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2008 game results

May 18: Vandals 37, Meteors 22

May 25: Meteors 17, Swingers 12 (9)

May 25: Vandals 14, Swingers 10 (5)

June 1: Vandals 19, Goonies 12

June 4: Goonies 16, Meteors 11

June 7: Swingers 17, Goonies 5 (8, rain)

June 14: Swingers 17, Vandals 13 (7)

June 15: Vandals 17, Goonies 8 (6, rain)

June 21: Vandals 21, Meteors 20

June 22: Meteors 15, Swingers 14 (7)

June 22: Goonies 24, Swingers 8 (7)

June 25: Swingers 5, Meteors 4 (5)

June 28: Meteors 6, Vandals 3 (7)

June 28: Goonies 19, Vandals 12 (7)

June 29: Goonies 27, Meteors 11 (6)

June 29: Swingers 24, Goonies 1 (3, rain, fft)

July 5: Goonies 12, Vandals 11 (7)

July 6: Vandals 16, Swingers 15 (7)

July 6: Swingers 11, Goonies 9 (7)

July 20: Meteors 3, Goonies 2 (10)

July 26: Meteors 8, Swingers 2 (7)

July 26: Vandals 17, Goonies 6 (7)

July 27: Meteors 15, Vandals 14

July 29: Vandals 14, Swingers 6 (2, rain, fft)

Aug. 10: Goonies 10, Meteors 9 (10)

2008 VLB Playoffs

No. 4 Swingers 19, No. 1 Vandals 13 (7)

No. 4 Swingers 32, No. 1 Vandals 34 (7)

No. 2 Meteors 16, No. 3 Goonies 10 (7)

No. 3 Goonies 23, No. 2 Meteors 4 (5)

No. 2 Meteors 23, No. 3 Goonies 18

2008 VLB World Series

Game 1: Meteors 18, Swingers 15

Game 2: Swingers 21, Meteors 12

Game 3: Meteors 8, Swingers 3 (7)

Game 4: Meteors 6, Swingers 1 (7)

Game 5: Swingers 8, Meteors 7 (9)

Game 6: Meteors 15, Swingers 8 (7)

2008 VLB All-Star Night Game

March 24, 2009

  In what has become a Veto League Baseball annual event, the 2009 Winter Meetings commenced and concluded in spring.

  A good showing of dedicated members -- 16 in all -- turned out to discuss a 2009 season that comes with high hopes and high expectations. Presiding over the meeting, Commissioner Matt Veto began by filling the seats of a brand new VLB Board of Directors. For the first time, Board members have been assigned specific duties. Each member will be given a vote on VLB matters.

  Veto will continue to serve as Commissioner, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the league. He also carries the title of Web maintainer and Equipment Manager, while also serving as the main public relations contact for the league.

  Josh Paul, a VLB member since 2003, has assumed the position of vice president, and will serve as the top advisor to the commissioner. In addition to right-hand man duties, Paul has taken on the title of Chief Financial and Statistics Officer (CFSO) and Director of Merchandise. Paul will be in charge of maintaining the VLB account and will compile statistics. He will also fill merchandise orders.

  Working closely with Paul is Bob Zerull, who joins the Board as Associate Director of Finance/Statistics and Assistant Director of Merchandise. Zerull will oversee the books alongside Paul and will be placing our merchandise orders.

  Travis Swanson will be a name all members will soon grow to know. Swanson, a rookie in 2008, stepped into the role of Director of Communications. He will be in touch with VLB members, maintaining contact information, and will serve as the primary contact each game. Swanson will email roll calls and place phone calls to ensure attendance. He will also maintain our presence in social networking Web sites.

  When Swanson is out, Ryan Barton is in. The ever-smiling VLB slugger has taken the title of Assistant Director of Communications.

  Howard Zimmerle is the new Director of Special Events. Zimmerle is the figurehead and main contact during the night game. He will be in charge of organizing a volunteer staff for the game, and will oversee the setup of our night-game greeting station.

  Another night-game focused job title will be filled by longtime Veto Leaguer, Jeff Kilgard. The 10-year veteran will serve as night-game Concessions Manager. His duties include arranging for food donation and ensuring the proper assembly of the concession area.

  Jason Nunn's wheels were turning hours after taking on the title of Director of Promotions. The Rock Island native will be in charge of fundraising and organization VLB gatherings outside of the ballpark. An idea already suggested includes a group trip to take in a River Bandits game this season. In addition to those duties, Nunn will obtain night-game raffle prizes.

  As a group, these eight men comprise the VLB Board of Directors and will vote on topics ranging from game play, equipment purchases and league structure.

  The next key topic of discussion centered on the Veto League Web site. Jon Weber is a VLB rookie with an eye for Web design and a brain that can make it happen. Weber will soon be working with the VLB Board to develop an improved Web design. All members are encouraged to submit ideas for the site -- what they would like it too look like, to Veto at vetoleague@yahoo.com by March 30.

  Ideas will be collected and translated into a WordPress-based site that, with some luck, will go online by opening day, which is tentatively slated for Saturday, May 2.

  The league also voted to expand to six captains, similar to the structure seen in previous seasons, though this season comes with a theme of sorts -- old versus new.

  The Saukie Division will be comprised of three long-time captains, and a substitute captain with previous coaching experience. Matt Veto will again lead the Meteors, joined by Josh Paul's Goonies and Scott Ellefritz's Talons. Jeff Kilgard, formerly the captain of the SNK Crushers will sub in any of the previous captain's absence.

  The Black Hawk Division will be made up of first-year captain -- each with teams to be named at a later date. Ryan Barton, Adam Chard and Howard Zimmerle will each head up a team, while Jason Nunn will serve as sub captain in their absence.

  Kiel Engstrom, stepping away from the helm for the first time since consistent captains were employed in 2003, will serve as a wild card captain. Should the case arise where captain and division sub captain are both missing, Engstrom will stand in.

  Veto divvied many thanks to those in attendance during the 2009 meetings -- Jesus Apodaca, Barton, Adam Chard, Josh Francque, Scott Ellefritz, Kiel Engstrom, Kilgard, Nunn, Paul, Kelly Sullivan, Swanson, Weber, Zerull, Tony Zier and Zimmerle.

March 1, 2009

By Matt Veto

  From a dusty baseball diamond in Rock Island, Ill. sprouted a group of baseball-loving no-namers -- men who would never have any business stepping foot on a professional baseball diamond to play ball in front of a supportive fan base on a warm September evening.

  But that’s just what they did -- and under the lights, no less.

  On Sept. 22, 2008, a simple sandlot baseball league dubbed Veto League Baseball -- a collection of the average -- took to the grandest stage it could imagine. On the Modern Woodmen Park soil, a contest that centered more on brotherhood-born-through-baseball than victory or defeat played out along the banks of the Mississippi River.

  It was the culmination of a dream hatched four years prior in those very surroundings, albeit off the grass in the bleachers close by.

  A sandlot-style night game.

  In an odd time where America’s Pastime is clouded in shadow of suspicion, the VLB and its creator, Matt Veto, wanted to prove that the sandlot was still alive. To reward those dedicated to that cause with a night game was the main thought, and to have it take place on a Minor League field would truly slam the point home.

  However, the absurd price tag that management wished to obtain for hosting the game at what was then a newly renovated John O’Donnell was too steep for the shallow pockets of a recreational baseball league that lives on donations.

  Still, perhaps the first portion of that dream -- to play in the magical environment that is night baseball -- could still be accomplished.

  Fellow baseball enthusiast and sports nut, Keith Kennett, an alderman in Geneseo, Ill., just a 20-minute drive from the Quad-Cities, offered his assistance in acquiring the town’s Richmond Hill Sports Complex for a date under the lights.

  It happened for the first time in 2004. And it happened twice more.

  But what about that grand stage that beckoned from the players’ backyards -- the stage that had seen Minor League careers advance to multi-million dollar Major League contracts?

  With new ownership and front office staff in charge, a second attempt was made. The group that said it wished to “give the team back to the community” -- and made the first strides toward that by reverting to the “River Bandits” team name from the “Swing of the Quad Cities” -- was receptive to the request.

  During the summer of 2008, Bandits general manager Kirk Goodman gave the green light and the VLB took the Modern Woodmen Park field.

  The details of that day, even mere hours after the game, run together. But the smiles on the faces of the players and their fans have burned into memory. For the first time in many of these players’ modest baseball careers, their name was sent reverberating from the public address speakers.

  They ran a little harder, laughed a little louder and had a little bit more fun that day. Four two hours, the average player was no longer relegated to the sandlot. This was something big. It was the fruits of shooting high -- of taking a simple league born on a dusty diamond and proving they could make it whatever they wanted.

  For one day they had a name, and forever they have the memories.

Helping hunger

  The VLB expresses many thanks to those fans who came to watch the historic contest, and is especially thankful for generous donations of non-perishable food items to the River Bend Footbank. All told, 323 pounds of food was collected and donated to the pantry.

  The River Bend Foodbank distributes food to the Quad-Cities Area and 22 surrounding counties in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Many more thanks

  From the players, to the players’ wives, family and friends, Veto League Baseball thanks you for making Sept. 22 a night to remember. Despite a rainout one week prior, over 100 people regrouped and came to watch a sandlot baseball game at a Minor League Baseball field. Thank you to all of those that donated, purchased, prepared and distributed concession items. Thanks to those that helped distribute raffle tickets and collected and distributed prizes.

  Thanks also to Steve Campbell for running the P.A. system, to Brian Nelson for singing a fantastic National Anthem, to John Marx for throwing out the first pitch and for a fine column in the Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus. Thanks to our umpires, Kenny Chard and Brian Nichols, for a job well done. Thanks to River Bandits GM Kirk Goodman, to Bandits groundskeeper Ben Kratz, and to Bandits production manager Shane Huff for making this game possible. And thanks to our batboys, Vincent and Joseph O’Meara for a job well done and for unmatchable seventh-inning entertainment.

  And finally, thank you to our fans for the donations that allow this league to continue to operate for the average player who refuses to give up the game of baseball.

The game: Talons 16, Meteors 8

  Intended to play out as a possible Game 7 of the Veto League World Series, the 2008 Night Game turned out to be more of a VLB All-Star Showcase as Matt Veto’s Meteors took the Series in six games over Scott Ellefritz and the Swingers.

  That didn’t stop Ellefritz from fielding a solid team and earning a 16-8 win.

  In a late-season team-name change to appear more politically correct for the night-game audience, Ellefritz forwent the “Swingers” moniker -- a take off of the defunct “Swing of the Quad Cities” -- for a more palatable team name: “the Talons.”

  In an ironic twist that was news to Ellefritz, the Talons was one of four proposed team names for the Minor League club that did not make the cut. That seemed fitting, as Ellefritz’s twice previous team name was the “River Bandits.”

  Shining brightly in the contest -- outside of Jason Nunn rear-end that was exposed when his pants ripped on a slide to second -- was Night Game MVP Kelly Sullivan who scored two runs and drove in another on a 5-for-5 night.

  The seventh inning, though, produced the loudest roar from the fans when young batboy brothers Vincent O’Meara, 11, and Joseph O’Meara, 9, stepped to the plate for some mid-game entertainment.

  Vincent led off with a hard smash to third that was fielded cleanly by Josh Paul, and with tremendous effort to hose the 11-year-old at first, threw to a covering Jason Nunn who mishandled the toss.

  Then, Joseph unleashed an infield smash that was booted and thrown into right field allowing Vincent to score. As Joseph rounded third, Veto was unable to run him down, and the youngest O’Meara slid safely much to the pleasure of the 100-plus fans in on hand.

  The Talons had seven players with three or more hits. Shawn Wynes added three RBIs for the visitors. Anthony Reese also hit the longest drive, a towering shot that landed several feet beyond the left-field wall, but in foul territory.

  The Meteors were held scoreless through four innings. Kiel Engstrom had the only three-hit effort for the hosts, though, Joe Campagna cleared the bases with a three-run double.

2008 Awards

After the night game, season awards were presented:

Most Valuable Player -- Bob Zerull: .594 (2^nd), 8 HR (1^st), 41 RBIs (T-2^nd). Zerull also led the league with 18 doubles and 5 intentional walks.

Rookie of the Year -- Anthony Reese: .518, 3 HR (1^st among rookies), 30 RBIs (1^st Among rookies). Reese also led all rookies with 10 doubles.

Gold Glove -- Kiel Engstrom: With a 15-game regular season effort, Engstrom takes home the fielding award, displaying a particular prowess in the outfield, but also chipping in at shortstop and pitcher during the All-Star Showcase.

Playoff MVP -- Bob Zerull: .696 (1^st), 8 HR (1^st), 30 RBIs (1^st).

Co-World Series MVPs -- Bob Zerull: .571 (1^st), 2 HR, 9 RBIs. Ryan Barton: .382, 3 HR (1^st), 15 RBIs (1^st). Barton also led World Series contenders with 5 doubles and was tied for the lead with 4 wins.

Most Improved Player -- Howard Zimmerle: Cumulatively in 2006-07 (note, field trouble season of 2007), Zimmerle batted .226 in 8 games and had 8 RBIs. In 2008, Zimmerle batted .452, scored 29 runs and drove in 21. He also added 4 doubles.

Sept. 19, 2008

By Matt Veto

  Sandlot baseball is rare enough. But to find sandlot baseball in a Minor League ballpark might be a first.

  Veto League Baseball, the most organized pick-up baseball league you may find, will play it's fourth night game in its 10-year history on Monday, Sept. 22 at 6:45 p.m. at Davenport's Modern Woodmen Park, home to the Quad Cities River Bandits.

  They will be collecting non-perishable food items for the River Bend Foodbank at the same time. Admission is free otherwise, and there will be concessions and raffles.

  We're not superstars. That's not what this league is about. This league is for the everyday person that loves the game of baseball, but my have never been blessed with the talent level needed for high school ball.

  You'll see 24 guys, all from different backgrounds, playing America's game on the largest stage they've ever experienced.

  While the rosters have been set, you may still inquire about playing in the VLB next season. Click around the Web site to see what we're all about.

  And we hope to see you Monday night.

Sept. 15, 2008

By Matt Veto

  With the Modern Woodmen Park infield still under standing water Monday morning, Veto League Baseball made the obvious decision to postponed the Sept. 15 contest.

  The sandlot-style contest has been rescheduled for Sept. 22, again at Modern Woodmen Park, with the event slated to begin at 6:45 p.m. and the first pitch to be thrown at 7 p.m.

  Fans are again welcome and encouraged to come to the event that will collect non-perishable food items for the River Bend Foodbank in Moline. Admission is free. Raffle tickets for prizes are also free. Modest concessions (hot dogs, chips, baked goods, pop, water) will be available at a nominal price with proceeds going to the league to pay for field rental and equipment.

  Please invite friends to Modern Woodmen Park on Monday, Sept. 22 as Veto League Baseball tries once again to play on its largest stage yet.

  The night game roster has been set. You can find the names two stories below. Players are asked to report to the field at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 22.

Sept. 13, 2008

By Matt Veto

  A meeting at Modern Woodmen Park on Monday morning will determine the playability of the field for the Veto League Baseball night game/food drive, currently scheduled for 6:45 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15.

  The field is untarped and views from the Centennial Bridge Saturday afternoon showed some standing water on the infield dirt. I'm requesting all players to save phone calls until Monday afternoon when more will be known as to the fate of the Monday contest.

  Please alert all family and friends that have been invited to visit this Web site before leaving for the game on Monday to learn whether or not we will be playing.

  In the meantime, also remind them that we will be holding a food drive to benefit the River Bend Foodbank.

  I will send out an e-mail immediately after posting the decision on the Web.

  As for Sunday's 4 p.m. contest, we will play at Douglas Park if we play at all. Douglas tends to hold water better. Call Veto before leaving no matter what.

Sept. 13, 2008 (Rosters updated Sept. 15)

By Matt Veto

  On Friday, Sept. 12, Matt Veto and Scott Ellefritz selected teams for the 2008 night game to be played Monday, Sept. 15 at Modern Woodmen Park. Players are asked to be at the field by 5:30 p.m. The game should last until 9:45 p.m.

  I will be at the ballpark at 5 p.m. I could use some help to set up tables and the grill. We will have to climb a flight of stairs to the top of the concourse. Players should enter the gates and place their gear in their assigned dugouts.

  Please wear pants (baseball pant, warm up pants, just not shorts) and a hat of some kind, preferably darker in color. Those playing with Ellefritz will wear their orange jerseys and with Veto, blue.

The Meteors (blue, 3rd-base dugout)

Matt Veto (captain)

Jesus Apodaca

Ryan Barton

Kiel Engstrom

Adlonis Hopkins

Jason Nunn

Josh Paul

Doug Scott

Josh Smith

Travis Swanson

Bob Zerull

Scott Ellefritz (captain)

Adam Chard

Jon Escajeda

Josh Francque

Adam Hernandez

Jon Kelley

Jeff Kilgard

Anthony Reese

Kelly Sullivan

Shawn Wynes

Tony Zier

Howard Zimmerle

Sept. 8, 2008

By Matt Veto

  It started in a sandlot. Ten years later, it's heading to a Minor League Baseball stadium.

  The recreational baseball league known as "Veto League Baseball" will play its fourth night game in five years on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. Only this time, the game will be played on the largest stage the VLB has ever seen -- Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, home of the Class-A Quad Cities River Bandits.

  The VLB has raised money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at this even in the past (previously held at Geneseo's Richmond Hill Sports Complex) and this season will be conducting a food drive to benefit a food pantry in the Q-C. Everyone is welcome to attend the event with festivities beginning at 6:45 p.m. and all are encouraged to bring a nonperishable canned or boxed food item.

  Admission to the game is free and everyone will receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win gift certificates to local Q-C stores. There will be hot-dogs, baked goods, pop and water available at a nominal cost with proceeds benefiting the league for the purchase of equipment.

  If you are a visitor to the site, welcome. Please read the "About the VLB" link for information on our league. You'll notice we are the most organized sandlot-style baseball league you've likely ever seen. We keep stats and play close to 40 games every season.

  This night game will be the climax of many of our players' sports lives. We hope to see you there.

Aug. 10, 2008

By Josh Paul

July 19, 2008

By Matt Veto

  Field space is opening up in Rock Island prompting the decision to move the remainder of the Veto League Baseball contests after the Sunday, July 20 contest.

  Ridgewood Field -- originally supposed to be home to the VLB in 2008 -- has since opened up. The field is more suited to our needs -- no cars beyond the fence line, grass infield and secluded. Our time spent at Douglas Park was valuable. It helped the VLB return to the success it enjoyed during the 2006 season.

  But with the hope that a new field will help spur a little new interest in a season that has begun to struggle for numbers -- not new to July -- the move to Ridgewood will happen on Wednesday, July 23 for a 5:30 p.m. contest.

  Ridgewood Field is located behind Ridgewood Elementary School in Rock Island, almost to Milan. The address is 9607 14th St. West, Rock Island. You can find a map by clicking here.

  The new bridge connecting Milan to John Deere Road in Moline does not yet appear on GoogleMaps. If that bridge is the most convenient option, take it, and it will lead you directly to 14th St. W (which has a stop sign). Turn left and then turn into the school parking lot. The field is in the back.

  I urge you all, please, to spread the word on our move. It is of utmost importance that everyone stays informed.

By Matt Veto

  Fearful of hitting cars, houses and the like in the Douglas Park area, notorious VLB sluggers have been shortening up their strokes in 2008.

  But when 10th Avenue was free of cars during Saturday's double header at Douglas Park, Ryan Barton muscled up, lifting a long foul ball deep to left, striking a man across the street in the back of the arm on the fly.

  "Aww, man," Barton said. "I felt bad."

  But one pitch later, Barton homered into the same yard the man was standing in. Gracefully, after a long time staring, the man threw the ball back, perhaps in disgust.

  It was one of two Barton homers on the day. Both came in a game-two Vandals loss to the Goonies, 19-12. The Meteors were victorious over the Vandals in a crisply-played game one, 6-3. A season-high 17 players were on hand for both games -- 18 appeared all together.

Meteors 6, Vandals 3

  Kiel Engstrom had yet to lose a game he had captained this season, but his Vandals fell to 5-2 in their first loss of the day.

  Matt Veto's Meteors got a big lift from Amos Whiting, who raised his average to .600 going 4-for-4 (3-for-5 in game two) with a pair of runs scored. Runs were at a premium as both defenses played well. Ryan Wiggins knocked in two of the six Meteor runs.

  After the Vandals scored the first run of the game in the top of the first, the Meteors answered with a pair of runs and never trailed again. They added three more tallies in the bottom of the fourth before the Vandals tacked on two more in the fifth. The rally would not be completed, though, as the Meteors added an insurance tally in the bottom of the sixth.

  Scott Ellefritz was 3-for-5 for the Vandals and Adam Chard had a three-hit day for the Meteors. Ryan Nettleton, VLB class of '06, made his return on Saturday and plated a run on two hits for the Vandals in game one.

Goonies 19, Vandals 12

  If there is a signature game for the VLB, game two was it. The Vandals appeared in control of the contest, leading 6-1 after the third, but the Goonies rode a big game from Ellefritz (5-for-7, 5 RBIs) to seize a 7-6 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.

  The Vandals, with help from Barton's second homer of the day, grabbed an 8-7 lead back in the bottom of the sixth.

  That's when everything exploded.

  The Goonies scored 12 times in the top of the seventh inning in merry-go-round fashion. By the end of the day, they had two more five-hit efforts to go along with Ellefritz (Jeff Kilgard and Travis Swanson the other two), and each of the eight men in the order had at least one run and one RBI. Ryan Wiggins had four hits and a double for the Goonies while Josh Francque, Tony Zier and Jesus Apodaca each added three hits.

  Naturally, the Goonies held one despite four Vandal runs in the bottom of the seventh. Whiting, Barton and Nettleton each had three-hit days for the Vandals. Barton led the way with five RBIs.

  Also to be noted, Nick Goodknight made his first appearance since 2005.

June 25, 2008

By Matt Veto

  Riding his bike miles to Douglas Park, Jim Wince helped save the day with buddy J Dallas.

  Both former VLBers were activated on Wednesday and each contributed to a 5-4 Swingers victory over the Meteors Wednesday night at Douglas Park.

  At the beginning of the day only seven players had responded positively and by 4:30 p.m., it was decided that the game would be attempted despite just 10 shaky "yeses."

  Four bailed out, but passer-by Nick Loomis, Wince, Dallas and Kenny Chard -- father of Adam Chard -- each made their VLB 2008 debuts and made the day of those in attendance as it brought the overall player attendance to 12.

  "I don't care what kind of game it is," said VLBer Amos Whiting. "I just want to play ball."

  With early departures and a late start, the game was shortened to five innings. The Swingers got nearly all of their offense in the bottom of the second inning when Bob Zerull smacked his second grand slam of the season over the wall in left.

  Josh Francque drove in the fifth and decisive Swinger run in the fourth. The Meteors were offensively challenged after a three-run second that was helped by Kenny Chard's sac fly, an RBI triple by Whiting -- one of two triples on the day -- and an RBI single by Veto. Whiting's second triple was cut short to end a threat in the fourth when he tried for an inside-the-park homer.

  Whiting drove in a run in the top of the fifth, but the rally would not be completed.

June 23, 2008

By Matt Veto

  It's 3 a.m. on a Friday. You're driving home from Chicago after a long day of poker and you remember you need to play baseball the next day.

  That was the situation VLB slugger Bob Zerull was in this weekend. Zerull was "Caught loving the VLB" this week when he told the story of his Friday night. Zerull stopped at the Silvis Wal-Mart at 3 a.m. to pick up some essentials -- a cup and a jock strap.

  Pretty standard, if you ask me.

  When a 6-foot-3, bald, goateed man checks out a cup and a jock at 3 a.m., I call that just another day at Wal-Mart.

  Zerull's hilarious story aside, the June 21-22 weekend was one of the best this season with Sunday drawing an 18-man crowd and two whole fans.

Sunday, June 23: Meteors 15, Swingers 14

  Pulled hamstrings and arm fatigue plagued a handful of Sunday's 18-player game one which saw the Meteors come from behind to defeat the Swingers with a four-run ninth.

  Matt Veto (Meteors) and Ryan Barton (Swingers) limped with pulled hamstrings and Amos Whiting (Meteors) and Tony Zier (Meteors) each had arm trouble. The Box score wound up as even as the injuries.

  Both squad smacked 20 hits in 45 at bats, but Veto's Meteors scored one more run than Ellefritz's free-swinging Swingers.

  "That's certainly the best game I've played in this season," Veto said. "I hope the turnout in future games is as impressive."

  Howard Zimmerle, Matt Veto, Joe Zerull and Kiel Engstrom each had 3-for-5 days for the Meteors and combined for 11 of the 14 Meteors RBIs. Engstrom added three triples.

  Adam Hernandez, Scott Ellefritz and Jon Escajeda each managed three hits for the Swingers.

  Escajeda's performance, though, was marred by the invasion of gnats in the Douglas Park outfield. Escajeda explained that if he had some vanilla to put behind his ears, it would have been OK.

  "Gnats don't like vanilla," Escajeda explained.

Sunday, June 23: Goonies 24, Swingers 8

  Energy was precious in the second seven-inning contest of the day as Josh Smith took over for the absent Josh Paul to captain a 24-8 win over the Swingers, captained by Howard Zimmerle, the obvious sub-captain as brother-in-law to Ellefritz.

  The contest was close at one time -- 7-6 Goonies after five innings. But the gaudy numbers turned in by the Goonies caught up in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings when they scored five, three and nine runs respectively, leading players to wish for outs over runs in the blowout.

  Joe Campagna raised his average to a league-leading .792 in a single game. Campagna was 8-for-8 with five runs scored an four RBIs. Barton drove in nine RBIs for the Goonies, including a home run. He had six hits and teammate Jesus Apodaca had seven.

  Escajeda, Veto and Jason Nunn each had five-hit days for the Swingers, but it was not enough.

Saturday, June 22: Vandals 21, Meteors 20

  The Vandals defeated the Meteors 21-20 thanks to a ninth-inning comeback that ended with a Josh Smith gapper to plate Jeff Kilgard. The Vandals scored six times in the inning.

  The rally came after the Meteors (1-3) plated four runs in the top of the frame to extend their one-run lead to five.

  Bob Zerull and Jon Kelley each homered for the Vandals (5-1). Kelley was 6-for-8 in the contest and teammate Tony Zier added five hits. Matt Veto and rookie Matt Ressler led the Meteors with seven hits and two doubles each.

  All 13 players the played in the game tallied an extra-base hit -- a possible record in a game featuring 12 or more players.

June 15, 2008

By Josh Paul

Roberts and Co. too much for Vandals; Swingers 17, Vandals 13 (7)

  Kiel Engstrom had hopes that his Vandals could go through the 2008 season unblemished. Those hopes were dashed Saturday afternoon in Rock Island, courtesy of the hot bat and flashy glove of Steve Roberts.
  The Vandals entered Saturday’s contest with a perfect 3-0 record. VLB veteran Jeff Kilgard subbed for the absent Vandal captain. They were opposed by Scott Ellefritz’s appropriately named “Swingers” (2-2) who took home the 17-13 win..
  With just 11 players and the sun pounding down overhead, things were looking rough. They were looking exceptionally glum for the Vandals after the Swingers knocked the ball around for 12 runs in the bottom half of the second inning. The Swingers plated one more in the third, and stood with a 14-0 lead through three, with the Vandals mustering just two hits -- both from Josh Francque.
  The Vandals began their comeback, scoring nine unanswered runs over the next three innings. The Vandals were aided by rookie Brandon Jones, who smashed 5 of his last 6 at bats for hits, and also knocked in five runs in the contest.
  The two plays of the day both came at the hands (and glove) of Roberts. First, he scooted from shortstop to make an over-the-head basket catch in short left ala Willie Mays. Then at the plate in the bottom of the sixth, with his team’s lead cut to just five, and runners on second and third, he sailed a pitch into the gap in left center. Roberts never stopped running. As the throw came in to the third baseman, Roberts blew through the stop sign and was able to scamper home for the first 2008 VLB inside-the-park homerun. Roberts finished the contest five-for-seven at the plate, driving in eight runs. Tony Zier also boasted six hits in seven at bats, touching home four times for the Swingers.
  After it was decided to shorten the game to seven innings, the Vandals’ bats came alive. They plated four runs in the top of the seventh with no outs, cutting the Swinger’s lead to four. Ellefritz was sweating so profusely he had to remove his shirt and hat. With a female in attendance, he kept the rest of his clothes on. The Vandals' comeback came up short as they were unable to continue their rally, with the last three hitters recording outs and stranding the bases loaded, giving the Swingers their second win of 2008.
  Hurler Kilgard extended his ’08 K lead to seven, after striking out four of his teammates.

Rain drowns game after 6; Vandals 17, Goonies 8 (6, rain)

  Only a 60 percent chance of rain? More like 100 percent.
  After a Saturday loss in his absence, Engstrom returned to captain his Vandals (4-1) to a decisive 17-8 win over the home Goonies (1-3). The game was called after six innings due to heavy rain.
  Engstrom’s team was slow out of the gate, but plated 16 runs in the final four innings to overcome an early 5-0 deficit.

  Engstrom led his own team, batting 7-for-8 at the plate, raising his VLB-best average to .702. Vandals also got five hits each from Josh Francque, Joe Zerull and Howard Zimmerle. Francque added two doubles, powering both into right-center.

  Entering the fifth, Engstrom stated he just wanted to get through five, to make the game official. Sprinkles began late in the fourth, but the heavy ran poured down after the Goonies batted in the bottom of the sixth.
  The Goonies were able to get ahead early in the contest, thanks in part to Joe Campagna, who didn’t record an out at the plate in the six-inning contest. In their VLB debuts Travis Swanson, Kelly Sullivan and Jason Nunn combined for an 8-for-12 effort at the plate, batting in the bottom of the order.
  Baseball will continue Wednesday, June 18, as the Meteors (1-2) clash with the Goonies for the battle of the basement.