backyard “stands” all decked out in Nats hats was a hoot. We oohed, ahhed, and DOHed! in unision with the usual Yudite snarky comments in between. The Nats announcers seemed much more hilarious when listened to in a group and being able to comment on who was new, who was on the DL, and Frank moves with those wholly familiar with the team and game was refreshing. I may need to open this up to more away games!

The “stands” – MissChatter, JW, SOL’s wife, Simon Oliver Lockwood, Buddy the Mascot, Fritz, WFY (in his Corey Hart imitation), Erica

What a great game to watch as a group. It appeared to be heading down the one run loss road, but turned into a one run win thanks to Schneider. An on field delay caused by umpire Joe West befuddled spectators in the bottom of the sixth while we joked that Joe West was calling his wife to remind her about something.

Humor was not lacking as there were a few good bloopers on the field. Schneider threw the ball away at one point (see video), Soriano knocked the ball out of the 2nd baseman’s glove while stealing in what would have been an out, Soriano dropped a foul fly ball after a ball guy ran directly in front of him (getting an evil eye look from Frank – the ball guy, not Soriano – well, at least I think that’s who it’s directed at).

Frank gives the ball guy who interfered the evil eye.

The game turned around in the bottom of the eighth. Bill Bray came in for his major league debut and I wondered if his family found it worth the airfare to all fly out to the game. He threw one and only pitch for a strike, which Schneider caught and instantly gunned to second to throw out Koskie for the third out. Wow, what a debut! The icing on the cake was that Bray earned the win for that single pitch. Talk about a debut! I guess it was worth it for his family after all.

Clayton performed the most bizarre bunt ever, popping the ball straight up in front of him. It bounced to the ground and was scooped up immediately while he stood behind the fielders looking like he wasn’t sure what to do. Soriano ran for third and Clayton snuck around the fielders, finally dropping his bat, earning their attention and a throw out at first. Soriano was safe on the throw to third (also in video).

In the top of the ninth, Zimmerman got on base with a single. He then stole second on a bad throw to first, executing the dreaded headfirst slide. He appeared to “jam” a finger on the base (or bent back a fingernail?) and had it taped up quickly. Schneider belted a homer over the right field wall into the stands to give the Nats a 4-3 lead. Cordero came in for the save and it became a little dicey there, but Schneider caught a pop foul (announcer: JAMJOB!) to end the game and seal the Nationals win. Awesome.

See video for highlights. 3:00/11.7 MB

Ok, Bill Bray really got the game balll, but Schneider definitely deserved it as well. What a fun night!! Thanks to those who came out. Can’t wait to do it again.

Edited to add: I wondered last night why Schneider pointed into the stands after his game-winning/ending catch. After rewatching the video above, I noticed something right where it ends so I pulled my video editor back up and clipped the following still – HA!:

Posted in Gameday, Washington Nationals