Bryce Harper, F-Cats, Hilton Patio Deck and GNG

Well, the best laid plans of mice and Forum members.

Originally, on Friday August 26th, there was going to be quite a cast of characters descending upon the Hilton patio deck at F-Cat Stadium. The draw was #1 pick Bryce Harper and batting practice to see how far past the railroad tracks the hyped slugger could hit a baseball. Harper injured his hamstring last Thursday, is out for the year and now no appearance in the final regular series between the F-Cats and the Harrisburg Senators.

But, you know what? Last time I checked the taps will be flowing on the deck. The appetizers will still be half price between 4 and 6 pm. The cast of characters spear headed by GNG can still put $3.60/gallon gas in their cars and come on down and talk about.....HS football, poisonous parents, NH Notebook, refereeing, HS basketball, The Sawx, NH Sports Forum and other worldly topics.

If all else fails then GNG's son can be the target of good natured verbal ribbing by the characters, but watch out, the younger Remi could be carrying some hornet's nests he stirred up with his athletic contests this past year. He could unleash one of the 7 plagues from the town of Merrimack.

So..... Maybe, the Asst can have the wife handle diapers, bottles and reading to the little ones. Maybe, Tulliver can put aside paper work, budget battles and the ominous spectre of another school year and do some Forum Frollicking at the Patio.

Who knows? Migs or other state championship coaches at BG might make an appearance. Parents who take umbrage with GNG's comments might show up and have a sparkling debate on the Patio, instead of the banter going back and forth on the Tojo thread on the NH Notebook. Jeremy Leveille could show up and give us his player rankings for new borns at CMC and Elliot hospitals. Dave Haley could show up and give us insight into the coming football and basketball situations. Is GNG still trying to help Dave with his social life? Doc, Fitzy, Keefa and Bryson could show up to compare notes on the transfer situation in Queen City HS basketball, a SAT problem unto itself.

The possibilities are endless. Who needs Bryce Harper anyway?

I'm down. T@F that means I accept your accept your invitation. I have already contacted two coaches from BG that have won state titles this past school year, and they will be attending. BG plays in the jamboree at 8:30. I think I will pass on that this year. Luscious Lorraine will be there as well. I will see how many of my Merrimack cronies I can get to the Queen city. The bartenders on the deck make a mean mudslide. T@F don't feel you need to buy me a cocktail {even though I have bought you several dozen over the past hoop season}. It will be good to see you and your LIMITED sports knowledge. I will pass the word, sounds like it could be a good time.

I am off to a fantasy league draft with my 3 sons. It's good to show the boys that although they know quite abit about sports that they will never, ever, ever approach my level.

GNG, you might be right about my limited sports knowledge, but I do remember a couple of things about you in your basketball career:

1) You averaged more fouls/game than points/game.

2) Your nickname was "Money's Worth." That's what you got every time you fouled {inflicted hard pain} on an opponent.

Great that Luscious Lorraine will be there. Wasn't she employed by the same gentleman's club as Mystique and Aura that Curt Schilling talked about in October of 2004?

If one of those state championship coaches is the tennis guy, maybe he can fill the vacum for our tennis knowledge.

BTW- If I recall correctly your rum n coke tabs, sometimes, are more than the GNP of 3rd world countries. Make sure you bring enough debit, dough or credit to cover your outlandish social habits. I do remember one of the last times I was with you at the Jade you placed a SOS financial call to Luscious Lorraine with the following words:

"Lorraine, I don't have enough to cover my tab."

Thankfully, Migs came to the rescue with a financial lifeboat.

Tulliver will not be able to attend this time...

Tully, your response is similar to the rain that is falling outside my window right now.

Refreshing?

Not quite.

Similar to the rain that falls on a nicely planned parade.

Timing is everything.......
another time

No prob Tully. The Forum-ites understand.

Just remember what Warren Zevon said when faced with the ominous spectre {love this term} of his own mortality:

"Enjoy every sandwich"

Now, we wait to hear from the Assistant................

My scheduler says these types of things need to be made a month in advance. When is this game anyway? This weekend?

"Originally, on Friday August 26th, there was going to be quite a cast of characters descending upon the Hilton patio deck at F-Cat Stadium. The draw was #1 pick Bryce Harper and batting practice to see how far past the railroad tracks the hyped slugger could hit a baseball. Harper injured his hamstring last Thursday, is out for the year and now no appearance in the final regular series between the F-Cats and the Harrisburg Senator
T & F

Tully not going to enjoy a Warren Zevon sandwich, but still waiting to see if the Forum deli will make one up for the Asst to enjoy this Friday some time after 4 pm on the Hilton patio.

Maybe, by an act of God, Roy Hobbs will replace Bryce Harper on the Harrisburg roster to make another comeback. If we get lucky Memo Paris or Iris Gaines in the holy white outfit and hat will be watching Roy in the stands. Harrisburg down 2 with 2 outs in the 9th has Roy come up with 2 runners on. Roy turns to the bat boy and says, "Pick me out a winner, Bobby." He hits a majestic shot towards the old RR tracks. The ball hits the lights and sparks cascade and fall magically onto the Northeast Delta Dental turf as Roy holds his side while rounding the bases. The only question left is:

Will Roy drive home with Memo or Iris and will there be enough rum to facilitate GNG's Coca-Cola?

Sorry to digress Asst. Baseball has a religious aspect to me.

Wow that was quite a painting you just hung there. I'm spent! Sorry guys I won't be there....I do however like the thought of Billy's post Trinity/Central at some point during BBall season...

Wow, The Ass't needs to hire a new social scheduler and Tully.............

........Needs to hire a social scheduler.

I know JAF likes a cool drink on a hot summer night. I also know his wife loves a good margarita. Bring the whole crew. Come one come all, EVERYBODY IS WELCOME.

T@F, Faceplant will be there with his wife.

Like others - it's all about timing... We are heading to PA on Thu to drop child #2 off at college on Fri. Depending on when we actually leave the school and traffic on the way back we aren't sure when we'd be back into the local area. Surely after a long drive home we'll need a drink, but I make no promises.

JAF, two down one to go for you, way to go. I'll make sure Sheri or Lorraine text your wife so we can know your location. If we have to stay a little longer to wait for you we will. That's the type of friend I am.

Good news for Faceplant. There are NO steps into the Hilton or to go on the patio. He won't have to count anything and then remember it a few hours later. There are a couple of thresholds, so even with his limited motor skills, he should be fine before during and after. The men's room and women's room are fairly close to each other though. I could see Faceplant being renamed Faceplant-ianna with a wrong turn.

GNG just be sure to pace yourself... Last couple of events we've gone to you've made premature exits and we haven't able to enjoy your company

Please tone down the "extracurricular activity" discussion. Use email or PM if you want to discuss those types of things. I realize this is the "Bleachers" but based on our reader base I don't think we should be sensationalizing these topics.

Thanks.

Bryce Harper is with Harrisburg this weekend in Manchester. He came in yesterday with the team. My F-Cat source talked to him yesterday and said Harper is really cool, outgoing, easy to talk to and is a good kid.

GNG, you know me and my love of good sideline decorum. If you display that tonight I might get you a signed ball by Bryce Harper.

An interesting note on the series that took place between Manchester and Trenton. Kei Igawa is on Trenton. He is still meandering in the Yankee farm system bouncing between Double A and Triple A. He pitched 2 nights ago at F-Cat Stadium. He threw 1.2 innings, gave up 2 runs on 2 hits with a walk and 3 Ks. He wasn't happy as he left the field and karate kicked some coolers over in the clubhouse flooding a carpet and kicked a hole in the wall. He was admonished by the Trenton coaching staff as this not being, "The Yankee Way." Igawa started the season as a starter, but in the last month has been relegated to a reliever's role. The Yankee organization has received 16 MLB games from Igawa for 46 million dollars.

Read this NY Times article on Igawa. It's very interesting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/sports/baseball/kei-igawa-the-lost-yankee.html?pagewanted=all

with some of my forum compadres. Lots and lots of good food was had by all...

What a beautiful night on the Patio last night. We saw a beautiful late afternoon turn to sunset and then the start of a great evening. They do it up right on that Patio. I have been there many times and I still have to pinch myself that this Patio-FCat Stadium set up is in Manchester, NH. A 15 minute drive for me gets me to a great night of food, friends and baseball. You can't beat it.

Another Bryce Harper tidbit:

A couple of nights ago he walked from the team hotel to get something to eat at a nearby Subway. There were 2 guys hanging out in the parking lot waiting for him to come out. They followed him right to Subway. Harper, as he was entering Subway, told them to get lost. He said he didn't mind if they came up to him to get an autograph in the confines of the stadium, but this is his time and they should get a life.

I don't blame Harper at all. I've always respected athletes whether I ran into them on the street, in an airport or in a restaurant. There are definitely a group of people who carry satchels filled with baseball cards and balls with autograph material who are always lurking at F-Cat Stadium. They get to the stadium early, which isn't out of reason, but they wait for the teams to board their buses out back of the stadium and dog the players after the players have spent 6 to 10 hours at a park.

Totally agree with Bryce Harper on this one: Get a life !!!!

As the sun was gorgeously setting last night the Forum-ites and fans who were at the corner of the bar raised their glasses and toasted in tribute to Mike Flnagan.

Another nice touch to a beautiful evening.

On another note to last night. A no hitter was thrown by Harrisburg pitcher Shairon Martis in the 1st game of a doubleheader last night. Yesterday afternoon the F-Cats decided to cancel Sunday's game due to Irene and they played an impromptu doubleheader last night. When minor leagues play a doubleheader both games are 7 innings. Even though the game was 7 innings Martis is credited with the no hitter which was almost a perfect game.

The parking lot attendants outside the stadium didn't even know there was a doubleheader last night. Ya gotta love minor league baseball.