Bad News Bearers brave elements, practice

CONCORD -- It might have looked like a warm, sunny, perfect day for softball, but try telling that to the plucky, scrappy Bad News Bearers who showed for the first practice of the season on Saturday at Ygnacio Valley High School. Sure, the temperatures lingered in the 70s, a high for 2005, and there was hardly a cloud in the deep blue sky. But it was all a cruel hoax perpetuated by Mother Nature. That quartet of BNB -- Dennis Pimentel, Chris Wagnon, Mike Gale and Dave Taxier -- was forced to contend with squishy, sloppy, muddy, slippery turf that was waterlogged from weeks of rain. A lesser crew would have departed immediately for hot cocoa and a round of Parcheesi, but not our stout foursome.

The pod of BNB set up shop on a tiny softball field, but even this didn't last too long. After a lively infield session had been hit, it was discovered that the field had already been reserved for Little League practice, so even this little bit of softball sanctuary was illusionary. So the gaggle of BNB did what it had to do, creating its own makeshift play area, wet conditions be damned.

At this point batting practice was taken, and a strong round was had by all. And after the Bearers had all taken their slashes, then, and only then, was it called a day.

Call it a tribute to the Bearers' fabled work ethic.

Manager Wagnon had no choice but to be pleased.

"It felt great to get out there and shake off the rust," second-year manager Wagnon said. "I'm sure I'm going to feel it tomorrow. Despite the sub-par field conditions, I thought the four people that showed up today put forth a solid effort. I'm hoping after a week of sun that we'll get a few more people out there for next week's practice."

Others struck a more defiant, third-person pose.

"Mike Gale can't believe Mike got up in the early morning for this crap," left fielder Mike Gale said. "Mike Gale can't carry this team all year, Mike Gale's teammates are going to have to step up, show up, and help Mike Gale get to the championship Mike Gale has worked so hard for."

So noted.