(February 24, 2024 – Carrollton, TX) They often say, “practice makes perfect.” Perhaps if some of the Spirits (50+) squad used this philosophy to at least make some attempts at getting ready for their first season game, they wouldn’t have been dealt such an obscene loss to kick off the 2024 season.
Fresh off a regular season championship just last summer, and following an undefeated regular and postseason championship in the Fall, the Spirits were anything but in championship form. It was obvious several players were picking up a baseball or swinging a bat for the very first time and the results were catastrophic. Despite being in the game for just a couple of innings, the rust showed its ugly head as the team couldn’t get off the field in the fourth inning, only watching as it took 3 different pitchers to record the first out as the Redbirds played “merry-go-round” and walked away with 11 runs as they cruised to a 19 to 7 win.
The Redbirds finished with 16 hits and 11 walks in what turned out to be a situation of finding anyone who wanted an at-bat, and fortunately for them, finding success in just that. Every single Redbirds player either hit or walked safely during the game.
The Spirits finished with 9 hits, including doubles by both Brian Hackney and Steven Nutt. Hackney scored once and added an RBI while Nutt added an RBI as well. Shawn Lee finished 1 for 2 with 3 runs batted in, and Kent Fischer added a 2 for 2 performance with a run scored.
“Not much to say here,” Lee muttered after the game. “Obviously nobody wants to start their season this way. But as we grow older, getting guys together to practice or prepare for the season just doesn’t happen. Everyone has their routine and they simply won’t break away from it. I just expect guys are getting ready on their own. We’re just getting to the point where winning no longer matters and it becomes more of a recreational situation like softball. Regardless of anyone’s disappointment, I’m sure we’ll be fine down the road. We don’t win championships because we’re lucky. We just weren’t ready to play today. Not even close. Hopefully that changes moving forward.”
The team returns to action next Saturday when they visit the Sultanes at Lively Park in Irving, TX. First pitch is scheduled for 9:00AM. Click here for schedule details.
WingStop Players of the Game
Brian Hackney (1-2, 2B, R, RBI)
Steven Nutt (1-2, 2B, RBI)
Shawn Lee (1-2, 3 RBI)