Second shutout of the season allows OBoyz to cruise to a 4-0 victory

Alex was solid through 6 innings, allowing just 3 hits, all singles, and striking out 9 en route to his second victory of the season. The OBoyz team helped by playing flawless defence, finishing with no errors for the very first time this season.

However, there were plenty of laughter and jokes midway through the game with 2 incidents. William, having a major urge to relieve himself, had to sprint his way to Leisure Park, and hurry back in time to resume catching for the team. He eventually stole third the very next inning, prompting the bench to comment that "he's carrying a lighter load, else he'd be thrown out". Alex, who was batting 2nd in front of William, had to "delay" the game by working the count deep. Meanwhile, Ruojie droppped his contact lenses in the same fateful inning. Lightning does strike twice. Then again, it could be a blessing in disguise as the team scored one more run to give Alex a 2-0 lead.

Pitching like the world depended on it, Alex flashed a dominating sinker, while baffling the NUS batters with his assortment of changeups and curveballs. Hongwei delivered once again with an RBI single to lead the team with 8 RBIs while Spidey did his job with an RBI single of his own. His steal of the third base was highlight reel-worthy as he literally outran the NUS shortstop.

With the regular season almost coming to an end, the OBoyz has 2 more games against NTU and Hunters. Having secured a berth in the postseason with a 6-2 record, the team is confident they can do better and compete for top honours. All it takes is a little bit of luck, a sprinkle of confidence and a smattering of sinkers and curveballs.

(All images in this post courtesy of Chan Bin Kan aka Biscuit)

Food for thought

In 2007, we played a total of 14 games and won only half of them. In 2008, we played 17 games and won 80% of them. We scored 50% more runs, had 50% more hits, 50% more walks and 30% less strikeouts. But our batting average rose only from 0.313 to 0.342.

It means that our proficiency in getting hits didn't rise significantly. Rather, we made every at bat count. Granted that we hit well in Chiangmai which raised out stats but that's also probably due to the fact that we didn't really care who the opposing pitcher was. We trained hard and executed well. We were selective and hit well with runners in scoring position and most importantly, we hit the ball hard.

That's our key to success.

OBoyz in an offensive funk

OBoyz lost to ORA on Sunday afternoon by the score of 7-2, once again prolonging their offensive slump. With only 2 hits and leaving a season high 5 men on base, they played second fiddle to an ORA team that was not even playing at their best. However, it seems that OBoyz are unable to shrug off that monkey on their back by averaging a measly 0.133 batting average. ORA averaged a healthy 0.348, with Aston clearing the fence and ending the game with 2 homeruns. The team must be scratching their heads, wondering what it will take to restart their engines and get their game back on track.

It simply wasn't the OBoyz' day with them committing a season high 5 errors. Ruojie's defensive gem of a double play was the only bright spark of the day. With key games against NUS and NTU just round the corner, the team has to regroup and focus on the basic plays and simple hitting to stand a chance.

The first game in the morning against Hunters was postponed due to the poor condition of the field, as deemed by the "Chief Umpire".

(All images in this post courtesy of Chan Bin Kan aka Biscuit)

OBoyz humbled in 9-0 loss

After storming to a 4-0 record in the league, the OBoyz faced the defending champion Storm on 3 May Sunday. Fielding their strongest lineup, the OBoyz had high hopes of matching their illustrious opponent.

However, the entire team looked out of sorts in the first inning, giving up 4 runs as Alex struggled to hold Storm's power hitters at bay. His defence was porous as they committed 4 errors and their offence, non-existent. The team mustered only 2 hits, a single by their hottest hitter Ronghan and a bunt single by Shifeng. They only managed to reach 2nd base once in the entire 5 innings.

Storm's pitcher was made to look very good with the OBoyz team committing a season high 5 strikeouts with a batting average of a paltry 0.111. Never before had the team's average fell below 0.300 in the first 4 games.

Just minutes after finishing the first game of the day, the OBoyz team went on to play Viper who has manage only 1 victory in the last 7 games. Just when the team thought the game would be a stroll in the park, the offence again never took off. The OBoyz team only managed 4 hits to win 8-1, finishing with a game batting average of 0.222 and with Jessen, the substitute shortstop hitting a 2 run homer. It seems like offence, which is the key component in the team's game, has disappeared.

It is to be seen if the team can regain its mojo ahead of its clash with Hunters and ORA. Its current anaemic offence will simply not hold against such teams with established pitchers.

(All images in this post courtesy of Chan Bin Kan aka Biscuit)

OBoyz laboured to a victory on Labour Day

On this public holiday, OBoyz laboured through the first inning against ACS(I) "A" Division Team by allowing 4 runs. Third baseman William was shaky by committing 2 errors to load the bases while Alex struggled to locate his pitches. The final scoreline 16-8 is an accurate reflection of both teams playing sloppy defence. Nonetheless, their hottest hitter Ronghan ignited the team by going 3 for 3. The top of the order Zhiwei, Ronghan and William led the team with multi hit performances, while Alex went 6 innings, allowing 6 runs.

This should serve as a warmup game for the weekend, in which OBoyz will play Storm at 12.30pm and Viper at 2.15pm.

(All images in this post courtesy of Chan Bin Kan aka Biscuit)

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting will be held this Friday 1 May 2009. The day shall begin with a friendly game vs ACS(I).

The itinerary is as follows:
8.30am - Warm up at ACS(I)
9.30am - Friendly vs ACS(I)
1.00pm - Lunch (OTOT)
2.00pm - Tennis and Water Events (Swim, Jacuzzi, Sauna)

5.45pm - Attendance Taking

5.55pm - Passing Previous AGM dated 2006

6.05pm - Team Financial Status

- Team Fund Balance

- Team Receivable and Collection

- Team Liability

- Receivable Write Off

6.35pm - Team Purchases for 2009

6.45pm - Team Direction for 2009 and onwards

7.05pm - AOB

7.15pm - Dinner & Drinks

11.00pm onwards (OTOT)

WAGS are welcomed.
Venue: 5 Bukit Batok St 25, Parkview Condo Pavillion. (Please give ZW a call for exact directions)

Please refer to email sent earlier for the settlement of all FY2008 outstanding payments.

We are all mature adults, so please take the initiative to settle all outstanding fees, even if you cannot physically attend the AGM.