This is the 11th Anniversary Season for the Goat Scouts who are looking forward to continuing their winning form. The Goat record in 1996 was 11 wins, 2 losses and 3 forfeits by the opponents. We had a lot of fun, some really great plays and we hope to continue in the same form this season.

• April 24, 1997 vs Crawdads (Win 11-10)
• April 29, 1997 vs Wild Turkeys (Loss 13-15)
• May 6, 1997 vs Cyclones (Loss 14-15)
• May 14, 1997 vs Voodoo TOAD Fury (Loss 14-23)
• May 22, 1997 vs Cassini Grounders (Win 14-7)
• May 27, 1997 vs Deep Space Cadets (Win 19-9)
• June 2, 1997 vs Bruisers (Win 16-6)
• June 9, 1997 vs Cassini Grounders (Forfeit to us 19-15)
• June 17, 1997 vs Paper Tigers (Loss 8-14)
• June 23, 1997 vs Planet X (Win 23-14)
• July 9, 1997 vs IR Sox (Win 20-19)
• July 14, 1997 vs Gravity Fielders (Win 9-5)
• July 22, 1997 vs Homers (Loss 10-18)
• July 30, 1997 vs Planet X (Cancelled)
• August 7, 1997 vs LA Radars (Win 14-5)

1997 Season Record - 8 wins, 5 losses, 1 cancellation and 1 forfeit

1997 Game Summaries

The season began with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of new rookie Goats. Good performances were turned in by all. In the field, however, it should be noted that "Larry's not quite the vacuum he used to be" in his position at short. Maybe Liana should play that position and show dad how to do it. Batting highlights include homeruns by Bryan (2) and Gary, with one triple by Michael and a double by Debbie. Final score Goat Scouts 11, Crawdads 10.

The Web Mistress missed this game and needs help writing the summary. So, to the Goats at this game, please e-mail me a summary of what happened! So far no summary, other than it was a long game...

This game will go down as not one of our finer performances. The score really doesn't tell the whole story. The Goats were up by four runs going in to the bottom of the sixth, when Bryan asked "What inning is this, the sixth?". Some of us were unaware of the inning and from the past it should be noted that the 6th inning is where the Goats run into trouble. We escaped the inning with the opponents only scoring five runs, it could have been worse. In the top of the seventh we rallied and scored four runs, but in the bottom of the seventh the problems from the sixth inning continued and they scored four runs and would have scored more had this not been the end of the game. There were some batting highlights like the first female homerun of the season by Miki, two homeruns by Bryan, one by Michael and doubles by Michael, Keith and two doubles for Ron. Final score Goat Scouts 14, Cyclones 15.

A game against our "arch rivals", what could be more exciting? Everything considering how this game went. The Goats took to the field in the bottom of the first leading 2-0 and Art makes a spectacular play in center field to get the first batter out, but from there it went downhill. At the end of the first the score was 2-9. In the fourth inning the Goats make a come back, the rally caps are working and only down by 2 when the TOADS bat. They seem to hit every hole and score 5 more runs. Larry scrapes both knees giving it his best. Lucky for him that his girls were on hand to dress his "boo boos". There were no further defensive highlights just a lot of lowlights, but we did have some batting highlights. They are homeruns by Michael (2) and one by Larry, triples by Bryan, Michael, Debbie and Ron and doubles by Duane and Larry. Dinner after the defeat was at Crown City to celebrate Patty's birthday. Final score Goat Scouts 14, Voodoo TOAD Fury 23.

Before the game gets underway field manager, Bryan gives the team a pep talk to encourage us to play better, smarter and to forget about the previous 3 losses. I guess the pep talk really did the Goats some good. The defense really rose to the occassion and made some great plays to keep the other team from scoring until...the dreaded, ever popular, 6th inning where the Grounders came up with 5 runs. But, this did not discourage the Goats, because in the top of the 7th the Goats got all 5 runs back. Batting highlights include one homerun by Bryan and doubles by Bryan (2) and Ron. Duane is nicknamed "Big Ding Duane". Final score Goat Scouts 14, Cassini Grounders 7.

This was a fun game, the batting was great and only 10 Goats showed up to play. The Morgans, Duane and Paula, also brought their son and daughter. Their daughter played catcher during the first inning for us as Paula Pingee was a wee bit late, she made it in time to bat. Batting highlights include homeruns by Bryan, Michael (2), Keith, Duane and Kareem (2), triples by Bryan, Miki and Duane and doubles by Bryan, Michael, Keith (2) and Duane. Final score Goat Scouts 19, Deep Space Cadets 9.

Another good game and better showing by the goats, 12 players this week. The bats were mighty and the defense was outstanding. Duane came up to bat in the 2nd inning and Miki had a challenge for him. She told Duane that she would buy him an ice cream if he hit a homerun and wouldn't you know it, he hit a homerun. What I want to know is: Duane, did you collect yet? It should also be noted that Kareem was wearing his orange shorts inside out, but that must have been for good luck, because Kareem hit two homeruns and a double, keep wearing your short that way. In the 5th inning, where the Goats gave up 4 runs, it was noted that Michael had a rough 5th inning and when asked about it, he blamed it on the cherries. Other batting highlights include a triple by Gary and doubles by Keith, Paula, Ron, and Art. Final Score Goat Scouts 16, Bruisers 6.

Even though this game was a forfeit by the Cassini Grounders, the Goats loaned them Tim, Ron and Debbie in order to play a game. The Goats batted through the line up, plus the first three batters in the first inning and batted through the line up again in the second inning. Needless to say our batting was outstanding. Could it be because Debbie was pitching to us? Michael was disciplined for his "Pet Peeve" and sat out the first two innings. Batting highlights included no homeruns, a triple by Bryan and doubles by Bryan and Keith. The other 32 hits were all singles by the whole team, no one was shut out of getting a hit. Donna even hit a single past Ron at first base that had all the guys and Hannah cheering. Final score Goat Scouts 19, Cassini Grounders 15.

This was our first game against a D-League team and boy were they good hitters. The Goats kept the game close tying them in the fifth inning. But the jinx reared its ugly head in the top of the seventh inning and the Tigers scored 7 runs. Batting highlights were few but included homeruns by Keith and Duane, triple by Michael and doubles by Bryan and Larry. Final Score Goat Scouts 8, Paper Tigers 14.

Last season the Goats lost to this team 7-10, but this year would be different. Our bats were hitting and the fielding wasn't bad either. The Goats kept Planet X from scoring in the fifth and sixth innings and the jinx never showed itself. Batting highlights included homeruns by Bryan, Michael, Gary and Duane (2) and doubles by Bryan (2), Michael, Keith, Art, Lloyd and Ron (2). This game also marked the debut of Patty who batted and played second base and Melissa who batted and played for Miki in the 6th and 7th innings. Duane continues to hit well even though he is hampered by a nagging ankle injury. Donna received an owie in the first inning, but by taking Michael's advice and placing ice on her arm she did not get a bruise. After the game, the Goats attended Hannah's first birthday party at Casa de Bell and enjoyed fine food and beverages. Final score Goat Scouts 23, Planet X 14.

As you can tell by the final score it was a very close game. Both teams were playing really well and the Goats were lucky to pull this one out. As the visiting team the Goats took the lead 20-16 when the IR Sox came up for their final at bat. We held them to just 3 runs with excellent defensive plays in the field. Batting highlights include homeruns by Michael, Duane and Larry (2), one triple by Pete and doubles by Bryan, Michael (2), Larry, Mike and Pete. After the game, the Goats attended Michael's birthday party at the home of the Nieto's and enjoyed tasty bar-b-que and beverages. Final Score Goat Scouts 20, IR Sox 19.

Even though the game started a little late it was over before we knew it. Both teams played excellent in the field and the bats were pretty quiet for both teams. In fact it is very unusual to have the field Manager, Bryan, go 0 for 4, especially when the women, Miki, Paula P, Paula M, Cindy and Patty get two hits each and Donna even got a hit with two out in the top of the seventh with Bryan on deck giving him one more chance, but alas tonight was not his night. I guess it happens every now and then. The big hitter of the night was Kareem with 2 homeruns and a double. Kareem was once again wearing the lucky orange shorts inside out to keep his batting average high. The defensive play of the game goes to Larry who went horizontal and caught the line drive in the first inning. Other batting highlights include a homerun by Larry and a double by Duane. Final Score Goat Scouts 9, Gravity Fielders 5.

Earlier in the day Bryan was presented the "Good Goat, Bad Goat" trophy for his 0 for 4 batting last week. This week he redeemed himself by going 4 for 4 with 2 doubles. This was a really fun game against the Homers and everyone was playing really well until the 6th inning curse caught up with the Goats. It started in the 5th and continued thru the 7th. Because up until then we had held their scoring to 1 or 2 runs an inning. Defensively, Tom, playing at short, catches a line drive and quotes "I'm no Larry". Later all the Goats go over and give high fives to Paula M. after she catches a fly ball in shallow right, tumbling on to her back and hanging on to the ball. Batting highlights include homeruns by Kareem and Lloyd and doubles by Michael and Kareem (2). Final Score Goat Scouts 10, Homers 18.

Game cancelled due to Galaxy Soccer Game at the Rose Bowl.

Thank goodness out game was on Thursday night this week. LA was having a heat wave and temperatures earlier in the week were over 100 degrees during the day and not much cooler in the evening. However, the softball gods were shining down on us for our last game of the year, it was a mild evening with a slight breeze, very comfortable. With a week off between games, the Goats started out a little rusty. Paula P. noted that she was unable to field a throw at first base because her hat was too tight! By the time the 4th inning rolled around, the Goat bats woke up and 10 people batted that inning scoring 5 runs. In the 6th inning 11 people batted and scored 6 runs to put the game out of reach. Batthing highlights include homeruns by Bryan, Keith (2) and doubles by Duane and Larry (2). Final Score Goat Scouts 14, LA Radars 5.