Game 12 features the Pittsfield Vets squaring off against “Team Zero”, a new addition to the league this season. This game marks the final game of the Vets regular season, which has had its ups and downs. The Vets are 1-10 coming into this afternoon’s game, but their last few games have been real nail biters, being decided by only a few runs. Game 12 also marked the fact that the Vets played an entire season with out a single game cancellation due to weather, which in itself is incredible; especially with the amount of rain the area had the first half of this season.

To avoid a roster fiasco at game time, team captain Joelle (Joe-L) with help of team SS Nate acquired 3 new players: Jason K, Josh Samson and Paul. Both Jason K. and Josh bring strong outfield experience to the team while Paul brings his experiences at first base.

Team high-fives Josh Samson after he hits a grand slam in the first. (Wolan)

Taking the mound for the Vets was their veteran pitcher, Rick Palma. The Vets defense got off to shaky start as the team tried to settle down. Case in point, with a runner of third, the infield unit allowed an infield hit to prevent the runner on third from scoring. “Team Zero” would make the team pay as they wound-up cashing in those runners and more as they rally to take a quick 6-0 lead.

The Vets responded with a rally of their own. With the bases juiced, Josh Samson makes his team debut by hitting a grand slam to cut the deficit 6-4. Two batters later, Rick hits a double into right field. However, the play was called dead prior to his swing and Rick would have to rehit. The reason: the umpire was fielding a ball that was thrown in after being hit foul. As a result, the umpire was not near home plate at the time of the pitch.

“This is not the first time this has happened. [The Team Zero] pitcher will pitch the ball when I’m off to the side.” Said Scott, the game’s umpire. “In my defense, I did call the play dead before the batter even swung at the pitch. Yes, the double was called back, but on the flip side, had he hit into a ground out he would have had another at bat.”

A-WOL, shades and all, scrambles to home as Jon singles to center. (Palma)

After a shaky first, the Vets defense started coming alive in the second, as Team Zero went down quickly with just 4 batters coming to the plate. The Vets would get back a run in their half of the inning: A-WOL lead the inning with a triple, the first of this career. He would later score on a Jon N. single. The inning would end on a Jason K. double play. After 2, the score was 6-5.

In the third, “Team Zero” would get back a run thank to a solo home run by someone looking similar to Bud Hall. But the Vets defense kept them from getting anymore, which included a running catch by Josh in left field that cause him to loose his shoe in the process. The Vets offense threatened with runners on first and third with two outs, but Paul couldn’t cash them in as he flies out to end the inning. After three, Team Zero was up 7-5.

Team Zero would get one more run in the fifth, but not after Rick Palma records a K in the inning. The Vets would respond with two runs of their own, cashing Jason K and Josh on an RBI single by JOE-L and Nate, respectively. After 5, the Vets were within a run, trailing 8-7. But that would be as close as they would get.

In the sixth, Team Zero would string a rally together as they managed to knock-in four more runs. Jason K. made a spectacular overhead running attempt in center to rob the batter of an extra base hit. However, the ball was hit just outside his reach and deflected off his glove.

The Berkshire Fence Company was called in to make repairs. (Wolan)

The Vets got back 2 in their half of the sixth. A-WOL led the inning with a single. After two quick fly out, Jason K. connects with a single, batting in a motoring A-WOL from first. A-WOL had trouble stopping at home and collided with the fence near home, knocking part of it down. The Berkshire Fence Company had to be called in to repair the damage before the game continued. Josh S. would bat in Jason K. with a double for the teams second run that inning.

After 6, the score was 12-9. That is how the score would remain. The Vets made the seventh interesting as their defense netted a double play to keep Team Zero scoreless and to give the Vets a shot in the seventh. (The double play consisted of Nate at short, who then tossed to JOE-L at second who finally tossed the ball to Paul at first.) However, they could not capitalize as their offense went down in order to end the game.

For the third game in a row, the Vets played a nail bitter but ended up just short once again. Regardless, the Vets look ready for their post-season run.

Andy Wolan is a reporter for MLSB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Softball or its clubs.