BAT (bat) n. - a nocturnal, mouselike, flying mammal with a furry body and membranous wings
We are the Bats. Some of us are nocturnal. Some of us can fly. Some of us are furry. None of us are mouselike. (Well, OK, a couple are mouselike, but we still let them play.) But how did we come to be? And why the mysterious Bat logo?
FRANCHISE HISTORY
The Bats were originally known as the Diamondbacks. They were established in 1998 as an expansion team in the 40-and-older division of the McHenry County Mens Senior Baseball league. Since their home games were played at Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Illinois, they were called the Algonquin Diamondbacks.
There is currently only one Bats players, outfielder Tony DiBlasi, left from that original team -- a team which established itself early on as a force to be reckoned with. After winning zero games in their first season, the Diamondbacks went winless again in the 1999 regular season before pulling off a major upset in the playoffs by defeating the Cubs for their first win ever. They lost their next game in the playoffs, but the thrill of victory had now become a part of their baseball DNA. Unfortunately, the agony of defeat would continue to hound them more often for several more seasons.
Tony has been one of the team's most loyal players. He is consistently among the team leaders in games played and was the field manager in 2010 and 2011. Tony, now in his 18th season, also holds the dubious honor of being the team's all time leader in Hit By Pitches. He is a regular ball magnet.
Joining the D'backs for that 1999 season was current Bats first/third baseman Denny Prosperi. Denny has been a mainstay withe the franchise ever since and epitomizes what mens senior baseball is all about -- heart. Each year as his knees got progressively worse Denny would take his place at third base and up at the plate giving it his all. Eventually he had both knees replaced and continues to give everything he has. Now in his 17th season with the team, Denny is the elder statesman at a youthful 66 years of age.
After getting that first taste of victory the D'backs (as they had become affectionately known) doubled their win total the following season (2000) with two. That season the Diamondbacks picked up shortstop Ron Skrabacz to help stabilize the infield. Ron has been
(HISTORY in progress ....)
THE GAME
Every team has a defining moment -- that special event that will always be remembered by anyone who was a part of it. For the Bats that moment came on Sunday, August 15, 2005 at Plote Field in Lake in the Hills, Illinois when they were known as the Diamondbacks. The D'backs were in the championship game with the White Sox and were facing elimination when they came to bat in the top of the seventh (and final) inning trailing, 2-0. The account of the amazing comeback that follows will always be known to its participants as "The Game," and indeed "The Inning" for the rest of their lives.
LINE SCORE
Diamondbacks 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 - 4 8 1
White Sox 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 - 3 8 1
The D'backs had only 3 hits in the first 6 innings before collecting 5 more in
an improbable 7th inning rally. Here is the play by play:
> Larry Barnes singles to right.
> Ron Skrabacz singles up the middle.
L Barnes to second.
> Bruce Barnes sacrifice bunt is mishandled and thrown away at first.
L Barnes scores, R Skrabacz to third and B Barnes to second.
> Tony DiBlasi grounds out to second.
R Skrabacz scores (to tie score, 2-2). B Barnes to third.
> Randy Harris hits a long sacrifice fly to center.
B Barnes scores the go ahead run, 3-2.
> Charley Konkus singles to right. (R Harris courtesy run for C Konkus)
R Harris steals second.
> Brian Barnfield singles to center.
R Harris scores, for a 4-2 lead. (T DiBlasi courtesy run for B Barnfield)
> Bill Quoss singles to left.
T DiBlasi to second. (R Skrabacz courtesy run for B Quoss)
> Denny Prosperi flies out to left field.
4 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.
In the bottom of the seventh, with one out and no one on base the White Sox
#5 hitter Frank O'Sullivan blasted a double to left field. The next batter
singled to center and the courtesy runner (for Frank) scored. A courtesy
runner for that batter stole second and third leaving the White Sox with one out,
and the tying run on third. The D'backs pitcher, lefty Bill Quoss who pitched a
complete game, then got a HUGE clutch strikeout (called). The following batter
popped out to Charley Konkus at first base for the game-ending out.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB
Final Score - D'backs 4, Sox 3.
One final note on THE GAME. What made this win even more gratifying was
that the Diamondbacks overcame a 4-0 first-inning deficit in the semi-final
game against the Cardinals the week before at Hiller Park. The D'backs won
that game, 13-5, to qualify for the championship contest with the White Sox.
2005 Algonquin Diamondbacks
NIMSBL 48s CHAMPIONS
Kneeling (l to r): Ron Skrabacz, Scott Payne, Tony DiBlasi, Bruce Barnes,
Roger Overton, Brian Barnfield
Standing (l to r): Larry Barnes, Denny Prosperi, Bill Quoss, Blaine Hood,
Charley Konkus, Randy Harris, Barry Rindner
Not Shown: Ken Kozlik
