"Here it comes" said LF Travis Dingle, "yup, I felt that one" echoed R Brad Dingle. And with those few words the Monarchs were in for a fight; the opponent was the third seeded Friday Nights but also a bad storm had broken in the Clareview area that brought a dangerous combination of hard rain and intense lightning. This clash was a true upset match as both teams came into the final as upset winners in week 1 of the Spring playoffs. The Monarchs eliminated the top seeded Friar's Club while the Friday Nights sent the Linaria Mustangs to the golf course. In the season series, the Friday Nights had beaten the Monarchs with their ability to 'out token Asian' the M's while the team struggled with batting.
After handling the 'Liar's Club', the Monarchs looked forward to the rematch and a chance to redeem themselves en route to the franchises third championship and first back-to-back title. Historically, the Monarchs had won two dodgeball championships in 2007 and 2008.
Well after a truly courageous effort Tuesday night the Monarchs can add their own piece of the history to the Gallo/Monarch legacy.
The Monarchs, after winning the coin toss and answering Chan's "do we want last bats" question, took to the field after a masterful and inspiring speech from Simon Chan. And with that the Monarchs screamed onto the field ready to face the opening challenge from the Friday Nights. The Friday Nights threw a good opening jab at the Monarchs and in traditional fashion the Monarchs bent a little allowing the Friday Nights to score five runs on the Monarchs. The Monarchs have given a little in the early parts of most games this season but normally have had the answer when their turn came around.
The Monarchs never backed down from a little adversity and with the championship on the line the Monarchs weren't about to begin. Facing an opening inning 5-0 deficit, the Monarchs knew that they had to get on the bats. The offence had been on fire in the last few games as the Monarchs have posted big numbers as of late. And in the bottom of the first the Monarchs roared back, like true champions, scoring seven runs of their own and taking a 7-5 lead. The championship was in full swing and both teams seemed determined.
The game was a classic affair with both teams scoring runs back and forth. The Monarchs held onto the lead throughout the game but the Friday Nights came close on several occasions. They just didn't have the answer for the determined M's.
Both teams were closely watching the impending storm roll in, observing its impressive lightning and deafening thunder, while hoping that the storm would avoid the diamond and allow the game to play its course. However, it was not to be. In the top of the third the clouds began to open up and the rain poured down. The teams seemed unconcerned with the rain but the thunder and lightning was growing more severe. The game played on in the rain until the middle of the fifth. With the storm seeming to intensify the teams huddled around the pitchers mount willing to discuss calling the game. However, after the discussion had ended neither team was willing to call the game, therefore, signalling a complete game and sending the Monarchs to victory. The Friday Nights wanted to continue and the Monarchs obliged them, despite members of the team feeling a lot better about going home. And although the game continued many members of the 2008 Champion Monarchs agreed after the game that it probably wasn't the best decision.
The Friday Night capitalized on their second chance and in the top of the sixth hit a three run blast over the head of CF Sean Lam. "Dingle told me to play in" Lam said, "Jamie told me to move the outfield in" was Dingle's rebuttal. However, that was as close as the Friday Nights would get as the Monarchs shut them down in the top of the seventh sending the team to their T-Shirts!
The Monarchs escaped a tough Friday Nights team with a 16-12 victory and their coveted T-Shirt. The Monarchs took the road less travelled to secure their third championship coming back from the fourth place spot to win the league. The fourth seed was secured by the M's in the last game of the season with a win in the second game of their double header.
MVP of the Game - Brad Dingle - Dingle hit a three run home run to break open the game despite still suffering from a dislocated pinkie finger. In a later inning, Dingle caught two fly balls in the outfield that ultimately broke the Friday Nights spirit.
Note: Tuesday's championship game likely marked the last game for Gallo/Monarch family member Simon Chan. Chan was an original member of the franchise and a member of all three championship teams. The Gallo/Monarch family wish the best for Chan in his scholastic studies in Toronto. Chan was the first and last member of Team Gallo/Monarch to wear #65 as the uniform shall be retired following the 2008 summer season.
The parade and T-Shirt reception takes place July 3rd at the Canadian North Brew House. The party begins at 6 although other teams will be collecting shirts as well.
Without further ado...
