An Elephant Never Forgets
by Invisibly Upset
A year removed from a one-run loss in the Sunset Championship, Athletics coaches get some level of revenge in the 2026 Sunset opener beating the same coaching staff that knocked them of a year ago in the Angels-Expos final. Lots of scoring early in this one as Athletics immediately plated two in the top of the first only to relinquish the lead to the Braves who answered with four. The A’s added five over the next two innings to take a 7-4 lead before both offenses went on hiatus until the final frame. In the 6th the Athetics added one and facing a four run deficit, the Braves rallied in the final half to score twice losing 8-6. Certainly a good game with strong pitching in middle frames by Phillips & Byrd for the A’s.
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Mother Nature Wins, Metro Loses
by Invisibly Upset
As is becoming commonplace over the last few years, opening night was spoiled by wet weather and cool temps. Slated games were to feature matchups of coaching groups who were involved in last year’s Championships in both the Majors and Seniors. Now the job of starting our 2026 campaign falls to the Giants and Doves on Friday (weather permitting). Last summer the league was saddled with around 60 rainouts league wide which made for a scheduling nightmare. Ultimately all but one Sunset game were made up in full. This season hoping for better, but as we all learn, sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. Make up games have already been scheduled to Optimist for next weekend with some other games moved around to accommodate dual role players to avoid conflicting game times. Looking forward to a great season after a fairly fortunate Spring schedule with limited cancellations. Let’s hope better days are coming and soon!!!
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*In 2026 we are for the second time having a sports writing contest and are using this page to post game recaps from within our season written up by one of five contest participants. “Writers” will cover games from the Majors, Seniors, and Sunset in which they are usually not playing. Write ups will be around 150 words and be posted here. A Celebrity judge, Len Clark, will be reading them and picking a winning article in the end that will carry a prize package including $75 cash or free fall registration, a trophy/plaque, and a signed copy of our celebrity judge’s book. Other participants will receive some small prize for being involved.
Leo Cloutier was a great sportwriter and interviewer who also ran the biggest baseball banquet in the country every year in New Hampshire. He got his start after inquiring with legendary Philadelphia Athletics manager, Connie Mack about being the team mascot. Mack recognized the quality of his writing at a young age and recommended he consider sports writing. Cloutier would go on to cover the game from the 1930’s to the 1980’s leaving behind countless, priceless interviews of many of baseball’s greatest names. You can find many of his interviews on YouTube. We are glad to have the cooperation of his son Chris with our contest this year as well as our returning celebrity judge, Len Clark, an Indiana state sports broadcaster of the year and journalism professor at Notre Dame.
Our five contestants this year are:
Stetson & Wyatt Swapp of the Doves
Carlton Morris, sister of Gibson & Danger of the Doves
Dewey Breshears brother of Corwin of the Doves
Mason Collins of the Cubs
Michael Briggs of the Padres & Gideon Briggs of the Browns
