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Youth is served as Fall Ball returns November 29, 2004 | By Justin Hastings So much for the veteran experience of Chris Palmquist and Rich McMackin. In an absolutely dominant performance, the youthful squad of Craig Hastings, TJ Collings, and Fred Rogers put a hurtin' on the veteran squad of Palmquist, McMackin, and Justin Hastings in two games as Fall Ball returned to the HMWL. Game 1 began as a pitcher's duel between brothers Craig & Justin Hastings. Justin got out of two bases-loaded jams in the first two innings, while Craig countered by striking out four and yielding only two Palmquist singles in the first two frames. Craig led off the top half of the third with a single. The next pitch to Collins was ripped into right field for a 2-run homer and a 2-run lead. The veterans couldn't score in the third. A pitching change brought in McMackin to pitch in the fourth, getting through the frame without surrendering a run despite two walks. The veterans attempted to come back in the home half of the fourth as McMackin hit a solo homer to right field. But then Craig calmly struck out Palmquist to end the game and win 2-1. Game 2 was much less of a duel. Despite pitching a strong first inning, the historical struggles of Chris Palmquist's right arm reared its ugly head again. Palmquist yielded six runs in the second, all from the two homers (inside-the-park grand slam and a two-run shot) of TJ Collins. With both those swings, Collins brought his RBI total to 8 for the day. "This kid can flat-out hit," said Justin Hastings, who gave up Collins's first homer of the day. "He may have the most pure swing in the league." All in all, the day was a success for the league. It was the first time there had been a wiffleball game in over a month and also the first Fall Ball day since 2002. |
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 This year's day of Fall Ball brought back the Thanksgiving weekend tradition that began in 2001. There, Rich McMackin led his team of himself, Laura Hastings, and Chris Palmquist to a 7-5, extra-inning victory over Matt Cassaro, and the Hastings brothers after a walk-off, two-run homer. The 2002 game was also won in dramatic fashion as Chris Palmquist & Justin Hastings beat the team of Fred Rogers & Craig Hastings 2-0 on another walk-off homer, this time by Justin Hastings. Highlights of the game include Dad snowblowing the field before the game. |
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