The Chicago Hounds lost 8-7 v. the Vikings at Winnemac Park on Thursday night, and then beat the Astros 17-1 today at Maywood Park.
The Vikings loss was a “should have won the game” type of situation. The Hounds gave up a lot of errors and put themselves in a position to lose in the first 5 innings. But the Hounds scored 4 runs in the 5th inning to tie the game at 7-7 as Nolan Bielinski (#4, C), Tim Riggenbach (#8, RF), and Matt Burch (#6, 1B), and Alex Garcia (#32, 2B) all reached safely and all scored, with Joe Wietecha (#19, P), Nelson Bowers (#27, DH/RF), and Max Kiefer (#21, LF) driving in the runs (Max with 2).
But the Vikings catcher hit a solo shot to right field over the track in front of the school to take the 8-7 lead, and the Hounds were unable to score in the 6th and 7th for a Hounds loss.
Today the Hounds were down 1-0 for the first 2 inning v. the Astros–the newest team in the CMBA. The Astros were 1-10 going into the contest, having secured their first ever victory against the mighty Marlins. The Hounds scored 2 runs in the 3rd to take the lead as both TJ Rinaldi (#1, EH) and Matthew Steffens (#5, SS0 walked and scored off of Tim Riggenbach’s (#8, CF) two RBI double off of the wall in right field at Maywood (he missed a home run by a mere 4 feet).
The Hounds blew the game open with 8 runs in the 6th and 7 more in the 7th, with the biggest blast an infield park home run by Matt Burch (#6, 1B), who hit a ball 50 feet over the head of a bewildered center fielder for the Astros.
The Hounds were very pleased to see the 2017 return of umpire Cooper, who had a heart attack in 2014 and has not umped in the past 3 years. Alex Garcia (#32, P) took advantage of Coop’s classic strike zone, and after allowing the first batter of the game to score–simply never allowed another. Steffens closed the game in the 7th.
Every single Hound in attendance scored today, and every Hound (save Nolan Bielinksi (#4, C) also struck out today.
The Hounds have a doubleheader v. the Electrons tomorrow at 12:15pm and 3:00pm at Winnemac. We hope to see you there!

The Hounds are now 5-3 after losing to the Aviators by 20+? runs in only 4 innings. It was a rough one today as we couldn’t do much right. The highlight of the game was the Aviators catcher stealing both second and third base while up 11 runs, spiking Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) in the leg, but this did not prevent Schoenbach from making a diving play later in the contest, seemingly the only defensive highlight on this hot windless day at Winnemac.
When I was a kid we would play “running bases” where you had a runner in the middle and a fielder at each base, practicing run downs. My cousins from Boston called it “pickle.” Well, whatever you call it, the Aviators bested the Hounds in that game 4-0 today.
But have no fear, the Hounds have 5 games in a stretch of 5 days coming up, including a double header v. the Electrons on Sunday, so this is the time for the Hounds to bounce back and win a lot of games. Hope to see you there.
Upcoming games over the next week:
*G#*
*Date*
*Day*
*Time*
*Opponent*
*H/V*
*Field*
*9*
*6/7/2017*
*Wednesday*
*5:50 PM*
*Red Sox*
*V*
*Winnemac Park*
*10*
*6/8/2017*
*Thursday*
*5:50 PM*
*Vikings*
*H*
*Winnemac Park*
*11*
*6/10/2017*
*Saturday*
*9:30 AM*
Astros
*V*
*Maywood *
*12*
*6/11/2017*
*Sunday*
*12:15 PM*
*Electrons*
*H*
*Winnemac Park*
*13*
*6/11/2017*
*Sunday*
*3:00 PM*
*Electrons*
*V*
*Winnemac Park*

The Chicago Hounds defeated the Pirates 3-1 on a warm and sunny day at Winnemac Park this afternoon, before their largest contingent of fans this year. The fans–including family members of Matthew Steffens (#5, SS), Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B), and Tony Correa (#13, C) all came to the bar at K’s after the game, even little Sylvia, who was all smiles after the Hounds’ win.
Rookie Alex Garcia (#32, P) had a complete game victory, defeating his former teammates and their coach Jeff Panadangagangalopololpolpolouse. Jeff would never pitch Garcia during his short tenure on the Pirates, which was the Hounds’ gain, as Garcia completely shut the Pirates down after allowing just 1 run in the first. Indeed, Garcia gave up 2 hits in the first, and then did not allow another Pirate hit for the rest of the 7-inning game. Garcia also comes from a long line of Hounds players from Dominican University, including Lucas McKinney, Robert Bavone, Alex Hernandez, and Adam Quinn.
The Hounds’ offense today was led by rookies Jacob Tedlund (#31, RF/CF) and Alexander Mora (#8, EH/RF). Tedlund reached on a fielder’s choice in the 2nd and reached second on a Pirate error, and Mora singled and drove in Tedlund. Joe Wietecha (#19, LF) singled and stole a base, Hans Hetrick (#18, DH) walked to load the bases, and then Correa reached on an error, scoring Mora. Tedlund also scored in the 3rd, reaching on a single, Mora walked, and Hetrick drove in Tedlund on a productive groundout.
Jeff P was thrown out by the ump arguing a ground rules call. On an errant Hounds throw to first, Correa–who lost 15 pounds in the offseason–sprinted down the line and saved the ball from going out of bounds with an impressive sliding stop. The ump originally gave the runner second base calling the ball out of play, but after a quick discussion reversed his call to the correct one, as Tony had made the save within our normal field of play. This drove the new league commissioner and manager of the Pirates mad, and he eventually was tossed from Winnemac.
The Hounds are now 5-2 and face the Aviators tomorrow morning at Winnemac at 9:30 am. The Aviators handed the Hounds their first loss of the year, so the Hounds look to exact revenge. See you there!

I apologize for the lack of updates, I know I have failed you. I have heard the complaints. I will do better.
After the first month of the season the Hounds are a respectable 4-2.
We lost a close one tonight, 6-4 v. the newly revamped Yankees (many old players but also a new contingent from the DePaul club team). Despite only having the “sounds of the game” to support them, as neither Max nor “Fern” unclasped their boomboxes, the Hounds played error free ball and the 3rd scheduled pitcher (Joe Wietecha, #19), after 2 late cancellations, pitched a whale of a game, throwing 108 pitches for the first time since high school. In short, the Hounds played a fine game, but just came up short. Speaking of short, the Hounds shortstop struck out to end the game with the bases loaded. And struck out 3 times on the day, for maybe the first time in 15 years. Embarrassing. Yes, I am referring to myself. Matthew Steffens (#5, SS, Manager).
The Hounds hit into 3 double plays v. the Yankees–who seem to really struggle to find a store that sells Yankees hats–how hard is that?–two on lineouts in the infield, I blame the manager again here for not instilling the “freeze on a liner mentality” and the Hounds also had a rare runner interference play on a clear hit. These baserunning plays (mental/physical erros) did not help the Hounds’ cause at the recently revamped Winnemac Park (much thanks to the Cubs for funding the infield renovation!).
What did help the Hounds’ cause? Max Kiefer (#21, LF) walked twice and scored twice. Hounds rookie Alex Garcia (#9, DH) walked and scored, and singled in the final frame. Hounds veteran (and original 2007 player) TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) reached on an error and scored, and Hans Hetrick (#18, 2B) had three singles–shockingly, including 2 to the 3rd base side of the diamond–and 3 RsBI. Rookie Nelson Bowers (#28, RF) also reached twice on an error and a single. Steffens also had a single and 4 chances at short (in between picking rocks the entire time on the new infield “dirt”).
So, not enough for a Hounds win tonight, but again, the Hounds are 4-2 on the young season (with 4 rainouts) and look to sweep this weekend as we play the Pirates on Saturday at 9:30 at Winnemac and the Aviators on Sunday at 9:30 at Winnemac. Hope to see you there!

Hounds, if the rains hold off, and the field dries, we will play the Electrons tomorrow morning at 9:30. Please be there by 8:30 am.
Tim will start on the hill (he has to leave the game early), and I will do the rest of the lineup before the game.
I am heading there before 7 am to check the field. If you don’t hear from me, it means the game is still on. I will let you know if it is cancelled.
Thanks! –Matthew

The Chicago Hounds lost to the Marlins 6-3 yesterday, and were swept in the best-of-three series. This means that the 2016 season is over, which is always a bummer, but it was a great year. We wish Keith Richardson the best as he is moving to Cleveland soon, but we hope he will make it back for a few games next year just like Vasont Miller did this year.
The Hounds look forward to the 2017 season and thank you for all of your support throughout this year’s campaign!

The Chicago Hounds lost game 1 of the 3 game wild-card playoff series v. the Marlins at Southwest Park in Park Ridge today, by a score of 4-3. The Hounds were leading 3-2 going into the bottom of the final frame, but a base on balls and 3 infield errors led to a disappointing walk-off error win for the Marlins.
Tim Riggenbach (#8, P), the Hounds 2016 Cy Young candidate, was masterful on the mound, and he (and the Hounds) should have gotten the win. Until the last inning Riggenbach had only allowed 2 runs, and those were the only 2 earned Marlin runs of the game. Riggenbach struck out 5 fish and only walked 2 batters, giving up 5 hits.
The Hounds had 10 hits on the day, but only managed 3 runs, as they stranded runners in nearly every inning, striking out 6 times with runners on base. Keith Richardson (#17, 1B) had three hits on the day, including a double, and scored a run. TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) was hit by a pitch on his elbow guard, and also scored. Kurt Kerrigan (#12, EH) singled and scored. Mike Marra (#15, LF) drove in 2 runs in the 6th with a single. Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) had three singles on the day, and drove in a run. Riggenbach also singled, and was robbed on a ball hit deep to right that dropped in fair territory, but was inexplicably called foul (despite the well-chalked SW Park field). Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) reached by a walk and Tony Correa (#13, 2B) singled.
The Hounds look to even the CMBA opening round series tomorrow morning at 10 am at Winnemac Park. As this is a best-of-three affair, the Hounds must win tomorrow to force game 3 on Tuesday at 5:30 pm at SW Park.

The votes are not unanimous, but they are pretty dang close, and with the votes we have, no one else could overcome as there are not enough votes left, so I move that we suspend the nominating rules, count the votes as counted, and I further move that the following are our CMBA nominees:
Cy Young–Tim Riggenbach MVP–Nolan Bielinski (for the second year in a row!)
Again, it was pretty close to unanimous on both counts.
Congrats to both!

The Chicago Hounds clinched a 2016 CMBA playoff spot in fine fashion today, behind a perfect game. No walks, no hits, no runs, no errors, no hit by pitches allowed. Nada. Nunca. Nein.
Cy Young candidate Tim Riggenbach (#8, P) was 100% perfect on the mound at Winnemac today, likely inspired by his trip down memory lane with Anne and Tony at the Cork & Kerry in Beverly last night after the Hounds lost 8-3 to the Browns at the Kroc Center (yes, that is the extent of the writeup for last night, except we are sorry that Tony’s dad finally saw a loss). Riggenbach was simply masterful with his pitches, and his calling of the pitches frankly, as he gently guided Tony Correa (#13, C) to the offering he preferred on many occasions, often cycling through all 4 possible choices. His perfect game is temporarily memorialized on the CMBA webpage–please see here: home.earthlink.net/~rmarko/index.html.
A new ump helped the cause, as he literally had the largest strike zone we have seen this year (maybe ever?), and Riggenbach took advantage, as he struck out 10 Pirates on the day. The opposing pitcher was quite good too, striking out 11 Hounds and giving up only 3 hits. But he was bested by Mr. Riggenbach, who knew from the first pitch that today was something special. Riggenbach started and ended the game the same way–striking out the first 2 men he faced, and striking out the side in the 7th and final inning.
The Hounds only needed 1 run to win, and that is all they got, crossing the plate for their only time in the 5th inning with 2 outs. Max Kiefer (#21, LF/EH) drew one of the 2 walks on the day, then moved to second after Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) reached on an error. Both runners advanced on a passed ball, and then Keith Richardson (#17, 3B), who really, really wanted to win the game, and really, really wants to win the championship this year, singled, driving in Kiefer for the winning run. RIchardson also had a double on the day, and Garrett Eddy (#22, RF) had the only other Hound hit. #perfectforrichardson
The Hounds are now 17-10 on the year and clinched the playoff spot thanks to the win combined with a loss by the Red Sox today (the Hounds have 34 points and the max the Red Sox can get is 33). The Hounds lost on Friday to the Browns, beat the Pirates today, and were granted a forfeit victory against the Yankees for the game scheduled on 7/17, due to the Yankees forfeiting two games on the year (the Yankees are done for the season, possibly forever, and all remaining games are forfeits to their opponents). This means the Hounds have only 3 games remaining before the playoffs begin on Saturday July 30, still giving them a shot at a 20-win season.
Final 3 games:
Sunday 7/10 – Marlins – SW Park – 10 am Tuesday 7/19 – Browns – Winnemac – 5:50 pm Saturday 7/23 – Pirates – Winnemac – 12:15 pm

The Chicago Hounds defeated the Orioles 8-5 at Winnemac Park on a hot and steamy night on Tuesday. This report has been delayed by my suffering from a stomach virus the past few days.
Kurt Kerrigan (#12, P) hurled 6.1 innings, striking out 7, to lead the Hounds to victory, and Tim Riggenbach (#8, DH/P) closed out the game on 1.5 days rest to pick up the save. Luckily Anne had brought his gear and jersey, otherwise he was going to have to use the materials the team had cobbled together, including a mitt for the wrong hand.
Both teams hit the ball hard, there were a lot of extra base hits, line drive singles, and line drive outs. And some balls were just crushed, despite little to no wind.
The Hounds took an early lead in the first inning with Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) singling, stealing second, and Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) singled him in for the first run of the game. Keith Kerrigan (#10, CF) then had his first hit as a Chicago Hound, doubling in Schoenbach for the Hounds 2-0 lead. The Orioles batted around in the 3rd inning, scoring 4 to take a 4-2 lead, but also left the bases loaded. The Hounds countered with 2 of their own in the bottom of the 3rd, tying the game at 4-4. Bielinski doubled, Keith Richardson (#17, RF/1B) also doubled (according to the book, I actually remember it as a triple), scoring Bielinski, and then TJ Rinaldi (#1, LF) launched a ball into outerspace, but didn’t have enough gas in the tank to round the bases, getting thrown out at home (but the triple scored Richardson).
The Orioles scored another run in the 4th and again left the bases loaded, and the Hounds came to bat in the bottom of the frame down 5-4, knowing that they have won every game that they have scored more than 5 runs in, and knowing that in every single loss they have scored 5 or fewer. So the Hounds wasted no time with Tony Correa (#13, 2B) and Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) singling to start the inning. Stephen Correa Jr. (#20, 1B/EH) then bunted them over to second and third, setting up Garrett Eddy’s (#22, RF) two-run single, giving the Hounds a 6-5 lead. The Hounds tacked on some insurance runs in the 6th as Richardson singled, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Keith Kerrigan. The second Keith then scored on a double down the line by Correa (Tony).
The Orioles threatened again in the 7th inning, but once again the Hounds stranded the bases loaded as Riggenbach ended the game on a strikeout.
The Hounds next play tomorrow at the Kroc Center (White Sox field, apparently a somewhat replica of the MLB field) way down on 117th street. Game is at 7:15 pm under the lights. Anyone who lives south, we would love to see you there!