From the the Vault: Historical Legends of Saturday Softball (2004) (Chris Yong)

 Saturdaysoftball.blogspot.com (Chris Yong)

https://saturdaysoftball.blogspot.com/

Nov  17, 2004

As Coach has written such a marvelous introduction to the beginnings of the game including interesting write up of players past, Rickey and I have taken upon ourselves to update the list of players who have graced the NUS fields every Saturday. We'll  try to write the players as they have shown up through the years, but otherwise, there is no method to the madness, and no particular order  to the list.

 Others will be added soon, as well as lists of top five  homers and classic games. We understand that they've been players who've made an occasional appearance who are not mentioned here or new regulars, like Gunz Horfu, Jason/Diana, Joanna, Teck Piaw, Aaron...etc, and we'll be working on a third chapter to this series to try to accomodate all those who are missing from the rosters so far.

We're also working on a SaturdaySoftball who's where now, where we'll take the players listed in Coach's writeup and give them a "where are they now" update.

Tim (Rickey) Barnard

A southerner (from Kentucky via Alabama) who doesn't seem to work  much, on the field or off. Tim, or Rickey as he's fondly known, moved  to Indonesia to teach English and has rarely left SEAsia since. He is
nicknamed after the great Rickey Henderson, one of the fastest base  runners of all time. Our Rickey, however, is so slow his run to first could be construed as "delay of game". He can turn a homerun into a
double. If his feet moved as fast as his mouth, perhaps he would have more base hits. Rickey is a member of the semi-legendary "Sonic Boom  Brothers", along with Guppy.

Karl (The Rube) Krummel

From the backwater of Illinois comes this hillbilly scholar. The Old Rube was famous for coming to ball still drunk from the previous night's reveille, Rube has always been known to have one of the  biggest bats on the team, cranking opposite field liners deep into the  outfield. Hustling for every ball, running to cover bases and throws,  he's the hardest worker on the field since DY. We thought we saw the last of him when his exchange program ended, little did we know we  couldn't get rid of him that easily. Currently a PhD student the "NEW"  Rube is much the same, with a bigger bat and a (slightly) cleaner
constitution. He will be around for some time.

Alirio (The Generalissimo) Melendez

A former starting shortstop for the under-18 Venezuelan National Team,  Al has used his golden glove and HR bat to bring Saturday Softball to  a whole new level of play. He is our MBP. Our resident doctor, Al got his MD from a university in the former Soviet Union while on a  communist scholarship after his baseball career was cut short by a  freak throw that nearly blinded him. Many on the team want to meet his  cousins, and drink the $12 rum.

Dan (the Man) Collison

An ex-Navy Aviator, Dan was one of the biggest bats to grace the  field. He smacked 4 outstanding home runs when SaturdaySoftball joined the Singapore Baseball League as the Tigers. A good guy to have behind you in a fight, Dan's the best person to deal with the cricketers when  they intrude on our field.

Adam (Mr Furious) Delisse

Adam is remembered for many things. 1. Eka, 2. His temper, 3. Eka's Chilli, 4. Being the ONLY guy on the field Coach has ever said "sorry" to, 5. Yelling at Paul.

(Princess) Linda (The Law-RBI Machine) Low

Her arrival brought our softball team a touch of class. She's been  known to burn outfielders if they pull in too shallow by smacking the  ball over their heads. The best arm we have at second base, she only
throws at one speed. The RBI Machine is our resident lawyer for when the Rube gets into trouble. Recently she's been getting undivided, and personal, boyguard (not typo) services from the Ipoh Assassin (formerly known as the Agent of Satan).

Toh (Tan brother no. 2) Sen

A very recent addition to our numbers, he's improved tremendously from  an unknown who's never played before, to one of the stalwarts in the  outfield. Constantly giving his elder brother a good run for his money  not only on the field, but also at bat, he's recently taken to the LF position becoming the next Agent of Satan.

Toh (Tan brother no. 3) Ken

The third and youngest Tan brother, he came with a softball background from having represented his college. He's become quite a regular over  the months, and he has a silent, unassuming assassin. He makes the plays without being too flashy.

Paul (Fubar/Nomar/Money) Peters

His first nickname came during the tournament he managed; the second  because he would like to play short for the Sox, and the third because...well, he's money. A good middle infielder, he dreams of  making double plays at second, but rarely seems to pull it off. He has a terrific arm when he doesn't think about throwing; otherwise the  ball hits a magical spot 20 meters beyond first. Much like his dating
game.

Thaddeus (The Monk) Hoo

Appearances can be deceiving. Looking like a bald muscle-head, and often acting like one, The Monk is one of the most brilliant minds ever to pick up the bat. A pretty good right-fielder, he has found his niche playing catcher. Making great tags at home and protecting  the plate - if the ball comes in The Monk is like a brick wall stopping the runner dead. With the bat he is the "junk man", somehow
he gets on base no matter how lame the hit.

Dom (Scooterboy/Seven)Thangaperakasa

What time is it? What time is it? Dom rides a scooter. Dom pitches.
Dom's a previous all-star cricket player who finally saw the light. Dom's always home by seven. A pleasant guy who brightens the day with  his choice of shorts, "Seven" has developed into a fine fielder as long as Tan Brother #2 is not there to bump into him.

Li (Beyonce) Hongyan

Joining us from more organized teams, Hongyan is the ultimate team player. An excellent firstbase man (woman), her glove and arm in the outfield are legendary, particularly when the lights are dimming. She
may scowl at you, but deep down she's nice. Just whisper to her in German to calm her down. According to scooterboy she can dance with  the best.

David (Cool Papa) Teague

Dave's past is perhaps best left for discussion over drinks at Joe's (followed by gasps of amazement). Coming from the frozen tundra of Minnesota, Dave can take control of a game with his speed or glove. He is among the fastest to every play Saturday Softball, but suddenly  becomes deaf when base coaches yell at him to hold at second or third.  

Cool Papa is known for his arm, easy laugh, and smokin' bass lines.

Lin Yu (Pian Zhe)

Originally coming along with the Kent Ridge crew of the late 1990s,  the Pian Zhe is the quickest to ever hold a bat in Saturday Softball.  This diminutive Mathematics teacher is our "trickiest" player. She can
reach first faster than Ichiro, making every defense nervous,  resulting in hurried throws and blown plays.

Roeland (the Windmill) Stuelmeijer

Not much of a fielder, except in his own mind, this Dutchman can crank  homers to any corner of the field. Not one to back down, he is also  known for picking a fight with the Coach early in his career. To this  day he and the Coach will argue about anything, even when they are in agreement.

Joyce (Irish/Aussie Magnet) Bohnke

Coming to us from the US Air Force, this Chicago Irish woman never met an Aussie she didn't like until she bumped into Saigon Misty. Known for her Monk-influenced homer, Joyce could drink with the best, get  into an argument with the Rube, and still meet up with English postman  for a wedding. Last seen with Elvis at a chapel in Vegas, Joyce is now  terrorizing Air Force generals in Hawaii.

Matt (Spam/Saigon Misty) Underwood

The one that got away. Misty spends his days mass-mailing the team or simply clicking "reply-all". A terrific batsman, he once hit 3 back-to-back-to-back opposite field homeruns against the bishan crew in a friendly. He's never been known to catch the ball at first base, but it's never been his fault. The Misty moniker was bestowed on him when he bailed tears when Mr Furious departed. Misty has since left us for the communist shores of Vietnam, though he does occasionally pop round for a chicken burger or 2.

Nigel (Nigeypooh)Cheah
A great batter, and a fine glove, all handphones should be kept away
from this guy. The villain (or hero) behind the famous handphone mercy
game (one of the top five all time classics), he disappeared on us for
a few years but is now back with a vengeance.

Nov 24, 2004

Where are they NOW?

THE ROSTER : Where are they Now??

ALVIN [the Guppy] HEW

The fish has been caught, cleaned and gutted. Guppy has comfortable settled down into the life of a good husband and a doting father. Jeffery "lil guppy" Hew is the latest addition to the softball family, and with so many doting "uncles". He'll be throwing, hitting and fielding better than his dear ol' dad before he turns 10

KYLE [Hello Kitty] Latinis

They would never need a DNA test to prove Mina is Kyle's daughter. A potential heart-breaker and armbreaker, Mina joined the Latinis family 3 years ago and has warmed our hearts ever since. A sad thing happened to the Kitty in Cambodia. He was involved in a motorcycle accident, with major surgery to follow. Little did the Kitty know, that the bastard that crashed into his bike, also stole his bat. He then did a reverse-Ruth, moving from the big bat to the pitching mound, where he believes that everything he throws is a strike.

LLOYD [Chief Wahoo] YEO now known "The Cheetah"

Lloyd has run a very successful softball programme in Montfort Sec. So successful, that his Montfort kids have taken present saturdaysoftball team and spanked them silly. If you ask a saturdaysoftball player, "who's your daddy?", they'd say "Lloyd's kids"

MARTIN [The Flamingo/Contrary] BAZLYLEWICH

Repatriated. Though he has promised to return, we have had nary a sighting of this famous canuck since he departed from our shores to pursue his further studies. We eagerly await his return. Softball has never been the same without Canadian rules. His Halloween and Canadian Day parties are still whispered in reverance to the ears of the new blood.

GOH [Jugs] GEOK YIAN

Geok left for the sunny skies of Hawaii to study advanced surfing, Burmese epigraphy and slacking. She comes back annually for holidays and everytime she comes back, she gets better and better. Sure proof that they grow a better weed over in Hawaii. She has been back for the last couple of months, awaiting her visa to enter Burma and she has been outstanding at second base and has burned Money many a time when he comes in shallow for "a girl" at bat.

CHRIS
Missing in Action

JOHN [Indiana] MIKSIC

John had a quadruple bypass. John came back. John is fitter than before. John is stronger than before. John is a better first baseman than before. John does gymnastics at shortstop. John eats healthy, lives healthy and distills the best vodka this side of the galaxy. Proof that age and a quadruple bypass are no barriers to living and feeling young. We should all be ashamed.

BRIAN FARRELL

Retired

ANTONY [Nigel, Tuquo, Kiwi] KENNEDY

Missing in Action

RICHARD [Big Dick] NG

Big Dick came back to Singapore for a year during the 2003-4 season because he ran out of money. He made a wad of cash trading oil futures but ultimately decided that the frozen shores of Canada held too much appeal(plus he made enough to retire again). During his return he played some fine outfield and he proved that some people never lose their bats. We're looking forward to his next return.

CHRIS [the Gimp] YONG now known as "The Legend"

Chris had successful knee surgery to repair the torn ACL. He came back with the biggest hit of saturday softball history to win the first and only championship trophy. With the score tied, bottom of the ninth, 2 outs, and 2 strikes on him, Chris hit the ball, so far they have yet to find it, to win the IFG finals with a solo home run. Chris hitting has deproved tremendously since then, and that hit can only remain in legendary status. Chris has now taken Coach's place at all time shortstop, because he can't hit anymore.

DAN [the Naked Savage] YANG now known as "DY would've had that"

"DY would've had that" is the war cry of all 3rd basemen and catchers alike. No player has exhibited the range and speed in the field, and though we lost DY to the gloomy skies of boston. We still remember him fondly and await his return with baited breath. DY also got married in the last year, but the heavy ball and chain has not slowed his step down one bit, though the whip marks are pretty obvious. Interestingly enough, the year that he moved to Boston, they won the world series. Maybe his arrival appeased the angry spirit of the Babe. Either that or the bosox were ashamed that DY had more hustle than all of them combined.

DAN [Coach] CROSSWELL now know as "The New Coach"

Somewhere in the last 2 years, we lost the coach. He was abducted by aliens and they cleverly substituted him with an exact replica. He looks like coach, smells like coach, but doesn't sound like coach. No doubt the advanced beings could not replicate the personality that went into the "old" coach. The fields are quiet now after a fubbed play. The drinking halls are silent. His legacy is only passed by word of mouth. We remain, his loyal fans.


FRANCK [Weebles] WIEBE

Missing in Action

TOH [Agent of Satan] HEAN now known as "The Ipoh Assassin"

The Ipoh Assassin is working in HR down in the tall buildings along Shenton Way during the day, and romancing our 2nd basewoman at nights and on the weekends. In the past few years he has become the most reliable outfielder we have, making left field his personal kingdom. In addition, he has become a dangerous hitter, no more cans of corn, but power hitting combined with pinpoint accurate placement.

GAVIN [Michelangelo] GAY now known as "Flash/Swat"

Gavin can kill you with his pinky! That's all I dare say.

GINO [the Shark]

Who the hell can tell what's going on with the Shark? Last time we heard, he got married and his wife was having contractions. Of course Gino being Gino he was on the ball field when his wife was giving birth.

ANTHONY [Bo Gangles] TAY now known as "Hassie"

The new moniker sprang from his propensity to remove his shirt and run the bases with his locks in the wind at the slow motion replay speed of a baywatch trailer. Hassie has moved from NUS over to SMU, but this has not dampened his desire to play SAS. It was Emily that did it. He is now the father of a wonderful daughter, whom he dotes on. Our best AND only switch-hitting pitcher, Hassie has retired from rightfield to claim his place on the mound. He is our very own Wakefield, pitching knuckleballs that are so unpredictable even our best hitters can't read it. Strangely, when he bats right, he hits to right field, when he bats left, he hits to left field, though he always gets on base (must be all that beach running)

TED [Cannibal] WONG now known as 'The Sandman"

Ted continues to put people to sleep. It is something about his personality, and the gasses he distributes. Working hard at SGH during the week, Ted spends his weekends patrolling the outfield making his patented catches or fills in admirably in the infield when needed. He is still a shortstop at heart, but since the other 2 shortstops can't play any other positions, Ted has graciously conceded that place.

XIAO [Cy Young] YANG

Missing in Action

CHEE HOW

Missing in Action

FABIAN [the Fab]

Fab has returned to Europe to work, but he returns every year or so to show us that Frenchmen can sometimes play baseball

 

Nov 26, 2004  

I apologise for the oversight, but we'll try and count up the rest of the roster not listed in the other writeups. Please let me know if I have missed anyone. There are no prerequisites, no minimal attendance.

Joanna [The Slugger] Yong
Jo's the younger cousin of Chris and due to the influence of Chris' sister (who started the softball craze in the family), Jo took up softball from her sec school days. She has since excelled in the sport, taking up a starting position as a shortstop on the National Team. She still comes occasionally, when the demands of varsity and national training does not call on her. Besides being an outstanding defensive shortstop, she has a powerful bat and she won acclaim for this by being awarded the "female slugger award" at the 2001 IFG (when she was still an JC student playing for the FARTS).

Jo-Tsze

One of the oldest periodical, Jo-Tsze has been making guest appearences long before many of the current players, in fact he would probably classify as first generation. A Kent Ridge Hall alumni, he was the first among the KRians to make his mark on SAS, and he has also set the standard that the rest of them try to follow. An outstanding utility player, Jo-Tsze comfortably slots into any position in the infield or outfield and defends it with skill. Famous for his slap-pull hits, 3rd basemen have been known to take a step or two backwards when Jo-Tsze is at the plate.

Dean Hooker

Dean was one of the 3 US embassy players who honored us with his presence. An outstanding all round player. Dean will forever be remembered for making a bare-handed pickup and throw at third base that helped us win the IFG tournament. If he had not made that play, there would have not been the Legend hit because the other team would have won. He has since left Singapore to take up a similar position in the embassy in Surinam

Tom Meredith

Also known as "The Dictator" because of his strong command of the outfield. Tom was a regular for the last year he was in Singapore. He may not have had the speed of Ted or the power of Kyle, but he more than made up for it with intuitive positioning and clever sprayhitting. Tom was also the go-to guy if you needed a Vias to enter the US. Sadly, he's left us for the embassy in Korea.

Glen

Another embassy official fondly remembered. Glen brought something to the ball field that had never been seen before (and will probably never be seen again). SPGs. A starting shortstop (well, that's where he goes when his number is called), Glen has left us for the acrid sands of Afganistan. His official cover being that of an economic advisor, though we all know that he is actually CIA, and his real mission is to find AND kill Osama.

Sarub [Gunz] Pathak

If a sniper shot you in the head from 200m, you'd die. If Gunz threw a ball at your head from 200m, you'd die too. A terrific arm, Gunz can throw the ball further than most people can hit. And not just with power, but with accuracy too. His periodic appearance on the ball field is a welcome sight, and everyone wants him in centerfield. You actually see cautious baserunning when Gunz gets a hold of the ball, as he's been known to throw out runners trying to steal that extra base. Coming from a cricket background, he has an amazing bat as well, combining a powerful stroke with deadly accuracy to place the ball in gaps for a homerun.

Mok [Horfun] MeiFung

An undergrad with aspirations towards south-east asian history, Horfun earned her name because her "angmoh" supervisors (ie Kitty & Windmill) could not pronounce her dialect name properly. She looks likely to follow in the footsteps of Geok and Lloyd, with no softball background, she has shown tremendous improvement since coming down regularly for the last few months.

Jason/Diana

Our newest regulars. They have yet to earn a nickname, but we will not seperate their writeups. Coming from a tennis playing background, both Jason and Diana showed excellant handeye coordination during their first game and have improved at a startling rate. They both have good bats, making the kind of clean contact and single basehits that we all fondly remember doing when we were young. They have also staked their claim in the field as well, making great plays to aid the team in defense.

Andy Cowan

A new Canuck in our regular lineup. Andy reminds us of an "angmoh" version of the Ipoh Assassin. He shows up, gets the job done and sits down. Gratefully, he has not started calling canadian rules foullines nor foulplays. With a good bat, glove and arm, Andy has the potential to make a serious dent in saturdaysoftball history. He doesn't make mistakes nor does he make flashy plays, and his bat always get him on base. We're all waiting for his first bonehead play (it's the SAS disease, everyone gets it) so that we can give him a deserving nickname.

Aaron [JAL] Koh

Words cannot describe fully the player formerly known as Aaron. But lets start with "can't hit, can't catch, can't drink". Aaron was a shortlived SAS member who followed Misty out one day, and led Misty out on several others. Aaron disappeared to the paradise shores of Koh Samui, where he is now running a resort, undoubtedly brimful of invisible JAL attendants. He has been unanimously voted "The Worst Player at Saturdaysoftball", just pipping Little John for that honour.

John [Little John] Team

Little John was a business undergrad when he stumbled upon our bunch on the NUS field. With no prior experience, John quickly started coming every week and has slowly improved over the years. Mostly playing right field or catcher, John is famous for his commando scarf and his shadow plays - catching and taggin out an unsuspecting player not running home.