NADS Look Good Early
The NADS 'Brain Trust' inked several new faces in the off
season....and the new talent, in camp with returning
players, has looked impressive. So much so that Coach Tom
"Kat" Mobley was overheard reserving extra rooms for
"family" at the Holiday Inn for tournament time; a bold
move, considering the NADS have only been in camp three
weeks. It does, however, speak volumes about the optimism
surrounding the '98 NADS. "I haven't cleared a spot on
the mantel for the trophy...yet," Coach Mobley said at the
close of workouts, Sunday 1/25/98. Privately, he expanded
that comment, telling this reporter, "If we don't come in
first this year, I'll cut off my 'good' leg and feed it to
the dog..."
[EDITOR'S NOTE: All you animal rights folks out there...
do not be alarmed and please don't make emergency calls to
the Arizona Chapter of the SPCA. Coach Mobley has, as long
as this reporter has known him, referred to his ARTIFICIAL
limb as his 'good' leg....and though he's tried this
before, his dog "Monty" has few, if any, teeth and
therefore only licks and "gums" it for a short time, then
loses interest and takes a nap.]
NADS Lose Veterans / Ink New Faces
The NADS Softball Club will look different again this
season. Due to the losses of fan favorite Juan "Bugsy"
Piede to injury, the retirement of Scott "No Knees"
Wruck and the commitment of Doug "Motor Mouth" Witt
by a Superior Court judge Coach Mobley was faced with a
crisis in depth management. His efforts over the
off-season
are evidenced by the signings of:
1 - Bruce "Bad-to-the-Bone" McClain who will start at
short, relief pitch and with his shotgun batting style will
hit in the all-important 3-spot - - - (This is a huge
addition to the lineup)
2 - Perry "Flash" Gordon will once again be terrorizing
fly balls and line drives in right center at venerable
Daley Field, and we expect, be leaving big chunks o' flesh
in the chain link fencing as well...his 'rat-a-tat' .600+
bat will fit in the bottom of the lineup nicely,
thank-you...
3 - Ward "Da' Board" Cauthren, will lay down his world
class ski board for a stint at 3rd base where, if early
workouts are an indicator, he's got a vacuum glove and the
proverbial big caliber arm....the kid's been dropping 'em
on the railroad tracks beyond the left field fence in
batting practice as well. Coach Mobley commented "Ward
brings the same attitude on the diamond that he showed on
the mountain...and he's got nice legs too!"
Pre-Season Meeting Set
The annual pre-season meeting will be held this year on
Sunday, February 15, 1998 at the home of catcher Krusty
Riddle. His wife Lulu will be contacting other players
wives, girlfriends and in two cases, boyfriends (you know
who you are) about the theme for this years gala. As in
past years, all attendees must be clothed below the waist
throughout the entire dinner. Official business to be
conducted will include the announcement of schedules,
discussion of road trips, tournaments, etc.....please RSVP
no later than Tuesday, February 10.
NOTE: We've chosen a private residence for this year's
pre-season meeting to discourage fans and gawkers, and
hopefully the Maricopa County Sherriff's Office, from
trying to "crash" the event.
[ DATELINE - 2/8/98 - 8:25AM (MST) ]
In a move unheard of in recent memory, Coach Tom "Kat"
Mobley called off Sunday's scheduled practices just one
week before the season opener. Citing the rain and slick
infield conditions he said, "We just got new uniforms and
I don't want to get them all muddy." But this reporter
has learned of injuries to more than just a few key
players which may have played a significant role in Coach
Mobley's decision. Most players when questioned about the
development declined comment but this reporter did get an
exclusive for "NADS News" from star left-fielder Clay "The
Stickman" Rosborough, seen rubbing 'Flex-All 454' on a
noticeably tender elbow in the training room. When asked
about the situation and the nature of his injury The
Stickman replied, "....some of these other guys may have
softball injuries, but I was out until 4 o'clock this
mornin' shootin' pool and my right elbow ain't used to it,
and I'm gonna' do it again tonight so I thought I'd better
rub some liniment on it...". There you have it NADS fans,
we'll keep you posted on this or any other breaking
stories as they develop.
NADS Call Off Sunday Practice
[ Update - March 26 , 1998 ]
Tournament Update
Coach Tom has announced the intention to participate in
the annual "Del Webb Classic" 1-pitch tournament....this
is an "invitation only tournament" so I guess we are
supposed to feel honored. This also costs $250 per team
for entry fees which includes a free barbeque and all you
can drink (my term, not theirs). Del Webb Corp. is
picking up the tab for the tournament and for the most
part, (appx. 85%) all fees goes to Sun City Charities so
as Martha would say "it's a good thing". The location is
Liberty Park, world class facilities, and is scheduled for
May 9, 1998 starting at 8:00 AM and will run to appx.
11:00 PM. A free t-shirt for all players and trophies for
winners are promised and a warm and fuzzy for helping a
solid charitable organization is promised for all. Anyone
wanting to play must contribute $20 each (deadline -
4/14/98)....Coach Tom says he has to have the money into
the tournament organizers by April 16, 1998 to secure our
place. There will only be 25 teams allowed into the
tournament so this will fill up fast.
[ Update - April 9, 1998 ]
Make-up Game Schedule
The three rained-out double-headers have been re-scheduled
by the Tempe Parks Department....please check the
schedule for the new dates. All times remain the same
as they were originally scheduled. The Spring Season
Tournament has, obviously, been pushed back to the week of
May 2, 1998 (also noted on the
schedule page).
NOTE:
The "NADS NEWS" is a periodical publication. Lucas Redo
will take sole responsibility for its content unless
someone is offended, then he'll most certainly point
the finger at some "source", who's identity he's not
'required' to divulge. In other words, don't try to
pin anything on the editor, he doesn't care whether
you're offended and if you try to nail him for something,
he'll weasle out of it using the 1st Amendment.
