John Post grew up in Ladysmith. His parents both taught at the public school. He played some baseball, but usually came off the bench as a late-inning defensive specialist. If he wasn’t playing, he sat near the coaches, trying to learn as much as he could about how to play the game.
He didn’t expect to be using those lessons 20 years after he last picked up a bat while trying to win a video tournament.
Dane Blaney worked as an engineer in the Rose County Public Works department. As a small county that meant his job ranged from designing facilities for public use and sometimes having to clean or repair aging facilities.
Blaney’s baseball career topped out in T-ball where he hit a robust .537%. That fall his parents brought home a Nintendo 64. As he learned to control action on the field on screen, even playing catch lost its appeal. He learned how to beat the game after reviewing Ladysmith’s game tape. It was the first time he ever scouted an opponent. Dane wasn’t sure how it would help but figured it couldn’t hurt.
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Pete, Kathy, Vicki, and Coach Suter were together at Gus & Tom’s for the pre-game show seated six feet apart one at each corner of a very large table. Interest was so high; the program was expanded to a full hour to accommodate sponsors which was good news for everyone.
Kathy and Vicki opened the program with a recap of the tournament and how Roseville and Ladysmith advanced to the title game then paused for the first commercial break.
After the spots, Pete and Coach Suter joined in the fun. “Coach, I bet you’re in the same boat I am when it comes to E-sports. I knew they were popular, but I’m pleased and surprised with how the games became so popular over the last few weeks. What’s been the thing you like most?”
“Well, Pete, because of COVID-19 I was excited because it was something new. Competition is competition. I remember throwing pennies at the wall with my buddies as a kid. Whoever threw his penny closest to the wall without touching it got to keep ‘em. My kids played wild games of basketball in their bedrooms by bending clothes hangers into circles and hanging them on the closet door and using rolled-up socks as a ball. I must pause here to advise against this game because even the memories of those moments 35 years ago still make my wife angry.”
Suter chuckled as Vicki, Kathy, and Pete smiled and laughed while remembering some of their early game-playing. Coach took a sip of his coffee and continued, “I think this is a high-tech version of that; let’s play!”
Back at the station, Jeff started the second commercial break. When they came back, Vicki and Pete talked about expectations for the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of their season-opener on WRSE tomorrow; then asked Kathy and Coach Suter for their thoughts on the Ladysmith – Roseville match-up before they headed back to the station for the game broadcast.
Vicki and Pete handled the rest of the show, which meant a little banter in between the interviews with the coaches. “That’s it from Gus & Tom’s,” Pete said, “don’t forget to get your dinner delivered or pick it up curbside tonight. We appreciate them hosting us for the pre-game for the W. R. Series.
When we come back with Kathy and Coach and the first pitch live on your radio and online at WRSE dot com.”
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Ladysmith won the coin-toss. Manager John Post decided to be the home team. Blaney posted his line-up that alternated left and right-handed batters.
The top of the first went fast as Ladysmith struck out the first batter, forced a ground-out to second, and a foul fly caught be the third baseman. Dane Blaney’s crew struck out Ladysmith’s batters on a total of 12 pitches in the bottom half.
In the second, Blaney’s clean-up hitter bunted toward third base to beat the shift; then stole second. The fifth-place batter hit a screamer toward right, but it was snared by the second baseman who doubled off the runner. The last batter hit a weak grounder back to the pitcher to end the inning. Post’s fourth place batter fell behind the count but got a hold of one for a homer to deep center field. The Roseville Reds recovered to retire the next three batters: 1 – 0 Slippers.
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Pete and Vicki put on their headsets for the third, fourth, and fifth innings. Roseville tied it up in the fourth and kept Ladysmith off the board sending it to the seventh and back to Kathy and Coach for the sixth.
“Fans it’s tighter than Coach Suter’s wallet as the Reds bat in the top of the sixth. Post’s pitchers have been successful mixing scorching fastballs with knee-buckling curveballs to keep Roseville at bay. But wait, the shortstop knocks it to left-center field with one down to put a player in scoring position. Coach, if you’re Roseville, what do you want to see here?”
“Kathy, this is a pitching duel and there hasn’t been much action on the bases. If I’m Dane Blaney I want to get the runner to third at all costs. That means the right-handed batter needs to hit it to right.”
“And there it is! The second baseman gets a glove on it but can’t make the play at first. We’ve got runners on the corners now and just one out.”
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As Blaney stared at his monitor he remembered the John Post liked to throw the ball up and in to the batter in these situations. He held his finger over the steal button for his runner on first and pressed it as the pitcher began his motion.
Post saw the runner leave the bag as the pitch barreled toward the plate. He ordered the catcher to throw out the runner at second.
Simultaneously Roseville manager Blaney had the runner on third try to steal home.
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The Reds are trying to steal second! There’s the throw. It’s wide-left and the man on third is coming home! It’s going to be close... he’s SAFE!”
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Blaney and Post’s headsets were connected, but they weren’t talking, but Blaney smiled when he heard a groan on the other end of the line.
In the bottom of the sixth, Ladysmith’s lead-off hitter earned a walk, but after a strike-out Roseville turned an around the horn double play to send it to the seventh and final inning.
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Pete and Vicki put their headsets back on for the seventh to join Kathy and Suter for the final frame.
Pete opened the inning, “Your score is 2 to 1 in favor of the Roseville Reds. The Reds are at the plate hoping for some insurance while Ladysmith wants to keep it close. You know Kathy, when you think of video games, I generally think of high-scoring affairs. Are you surprised we have such a low-scoring game?”
“I sure am, Pete. When I recorded the pre-game interview with Dane Blaney a few days ago we joked about the over/under for the game and he guessed 13. Coach, what’s going through your head in this situation?”
“Well, Roseville has its lead-off batter up, so I’d try a bunt on the first pitch. If he doesn’t reach on the first attempt, then go back to swinging. One run is nothing in a game like this, you want your team to score at least one more run. If I’m Ladysmith, the defense needs to be on their toes and retire the side.”
“The Red’s centerfielder explodes out of the box as he bunts it up the first-base line. The pitcher gloves and flips to the first baseman for out number one. The Slippers have their closer on the mound. He fires a fastball, the batter connects, but didn’t square up on it. It’s a can of corn for the man in right-field, two outs. Closers are known for their heat, but this guy has a good breaking pitch in his repertoire. With a 1 – 1 count, here’s the pitch, ball two. Here we go, there’s a strike. 2 and 2 now. I’ll tell you; this has a fast pace than the majors... here comes the next ball... swing and a miss. We head to the bottom of the seventh. It’s 2 to 1 Roseville with Ladysmith coming up for their final at-bats after this break.”
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John Post sends up a pinch-hitter to start the bottom of the ninth. Blaney’s pitcher works the edges but gives up a walk. The next batter hits it weakly to third, but there’s no play at either base. Blaney decides to throw sliders at the next batter and it works as he hits into a double-play.
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Vicki takes the mike for what might be the final batter. “Two outs and the tying run at third for Ladysmith. The Roseville Reds are an out away from winning the ‘W.R. series.”
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Blaney orders a curve.
Post’s batter makes contact.
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“It’s a line drive to center field – the fielder takes a step. He jumps. A-N-D... he makes the catch! He makes the catch! Roseville wins the W.R. Series two to one over Ladysmith.”
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Blaney pumps his fist. “YESSSS!!”
Post sets the controller down. “Hey, Dane?”
“Yes, John?”
“Congratulations. That was a great game. I had a good time. I’d love to take you on again some time.”
“That’s a deal, John, thank you.”
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“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Kathy Jones began her game summary “I hope you enjoyed the game and the tournament; we sure have. Vicki will be back after the break with the highlights and an interview with Dane Blaney. You are listening to WRSE, Roseville.”
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