Game 1

Dukes 6
Conundrums 16 (5 Innings)

Game 2
Conundrums 20
Dukes 8 (4 Innings)

Attendance: 4
Season Total: 33

A Tale of Trifecta!

Puzzlers Randomly Clinch 3rd Straight Title, End Season on Picture Perfect Night

 2012 Lakewood Leisure League Champions - Conundrums pose for 2012 team photo after clinching their 3rd straight league title.  Bottom Row:  Eric Swanson, Tim Doherty, Dave Brubaker, Gil Solano, Jason Emmot; Top Row - Paul Ries, Ryan Wilcoxen, Bob Tomey, Tom Hodorff, Dale St. Aubin, Sean Butcher (Not Pictured: Brandon Casey)



 LAKEWOOD, CO (TP) - In a nod to Old Blue Eyes, the Conundrums did it their way Monday night, clinching their third consecutive Lakewood Leisure League championship in random fashion over a spirited yet clearly outmatched Dukes ball club.  In the last of 4 straight doubleheaders, the Posers smashed yet another opponent and finished the season with a spectacular 11 straight victories, including the pennant finale which featured the time-honored tradition of random batting orders and random fielding positioning.  It was also Team Photo Night and the team mug shot displayed a sea of smiles after the ?-Markers three-peated their way to the 2012 title.  Game 1 was played in conventional fashion with the game clearly in the team's back pocket after a 9 run opening inning burst.  In the randomizing game 2, the 'drums duplicated the 1st inning hitting attack with another 9 run barrage.  But the aging, yet crafty Duke hitters, who could have been mistaken for a cluster of Tomeys and Dohertys kept dinking soft liners between the randomly placed Conundrum fielders and clawed their way back, shaving the deficit to 9-8 after 3 innings.  But no matter how you scrambled them, this killer Puzzler offense came alive again in the final 2 innings scoring another 11 times to bury the Dukes for good and close the door on another great season.

A True Conundrum Patriot - Random Night might not have been possible if coach Bob Tomey had his way.  Tomey attempted to derail Random Night allegedly with the memory of last year's Random loss to the Ralphies still intact.  But Jason Emmot was not about to let his prized Random Night creation go by the wayside without a bully pulpit fight.  In what is now being romanticized as "The Emmot Doctrine", Emwa published his eloquent treatise, arguing passionately on chance merits and won player hearts, minds and other body organs to ensure the tradition of Random Night was kept alive.  Happily, even coach Tomey converted back to Random Religion and admitted that all things random in Game #2 was the driving force that propelled the team's victorious finish.  The Emmot Doctrine captures the team's spirit and identity insomuch as the Declaration of Independence and JFK's presidential inaugural speech defined the American Experience.  My fellow Conundrums, when in the course of softball events, ask not what your Puzzler can do for you, ask what you can do for your Puzzler.

 

Taking Chance With Hody Do -  Tom Hodorff accepts Random Crunchoclaty MVP selected from Random.org  Hodorff:  "It was an accident waiting to happen!"  Coach Tomey showcases Game 1 MVP award awarded moments later.... 

Brubey's Balancing Act - Showing he's not just another pretty face, Dave Brubaker (4-4, 3R, RBI) balances his Coors while accepting the Game #1 MVP TWIX Award

The Crunchoclaty Gods Were Kind to the Rook - Since Eric Swanson first cracked the Conundrums roster back in 2007 (it took him four tryouts), and followed up in 2008-10 by Tom Hody Do Hodorff, Paul "Web Gem" Ries, and Brandon "Hot Corner" Casey, no rookie has ever played an entire first year without winning at least one Crunchoclaty game MVP.  In 2012 highly touted rookie Gil Solano had failed to take the prized TWIX through the first 15 games.  It's fair to say Solano came into the Random Night finale with a sense of MVP urgency.  After an impressive finality Monday night, Solano (2-2, 2R, SF, Inside Park HR), 4RBI shared game 2 MVP honors with Ryan Wilcoxen (4-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBI) and kept the rookie game MVP streak alive.  Down the stretch, Solano was believed to be so traumatized, he nearly broke down. 

Tug-a-Twix - Ryan Wilcoxen (left) shares Game 2 MVP TWIX with rookie Gil Solano.  Gil/Ryan agreed the coach should have presented the mini TWIX - after one bite, they asked for doggy bags.  Wilky announced plans to freeze his leftovers, while Solano remained uncommitted

Tournament Watch - The #1 tourney seed Conundrums prepare for their first round match up Sunday at Addenbrooke Park.  The Puzzlers will attempt to win their second tourney in three years.  After making a splash with three come from behind victories to take it all in 2010, the Posers were bitten by the injury bug in last year's tourney, bowing out with less than a whimper in the first round.  The resurgent Conundrums hope for redemption and stay hot, keeping their momentum alive for 3 more games.  First pitch is lobbed at 11am, don't forget to bring your Puzzler Terrible Towels mailed to all season ticket holders last week.