I was in the booth for last night's Woodchuck game which was heard on our sister station Foxsports1390. The Chucks rallied for a 9-5 win over Madison, but not before some strange stuff happened.

*Woodchuck starter Jack Fischer entered the game 2-0 with an ERA of 0.00...he of course gave up 4 runs in the second inning which included two long home runs.

*The Woodchucks stole 10 bases in the game...the game record in the NWL this year is 7. We couldnt find the all-time league record for steals in a game but I've got to believe that 10 is close. Mallard catcher Bobby Burns was probably seeing runnigng Woodchucks in his sleep last night. Oh, he also struck out with the bases loaded in the 7th to end a possible Mallard rally.

* Woody Woodchuck takes whatever children are at the ballpark into left field during the 7th inning stretch to sing 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame". Last night was a huge crowd including alot of kids for Wausau Youth baseball/softball night. Instead of gathering in a small circle...the kids ran wild all over the outfield. It took many minutes for the frantic Woodchucks interns to corrall them all so the game could continue.

*The Mallards were mounting a comeback with runners on first & third when an errant pick-off throw went past the first baseman allowing a run to score...not so fast...apprantly time was still out after a ball had been throwen onto the field from the Chucks bullpen a few moments earlier...the runners had to return to their bases...and the Chucks got out of the jam unscathed.

*The game's sixth & 7th innings took forever to play...the 8th & 9th flew by thanks to Chucks reliever Jackson Lowrey who came into the game, worked fast, threw strikes and retired all seven batters he faced.

*the season ticket holders behind home plate were in a particularly feisty mood, especially with the home plate umpire whose strike zone was, floating, shall we say.

Needless to say the patrons from the large crowd that were around at the end went home happy as the Chucks prevailed 9-5 after a long strange night at the old ballpark.

I'll be right back at Athletic Park tonight as the Wausau Legion Post 10 Bulldogs return to action hosting Merrill at 7pm.

Happy Birthday to Derek Jeter who turns 38 today and still playing at a very high level.

Watched the first episode of "The Newsroom' yesterday. Aaron Sorkin's new HBO show about a fictional TV newsroom is getting critically panned and I can see some of the criticism...but I also cannot get the show out of my mind. Sorkin's writing is always intelligent, thought provoking and witty. Of course I was a huge fan of "The West Wing" . Jeff Daniels and Sam Waterston lead a good cast and I'm thinking that this is one that I will agree to disagree with the critics. I will enjoy it as long as it's around.

Songs of The Day   (from my I-pod)

Jitterbug Boy-Tom Waits (1976) might be my favorite Tom Waits song from my Favorite Tom Waits album "Small Change". can't you just picture this wino on a street corner telling lies about a life wasted.

Jive Talkin-Bee  Gees (1975) One of the songs that got the Disco Craze going...and rejuvenated the careers of the Brothers Gibb. It certainly works as both a dance song and just a solid radio pop song too.