The Good Guys left on their next road trip, this time embarking to California. Things did not go well for the team, as they suffered through a three and six road trip, losing two of three in all three stops of a San Fransisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles road trip. They returned home, on a Sunday night, at midnight, to begin a nine game homestand, the following night, that would complete the first portion of their season's schedule, at home.
With the Good Guys latest poor road trip, and the record on the road standing at far under 500 for the year, the newspapers began to speculate as to whether the team had conditions too easy at home, and then just played with an "I dont care, we're tired, so to hell with it if we lose" atttiude on the road. Normally, the Good Guys won two thirds of their games at Good Guy Stadium, which translated to 54 wins in an 81 game home schedule. If they merely played 500 ball, forty one and forty on the road, that would be 95 wins, enough to win any division, or wild card. The fact was, that the Good Guys could not settle for a road record far under 500, as they still needed to win enough games there to snare the division. Sniderman admitted after the Sunday loss in LA, that he was concerned about his team's record on the road that year. He said he intended to address it before the next road trip, and didnt want to make them anxious, going home, where they needed to relax, to play well at home.
On Sunday night, a tired Mitch arrived home from Los Angeles, with Naomi waiting for him. After the couple made love, and were lying in bed, Naomi couldnt help but quip:" You know, you guys really do suck on the road this year" Mitch looked at Naomi with a look of surprise:" Oh, that's great, Aussie, put us down when we have to move from city to city, as you sit on your butt in your apartment, and play your little home games, where 50,000 fans scream for you to do well. The road sucks, and it difficult, but you have forgotten that, because, except for the postseason, you havent played a road game in years" Mitch shot back. "I mean, maybe the team is going to have to do something to prepare better mentally. Face it, Mitch, you guys need to have a record of close to 500 on the road, to win the division. Even if you win 55 games at home, like we're on pace to, you cant play way under 500 on the road, and expect to make the playoffs. Normally, it was never a problem, but this year, I think the team has a mental block, and it needs to change" Naomi said. "I dont know, maybe we need to talk to Lee. For right now, I just want to rest, and think about the next nine days, and beating the stuffing out of the Nationals, Phillies and Reds. I am looking forward to hearing a big crowd cheer for us tomorrow night" Mitch said.
The next night, the Good Guys opened the homestand at the ballpark, against the Washington Nationals. A heavy shower just before game time delayed the game for an hour, but, once the contest did get underway, the Good Guys immediately heard the roar of the crowd, and then rewarded them, scoring two runs in the first inning, on a Mitch homer. Kate Hudson sailed along for eight innings, scattering four hits, and striking out nine, before giving way to Hilary Duff in the ninth, as Hilary brought the Good Guys the rest of the way, and finished off the 3-1 win. Gil Bellows took his turn on Tuesday night. He, too, pitched a beauty, allowing but one earned run, and one unearned run. The Good Guys, however, could get no runs at all, and got shut out, 2-0. Charlize Theron had the ball on Wednesday night. Paradise scored four runs in the first inning, and then watched Charlize struggle, as she allowed four runs in six innings. The game was tied, 4-4 in the eighth, when Ed Burns came up, and smacked a homer, and then Duff finished the Nationals again, for the 5-4 victory.
Thursday was an off day. That day, in counseling, the couple had few personal problems to address, as things were calm, but Naomi couldnt help but bring up the issue of the road woes the Good Guys had that year. "Our team is really stinking things up on the road this year. We beat everyone up at Good Guy Stadium, and then they get on the road, and seem to not be able to focus. I keep telling Mitch, but he doesnt seem to listen, we can go eighty one and zero at home, which we know we wont, but if we dont do at least decently on the road, no division, and no playoffs" Naomi said. Mitch sighed. "Okay, Aussie, I will bring the road issue up in a team meeting, before we leave for Washington next week, let's just finish the homestand, and be calm" Mitch said.
The next night, the Phillies came to town. Neve Campbell was on the mound, and she allowed but one run, but the Good Guys again got shut out, losing 1-0. Everyone was concerned about this, due to Rachel Leigh Cook's tendency to get hammered every time out. On Saturday night, Cook shocked everyone, as she scattered three hits in seven innings work, shutting out the Phils while striking out five, and leaving to a standing ovation. The bullpen, of course, screwed things up in the ninth, as Duff served up a game tying homer. In the bottom of the ninth, the fans didnt have to wait long to cheer, as Mitch blasted a solo shot over the left field wall, to give the Good Guys the much deserved 3-2 win. Kate Hudson had the ball on a sunny, comfortable, 87 degree Sunday, in front of a sellout. Kate was dominant that day, striking out thirteen, and working on a no hitter until the seventh inning. The Good Guys got all their runs in the seventh, breaking a scoreless tie, with a pair of home runs. Kate was then able to finish the game, as she completed the two hit, 3-0 masterpiece.
The Reds came to town on Monday, in the last series of the homestand. Gil Bellows was on the mound. He allowed three runs in six innings, a quality start. The Good Guys, after being in an offensive slump most of the homestand, came from behind in the sixth, by scoring five runs. The team took a 5-3 lead to the ninth, where Duff preserved it, as the Good Guys won the game by that score. The next night, Tuesday, there were more offensive fireworks. Paradise scored five first inning runs, primarially on an Ed Burns Grand Slam, after the first three batters ahead of him reached base. In the sixth, the roof caved in, as the team blew the five run lead all in one inning, as Charlize Theron got hammered. After allowing the Reds to take the lead, the Good Guys tied the game in the ninth, but, fell in the eleventh, when Naomi served up a long homer, to the Reds Adam Dunn. It was a tough loss for Paradise, and the team was angry when they took the field on Wednesday afternoon, badly wanting a win, to both pay the Reds back for the tough loss the night before, and also to take the road on a high note. The Good Guys came out with a venegence, scoring nine runs in the first three innings, on four homers, to build a 9-1 lead. Neve pitched six strong innings, but then, in the seventh and eighth, the bullpen started giving up runs, and many of them. Naomi, Amanda Bynes, Rachel Ray, and Jacinda Barrett all got hammered for many runs. The crowd's good mood turned surly, as a fat 9-1 lead, became 9-7, with Duff in the game, with men on base. Fortunately, the crowd's boos turned to cheers, as Duff put out the Reds lights for hopes of a comeback, as Good closers do, and when all was said and done, the team had a 9-7 Good Guy win, that completed a very challenging six and three homestand. It had all been far from smooth sailing, but, as the team prepared to head for Washington the next night, they came away with the six wins they needed to prosper.
After the game with the Reds, in spite of the team's positive mood, Sniderman knew he had to address the issue of the team's poor road play:" Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we all know that we begin a nine day road trip tomorrow. We all have fun playing in front of our home fans, with the weather, and all, but, we have been playing very poorly on the road this year, and, we need to pick that up, to win the division. fifty five wins at home will be nice, but we wont win anything if we keep playing as we are on the road. We need .500 on the road, at least, okay? So, please try harder, and dont look like you are all mailing these games in, as we have. I can promise you, there will be fines, and benchings, no matter who you are on this team, if we dont pick this up" The manager said, nicely but firmly.
In the meantime, the team held it's Saturday night tickle party. The featured lees would be the team;s male hitting and pitching coaches, whom some of the players blamed for the team's poor road record that year. Both coaches, middle aged men, were tied to the tickle tables in the fetish clubs, as the female players surrounded them. Naomi began the tickle on the pitching coach's neck with fingers, as his head moved, and the laughter began:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Working down, Amanda Bynes was next, tickling the pitching coach on his underarms, sides, ribs, and belly with fingers, as he thrashed, and bucked:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Moving down, Jacinda Barrett was the next tickler, attacking the pitching coach on his hips, inner thighs, and behind his knees with fingers, as his legs bucked:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! Finally, Hilary Duff got to the soles of the pitching coach's feet, tickling them with her fingers, feathers, and ice, over his toes and soles. The pitching coach went beserk, wiggling his toes every which way, and begging for mercy:HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAH! OKAY! OKAY! NO MORE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHA!
The hitting coach came next, as Neve Campbell began the tickle on his neck, and his head twitched:HAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHA! Working down, Kate Hudson was the next tickler, tickling the hitting coach on his sides, ribs, pits, and belly with fingers, as he howled:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! Moving down, Rachel Leigh Cook was next, tickling the hitting coach on his hips, inner thighs, and knees with fingers, as his legs jerked:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Finally, Jacinda Barrett was the finishing touch, as the six foot tall Australian attacked the hitting coach on his feet, with her fingers, ice, feathers, and an electric toothbrush over his toes and soles. The hitting coach went beserk, wiggling his feet all over, and begging for mercy! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! OKAY OKAY! I GIVE! PLEASE NO MORE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Finally, the tickling ended, and the hitting and pitching coaches were both untied.
On Thursday Evening, Naomi drove Mitch to Nassau International, so that he could catch the team flight to Washington. "Good homestand this time, both on field, and personally, now, comes the road. Focus, relax, and you and the others play like we all know you can, and I will be here next Sunday when you get home" Naomi said, kissing him.
So, it had been a very fine homestand, both on field and off. Now came the dreaded ten day road trip. Could the team pick up their fortunes on the road? That answer to come in the continuing story of the Tickle Team From Paradise Island.
The End
With the Good Guys latest poor road trip, and the record on the road standing at far under 500 for the year, the newspapers began to speculate as to whether the team had conditions too easy at home, and then just played with an "I dont care, we're tired, so to hell with it if we lose" atttiude on the road. Normally, the Good Guys won two thirds of their games at Good Guy Stadium, which translated to 54 wins in an 81 game home schedule. If they merely played 500 ball, forty one and forty on the road, that would be 95 wins, enough to win any division, or wild card. The fact was, that the Good Guys could not settle for a road record far under 500, as they still needed to win enough games there to snare the division. Sniderman admitted after the Sunday loss in LA, that he was concerned about his team's record on the road that year. He said he intended to address it before the next road trip, and didnt want to make them anxious, going home, where they needed to relax, to play well at home.
On Sunday night, a tired Mitch arrived home from Los Angeles, with Naomi waiting for him. After the couple made love, and were lying in bed, Naomi couldnt help but quip:" You know, you guys really do suck on the road this year" Mitch looked at Naomi with a look of surprise:" Oh, that's great, Aussie, put us down when we have to move from city to city, as you sit on your butt in your apartment, and play your little home games, where 50,000 fans scream for you to do well. The road sucks, and it difficult, but you have forgotten that, because, except for the postseason, you havent played a road game in years" Mitch shot back. "I mean, maybe the team is going to have to do something to prepare better mentally. Face it, Mitch, you guys need to have a record of close to 500 on the road, to win the division. Even if you win 55 games at home, like we're on pace to, you cant play way under 500 on the road, and expect to make the playoffs. Normally, it was never a problem, but this year, I think the team has a mental block, and it needs to change" Naomi said. "I dont know, maybe we need to talk to Lee. For right now, I just want to rest, and think about the next nine days, and beating the stuffing out of the Nationals, Phillies and Reds. I am looking forward to hearing a big crowd cheer for us tomorrow night" Mitch said.
The next night, the Good Guys opened the homestand at the ballpark, against the Washington Nationals. A heavy shower just before game time delayed the game for an hour, but, once the contest did get underway, the Good Guys immediately heard the roar of the crowd, and then rewarded them, scoring two runs in the first inning, on a Mitch homer. Kate Hudson sailed along for eight innings, scattering four hits, and striking out nine, before giving way to Hilary Duff in the ninth, as Hilary brought the Good Guys the rest of the way, and finished off the 3-1 win. Gil Bellows took his turn on Tuesday night. He, too, pitched a beauty, allowing but one earned run, and one unearned run. The Good Guys, however, could get no runs at all, and got shut out, 2-0. Charlize Theron had the ball on Wednesday night. Paradise scored four runs in the first inning, and then watched Charlize struggle, as she allowed four runs in six innings. The game was tied, 4-4 in the eighth, when Ed Burns came up, and smacked a homer, and then Duff finished the Nationals again, for the 5-4 victory.
Thursday was an off day. That day, in counseling, the couple had few personal problems to address, as things were calm, but Naomi couldnt help but bring up the issue of the road woes the Good Guys had that year. "Our team is really stinking things up on the road this year. We beat everyone up at Good Guy Stadium, and then they get on the road, and seem to not be able to focus. I keep telling Mitch, but he doesnt seem to listen, we can go eighty one and zero at home, which we know we wont, but if we dont do at least decently on the road, no division, and no playoffs" Naomi said. Mitch sighed. "Okay, Aussie, I will bring the road issue up in a team meeting, before we leave for Washington next week, let's just finish the homestand, and be calm" Mitch said.
The next night, the Phillies came to town. Neve Campbell was on the mound, and she allowed but one run, but the Good Guys again got shut out, losing 1-0. Everyone was concerned about this, due to Rachel Leigh Cook's tendency to get hammered every time out. On Saturday night, Cook shocked everyone, as she scattered three hits in seven innings work, shutting out the Phils while striking out five, and leaving to a standing ovation. The bullpen, of course, screwed things up in the ninth, as Duff served up a game tying homer. In the bottom of the ninth, the fans didnt have to wait long to cheer, as Mitch blasted a solo shot over the left field wall, to give the Good Guys the much deserved 3-2 win. Kate Hudson had the ball on a sunny, comfortable, 87 degree Sunday, in front of a sellout. Kate was dominant that day, striking out thirteen, and working on a no hitter until the seventh inning. The Good Guys got all their runs in the seventh, breaking a scoreless tie, with a pair of home runs. Kate was then able to finish the game, as she completed the two hit, 3-0 masterpiece.
The Reds came to town on Monday, in the last series of the homestand. Gil Bellows was on the mound. He allowed three runs in six innings, a quality start. The Good Guys, after being in an offensive slump most of the homestand, came from behind in the sixth, by scoring five runs. The team took a 5-3 lead to the ninth, where Duff preserved it, as the Good Guys won the game by that score. The next night, Tuesday, there were more offensive fireworks. Paradise scored five first inning runs, primarially on an Ed Burns Grand Slam, after the first three batters ahead of him reached base. In the sixth, the roof caved in, as the team blew the five run lead all in one inning, as Charlize Theron got hammered. After allowing the Reds to take the lead, the Good Guys tied the game in the ninth, but, fell in the eleventh, when Naomi served up a long homer, to the Reds Adam Dunn. It was a tough loss for Paradise, and the team was angry when they took the field on Wednesday afternoon, badly wanting a win, to both pay the Reds back for the tough loss the night before, and also to take the road on a high note. The Good Guys came out with a venegence, scoring nine runs in the first three innings, on four homers, to build a 9-1 lead. Neve pitched six strong innings, but then, in the seventh and eighth, the bullpen started giving up runs, and many of them. Naomi, Amanda Bynes, Rachel Ray, and Jacinda Barrett all got hammered for many runs. The crowd's good mood turned surly, as a fat 9-1 lead, became 9-7, with Duff in the game, with men on base. Fortunately, the crowd's boos turned to cheers, as Duff put out the Reds lights for hopes of a comeback, as Good closers do, and when all was said and done, the team had a 9-7 Good Guy win, that completed a very challenging six and three homestand. It had all been far from smooth sailing, but, as the team prepared to head for Washington the next night, they came away with the six wins they needed to prosper.
After the game with the Reds, in spite of the team's positive mood, Sniderman knew he had to address the issue of the team's poor road play:" Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we all know that we begin a nine day road trip tomorrow. We all have fun playing in front of our home fans, with the weather, and all, but, we have been playing very poorly on the road this year, and, we need to pick that up, to win the division. fifty five wins at home will be nice, but we wont win anything if we keep playing as we are on the road. We need .500 on the road, at least, okay? So, please try harder, and dont look like you are all mailing these games in, as we have. I can promise you, there will be fines, and benchings, no matter who you are on this team, if we dont pick this up" The manager said, nicely but firmly.
In the meantime, the team held it's Saturday night tickle party. The featured lees would be the team;s male hitting and pitching coaches, whom some of the players blamed for the team's poor road record that year. Both coaches, middle aged men, were tied to the tickle tables in the fetish clubs, as the female players surrounded them. Naomi began the tickle on the pitching coach's neck with fingers, as his head moved, and the laughter began:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Working down, Amanda Bynes was next, tickling the pitching coach on his underarms, sides, ribs, and belly with fingers, as he thrashed, and bucked:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Moving down, Jacinda Barrett was the next tickler, attacking the pitching coach on his hips, inner thighs, and behind his knees with fingers, as his legs bucked:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! Finally, Hilary Duff got to the soles of the pitching coach's feet, tickling them with her fingers, feathers, and ice, over his toes and soles. The pitching coach went beserk, wiggling his toes every which way, and begging for mercy:HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAH! OKAY! OKAY! NO MORE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHA!
The hitting coach came next, as Neve Campbell began the tickle on his neck, and his head twitched:HAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHA! Working down, Kate Hudson was the next tickler, tickling the hitting coach on his sides, ribs, pits, and belly with fingers, as he howled:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! Moving down, Rachel Leigh Cook was next, tickling the hitting coach on his hips, inner thighs, and knees with fingers, as his legs jerked:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Finally, Jacinda Barrett was the finishing touch, as the six foot tall Australian attacked the hitting coach on his feet, with her fingers, ice, feathers, and an electric toothbrush over his toes and soles. The hitting coach went beserk, wiggling his feet all over, and begging for mercy! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! OKAY OKAY! I GIVE! PLEASE NO MORE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Finally, the tickling ended, and the hitting and pitching coaches were both untied.
On Thursday Evening, Naomi drove Mitch to Nassau International, so that he could catch the team flight to Washington. "Good homestand this time, both on field, and personally, now, comes the road. Focus, relax, and you and the others play like we all know you can, and I will be here next Sunday when you get home" Naomi said, kissing him.
So, it had been a very fine homestand, both on field and off. Now came the dreaded ten day road trip. Could the team pick up their fortunes on the road? That answer to come in the continuing story of the Tickle Team From Paradise Island.
The End
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