Final Comments for 2014

Well the season is over and although it didn’t turn out quite the way we were hoping, it was still a great season.  The Railroaders finished the regular season play in second place, their 5^th year in a row to do so.  As usual Fulton was slow getting started then moved up quickly and became a force to be reckoned with.  The players gave the fans some thrilling games to watch and developed lasting friendships.  They will be missed and we hope to see them again in the future.

The owners, management, and fans say “Thank you” to all 2014 Railroader players and wish them the very best in their education and baseball endeavors.  We hope they enjoy some time off now before going back to school and it’s well deserved.

For those who wish to express their thoughts on the 2014 season, this is the place to do it.  Leave your comments here, and thanks again to the fans and everyone involved in bringing baseball to Fulton.

Powering Up for Round 2 amd Game 2 with Hoppers

The Railroaders find themselves in a familiar position with their backs against the wall after losing an extra innings close game in Hoptown last night.  Trailing 1-0 in the best of three series creates a must win tonight in Fulton if the Railroaders want to continue on the playoffs.  Will we see the Railroaders again on Saturday?  You’ll have to come to the Yard tonight or listen online to find out.

Fulton achieved the second seed and home field advantage in round 2, and now is the time to use it.  You can be sure the Hoppers will bring fans, so we need everyone who is able to come out and support the Railroaders as they attempt to carry on.  Against the Hoppers, Hoptown considers the Railroaders the underdog in spite of Fulton’s second place standing.  The Hoppers do have a much better head-to-head record with the Railroaders, but last year proved they could do it when they were down by a game in the championship series and came back to win two games in Hoptown to win the title.  There’s no reason Fulton can’t do it at the Yard and advance on to the championship round in 2014.

Do or die time now.  Let’s get this engine fired up and roll over the Hoppers tonight!

Enough Hoppers to shake a stick at!

Three, maybe four, games left to play with the Hoppers and all in a row.  Tonight we complete the regular 2014 season play with Hoptown in Fulton.  The game to decide who is the second place and third place teams in the standings. 

The standings determine the seeding for post-season playoffs and the number 2 and 3 teams will meet again tomorrow, Thursday to begin round 2 of the playoffs (round 1 a single game tonight in Dubois, Bombers playing Miners).  Round 2 is different, it will be the best of 3 games, the winner here will play in the final third round for the playoff championship.

The Railroaders and Hoppers will meet tomorrow no question about it, but the question is where?  If the Railroader win tonight they will travel to Hoptown on Thursday for one game, then return to Fulton on Friday for game two and in Fulton on Saturday is a third game is necessary.  If the Hoppers win tonight, the Railroaders will host the Hoppers in Fulton tomorrow, then travel on Friday to Hoptown. 

So what’s it to be?  The Railroaders will need all the support they can muster at the Yard tonight.  Hoptown will bring plenty of their own.  This will be the biggest game so far on the year as the Hoppers and Railroaders battle for position.  Hoppers are rested….Railroaders are warmed up and ready.  See you at the Yard or on TeamLine.

Time Machine to Hammer the Hoppers

Because of the ruling from the OVL, the Railroaders have actually traveled back in time the same moment they were before the erased Hoppers forfeits on Saturday and Sunday.  The Railroaders back then still needed to beat the Hoppers on Sunday and take one or both their Miners games, depending upon what would have happen on Saturday in Dubois County.  The ruled tie ballgame actually helped the Railroaders by creating a half loss for the Hoppers that required the Railroaders to only win one game against the Miners and still has a shot at second seed Hoptown.  That win came for the Railroaders on Monday downing the Miners 10-4 in Fulton. 

The OVL ruling slightly altered the time line and only delayed the game we must play.  The Hoppers may feel vindicated by the ruling, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Railroaders still stand in their way for second place.  It’s up to the Railroaders to still take the Hoppers on and win, not only the final game of the season but also in the Playoffs which begin for Fulton on Thursday.  In total, the Railroaders will battle with Hoppers for the next three to four days to see who will continue on to the final Championship Round in post season playoffs.

Now should the Hoppers decline to come and play Fulton on Wednesday, that’s okay I suppose.  Maybe they just want to give us second standing.  But on second thought, I doubt it!

Let’s keep the pressure up and get the train moving down the tracks.

Hoppers one more time; BUT NOT TONIGHT

UPDATE:  Due to the bawl last night in Dubois County, the Hoppers do not have enough players to play the Railroaders.  Fifteen Hopper players were rejected and suspended for the next scheduled game by OVL rule.  That game was the Railroaders tonight.  A forfeit win for Fulton will be recorded by the close of other OVL action tonight.
 
The Railroaders have it in they own hand now to take second place.  Fulton finds itself wedged between the angry Hoppers and Bombers, the three teams only separated by 1 ½ games in the middle of the standings.  With three Railroader games left, Fulton must win tonight over the Hoppers and take one of the two games remaining with the Miners in order to secure a second seen for Post Season Play.

Although the outcome of last night’s game in Dubois is under investigation and review by the OVL, the Railroaders still can ensure a second place standing by winning all three of their games left.  Bottom line here is “Just win Baby” and take it.

Tonight’s Hoppers game and Monday’s with the Miners are the final two home games for Fulton in the regular season.  At this point Fulton will see at least one home post season game, when and who are still to be determined.  Monday’s game is also Fan Appreciation Night with give-a-aways and more fun.  Don’t miss tonight or Monday at the Yard, the Railroaders need your support. 

Fire up it and let’s get the train a rollin’ 

More Hoppers happening tonight

Four games left!  Two games each with the Hoppers and Miners, starting tonight at the Yard with Hoptown returning again for the Railroaders to try and beat the bunnies down a little.  Eight times the Railroaders have had to mix it up with Hoptown, and only once has Fulton controlled them enough to get a win.  The Hoppers are 1 ½ games in front of the Railroaders and in the second seed spot.  We must face off with them tonight and Sunday to complete the season series.  Besides Fulton, Hoptown has one other game to play against the fourth place Bombers who have their own desires of over taking the Railroaders only 2 games ahead them.

The solution and plan is simple; finish out the final four games with victories and the Railroaders take the second seed in the standings regardless the outcome between the Bombers and Hoppers.  That means Fulton must take out the Hoppers tonight and Sunday at home, then beat the Miners on Monday in Fulton and in Madisonville on Tuesday.

Tall order?  I don’t think so.  If the Railroaders can get and maintain focus on the game, Fulton has a great chance to advance into second place to finish the regular season.  We’ll need all hands out to the Yard tonight, Sunday and Monday to help get it done.  Let’s get the boiler pressure up even higher and get it done!

Meeting with the Miners

After last night’s loss to the Hoppers, the Railroader move on to face off with the Miners tonight at the Yard.  The Railroaders remain in third place and still a game and a half ahead of the Bombers who fell to the Oilers on Wednesday.  Fulton’s slim chance at first place is gone now, but second seed is not out of the question.  The Oilers and Hoppers play a twin bill tonight as the Railroaders try to get back on the winning track against the Miners.

I’m now considering a new career as an umpire.  I know I couldn’t do worse than what we saw last night at the Yard.  I’ve seen strange games and poor calls before, but never one where a runner was clearly tagged out in a run down between third and home that was missed by 2 officials on the field.  The same umpire who couldn’t wait out a rain delay in an earlier game because he had to work the next morning.  My understanding is Fulton couldn’t secure any other umpires for the game and had to use these blind mice.  Should the situation occur again I hope my training has me ready to take over, although I'm not sure I could take the abuse.

Oh well, on to the next game tonight.  The Railroaders have 5 games left, 3 with the Miners and 2 more with the Hoppers.  Let us finish the season with WINS, and hope for a little help from the Oilers and Bombers to also take down the Hoppers a little.  The Railroaders are now 3 games behind Hoptown with Friday and Sunday games against them that we should take.  First the Miners who have failed to beat the Railroaders this season.  Let’s keep that way! 

Fire up the engine and let’s get going!