SLAC Theory vs. Experiment Annual Softball Game 1999

[Softball | Softball Photos 1999 | SLAC Welcome Page]


* Experiment Edges Theory 8-6
* Action Photos
* Team Rosters
* Game Highlights
* Post-Game Celebration

Experiment Edges Theory 8-6 in Annual Softball Rivalry

BOX SCORE:
Inning 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Runs
Experiment 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 2 8
Theory 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 6

Experiment edged Theory 8-6 in the annual softball rivalry on June 5 at Roble Field on the Stanford campus. The Experiment victory was the 30th in the 38-year game history and the first time the game was decided in extra innings.

Both teams battled fiercely refusing to yield until the top of the eleventh inning. Then it happened. The game turned strangely on a controversial play that had a very unexpected ending. Some witnesses say it was fate, some say poetic justice.

Players say that every ball game has a defining moment for which it will be most remembered - a game saving tag at the plate, the bases loaded strike-out pitch, the leaping catch at the wall for the final out and of course the extra inning game winning hit.  Deadbeat sports writers and Hollywood hacks make a career dramatizing these plays for us. We are drawn to them and we value them for many different personal reasons. We store these memories in the deep recesses of our mind - kind of like a lucky coin that jingles in a pocket full of change.

The game was tied at 6-6 at the top of the eleventh inning when Experiment Mike Woods appeared to have driven in the game winning run with two outs and Mike Kelsey on base.  Woods blasted a deep shot over the desperately outstretched glove of fielder Schuyler Cullen that landed next to the left field foul line.  Theory appealed and after lengthy and heated debate the controversial hit was eventually ruled foul by only centimeters.  

Woods returned to the batter's box and on the very next pitch launched another shot down the left field line.  Cullen turned and chased the ball as it arched over his head.  The crowd gasped and then cheered as the ball this time landed just centimeters inside the foul line in fair territory.  Kelsey scored and Woods raced into third for another stand up triple.  Lab Director-Elect Jonathan Dorfan was next up and singled to right scoring Woods.  Those two runs proved to be the winning margin.  In the bottom of the eleventh relief pitcher Dorfan mowed down the top of the Theory batting order to preserve the win for Experiment.

Experiment began the game with all the steely confidence of a street gang.  They scored early in the first inning after a triple by Toshi Abe and a base hit that was stretched into a home run by Ron Cassell.  Experiment added another run, Theory answered with one of their own and the first inning ended 2-1.  Strong pitching and circus catch defense dominated the low scoring game for the next three innings. Theory eventually tied the game at 2-2 but Experiment pitchers Big Daddy Richter and Dick Zany Zdarko completely dominated the Theory offense until the eighth inning.  Meanwhile, Experiment batters whittled away at Theory pitchers Sid Lefty Drell and James BJ Bjorken in the middle innings picking up four runs on timely hitting by Greg Mitchell, Dan Flath and JJ Russell.

Sitting confidently on a 4-run lead, Experiment appeared to be cruising for another victory. They had already placed a call to the trophy engraver when Theory suddenly loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs. All base runners were moving on the pitch when Howie Haber smashed a slicing double to right field.  By the time the ball was chased down and thrown to catcher Jim Johnson three runners had circled the bases and scored.  Experiment eventually put the side out but Theory had stunned them and tied the game with a four run rally.

Experiment batters continued to struggle at the plate in the late innings but made up for it with solid heads-up defense.   Three times Theory put base runners in scoring position but could not get the winning run across the plate. Each time the lead runner was tagged out by sure handed Experiment fielders when they aggressively tried to stretch for the extra base. Theory had one last opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the eleventh but went down in order sealing the victory for Experiment.

So what do you think? Was it fate or poetic justice? Some Experiment and Theory players and fans hear only the jingle of the lucky coin.
 

Post-Game Celebration

The Post-Game Celebration has traditionally been held at the campus home of Sid Drell, who graciously hosted the winning team again this year.  See you next year on a nearby field, or perhaps at practice beforehand on The Green...
 

Action Photos

Action photos give absent fans a feel for the game. Look for your favorite player on the field!

Team Rosters

THEORY Position EXPERIMENT Position
Sid Drell Pitcher Burton Richter Pitcher
Schuyler Cullen Left Field Toshi Abe Right Field
Jake Mannix Second Base Greg Mitchell Center Field
Lance Dixon Team Captain/CF Ron Cassell Short Stop
Howie Haber Shortstop Dan Flath SF
Walt Stolar Third Base Dave Whittum Third Base
Kenichi Mizukoshi Right Field Dick Zdarko Relief Pitcher
Steve Parke Catcher Tom Markiewicz First Base
Johan Rathsman SCF JJ Russell Left Field
Yuval Grossman SCF Andrew Eichenbaum SF
James (Bj) Bjorken Relief Pitcher Tim Barklow Third Base
Hooman Davoudiasl Catcher Jim Johnson Catcher
Matthias Neubert Second Base Herman Winick Catcher
Steve Martin First Base Heather Woods Second Base
Mihir Worah Right Field Mike Kelsey Second Base
Mike Woods Team Captain
Jonathan Dorfan Winning Pitcher

Game Highlights

MVP - Mike Woods
Winning Pitcher - Jonathan Dorfan
Canine Support - Amber

URL: http://www.slac.stanford.edu/gen/pubinfo/Softball/game99.html

23 June 1999 

Nina Stolar, Official Scorer