Ocean West Division
Isotopes	14-0	1.000	-	7-0	7-0	140	49	10-0	Won 14
Benders	11-3	.786	3	5-1	6-2	109	70	7-3	Won 5
Dirtbags	5-8	.385	8.5	2-6	3-2	98	119	3-7	Lost 4
Tsunami	4-7-1	.375	8.5	1-4-1	3-3	66	101	3-6-1	Won 1
Titans	5-9-1	.367	9	2-4-1	3-5	68	93	2-7-1	Lost 2
Red Giants	4-10-1	.300	10	2-5	2-5-1	91	111	2-7-1	Lost 2

Topes sweep Red Giants - Improve to 14 - 0

Topes raised their record to 14 - 0 and also improved their winning streak to 18 consecutive games dating back to last year. 

 

Game balls to...

 

 # 15 Matt Chasse - CG, 1 ER, 8 K's (3W - 0L)

 

# 25 Nikolas Tanaka - 5 Hits total, 3 extra base hits, 4 RBI's 

 

# 3 Jeff Gregori - 4 hits, 2 RBI's, 16 innings behind the dish

 

# 7 Danny Harris - 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 K's (4W - 0L)

 

# 1 Chris Hales - 5 Hits, 4 RBI's, 3 Runs, SB

 

Topes will take the next few weeks off to reflect and be spiritual.

 

Honorable mention to Clay's new Mustache, living proof that today's youth still watches porn.

Topes beat Dirtbags 17 - 10

There are some games that you would rather forget forever and this was one of them.  We allowed nine runs in the fourth inning.  We have not allowed more than 8 runs in a game since 2005.   Disgusting....

 

Game ball to Geoff Sandin and I should have mentioned Matt Chasse.   I'll make it up to him next week.

 

Topes take on the Red Giants in a double dipper at Flood park this Sunday at 10 and 2 pm.  

Dogs beaten like red headed step child,18 - 4; .Michael Vick deny's any connection
June 15, 2008

 

I've witnessed about 160 games in this league so far, most of them as an Isotope.   Most of you probably don't know but I actually played for the Giants in 2001 who won the SFNABA leagues first title.   So to sound like an asshole, which I rarely get to do, I've been on 4 championship teams.    Either way the bats we swung today made me wonder if my team started juicing?   18 runs in seven innings?    Huh?   So I decided to check Jono Stoval's eyeballs and decided that he probably wasn't the best candidate for a random performance enhancing drug test.    So I checked Dan Meewis after he unfortunately struck out and decided that wasn't a good idea either.    So I dropped the plan all together and decided to play stoopid like Peter McGowan did for the last decade. 

 

Seriously though when you take on a opponent that makes the playoffs every year and beat them into submission the way we did it makes the beer taste pretty damn good after the game.     Just ask Clay and Danny at the Dutch Goose.  I saw full pints in their hands at all times with smiles from ear to ear...and right there my friends is what this is all about too.  It's not about that bases loaded bomb that Geoff hit to deep right or that base runner that Doc threw out at third.    It's about enjoying a sunny afternoon with your teammates, some new some old, during the game and after.    Truth be told, we actually all went down to the Dutch Goose to wish Mike Rose our # 3 hitter a nice goodbye as this was to be Mike's last game with the Isotopes.   

 

Mike flaked on us and went home instead.    I'm not surprised.    It's all right Mike, thanks for the last two seasons with us.  We wish you the best with your new Dental practice in Las Vegas.   Mike only played in 27 games with the Topes dating back to last year.   He was 25 - 1 - 1 with us.   Sorry about that tie and the loss Mike.   I'm guessing that's why you didn't join us at the Goose for road sodas....

 

Opps..I  forgot to hand out game balls so I'm going to offer them now.

 

Game ball #1 goes to # 14 Joey Stoval, starting pitcher.

This was probably one of Joey's less than memorable games as he allowed two runs earned, 6 BB's, 2 HBP, and only two K's.   Bottom line he got the WIN!    18 runs of support doesn't hurt either.

 

Gamer # 2 goes to # 44 Geoff Sandin, DH, Clean up hitter and a cleaning he did.   4 for 4.  2 singles, 2B, 3B, 4 rbi's, 2 runs.

I said BAM!!!!   Geoff requested the headline for this weeks game summary would be the phrase, "WHOA!"    I couldn't make it symbolic enough to go with an image so just for you....

 

 "WHOA!" 

 

Lastly game ball # 3... never a quitter, the two hitter, Chris Shitter.   Okay, his last name isn't Shitter.   It's # 1 Chris Hales.   You did enjoy that briefly though didn't you?!?   Shit, I did.   Anyway the man with the Moon Tan had a 1B, 2B, 2 runs, and four rbi's.   

 

Again great job to the entire team.   We've raised our record to a decent 11 - 0 and our winning steak to 15 consecutive games.   Rumor has it we are playing the Dirtbags next week at my favorite field to do donuts in center field, Hayward High on Sunday @ 2:00 pm.   

Titans don't want to remember: Topes 8, Titans 1, Topes 10 - 0
June 7, 2008

Danny Harris earned his 3rd victory of the year by pitching six innings of 1 run ball as Matt Chasse came in to close out the final three.   Chasse easily had his most dominant performance this season by striking out the first four batters he faced.    Finished the game with five K's in three innings worked.  Nice Job!   

 

The Topes raised their record to 10 - 0 and the win was also their 14th consecutive win dating back to last year.   Both are team records which seem to only last 1 week at a time.   The Topes will face a tough Maddogs team this Saturday at Flood Park at 10 am.  The last time these two faced off the Topes won 13 -3 in seven.

 

Danny Harris and Matt Chasse each received game balls.

Topes Trim the Beavers 8 - 6 in extra innings
June 1, 2008

Down 5 - 4 in the ninth Jono Stoval smashes a Home Run to right to tie the game at five all.   The Topes add three more runs in the 10th inning and win 8 - 6 over the Beavers.   The victory was raised the Topes record to 9 - 0 and their 13 consecutive win dating back to last year.    But maybe most the amazing stat was that it was their 10th consecutive win over the Beavers/Steelheads dating back to 2003.    Historically the Beavers have been one of the leagues premier teams so that make it even more impressive.   The Topes lost first two meetings against the Steelheads in 2003 and haven't lost since, ( 10 - 2 ) overall versus the Steelheads/Beavers.   The name may have changed but the outcome remains the same.

Say it ain't so, Topes are 8 - 0!!!
May 18, 2008

I try to stay humble even when things are good.    One reason for that is I bought a home when the market was good and now it is shit.    You never know what's waiting for you around the corner and so with that you got to take it one day at a time or one game at a time for that matter.     We are playing good ball and the team is giving everything they've got to keep us in the win column.     All I can say is keep it up.  

 

On the flip side and always keeping a close watch is the Benders.   Our divisional neighbors haven't gone away and we still got two with them somewhere in our final nine games.   Like I said though, one game at a time and I'll worry about them when the time comes. 

 

With all the success we have been so fortunate to have had it amazes me how we keep having more.   We've never been  8- 0 and we've won 12 straight games dating back to last year.    Both new team records but neither mean diddily squat with out the hardware at the end of the year.    Being undefeated is nice but it is a lot of pressure as the season wears on.   Only two teams in SFNABA history have gone 8 - 0 or better.    Neither won the championship.   We never plan on losing of course but a loss here or there can be good medicine too.    But by the look of things it seems though we aren't sick so maybe we don't need any medicine right now or at least yet.

 

Game balls...

 

# 12 Jay Bortoli.   Only his second start Bortoli pitched a two hitter thru six striking out seven.   Are F-ing kidding me?    I don't know how he does it but he just does.    Your the best Italian on the team that doesn't have 20 lbs of gold around his neck.

 

# 21 Louis Agront.    Played a gold glove defense with about 6 putouts alone and made a highlight diving snag to rob a hit too.   Keep it up Louis, we can't keep winning if we don't have a solid glove at third.

 

# 51 Nikolas Tanaka.     Nikolas was the last guy we added to the team and he was supposed to be a role player.    Well that didn't last very long.    Nikolas has basically gone from the 9 hitter off the bench to the 3 hitter over night.    Nikolas has not played since high school and he looks like he is ready for the college scouts.    Four hits and too legit to quit, please Nikolas, don't hurt 'em.

 

The Topes with the rest of the league are taking a week off to relax and reflect or just get drunk instead.   It's Memorial day weekend.   

 

Look for us May 31st as we take on the 2007 SFNABA Bay Div. Champion Beavers.  

Topes edge Rebels in 9th inning thriller, 7 - 6; Improve to 7 - 0
May 10, 2008

    After this one the Topes should have been 6 -1, not 7 - 0.   The Topes defense was terrible as two infield starters weren't available and it showed.     Not to mention some very lucky hits by the Rebels, but none the less they were hits and we ended up winning the game on one as well.   Down 2 - 6 entering the bottom of the 7th the Topes scored two runs and added two more in the 8th.   Going into the bottom of the ninth with the game tied at six with one out the 10 hitter Rivas reached on BB.   The Rebels pitcher attempted a pick off to first but threw the ball away instead advancing Rivas to second.   Leadoff hitter Jono Stoval with the hot bat grounded out to short and failed to advance Rivas to third.   

 

     Now with two outs and batting second, younger brother Joey Stoval came up as the Topes final hope to avoid the ever annoying  "tied ball game."    Stoval already struck out in his last two previous at bats and looked to make it a third as he quickly whiffed at the first two pitches putting the count at 0 - 2.   The Rebels pitcher grooved one more fastball as Stoval amazingly made contact as he hit a mile high pop up in shallow center.    The second baseman, shortstop and  center fielder for the Rebels all went for it.    They all banged into each other with the ball hitting one of their gloves then falling to the ground.     Rivas scored from second and the game was over.   This was one of the ugliest game we've ever been involved in.    Both teams at times looked like a beer league softball game would have been more their speed.   

 

Hats off the the Rebels for a great game and their starting pitcher.    We look forward to playing you again.

 

Gamers....

 

# 12 Jay Bortoli inherited the pitching duties in the fifth from starter Danny Harris.    Jay only allowed one run while keeping  the Topes within striking distance to win this one.   Definitely this seasons Rolaids relief performer.

 

# 51 Nikolas Tanaka hit two BIG triples and scored both times as they were each crucial runs.    Nobody hit as well as Tananka did against the former minor league pitcher for the Rebels.    Great job Nick.

 

Special mention to our starting pitcher Danny Harris.   Harris really pitched great today but had no defense and literally most of the hits he allowed were Texas leaguers and grounders with eyes.     It was a collaboration of the kind of hits that break up no hitters.

 

The win raised the Topes season record to 7 - 0 and also ties the teams best start ever.    The Topes started 7 - 0 in  2004 as well falling to the Tsunami the following week.    The Topes were eventually were crowned the 2004 SFNABA champions that season.

 

Shooting for 8 - 0 the Topes will take on the Titans at San Mateo High School at 10 am May 17th.    The Titans always play us tough as we look forward to another good game against them.

Topes beat Blazers 7 - 2
May 5, 2008

It was another bone chilling Spring afternoon at Westmoor Field as the Topes and Blazers prepared to square off for the first time since their last meeting in the 2007 playoffs where the Topes were victorious 8 - 2.   It was also slow start for both teams as nobody seemed interested in getting on base until the fourth inning.      Call it a slow start or not, the sh*t weather has everything to do with it.    We are praying we never have to play there again.    Like Hammer said in the early 90's as he tried to salvage what was left of his stock market like crashing career, we got to pray just to make it today.     Undoubtedly the worst MTV video ever.

Opening day pitcher Joey Stoval made his second start of the season as he was rarely challenged by the Blazer bats, striking out 10 and only allowing 5 hits through 8 2/3.    Yes, 1/3 short, how you ask?    With two runners on and a 0 - 2 count with two outs in the ninth to the eight hitter (also one pitch from earning a complete game shutout) -  a soft bleeder that hung up to left turned into a two rbi hit that caused Manager Ribera to go to the pen calling for Danny Harris to close it out.    So with one pitch he did.    Nice Job Danny, make sure to ice your arm.

 

The few offensive notables....jeez we only had five hits....

 

# 4 Giordani Rivas and Omar Vizquel body double had a nice offensive day with two stolen bases and a single with a walk.  Great job G - Money.

 

The highlight of the game was easily # 44 Geoff Sandin stealing home.   As the Blazer pitcher was in the middle of his five minute wind-up Sandin ran about fifty feet towards home, stopped to make sure the batter wasn't swinging and then dove into home plate from a standing position.   It was like he was diving into a pool.     Considering we were at Westmoor he probably was, unfortunately it was a pool of dog urine.     Anything to get that run Geoff!!!

Chasse Beach Slaps Tsunami, 13 - 1
April 27, 2008

The Topes raised their record to 5 - 0 Saturday winning with ease against the Tsunami, 13 - 1.   Matt Chasse of Bostonian descent and super fan of the 18 - 1 Patriots made his first pitching start of the season as he dominated - allowing only four hits and striking out eight through a complete game in seven innings.   

 

With that said, I wanted to mention that last season many said we rode on the back of one pitcher all the way to the title, like we were cheating or something.   Well as good as he was, he isn't here anymore but 13 other guys are.   One guy doesn't make you a champion and we are here to show we aren't a one-trick pony.    Through five games we've started four different pitchers resulting in five wins.   Cain, Lincecum and Sanchez are in vain...and not of our pitchers but that fact that they average 10 runs a game in run support to their 1.3 depending if Benji Molina is playing or not...keep throwing those shutouts guys, you'll need 'em!

 

Offensive notables....

 

# 44 Heffery Sandin - this cleanup hitter kept the bases squeaky clean as he smacked two triples, knocking in three

 

# 57 Jono Stoval - leadoffs are asked to get on any way possible and score runs.   He did it, 3 runs, one single and two walks.

 

# 3 Jeff Gregori - the smartest and hardest working player on the team - our 50-year old catcher...okay, maybe 49.  2 hits, 2 runs and 3 rbis.     Just another day at the office.

 

# 15 Matt Chasse - Starting pitcher for the day decided that pitching wasn't enough so he brought his bat with him too.   2 hits, run, rbi , sb.    Wicked Haad kid!

 

# 34 Dan Meewis - clear the dugout if he whiffs, could become a hostile environment...but he rebounds nicely from his last game and adds a single, a double and two runs.    Nice job, cute dog too.

 

Lastly... # 1 Chris Hales, attorney at law, humanitarian and environmentalist.   Chris had his usual multi-hit game as he showed off his new pants.     As a humanitarian Chris made sure that his new pants were Union made in the U.S. by fairly paid laborers and not by a third world sweat shop in Tahiti.     Also as an environmentalists he spread his hits around the field, not beating up on the same section of Kentucky Bluegrass allowing every young virgin blade on the field an equal chance of survival.   Bono of  U2 is shedding a tear as we speak...

Bortoli's comeback is a winner
April 20, 2008

In 2005 Jay Bortoli was 6 - 0 for the Topes, but he suffered an arm injury and wasn't the same.   Jay tried to return in 06 and 07 but his wing wasn't having it.    Well I guess three times is a charm as he proved he still had something left in the tank when he faced off with the Bay Sox on Sunday.  Bortoli pitched five strong innings whiffing seven batters and only allowing one run.      Welcome back kid, easily the best comeback since Travolta in Pulp Fiction.   The Topes led comfortably for most of the game, 5 - 0 in the fifth, but the Bay Sox made a late comeback just to fall short 6 - 4.  

 

    Mike Rose of the Topes added three hits as him and Bortoli received game ball honors for their superior play.  The Topes improved to 4 - 0 and look to take on the Tsunami this Saturday at Westmoor High at 2 pm.   If you haven't been there you are not missing anything.     Save yourself the drive and just hang out in your Freezer for three hours.    It will provide the same effect.

Topes Tap the Brewers 13 - 0 in seven
April 12, 2008

For a second consecutive game the Topes not only shutout another team, they did it in seven as well.    New addition # 7 Danny Harris made his first career start on the bump for the Isotopes as he pitched seven beautiful shutout innings striking out eight and walking nobody.    Welcome to the team Danny, we expect that every time now.   Obviously with 13 runs the Topes were busy with the bats too.  Howie Correia pitched for the Brewers and was very effective for the first four innings but his defense did him no service in the fifth which eventually led to many more at bats and hits then there should have been.   Either way the Topes banged out 12 hits, all against Correia.      Apparently the bullpen wasn't available for the Brewers.    Howie again showed a good pitching effort but had no bullpen, no run support and in the end it all equaled a loss.    You deserve better my friend.      

 

Offensive notables:   # 14 Joey Stoval hammered three hits and had four, count them - BIG RBI'S!   Great job kid!   Joey is also the only Isotopes player who cannot legally buy a beer.   So you get a milkshake instead.   

 

Older brother and LESS wiser # 57 Jono Stoval added three runs, 2 BB's 2 RBI's, and 1 SB.    Nice job, hopefully that eye black washes off your face sometime this week.

 

Let us not forget out favorite attorney and enemy # 1 to the center of our solar system, the sun, # 1 Chris Hales.   Chris continues to amaze us with his hitting skills as he added two more notches(which means hits for those of you who are slow) to his bed post...that's right, he swings a bed post.   Chris is a huge fan of the Acer Palatium and will not support the slaughter of maples apparently. 

 

Lastly, just because and the newest of the newly weds, # 12 Jay Bortoli.    He was supposed to pitch in relief but SP Danny Harris apparently had other plans.    So we got him in for a consolation at bat at the end of the game and what does he do you wonder???    That's right - he rakes it to right and knocks in a run!    Unfortunately confirmed reports said that his new wife missed it all as she was knee deep in a subscription to US Weekly reading about Owen Wilson's and his new hair highlights.   Don't worry, we saw it kid.

 

Catch the Topes next week as we take on the Bay Sox at Sunday at 10 am at Westmoor High.

Topes hibernate Grizzlies in 7; 11 - 0
April 5, 2008 With Danny Harris as a last minute scratch Joey Stoval took the rock once again as the Topes faced off for the second time ever against the Grizzlies, winning with ease, 11 - 0.   New comer Nikolas Tanaka debuted for the Topes as he crushed two balls from the nine hole, one clearing the bags and giving the Topes an early 3 - 0 lead and never looking back.     Catch the Topes next week as they take on the Brewers at Flood Park Saturday March 12 at 10:00 am.

Topes weather the Storm, win 7 - 6 in bottom nine
March 30, 2008

The Topes are 6 - 0 on opening day, but today it wasn't as easy to do as it has been in the past.   I don't like to talk about the past though, you know..three championships, blah blah blah...BORING!!    We started our 2008 season against the Storm, a new team to the league with familiar faces.  They are a collaboration of some of the leagues best players from four different 2007 playoff teams.   They are similar to Voltron if you will minus the 1980's Japanimation.     Oh yeah, there is also one other difference, Voltron never lost.     Don't get me wrong, the Storm is a damn good team who wont lose many games, but today we busted out the knee high Goulashes just for them and paddled our way out of shit creek.     Personally I don't like creeks, I prefer Rivers, especially since I grew up in a van down by the river...    Back to the action...with our starting SS and catcher out we had to turn to Geoff Sandin for the catching duties with new  teamate Giordani Rivas up the middle.   Geoff had not caught since he was in his teens when he had a Micheal J. Fox poster on his bedroom wall.   Seriously though, hats off to you and Jay for helping us behind the dish and to Doc our regular catcher.    The boys agreed your job is hard, especially considering you are in your late 50's or something.   Joey Stoval started on the hill for the Topes and pitched his heart out but we gave him the Matt Cain treatment, no run support and a few errors not to mention a couple questionable calls (consider that a bonus)!    Did I mention that Joey was not only our opening day starter but he is also the only guy on the team who works with his shirt off for a living.   By day he is an awesome ball player for us, but by night he sprays cologne on unsuspecting women at Abercrombie and Fitch while showing off his freshly waxed pecks.   It's an honest living Joey, don't be ashamed.   Uncle Sam thanks you for it and don't forget his cut of 30%.    So we fast forward to the bottom of the seventh down 2 - 6.    We scored 3 runs to bring it within one off the Storms 2nd pitcher of the day who was in relief for Gamble the starter.    So we entered the eighth down 5 - 6.   Without making a peep in the eighth and relief pitcher Danny Harris for the Topes keeping the Storm hitters "under the weather" we entered the bottom of the ninth with an excellent opportunity to win the game.   With the bags loaded with one out and Matt Chasse up Matt decided he wanted to take up the coaches offer on free milkshakes after the game if we won by ripping a double down the line to right to win it.    Topes win 7 - 6.     Hats off to all the Storm players, easily the best hitting lineup we've seen yet, and that includes the A's and Giants.   We look forward to another great game later in the season.

Isotopes need you!!
January 2, 2007 - 07:41 AM

Baseball Enthusiast,
Just because high school, college or pro ball is over doesn't mean your playing days have to end too. We are a locally established adult men's baseball team looking to add quality players for next season in spring 2008. We belong to the most organized and largest adult men's league in the bay area. Pitchers are most desired, but all positions are welcomed. Our team is entering it's sixth season while making the playoffs all five previous years and winning three titles in that time. (2003-2004-2007) We plan on keeping that high standard as well.  So if you have the skill, winning competitiveness, right attitude and don't mind getting a beer after the game with the guys then please contact us for a tryout. For more info email manager Matahi Ribera at wclark22@comcast.net

 

See you on the Diamond!

Upcoming Games/Practices Saturday, Jul 12 Dirtbags @ 2008 Isotopes 10:00am  Flood Park Saturday, Jul 19 2008 Isotopes @ Sea Lions 2:00pm  Riordan High School Sunday, Jul 27 Benders @ 2008 Isotopes 1:00pm  Encinal Field

For a complete schedule listing, click here!