The Good Guys had a very quiet winter following their latest World Championship. All the players quickly signed contracts, to stay together for another year.
On the evening of Spring Training, just two days before pitchers and catchers were to report to camp, an absolutely shocking turn of events struck the team. Mitch and Naomi were listening to all sports WPAR radio, when the announcement came: "This station has just learned that long time Good Guys manager Lee Sniderman will not manage the team this year, and has been fired. The source that reported this story cannot be confirmed, but this is the information this station has." Mitch and Naomi were shocked, and tried to reach Lee Sniderman by phone. Later that day, they received an e-mail from the manager. "I'm going to meet with the team on the first day. You all didnt hear the whole story. Wait for me to tell you before jumping to conclusions." The email said.
On the first day of Spring Training, the entire team reported to the clubhouse, waiting with bated breath to hear from their manager. Soon, the grey haired manager, with his famous number 6 on his uniform jersey, came striding out of his office, to address his team: "Okay, before everyone starts asking twenty questions, let me explain. I was not fired. As you all know, I'm an old man, over seventy, and we had been having some conversations over the winter about my having a role change with the team. The travel this job entails three months of the year was taking it's toll. I've stayed as manager for several more years than I probably should have, because I love all you kids so much. However, I just felt it time to turn the day to day managerial duties over to someone younger. So, to this end, I'm now going to return to the front office, and assume the General Manager duties that I had years ago. This way, I'm able to stay with the team, see all of you all the time, and still be here, without all the breakneck running from city to city. Again, let me stress, this was entirely my decision, and I was not forced out. The reports that WPAR had that I was fired, were completely false" Sniderman said, firmly. "So who is our new manager?" Naomi asked.
"I was just getting to that" Sniderman said. Then he continued: "Our new manager is a gentleman you all know. His name is Elmont Koehler, and he is the top manager at our Freeport triple A minor league team. He's very experienced, and you've all seen him around. He will do well for this team, and I want all of you to treat the situation, as if it were still me in the clubhouse every day. I'm going to tell him to come in now, so he can address the team" Sniderman said. Then, Elmont entered the clubhouse: "Hello, folks, nice to meet you all. I know this is a great shock to everyone, and I'm going to try and start things off very slowly. We have a wonderful history here., and taking over for a man like Lee, who has so many World Titles, and will be in the Hall of Fame, is a great, great honor. I hope we can all work together, to maintain our tradition of excellence" Elmont said. After Elmont's introduction, Sniderman sat down, while Elmont discussed the team rules. "Since I'm new, and taking over for a guy who was basically like a God around here, having been here over twenty years, I'm not going to come in and burden you with a bunch of my rules. The old rules that were in effect under Lee still remain, since all of you know them. If something occurs during the season that I think needs to be addressed or changed, I will discuss it with Lee, and make changes. He is my guidance. I'm trying to get my feet wet, and figure things out. I'm just as surprised by this as all of you are" Elmont said.
After the meeting, when Mitch and Naomi got home, they were still trying to understand. "Maybe he wanted to go out on top. He is old. Maybe the travel was getting to him. Look at Gardner and what happened years ago. He wasnt nearly as old, and died on the road of heart failure. Elmont is much younger, only in his early 50s. Maybe he can handle the travel and demands better" Naomi mused.
The team. shaken by the sudden managerial change, did not have a good spring, finishing under 500 for the spring. The season opened on a windy, somewhat raw, 72 degree overcast day in Paradise, against the Mets. There was a crowd of close to a sellout on hand. As the team was being introduced in the pregame ceremonies, there were enthusiastic cheers when the players were given their World Championship rings, and when the Championship banner was raised to the flagpole. When Lee Sniderman's name was announced, the crowd roared, and, when the new manager was introduced, Elmont was showered with a chorus of boos. The boos, it was assumed, were more for the departure of Sniderman, as Elmont hadnt done anything yet, to earn the boos. When the game got underway, things did not go well. Kate Hudson, pitching with butterfilies in her stomach, and feeling rusty, was blasted by the Mets for five runs in five innings. The Good Guys could do nothing offensively, getting only two hits, and losing, by a 5-0 score. Opening day had not gone well, and, after the game, the media closed in on Elmont :"First day, everyone was a little jittery. I'm not here to replace Lee, because he can never be replaced. I'm here to be me, and to guide this team. Hopefully, I'll be talking to you all after about 90 to 95 wins this season, and today was just a blip on the radar."Elmont said, trying to sound confident. The next day, on Opening Day Two, Gil Bellows had the ball. Gil gave the team what they needed, pitching into the seventh, and allowing only one run. Paradise trailed, 1-0 in the eighth, before stringing together several hits, for two runs. Elmont brought in Hayden in the ninth, and she did her job, saving the Good Guys 2-1 win, the first for the team on the year, and for Elmont in his career. Charlize Theron pitched on Wednesday afternoon. Charlize fired a great game, allowing but one run in eight innings. The game was tied, 1-1 in the eighth, when Paradise scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth, on a homer by Ed Burns. Hayden pitched the ninth, gaining her second save of the year, in the Good Guys
4-1 victory.
Thursday was an off day. That day, the couple showed up to counesling: "So, new manager. How's that going?" The couneslor asked. "I'm still shocked. I mean, we see Lee every day. He's in the clubhouse, and in his General Manager's box, above the field. The real test will be when we go on the road. I respect why he wanted to retire from managing, but it will take some getting used to" Mitch said, honestly.
Atlanta came to town on Friday, for the first night game of the season. Neve Campbell was on the mound. Neve got hit hard, allowing five runs in six innings. Paradise trailed, 5-2, before rallying for five eighth inning runs, much to the delight of the crowd. Hayden did her thing again in the ninth, earning her third save, in the Good Guys 7-5 triumph. In the postgame clubhouse, Elmont addressed his players. "Good win tonight, folks. I'm sorry we fell behind 5-2, but we picked Neve up when she wasnt at her best. We need to do that, if we're going to win consistently" Elmont said. Elmont didnt have much to say after Saturday night's game, when Rachel Leigh Cook had an
8-0 bomb dropped on her by the Braves. Kate Hudson would oppose John Smoltz, on a sunny, 80 degree Sunday, in front of a sellout. Both pitchers threw well, with each allowing only one run into the seventh. In that inning, Paradise scored two runs on a Mitch homer. Kate went out to pitch the eighth, with a two run lead, and allowed a sharp hit. Elmont came walking out of the dugout, and, before even getting to the mound, made the signal to the bullpen, calling for Hilary Duff. "Good job, Katie. We'll let the bullpen finish this one for you" Elmont said. " Couldnt you at least have asked me how I felt? I dont need to come out" Hudson said. "Let's see, two run lead, you've thrown almost 100 pitches, home run hitter up. It's too early in the season. You've had enough" Elmont said. "I'm the damn ace of this staff, Elmont. I say when I want to come out" Hudson fired back. "Yes, Katie, you are the ace, but I'm the manager of this team, and we need you, for oh, thirty three more starts, and over 200 more innings. There is no reason to let you continue, now please go in, and take a shower" Elmont said, calmly. Kate stomped off the mound, to a standing ovation. She tipped her cap to the crowd, and went to take a shower. The bullpen finished the game, won by the Good Guys, 3-1, and afterward, the media closed in on Kate: "I felt okay. At the time, I was not thrilled with being removed, but, he is the manager, and, if it looked like I was getting tired, it was the right decision. We won the game, which was most important, and I got the win, so it all worked out" Hudson said.
Houston came to town on Monday night. Gil Bellows was the starter. He pitched well, allowing only one run in seven innings. The Good Guys, however, could get no runs, and lost, 1-0. Charlize Theron pitched on Tuesday night. The game was scoreless until the eighth, when Paradise scored two runs. Hayden finished it off in the ninth, for a 2-0 win. Neve Campbell took the mound, on a sunny, windy, 80 degree Paradise day, in front of a sellout. Neve gave a quality start that day, six innings, and three runs allowed. Paradise trailed, 3-0 in the sixth, before erupting for four runs. Elmont then played bullpen musical chairs, using Naomi, Amanda Bynes, Hilary Duff, and finally Hayden, who earned her sixth save of the year, having saved all six of Paradise's wins on the homestand, in a 4-3 Good Guy win, that completed a fine six and three homestand. On field, the team was performing just fine, playing like their usual selves, in spite of the managerial change. As the team prepared to head to New York the next night, the season had gotten off to a good start.
In the meantime, the team held its Saturday night tickle party, following the loss to the Braves. The featured lee, to no one's surprise, would be Elmont. He was tied hands and feet to the bed, in the fetish club, in his boxer shorts. Naomi began the tickle on Elmont's neck with fingers, as his head shifted, and the laughter began:HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! Working down, Hilary Duff was next, tickling Elmont on his underarms, sides, ribs, and belly with fingers, as he howled: HHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!
Moving down, Neve Campbell was the next ler, tickling Elmont on his hips, inner thighs, and knees with fingers, as he bucked:HAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHA!
Finally, Hayden positioned herself at Elmont's feet, and tickled them with fingers, feathers, and electric toothbrushes. Elmont went beserk, shaking his feet and wiggling his toes, howling with laughter:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAH! I GIVE UP NOOOO! HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHHHAAHAAH! Finally, the tickle ended, and Elmont was untied.
On Thursday night, Naomi drove Mitch to Nassau International, so that he could catch the team flight to JFK Airport in New York. "Good first homestand. Maybe a honeymoon period for Elmont. Hopefully you will continue to do well on the road. Go off, play well, and I will see you next Sunday" Naomi said, kissing Mitch goodbye.
So, it had been a homestand of shocking events, which thankfully turned out okay on field. Now came the first road trip. Would the team continue to play well? That answer to come in the next segment of the Tickle Team From Paradise Island.
The End
On the evening of Spring Training, just two days before pitchers and catchers were to report to camp, an absolutely shocking turn of events struck the team. Mitch and Naomi were listening to all sports WPAR radio, when the announcement came: "This station has just learned that long time Good Guys manager Lee Sniderman will not manage the team this year, and has been fired. The source that reported this story cannot be confirmed, but this is the information this station has." Mitch and Naomi were shocked, and tried to reach Lee Sniderman by phone. Later that day, they received an e-mail from the manager. "I'm going to meet with the team on the first day. You all didnt hear the whole story. Wait for me to tell you before jumping to conclusions." The email said.
On the first day of Spring Training, the entire team reported to the clubhouse, waiting with bated breath to hear from their manager. Soon, the grey haired manager, with his famous number 6 on his uniform jersey, came striding out of his office, to address his team: "Okay, before everyone starts asking twenty questions, let me explain. I was not fired. As you all know, I'm an old man, over seventy, and we had been having some conversations over the winter about my having a role change with the team. The travel this job entails three months of the year was taking it's toll. I've stayed as manager for several more years than I probably should have, because I love all you kids so much. However, I just felt it time to turn the day to day managerial duties over to someone younger. So, to this end, I'm now going to return to the front office, and assume the General Manager duties that I had years ago. This way, I'm able to stay with the team, see all of you all the time, and still be here, without all the breakneck running from city to city. Again, let me stress, this was entirely my decision, and I was not forced out. The reports that WPAR had that I was fired, were completely false" Sniderman said, firmly. "So who is our new manager?" Naomi asked.
"I was just getting to that" Sniderman said. Then he continued: "Our new manager is a gentleman you all know. His name is Elmont Koehler, and he is the top manager at our Freeport triple A minor league team. He's very experienced, and you've all seen him around. He will do well for this team, and I want all of you to treat the situation, as if it were still me in the clubhouse every day. I'm going to tell him to come in now, so he can address the team" Sniderman said. Then, Elmont entered the clubhouse: "Hello, folks, nice to meet you all. I know this is a great shock to everyone, and I'm going to try and start things off very slowly. We have a wonderful history here., and taking over for a man like Lee, who has so many World Titles, and will be in the Hall of Fame, is a great, great honor. I hope we can all work together, to maintain our tradition of excellence" Elmont said. After Elmont's introduction, Sniderman sat down, while Elmont discussed the team rules. "Since I'm new, and taking over for a guy who was basically like a God around here, having been here over twenty years, I'm not going to come in and burden you with a bunch of my rules. The old rules that were in effect under Lee still remain, since all of you know them. If something occurs during the season that I think needs to be addressed or changed, I will discuss it with Lee, and make changes. He is my guidance. I'm trying to get my feet wet, and figure things out. I'm just as surprised by this as all of you are" Elmont said.
After the meeting, when Mitch and Naomi got home, they were still trying to understand. "Maybe he wanted to go out on top. He is old. Maybe the travel was getting to him. Look at Gardner and what happened years ago. He wasnt nearly as old, and died on the road of heart failure. Elmont is much younger, only in his early 50s. Maybe he can handle the travel and demands better" Naomi mused.
The team. shaken by the sudden managerial change, did not have a good spring, finishing under 500 for the spring. The season opened on a windy, somewhat raw, 72 degree overcast day in Paradise, against the Mets. There was a crowd of close to a sellout on hand. As the team was being introduced in the pregame ceremonies, there were enthusiastic cheers when the players were given their World Championship rings, and when the Championship banner was raised to the flagpole. When Lee Sniderman's name was announced, the crowd roared, and, when the new manager was introduced, Elmont was showered with a chorus of boos. The boos, it was assumed, were more for the departure of Sniderman, as Elmont hadnt done anything yet, to earn the boos. When the game got underway, things did not go well. Kate Hudson, pitching with butterfilies in her stomach, and feeling rusty, was blasted by the Mets for five runs in five innings. The Good Guys could do nothing offensively, getting only two hits, and losing, by a 5-0 score. Opening day had not gone well, and, after the game, the media closed in on Elmont :"First day, everyone was a little jittery. I'm not here to replace Lee, because he can never be replaced. I'm here to be me, and to guide this team. Hopefully, I'll be talking to you all after about 90 to 95 wins this season, and today was just a blip on the radar."Elmont said, trying to sound confident. The next day, on Opening Day Two, Gil Bellows had the ball. Gil gave the team what they needed, pitching into the seventh, and allowing only one run. Paradise trailed, 1-0 in the eighth, before stringing together several hits, for two runs. Elmont brought in Hayden in the ninth, and she did her job, saving the Good Guys 2-1 win, the first for the team on the year, and for Elmont in his career. Charlize Theron pitched on Wednesday afternoon. Charlize fired a great game, allowing but one run in eight innings. The game was tied, 1-1 in the eighth, when Paradise scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth, on a homer by Ed Burns. Hayden pitched the ninth, gaining her second save of the year, in the Good Guys
4-1 victory.
Thursday was an off day. That day, the couple showed up to counesling: "So, new manager. How's that going?" The couneslor asked. "I'm still shocked. I mean, we see Lee every day. He's in the clubhouse, and in his General Manager's box, above the field. The real test will be when we go on the road. I respect why he wanted to retire from managing, but it will take some getting used to" Mitch said, honestly.
Atlanta came to town on Friday, for the first night game of the season. Neve Campbell was on the mound. Neve got hit hard, allowing five runs in six innings. Paradise trailed, 5-2, before rallying for five eighth inning runs, much to the delight of the crowd. Hayden did her thing again in the ninth, earning her third save, in the Good Guys 7-5 triumph. In the postgame clubhouse, Elmont addressed his players. "Good win tonight, folks. I'm sorry we fell behind 5-2, but we picked Neve up when she wasnt at her best. We need to do that, if we're going to win consistently" Elmont said. Elmont didnt have much to say after Saturday night's game, when Rachel Leigh Cook had an
8-0 bomb dropped on her by the Braves. Kate Hudson would oppose John Smoltz, on a sunny, 80 degree Sunday, in front of a sellout. Both pitchers threw well, with each allowing only one run into the seventh. In that inning, Paradise scored two runs on a Mitch homer. Kate went out to pitch the eighth, with a two run lead, and allowed a sharp hit. Elmont came walking out of the dugout, and, before even getting to the mound, made the signal to the bullpen, calling for Hilary Duff. "Good job, Katie. We'll let the bullpen finish this one for you" Elmont said. " Couldnt you at least have asked me how I felt? I dont need to come out" Hudson said. "Let's see, two run lead, you've thrown almost 100 pitches, home run hitter up. It's too early in the season. You've had enough" Elmont said. "I'm the damn ace of this staff, Elmont. I say when I want to come out" Hudson fired back. "Yes, Katie, you are the ace, but I'm the manager of this team, and we need you, for oh, thirty three more starts, and over 200 more innings. There is no reason to let you continue, now please go in, and take a shower" Elmont said, calmly. Kate stomped off the mound, to a standing ovation. She tipped her cap to the crowd, and went to take a shower. The bullpen finished the game, won by the Good Guys, 3-1, and afterward, the media closed in on Kate: "I felt okay. At the time, I was not thrilled with being removed, but, he is the manager, and, if it looked like I was getting tired, it was the right decision. We won the game, which was most important, and I got the win, so it all worked out" Hudson said.
Houston came to town on Monday night. Gil Bellows was the starter. He pitched well, allowing only one run in seven innings. The Good Guys, however, could get no runs, and lost, 1-0. Charlize Theron pitched on Tuesday night. The game was scoreless until the eighth, when Paradise scored two runs. Hayden finished it off in the ninth, for a 2-0 win. Neve Campbell took the mound, on a sunny, windy, 80 degree Paradise day, in front of a sellout. Neve gave a quality start that day, six innings, and three runs allowed. Paradise trailed, 3-0 in the sixth, before erupting for four runs. Elmont then played bullpen musical chairs, using Naomi, Amanda Bynes, Hilary Duff, and finally Hayden, who earned her sixth save of the year, having saved all six of Paradise's wins on the homestand, in a 4-3 Good Guy win, that completed a fine six and three homestand. On field, the team was performing just fine, playing like their usual selves, in spite of the managerial change. As the team prepared to head to New York the next night, the season had gotten off to a good start.
In the meantime, the team held its Saturday night tickle party, following the loss to the Braves. The featured lee, to no one's surprise, would be Elmont. He was tied hands and feet to the bed, in the fetish club, in his boxer shorts. Naomi began the tickle on Elmont's neck with fingers, as his head shifted, and the laughter began:HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! Working down, Hilary Duff was next, tickling Elmont on his underarms, sides, ribs, and belly with fingers, as he howled: HHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!
Moving down, Neve Campbell was the next ler, tickling Elmont on his hips, inner thighs, and knees with fingers, as he bucked:HAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHA!
Finally, Hayden positioned herself at Elmont's feet, and tickled them with fingers, feathers, and electric toothbrushes. Elmont went beserk, shaking his feet and wiggling his toes, howling with laughter:HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAH! I GIVE UP NOOOO! HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHHHAAHAAH! Finally, the tickle ended, and Elmont was untied.
On Thursday night, Naomi drove Mitch to Nassau International, so that he could catch the team flight to JFK Airport in New York. "Good first homestand. Maybe a honeymoon period for Elmont. Hopefully you will continue to do well on the road. Go off, play well, and I will see you next Sunday" Naomi said, kissing Mitch goodbye.
So, it had been a homestand of shocking events, which thankfully turned out okay on field. Now came the first road trip. Would the team continue to play well? That answer to come in the next segment of the Tickle Team From Paradise Island.
The End
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