Theory vs. Experiment Annual Softball Game 1998

Theory and Experiment softball titans clashed on Saturday, August 21, 1998, at Roble Field, Stanford campus. When the swirling dust settled on the sun baked field the bleached scoreboard displayed the answer to this year's championship game: Experiment 15, Theory 7.

At the top of the fifth, there was recklessly daring base running, as Kathy Thompson dove home on a pop fly. When Sid Drell made it to second, he was relieved that the next batter took some time to get a hit so he could catch his breath.

Commenting on three runs scored by Theory, Burton Richter was heard to say, "There were no earned runs this inning. My team let me down. They're playing like the Giants."

At the bottom of the eighth inning, following three wicked runs Experiment had an eight run lead. They started using second stringers as designated runners for Mike Woods. Matthew Moon and Alex Markiewicz had good runs towards first base.

The Post-Game Celebration has traditionally been held at the campus home of Sid Drell, who graciously hosted the winning team. This Experiment victory was the 4th in this decade. See you next year on a nearby field, or perhaps at practice beforehand on the Green...

Winning Pitcher - Burton Richter
Home Runs - Greg Mitchell
Fielding - Chris Chaput, "They hit 'em up in the air, they pay the price..."
Double Plays - Howie Haber, "Even in defeat, Theory set double play history!"
Female Player of the Game - Kathy Thompson
Canine Support - Amber

Sid Drell on Experimental strategy:

"Experiment is cheating, making the game so early the Theorists hadn't waked up yet."

Herman Winick (to Kathy Thompson) on Accelerator participation:

"Accelerator participation [for the first time this year] was the decisive factor in this game. Polarity of the effect has yet to be determined."

URL: http://www.slac.stanford.edu/gen/pubinfo/Softball/game98.html

24 August 1998