Our First Non-Loss!: A Recap

Last night the Oscar Wildes did what no other team in the Queen Anne softball league named after a 19th century Irish writer has ever done before. They scored one for the T column. Not quite a W, but definitely not an L.

This was a well-fought tie. Unable to believe that we were actually not losing to them (perhaps our reputation preceded us), our opponents officially challenged our score sometime around the 5th inning. Clearly they did not have the wisdom to heed the advice of the ever-apte Oscar Wilde, who reminds us, "Arguments are to be avoided; they are always vulgar and often convincing." Case in point: the umpire was convinced that as a team we were capable of counting all the way up to five. Considering that our bench coach possesses all kinds of mathematical skills (including the ability to quickly calculate the percentage of pregnant teens in different high schools), it's somewhat insulting that they even asked. But it was a refreshing change; usually when the other team approaches the umpire it's to question my gender.

As they say, there is no "me" in Oscar Wilde, and each and every team member played a huge role in this almost-victory. For example, Danny got an amazing triple in the first inning. I didn't witness this as I enjoy being fashionably late to the 6:15 games, but I assume he hit the ball somewhere where the other team was not easily able to get it and then ran fast. And then there was that time when that girl hit it out to deep centerfield but was thrown out with a spot-on throw to third by an intrepid Wilde. And I remember Jared ending one defensive inning with two key outs in a row. And who could forget Matt's diving catch and double play! In addition, Doug led off one inning with a solid hit and scored that historic tying run. And Zach gets the credit for being the OWs first non-losing pitcher. (He also gets extra points for bringing a minivan of minifans to the game.)

But really the MVP of the game was, once again, #826. You just have this way of always being in the right spot to make those key plays. Dang. It's amazing.

It's clear that the Oscar Wildes are just hitting their collective stride as the season draws to a close. With only two games left in the regular season, the OWs plan on snagging that elusive actual-win next week as they ramp up for the playoffs. One could even see the team as that dark horse (not to be confused with the Dark Knight--Get your tickets now!)--you know, coming out of the shadows (i.e. last place) and winning (or at least continuing to not lose). Stay tuned. It's going to be a wilde rid.