we lost 18-4 to the aviators tonight. it was bad. spectacularly so.
so tony correa, brent schoenbach, and matthew steffens went to our sponsor bar k’s dugout after the game. apparently the team that loses together doesn’t drink together, as there were just 3 of us.
k’s was serving free beer tonight. no joke. the beer was free. no charge. gratis. free.
and they had a raffle for free white sox tickets.
but we couldn’t even win that.
who did?
guess?
the guzzler from the electrons. no joke.
we play again tomorrow v. the rangers at 930 am, we promise to all of our fans that tomorrow’s game will be better.

The Chicago Hounds echoed The 1984 classic baseball movie The Natural ( www.imdb.com/title/tt0087781/) and Gabby Harnett’s homer in the gloamin (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer_in_the_Gloamin%27) last night, defeating the Vikings 6-5 at Taft High School in most dramatic fashion.
Brian Hearns (#30, P) and the Kerrigan Brothers (Kurt, #12, and Keith, #10) combined on the Hounds win on the hill. The Hounds have waited 10 years for Keith to be old enough to play in the 18 and over league, and he threw 2 scoreless innings, bridging between Hearns and his brother Kurt.
The Hounds were winning 5-3 going into the top of the 7th inning, when the forecasted storm of the century began to roll in. The lightning started from a distance, but despite complaints from the Hounds, neither the umpire nor the Vikings wanted to end the game early. The Vikings ended up scoring 2 runs in the 7th to tie the game, with Kurt striking out the side to end the chance of the Vikings taking a lead. The sky got darker, and the lightning got closer.
By CMBA league rule, if the game is called for weather or darkness, it goes back to the prior full inning. The Hounds argued that the game should be called, but the Vikings wanted the tie, and the umpire was unwilling to stop it and award the Hounds a 6 inning 5-3 win. So the Hounds went to bat in the bottom of the 9th with the score tied 5-5. A tie = 1 point, but a win would = 2 points, and more importantly for the Hounds, redemption for the walk-off loss to the lowly 3-10 Vikings earlier in the season.
Whether it would help or not, the Hounds all decided to take wood bats to the plate instead of metal. Max Kiefer (#21, DH) reached by error to start the bottom of the 7th and final frame. Stephen Correa Jr. (#20, 2B) was a late sub for an injured Kyle Hanson (#2, 2B), and Correa Jr. reached on a fielder’s choice. Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) then also reached on a fielder’s choice, so the Hounds were down to their last out, with a runner on first. And a runner who was suffering from 2 tweaky hamstrings.
Up strolled the Hounds 2015 MVP, Nolan Bielinski (#4, C). Bielinski has been on an extra base tear lately, with 2 home runs and 3 triples. Bielinksi was quickly down to his last strike, and then the rain started. It was so dark it was getting nearly impossible to see the ball, but Bielinski then fouled off 2 more pitches as the rain, thunder, and lightning all worsened.
And then, like Robert Redford, like Gabby Harnett, Bielinski launched a ball to the fenceless left field. Where exactly? No one knows, but Steffens rounded the bases to score the winning run (the whole time thinking, hamstrings, please don’t tear!). It could have/should have/would have been a homerun for Bielinski, but his run does not count as the game ended with the go ahead run, but no matter, the Hounds won again! It was spectacular.
The Hounds also were helped by a diving catch by Tim Riggenbach (#8, RF), Bielinski also had 2 assists on baserunners, Mike Marra (#15, LF) had a key RBI, and Keith Richardson (#17, 1B) had a triple and scored.
But mostly what will be remembered is Nolan’s “homer” in the gloamin.
Just awesome. And the Hounds are now 12-5.
The Hounds are at it again tomorrow v. the Aviators at Winnemac Park.

On a very toasty 90+ degree Father’s Day at Taft High School, the Chicago Hounds defeated the Red Sox 12-7 to improve to 11-5 on the year. Proud new papas Kyle Hanson (#2, EH) and Kurt Kerrigan (#12, DH/P) celebrated the day with a win, and the Hounds got to meet Kurt’s daughter who is only a little over 2 weeks old. The Hounds defeated the Red Sox in all 3 contests this season, sweeping the season series. The Red Sox are a much better team than year’s past, they are now 5-8-1 on the year (.500 other than playing the Hounds).
The Hounds pounded out the hits today, and not just Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off (although they did use it as inspiration between innings), scoring 2 in the 3rd, 1 in the 4th, 2 in the 5th, and then exploding for 5 in the 6th. Extra bases were a plenty, as Kerrigan had a solo home run over the left fielder’s head, Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) cleared the bases with a grand slam home run, Brian Hearns (#30, 1B) crushed an RBI triple over the right fielder’s head, and Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) doubled to the gap, driving in 2 runs.
Matt Burch (#6, P) threw 4 innings, giving up 6 runs, only 4 were earned–Taft was playing fast and difficult today. Burch struck out 4 and got the Hounds to the bullpen in fine shape. Mike Marra (#15, LF/P/RF) threw a scoreless 5th inning for a poached win, and Kerrigan gave up 1 run in 2 innings to close out the game, giving up no runs in the 7th after Enter Sandman was played as he made his way to the mound.
Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) continued his weekend hit parade with 2 singles, a run, and an RBI, TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) had an RBI single, Max Kiefer had 2 singles and scored a run, Stephen Correa Jr (#20, 2B) walked and scored, Tony Correa (Sr?, Jr?, his dad is named Tony, but not a doctor, and not a Jr, 2B) only saw one pitch and it hit him in the arm. Hanson singled and scored. Keith Richardson (#17, LF) singled, drove in a run, and scored. Hearns also had another single, scored twice, Steffens singled and scored twice, Marra singled, and Bielinski singled and scored twice.
Offensive explosion. 16 hits on the day.
The Hounds have always had great defense and pitching, but this year they also have the hitting. Thus, the 11-5 record just after the halfway point in the season.
The Hounds have 4 games in a 5 day span coming up–hope to see you there:
Vikings – Wed 6/22 – 5:50 pm – Taft HS Aviators – Fri 6/24 – 5:50 pm – Winnemac Rangers – Sat 6/25 – 9:30 am – Winnemac Electrons – Sun 6/26 – 12:15 pm – Winnemac

The Chicago Hounds defeated the Yankees 10-2 today at Winnemac Park on an abolutely gorgeous spring/summer day in Chicago. The Hounds arrived early to take batting practice, and it was effective, as the Hounds pounded out the hits today on an easy win.
Tim Riggenbach (#8, P) got yet another win on the mound as he loves mopping up bad teams in the CMBA. Riggenbach unfortunately took a ball straight to the strawberry on the mound, and was not wearing a cup, which is an occupational hazard in baseball, but he survived to get the win. Not even a fire chief could help him, nor pickle juice. Joe Wietecha (#19, EH/P), Brian Hearns (#30, P) and new papa Kurt Kerrigan (#12, DH/P) each pitched an inning for the Hound win.
But the MVP of the game was Max Kiefer (#21, DNP) whose bluetooth boombox was both an inspiration for the Hounds and an annoyance for O’Casey Poulus, the old 3b-man for the Yankees. Kiefer (with DJ Matt Burch) was pumping out the music starting with BP, but O from the Yankees was not McLovin’ it. He said “I just don’t like that rock ‘n roll music, I just enjoy the sounds of the game.” And so the Hounds played a great speech from Field of Dreams, but that didn’t help, so we played Footloose and that didn’t help, but then O’Casey said he preferred organ music, so the Hounds played various organ tunes from baseball games, and everyone loved it.
The Hounds scored 5 runs in the first and the game was really never in question after that. Keith Richardson (#17, 1B) singled, Garrett Eddy (#22, RF) singled, and Mike Marra (#15, LF) reached on an error by the Yankee shortstop, scoring Richardson. Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) singled for an RBI (driving in Eddy) and then TJ Rinaldi doubled, scoring Marra. After a walk by Wietecha, Kerrigan singled, driving in both Schoenbach and Rinaldi.
The Hounds scored 2 more in the 2nd, as Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) reached on another error by the Yankee SS, Eddy singled, and Schoenbach singled, driving in Bielinski. Eddy stole second, and scored on an errant throw by the catcher trying to throw out Schoenbach at second on a steal attempt. In the 3rd, Kerrigan scored after reaching on a fielder’s choice and Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) doubled him home. Eddy scored in the 4th after singling, stealing a base, and was running to third attempting another steal as Marra grounded out to third, but Eddy just kept running all the way home for a rare RBI by Marra with a ground out and runner on second. Bielinski scored in the 6th after he walked, Richardson singled, and Schoenbach drove him home with a single.
The Yankees only scored 2 in the 6th and never threatened, the Hounds simply controlled the game all the way through.
The Hounds play again tomorrow v. the Red Sox, 12:15 at Taft. See you there!

Sorry gang, I was too tired to do a writeup last night. 5 games in 7 days was quite a stretch. The Hounds won the first 3 contests, but dropped the last 2, including a 6-3 loss to the Electrons last night at Winnemac Park. The Hounds are now 9-5 on the year.
Keith Richardson (#17, P/1B) pitched 5 innings for the Hounds, singled twice, scored twice, and possibly got a concussion with a brutal collision with the second baseman from the Trons on a play at first base. Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) scored the only other run for the Hounds. Stephen Correa Jr. (#20, 2B), Tony Correa (#13, C/3B), and Brian Hearns (#30, 3B/1B) each drove in a run. Hearns also threw a perfect final inning for the visiting Hounds, 3 Electrons up, 3 Electrons down, and Tony Correa had his first legit Tony Smash double of the year.
The Hounds infield had quite a few plays today, with an unusually high number of putouts at the bag at the top of the diamond (second). Stephen Correa Jr. returned to the team from his trip to California with a great game at second base with 3 putouts at second (1 on a caught steal with the assist to Bielinski) and 5 assists (including two tough plays from the grass on slow rollers). Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) had 4 putouts at second and 3 assists (including 1 to Correa Jr. at second on a ball deep in the hole, fooling Chris Reehoff the runner who thought it was going to get through), and Correa Jr. and Steffens combined with Matt Burch (#6, 1B/EH) for an inning ending 6-4-3 double play. Richardson also stabbed a couple tough shots back at the mound for assists.
But the Hounds were tired, sore, and relatively shorthanded today. Matt Hansen (#26, RF) made an appearance in right field for the first out of the game allowing the Hounds to preserve the spot for Tim Riggenbach (#8, RF) who was hustling to the game from the train. Hansen played despite multiple pro wrestling injuries (he later was hugging a tree because it was the only way he could feel semi-comfortable with the pain). Hearns played third base for the first time as a Hound in the first inning (and in warmups showed he has the strongest arm of any third baseman the Hounds have ever had), and Burch played first base for that initial inning despite a throwing arm that was basically unusable post pitching on Sunday.
It is clear that the Hounds need their three days of rest to recover before getting back to it this weekend.
Weekend games: Saturday 6/18 – Yankees – 9:30 am – Winnemac Sunday 6/19 – Red Sox – 12:15 pm – Taft HS

The Chicago Hounds have played 4 games in 5 days and are beat up, sore, and tired. But they won 3 of those 4 games, only losing today to the Marlins at SW Park in Park Ridge 9-5. The Hounds have won 8 of their last 10 games, and look to get back on a winning streak on Tuesday at Winnemac v. the Electrons.
Yesterday it was 96 degrees with no breeze at all, today it was in the 60s with very strong winds. Our fans had blankets today! Southwest Park has a new home run fence, and the win was blowing in so hard that both teams made multiple statements that no balls would be hit over the fence. But they were wrong, as Tim Riggenbach (#8, EH) showed up late to the game, barked orders for 2 innings after each pitch, got thrown out trying to take a base on a passed ball as a courtesy runner, and then made up for it all (?) with a smash over the right field fence in the 7th inning, driving in Max Kiefer (#21, RF) who had walked. It was a rocket, cutting through the wind and clearing the new fence with ease.
The Hounds were trying to make a comeback in that last inning, as they were down 9-3 after 6, but those were the only 2 runs to score in the final frame, as the Marlins ended the game with a diving catch of a foul ball to right–one of many plays made much more difficult by the wind today.
But defense was not the main highlight today, as both teams had multiple errors. Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) made a key error in the 5-run second on a would-be double play, but then made 2 nice plays including a rare throw from deep in the hole at short. TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) came in as a sub late in the game and saved a run (he also singled), but the Hounds did not look their sharpest, probably because they are not professional baseball players, and 4 games in 5 days is pretty tough for adults with jobs.
Nor was the Hounds pitching at its best today–and when you combine struggles on the mound with struggles in the field, it is tough to win. Matt Burch (#6, P) did eat up 5 key innings today, as the Hounds have made it through this stretch of games with relatively fresh arms for pitching. Garrett Eddy (#22, CF/P) made his Hounds pitching debut today in front of a few of his family members, and Eddy threw 2 scoreless innings, stranding 5 runners while striking out 3.
Other than the 2 runs in the 7th, the Hounds scored 2 runs in the 3rd, both with 2 outs, and 1 run in the 6th. In the 3rd, Steffens singled, and Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) singled to move Steffens to third. A courtesy runner for Bielinski took second on a passed ball, and then Mike Marra (#15, LF) drove in both runners for a 2-RBI single. (Marra also walked and singled on the day, and was robbed on that diving catch in the 7th.) Steffens also scored in the 6th, singling and reaching second when Bielinski was hit by a pitch. Steffens then stole third and an errant throw by the Marlin catcher allowed him to score. But 5 runs total was not enough to defeat the Marlins today, so they Hounds will look to take the season series from the fish on July 10th.

The Chicago Hounds beat the 96 degree heat today at Winnemac, and beat the Yankees 15-5 as well. It was a hot one, I mean, a really hot one, and the game lasted nearly 3 hours, so it was also a tough one. The Hounds only had 9 players today, so no subs, everybody bats, and your humble 45-year old reporter made a mistake with the lineup putting the catcher first and the pitcher second and me last, as I had to be a courtesy runner for what seemed like half of the game. I just left a wedding early as I was too tired to stay out considering the game tomorrow.
In any event, Tim Riggenbach (#8, P), or “Cy Young” as the Electrons now refer to him, pitched all 7 innings and was strong on the mound. The Hounds are knee-deep in a 5 games in 7 day stretch, so having Riggenbach complete the game was huge for the Hounds pitching staff. Riggenbach struck out 10 and only gave up 1 earned run. He then jumped the fence twice to get materials to fix the mound, such a perfectionist!
The Hounds were led at the plate by none other than Matt Burch (#6, 1B), who apparently has been doing this his whole life. Burch singled in the first, driving in 2 runs; walked in the 3rd, stole a base, and scored; singled in the 4th; walked and scored in the 7th; and then hit a grand slam bases clearing monster home run bomb (also in the 7th). What? Who knew? (He did.)
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Nolan Bielinski also crushed the ball today, tripling twice, singling, scoring 2 runs, and had an RBI. TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) singled 3 times and scored all 3 times; Keith Richardson (#17, LF) singled three times and scored 1; Max Kiefer (#21, RF) singled and was hit by a pitch and scored twice and had 2 RsBI. Tony Correa (#13–recognize this?, 2B) reached safely on 2 errors, scored a run, and drove in a run. In fact, everyone but Joe Wietecha (#19, 3B) and Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) scored, but Steffens reached base safely 3 times, and Wietecha walked and drove in a run. Oh yeah, and Riggenbach helped himself with 2 singles, a walk, 2 RsBI, and 2 runs. A total offensive explosion, despite the stifling, no-wind heat that took its toll on umpire Scott. The Hounds now have the second highest runs per game average at 7.83 (league average is 6.21, the Aviators average a whopping 11.4 in only 5 games played).
The Hounds have now won 3 in a row and 8 of their last 9. They hope to continue the winning streak tomorrow at Southwest Park in Park Ridge v. the Marlins (game is at 10:00 am) in front of more of their great fans (today we saw Trey Clark, Annie, Annie’s sister, Laura (for 2 games in a row!–that must explain Burch’s hitting prowess), TIm’s parents, Cheryl, and a few others who all braved heatstroke to watch the Hounds win). Hope to see more fans tomorrow morning!

The Chicago Hounds defeated the Red Sox 9-5 tonight at Winnemac Park, improving their record to 8-3 on the season.
The game started in grand fashion, as a trombonist in deep centerfield, shirtless, wearing a fedora, treated both teams to a stirring rendition of the national anthem. It was really good, no lie. Don’t hate on hipsters, especially not ones who can bring it. (He also played a sad tune as Mike Mudd (#29, RF) had to come off the field after hurting himself attempting to dive for a ball.)
The Red Sox are much improved this year, and came into the game with a 4-4-1 record. They had a solid pitcher on the hill, a new guy, who struck out 9 Hounds in his 4 innings of work. But the bottom of the lineup did some damage against him, as the 8-9-10 batters for the Hounds combined to score 6 of the Hound runs.
Tony Correa (#13, as Nolan’s girlfriend Anna can attest, 2B) reached safely all three times and scored all three times (single, walk, walk). Matt Burch (#6, no, NOT 42, DH/1B) got a rare start in the lineup, and made the most of it, with a 2 RBI smash in the 4th, and he also scored a run. Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) singled and walked, and scored twice.
The other two runs came from Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) who reached on an error in the 4th and scored (Nolan also had a single, reached on another error, walked, and stole 2 bases) and TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) who reached on a hit-by-pitch–Lucas McKinney would have been so proud.
The Hounds defense was solid, as was it’s pitching. Brian Hearns (#30, P/DH) pitched the first 3, Joe Wietecha (19, 3B/P/3B) only gave up 1 run in an inning, and Mike Marra (#15, LF/P) threw 2 scoreless innings in the near dark, striking out 4 batters.
The Red Sox had several key errors today, which killed their chances of winning, but the Hounds took advantage with good baserunning, timely hitting, and again, solid defense and pitching. The Hounds have actually given up the fewest runs per game in the league, only 3.55 runs per game, v. the league average of 6.14.
The Hounds play again tomorrow v. the Yankees at Winnemac at 12:15 pm. We hope to see Laura and Meghan out for two games in a row, and as many of our fans as possible!

The Chicago Hounds defeated the Rangers last night at Winnemac Park. The score was 13-0 in only 5 innings, as the Hounds trounced the hapless Rangers via the slaughter rule in front of several mystified fans who may have thought the Hounds were playing a team from a much less competitive league.
By the score it may seem like a strong win for the Hounds, but it was more the story of a sad, sad, depleted, in-fighting Ranger squad. Indeed, at least 4 of their players seemed more likely to be hurt by the ball than catch it–some of them proved nearly incapable of catching a ball despite multiple attempts at routine plays, a couple could not swing a bat in a manner in which it could possibly connect with a pitch. The Ranger shortstop played the field defensively in tennis shoes, no cleats. Overall, somewhat embarrassing for the league–we used to have teams like that years ago (the long defunct Hawks were just terrible, the Aviators were awful the first few seasons), but this was the worst performance by a CMBA team that I have seen in a long, long time.
Keith and Mudd pitched. Nolan hit a home run. Papa Hanson reached safely 3 times. Lots of scoring. But it wasn’t much fun, it really felt like beating up a team of 8 year olds. If Brent and I didn’t keep hitting the ball directly into the mitts of surprised Ranger fielders, the game might still be going on.
The Hounds play again tomorrow v. the Red Sox at Winnemac and hopefully it is a more competitive game, but with a similar result (meaning, Hounds win).
Even if last night was sad, the bigger story is that the Hounds are now 7-3 after the first 10 games of the 30 game CMBA season. Simply a great start!

On a day when Jake Arrieta’s win streak ended, the Hounds’ streak stopped at 5 as well. The Chicago Hounds are now 6-3 on the 2016 campaign after losing today to the Orioles 5-4 at Ridgewood High School. The Orioles (or Ridgewood?) appear to have the Hounds’ number, having defeated the Hounds twice this season, both games at Ridgewood. The Hounds also lost to the Orioles both times they played at Ridgewood HS in the 2015 season (in the one game the two teams played in 2015 at Winnemac, the Hounds won 12-0 in only 5 innings). The Hounds will play the Orioles for the 3rd and final time in the regular season on July 5th, luckily that game will be at Winnemac.
The Hounds were led by Matt Burch (#6, P) and Mike Marra (#15, RF/P) on the mound today. Burch allowed 4 runs through 5 innings, and kept the game tight throughout. Marra made his pitching debut for the Hounds, and pitched a fine 1.2 innings, but unfortunately a Hound error in the 7th allowed the winning run to reach base, and the Hounds ended up losing on a walk-off single.
The Hounds were led offensively by Max Kiefer (#21, LF), who drove in 3 of the Hound runs with 2 line drive singles, scoring Mike Mudd (#29, EH/RF) and Keith Richardson (#17, 1B) in the 2nd (both had walked), and Richardson again in the 4th (again after Richardson walked for his second of 3 times on the day). Kiefer also walked in this third at bat.
They say that walks often turn into runs, and indeed, all 4 Hound batsman who scored did so after walking. The 4th Hound run came from Garrett Eddy (#22, CF) walking in the 5th inning. Eddy reached second on a passed ball, and then reached third on an error by the third baseman trying to get him out on a fielder’s choice. Marra drove in Eddy with a single, ending the Hound scoring at 4 runs.
The Hounds had solid defense from Tony Correa (#13, 2B) who had multiple assists and putouts (2 on tough high flies with the wind, including one that caused him to rumble, stumble, bumble over the mound, but he kept possession of the ball), and from Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) who picked a runner off at second. The outfielders also fought the bad sight lines and the very windy conditions to track down difficult fly balls.
The Hounds have a packed schedule in the next week, and look to get back on another winning streak–here are the next 4 games:
Wed 6/8 – Rangers – 5:50 pm – Winnemac Fri 6/10 – Red Sox – 5:50 pm – Winnemac (makeup for 5/25 rainout) Sat 6/11 – Yankees – 12:15 pm – Winnemac Sun 6/12 – Marlins – 10:00 am – Southwest Park