Oh, mercy! ... 12-1

Some call it the mercy rule while others call it the slaughter rule, but a differential of 10+ runs after five at-bats by the losing team constitutes a game-over victory for its opponent. This is true, regardess its name, even if that of a "rose". Black Sox hurler Hopu Ahonima-Blanco took the win over Casey Morris Offensively, it was Gabe Ruth topping all scorers with three plate crossings.

It being Father's day, both teams agreed to abbreviate the nightcap, once it was clear that the Black Sox had the goods on this day ... all day. Kito Newman pocketed the ptching victory at the expense of the Islanders' Juan Lozano. It was Dillon Lidoff leading the Black Sox barrage.

Thunder by a nose over Black Sox, 3-2

Winning pitcher Nolan Cole helped his own cause with two runs scored while Hopu Ahonima-Blanco took the loss for the Black Sox in what might be described as a close horse race.

Out of the gate, it was the Thunder, but the Black Sox tied things coming around turn number two. It was neck and neck in the backstretch, the Thunder regaining the slimmest of leads, only to lose that margin by the fifth furlong. At the finish line, it was the Thunder's Joey De Paulo jockeying his team into a position to claim the prize, trot over to the winner's circle, and be adorned by a bouquet of flowers.

With this victory, Mountain Thunder moves into third place while the Black Sox drop into the fourth spot in the standings.

Short the requisite number of players (8), the Islanders forfeited to the Earthquakes in the afternoon game. Under league rules, a 7-0 final score is lodged and no winning or losing pitcher is recorded, regardless of the results of any pick-up scrimmage game that might be played in that particular time slot.

Sharks come from behind to edge Thunder, 2-1

Sunday afternoon's game began with the Thunder's leadoff batter Nolan Coyle blasting a triple and later scoring on Jon Vitale's sacrifice fly to center field. However, the Sharks' starting pitcher Keefe Lerma remained unruffled and was almost perfect through three innings. Sans a walk, the only flaw in his performance was a base hit yielded to Joey Depaulo in the third inning. But even then, the threat was quickly aborted when the baserunner was caught stealing, thanks to catcher Ryan Landis' crisp throw to second base.

It was a surprise when Sharks' manager Ray Uribes replaced his team's starter to begin the fourth inning, calling upon Jorge Perez to take the mound. Then later in the game, when the also-effective Perez was yanked in favor of Keegan Lerma, it became clear that the Sharks' strategy was to begin with a junkballer, then use a fastballer against the Thunder batting order, followed by a left-handed curveball specialist. The startegy appears to have worked.

Offensively, the tying run was scored by Shawn O'Callaghan, but not without a bunch of help from his friends. Singles by Ryan Landis and Keefe Lerma, and sacrifice flies produced by Bay Tran and Dustin Lapino contributed to the "small-ball" style of play required to eek out a run in this nail-biter.

Finally, in the bottom of the sixth, the Sharks took the lead when Mike West singled and later came around to score. The Thunder made a valient attempt in the seventh inning with Chris Morschauser's base hit, but winning pitcher Keegan Lerma was able to get Preston Covington to swing at strike three, ending the game.

For the wannabe spoilers, the loss had to be disappointing, especially for losing pitcher Jon Vitale who went the distance for the Thunder, using a modest 76 pitches, effectively scattering nine Sharks' base hits, and yielding only one earned run.

The biggest problem with forfeits is that they tend to become contageous. In the Sunday afternoon game, both the Earthquakes and the Black Sox were having trouble fielding a team, an the possibility of a double forfeit was looming.

Just in the nick of time, the question arose as to whether there is a gender regquirement in the league, or could a woman register to play? Interestingly, the issue had been addressed a number of years earlier when HITFAIR, LLC administrators applied for a grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. At that time, all gender references were removed (e.g., men's league changed to adult or multi-generational league).

As such, Melissa McGuire saved the day for the Earthquakes by becoming the first female registrant in KonaBaseball.com league history. The Black Sox had no answer ... final score: 7-0.

Islanders eliminated

Prior to Sunday morning's game, Islanders' coach Michael Harris reported that his team had failed to gel this season and would not be able to field a squad for the remainder of the season. This prompted acting commissioner Jim Donovan to call for a special managers' meeting to revise the playoff structure and to conduct a draft the remaining interested Islanders' players.

In Sunday morning's scheduled game, the opposing Thunder team was credited with a win and claimed 23-year-old rookie Casey Morris in the draft. Looking to the future, Earthquakes' manager Jeff Barbas claimed youth player Chase Benbow, and the Sharks snagged veteran utility player and fleet-footed Emilio Ibarra. Although not expecting any additions to the Black Sox' playoffs roster, coach Atlee Riddle. claimed a first refusal option on any remaining Islanders, most notably Guy Newbury.

They had to do it in dramatic fashion, and nothing is more dramatic than coming from behind to claim that final victory, is there? It was the first time since the 2006 Mariners that a team went undefeated for the entire regular season. Interestingly, it was the coach of this season's last-place team Michael Harris who piloted that "Mighty Mariners" team.

For the Sharks however, there is still more for the team and manager Ray Uribes to accomplish. In order to avoid an astersik alongside this perfect shortened season (a result of the reduced availability of Simmons Field), the playoffs await Uribes and his Waikoloa Banjy's Sharks. Can they be perfect throughout the playoffs, too? Time will tell.

If Sunday afternoon's first inning repeats itself, the Sharks may have their problems ... for it was a four-run start by the first four batters in the Earthquakes' lineup. The Sharks' Cindarella season appeared to headed for a cracked glass slipper due to an earthquake. But who ever heard that nusery-room story?

Instead, the Sharks began a methodical comeback, nibbling at their opponent's lead. Finally getting to the Earthquakes' starting pitcher Steve Furcher, who perhaps was pulled due to a shoulder injury, the Sharks began to feast on Phil Prisby's "frisbees".

Thanks to a four-run third inning, the Sharks took the lead. With another score in the fourth, the lleague-leaders looked to be operating in cruise control. Menwhile, there was hardly a rumble from the Earthquakes, scoreless in innings #2 through #5.

However, before popping any champagne bottle corks, the Sharks had two innings to play and a pitcher who was approaching a pitch count of 100. In contrast to last week's strtegy, the Sharks elected to stick with starting pitcher Keegan Lerma in this one, a strategy that almost backfired. The Earthquakes tied the score with a pair of runs in the sixth inning, an inning that truly belonged to Bobby Cherry.

Despite the Earthquakes' eventual loss, the sixth inning was undoubtedly the finest athletic display in Bobby Cherry's involvement in the league. Offensiely, he lead off the inning with a base hit and scored a run. In the bottom half of the frame, the shortstop snuffed out any thoughts of a Sharks' rally by fielding three challenging ground balls, converting each to an out to retire the side with only the help of his first baseman.

Justifyiably so, this game went to the seventh inning before it was decided. It was fitting that the Sharks eighth win should be scored by Ryan Landis, sporting jersey number 8. After leading off the inning with a single, Landis scored the walk-off winning run batted in by Mike West.

Who knows what will happen in the morning game?

Expect the typical, and be prepared to be amazed. The star of the game just might be Ray Gular or Stan Dard. On the other hand, if the home team prevails, it could turn out to be Meade E. Oaker, another every-day player who rises to the occasion. We might even see crisp, defensive play from Aaron Glover, but don't bet on it.

If they can manage to take a day away from the golf course, it could be brother against brother on this day. Southpaw Kenny Parr might be facing Willie Parr, the two players delegated to different teams this year after getting teed off with one another (and not in a fair way) last season.

Veteran slugger Max Minster will do his best to put one out of the park. For him, it's either a homer or a strike out.

When it comes to fastballers, Brighton Dimming hurls with lightning speed. Then, just when hitters pick up the timing, he changes pace to throw his famous "dark one" past opposing batters.

If he can't find the strike zone, there may be three in before there are three outs in this game. Should that happen, expect relief pitcher Rex Phixer to be called upon to get rid of the mess. Dustin Grimes is slated to appear in the clean-up position of the batting order.

It could be a long day for short-fused players as extra innings abound, but maybe not. Steven Yeevan just might find himself perfectly positioned to field Zack Senter's outfield throw, thus tagging opposing player Ty Score at the plate, keeping the game from going into overtime.

All in all, play will generally be what one might expect in the KonaBaseball.com Multi-Generational hardball league.

"Sometimes it gets frustrating when your team constantly hovers at the middle of the standings, and you look like a bunch of kids" were rumored to be the words of Darren Coward, finally mustering the courage to speak to the mirror in the men's room. Team sponsor and co-manager Rich Pawper has apologized for mis-ordering the boys' sized uniforms, but says that he can not afford to buy replacements.

"Be sure to keep hydrated" is always good advice from Nick R. Agua, the Central American native, now living here in Hawaii, and recently named as the official waterboy of the league.

After a so-so start this year, manager Howie Doone finally admitted that he expected too much from rookie "Tippy" Cal Newman this season.