Softball player knocks out umpire, league reacts

Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. We’ll start off at Rogers Stadium but first we want to warn you strap yourself down for this rugged flight.

Up one game in a three game series, Acros looks to close the deal against Lady Rebels and they boost a two run lead going into the bottom of the third, but what is supposed to be an easy out becomes an error by the shortstop which leads to a Lady Rebels run. However, Mary Flowers gets the batter to hit into a rally killing double to preserve a one run lead.

In the top of the fourth, with two runners on Sherlene Banner serves a low fast ball to Aretha Staine who punches out a stand up double to bring in two runs. Sherlene Banner gets chased by Manager Rogers who goes to Sophie Smith for help. Smith does work her way out of trouble when she gets a batter to pop out to the infield.

Nevertheless it was all Mary Flowers would need as she shuts the door at the Rebels to carve on a ten-five big “W”. We say congrats to Raymond Lashley and Co. as they become the 1999 Female Softball Champs.

We now go to the male game with Rookies boasting a one game lead in this best of three championship series with Bombers. Brendt Hamilton tags Richard Stevenson for two RBIs. In the bottom of the first Dennis Ebanks brings out the licking stick for a two run bomb that puts Rookies ahead. The very next batter Derrick Jones smokes Moguel for a solo, however, so he gets his shoes shined. The Bombers come back to manufacture a run with good base running and we’ve got a real ball game people.

The Bombers regain the lead with a two run blast from Greg Moguel and his tension begins to mount. Now on the next pitch, you can’t see the call by umpire Patrick Jones who rules strike on Rookies catcher Leroy Martinez. Martinez mounts his frustration to Jones and sensing the momentum Deon Richards pulls his teammate away. Martinez throws his helmet in the direction of the umpire for which he is ejected. However, nobody was prepared for Martinez’s reaction. He hammers Jones to the right side of the face and it’s lights out for the umpire.

This is an ugly sight that has no place in sports and any way you look at it Martinez must be dealt with. If you can’t control yourself stay out of the game my man.

Still folks when thing bad it only gets worse. Roaming avengers and vigilantes seek to make out justice in their own way. When you see men with bats running around in anger inside Rogers Stadium then it’s time to take off.

Mercifully umpire Jones recovers and the game was awarded to Bombers to force a decisive game three, which they lost fourteen-two to Rookies on Sunday. We must say folks, it’s a victory for Rookies but it’s tainted by stupidity and violence.

Patricia Bennett, President, B.N.S.A.

“We have had an emergency meeting and we have put Leroy Martinez on suspension. The recommendations will be going forward to our disciplinary and disputes committee both at the Belize City Softball Association level and at the higher level the National Softball Association at which time the most severe penalty will be given out to Leroy Martinez.

Certainly we as a federation have already taken steps to ensure due process for Mr. Martinez but he will certainly be met with the most sever and final penalty. Certainly it would not be uncalled for if Mr. Martinez is not banned from participating in any softball function in Belize.”

Let’s head to the M.C.C. Grounds for a breath of fresh air people as week three of the B.F.L. season finds undefeated and star studded Culture Yabra playing host to the winless Ambergris Turquoise from San Pedro and it may be a good idea if all teams have an extra jersey; it’s too much green today.

The city team looks lethargic in the early goings and a bad pass by Esteban almost leads to a goal but the striker misses the target. At the other end super striker Norman “Tilliman” Nuñez tries a right away volley that at last creates concern for the islanders. It’s some twenty-five minutes deep when Barragan gets beat, so he brings down the striker inside the eighteen. The referee rules penalty.

It’s a smooth conversion for number seventeen as the Ambergris team takes a one-zip lead. Yabra then mounts a drive and while Emory Nuñez breaks the keeper with the shot, the island defense stands firm. David McCauley gets into the act with this shot that I’m sure he would like to take back as the ball sails high. The Turquoise team looks to make it two-zip but it terminates into nothing more than a dust raising close miss and at the half it’s still a one-nil ball game.

Immediately into second half “Tilliman” Nuñez looks for the equalizer but this offering is a high riser. The turn around shot from the Islanders almost breaks Willie Bo, but it inches outside the sticks. Emory Nuñez gets another opportunity this time from point blank range to tie the game but he fails to execute. Down field it’s Ambergris Turquoise in a bid for the two-nil lead but it doesn’t pan out in the end. Can you believe? Can you believe Yabra comes away empty on the next press? Well it happens.

Folks here’s another tough save by the island keeper as the tide begins to turn against them. With five minutes to go and facing certain defeat Norman “Tilliman” Nuñez takes things into his hands as he penetrates successfully into the danger zone; he gets cut down. Who will save Yabra? Esteban Hall steps up and converts the penalty in a professional manner. Of course the Yabra fans rejoice as the ball game settles for a one-one final.

In other football results over the weekend: Sagitun crushed La Victoria three-zip at Independence. San Pedro Dolphins overwhelmed Acros Bombers in a five-zip blowout on the island. Grigamandala fell for a second time losing two-one to Real Verdes on Sunday while Belmopan Bandits proved to be the fresh surprise of the weekend; they stole a one-zip “W” from the defending champ Juventus at Orange Walk.

The People’s Stadium must have been a quiet place after this one. That’s it. Thanks to our cameramen for their great work this weekend. Jah over all. I am James Adderley.