One memory of Elkland

I am working on the full "Memories of Elkland" post, but I thought I would provide one story to start, since people have been asking.

Going to Elkland means seeing some great players. Several of the guys there this year are former, current or future National team members. Players like Gregg Garrity, Paul Algar, Sean Kelly, Ty McKinney, Doug Gillis, Josh Johnson, Bill Hillhouse, Steve Price and so on.

You might face a top level thrower who has ISC or even ISF experience. Or you might face a decent Intermediate pitcher. It might be a young guy just starting out, or a guy in his prime, or a guy nearing the end of his run, but that still has some good stuff.

Or, you might face "The Lip".

In West Carleton Electric's second game against a local team J.A. Transportation, as we were warming up, I look across the diamond to see a group of mostly younger guys, wearing their black shirts with tiny numbers on the back.

At the plate meeting, I look down at the lineup card and see that their starting pitcher is listed as "Lip". Everyone else on the card has a first name and last name, except "Lip".

Game starts, their arm comes out to the circle and everyone on West Carleton Electric drops what they are doing and stares.

The Lip is in his 60s and apparently likes throwing in a cut-off white muscle shirt, cleats from the 80s, pin stripe pants, handle-bar moustache and to top it off a do-rag. Also wears a watch - perhaps someone needs him back in after a certain time?  Anyway, pictorial evidence below.

Turns out he actually wasn't that bad, I guess he used to pitch back in the day and while we hit the ball very hard, he limited our runs over the five innings he threw. And I chatted aferward with him, he seemed like a nice guy. He claimed he hadn't pitched in five years....except for last year. (The new math I suppose.)

Anyway, if you ever get to Elkland, keep an eye out for "The Lip"!