2007 Masters Games in Adelaide - The Diary of a Master Bull

2007 Masters Day 1 - Saturday 11:00am v Cosmos

After a restless night, due to a bloody good curry and to many beers, Invis-a-bull woke with a foggy head, to what looked like a glorious day. Being the romantic sort, Invis-a-bull tried to “kiss” his wife but was told “After want came out of your body last night, I am lucky to be alive. Get away from me I need my sleep!”. So Invis-a-bull packed his bag, donned his beloved Bulls gear and headed off to West Torrens Number 2 ground.

The herd had gathered by the time Invis-a-bull arrived. Our intrepid leader Dean Franke (Zulu Bull), led the herd off to warm up. Half the team warmed up with Zulu, the other half simply put there cleats on and declared themselves warm. Zulu called the herd together and announced the starting line up with John Gooley (aka Consta-bull) taking the mound.

Things started well for the Bulls, nobody was injured in the warm up and nobody tripped on the way onto the ground. Things got even better when Consta-bull K2’d the first batter. The Bull-Bench was getting excited. The next batter hit a stand up double to left field. The next batter hit a rocket to Nick Kuring (Inkur-a-bull) at short who threw to Bruce Winter (Text-a-ball) at 3rd to get the second out.

The Bulls were really looking good.

But, true to Bulls form, the wheels fell off and we let in 6 runs before Consta-bull finally got the 3rd out with a 1-3.

Danny Langley (Bank-a-bull) lead off the batting with an excellent fly ball to centre field for a stand up double. Const-a-bull advanced Bank-a-bull when he grounded out to short, before Zulu scored Bank-a-bull on sacrifice? fly to second.

Score is 6-1 end of the first dig.

The Bulls needed a good fielding innings followed by a good batting innings to get back in the game. The top of the second produced the good fielding innings required with a three up, three down result. The Bull bats produced nothing in the bottom of the second.

Cosmos added 2 more runs in their next dig. At the end of three it is 8-1.

The only other highlight for the Bulls was Neil Stewart’s fly ball centre-left solo home run in the fourth.

The rest of the game was forget-a-bull, with errors a plenty and no batting.

Final result 12-2.

2007 Masters Day 2 - Saturday 9:00am v Essendon Gold Diggers

Invis-a-bull arrived promptly at 8:00am with the other Bulls. Some Bulls were clearly suffering from too much opening ceremony, the previous evening. Zulu and Bank-a-bull clearly indulged prior to, at and after the opening ceremony.

The highlight of the day was the resurrection of Neil Stewart (aka Spider). Check the images here. All the other teams present enjoyed the spectacle of Spider arriving by hearse and resurrecting himself (after a ten year absence) to pitch the game!

The resurrected Spider pitched very well, hitting the bat squarely with most pitches. The Bulls fielding improved significantly from the previous day as there was very few errors. Although, several of the Bulls did complain that the roof of their mouths were sunburnt.

From an offensive perspective, there was not much happening. The first three digs were 3 up 3 down. The fourth dig saw the Bulls first safe hit, but no runs. It took until the fifth inning for the crowd to avoid the horror of a “sans pants” bull run. Craig Martin (Defend-a-bull) singled on a line drive to right field and Bank-a-bull, who subbed in for Kylie Haar (Do-a-bull), followed up with a fly ball triple to centre that scored Defend-a-bull.

Not a good result but the Essendon Gold Diggers were the eventual gold medallists.

2007 Masters Day 3 – Monday 9:00am v Triple Ds

Another early start for the Bulls but with no formal ceremony this morning the Bulls just got on with warming up. There were very few running bulls this morning. It seemed that many of the herd were adopting the Phil Hart (Drink-a-bull) style of warm up (put the cleats on, throw a few balls and take a seat on the bench in the hope that the coach leaves you there all day). Bruce Gordon (Vino-bull) was putting in an extra vigorous warm this morning stretching everything he could. This warm up must have impressed Zulu because Vino got the nod as starting pitcher.

Vino walked the first two, then with some crafty throwing got the batter to hit into an infield fly. Vino finished the first dig giving up only one run. A good start.

The herds bats have been quiet over the first two days and it was time the bats to start talking. Bank-a-bull led off the batting and hit the first pitch over the fence at right field. One batter, one pitch, one run. Zulu and Consta-bull got safe hits, then Inkur-a-bull was walked to load the bases. Bob Booker (Indestruct-a-bull) then followed up with a stand up double to centre field that scored Zulu and Consta-bull. Vino got walked, AJ (Network-a-bull) ground out to short, but bought Inkur-a-bull home before Drink-a-bull got K’d. Four runs in the first dig.

Triple Ds scored three in their next dig, so scores were level going into the bottom of the second. The bull bats needed to talk again. They did, but not as loudly. The Bulls scored 2 runs on the back of hits to Zulu, Inkur-a-bull and Indestruct-a-bull.

Triple D’s scored 4 in their fourth dig on the back some hit batters and wild pitches by a tiring Vino-Bull, who dug deep and got us out of the inning.

The Bull bats again fired up in the third with hits to Zulu, Consta-bull and Inkur-a-bull. The bulls scored 4.

Vino started the fourth, giving up a hit and hitting a batter. It was time for a change on the mound, so Zulu threw the ball to himself. Using a combination of wild pitches, hit batters, infield flys and two strike outs, Zulu closed the inning after Triple D’s scored six.

The Bull bats needed to say a lot in the last. Five runs needed to win. Drink-a-bull led off and flied out to centre field. Bank-a-bull singled to right, then stole second and advanced to third on a Zulu single to left field. Const-a-bull grounded out to the pitcher, advancing Zulu to second. Inkur-a-bull was walked and the bulls had bases loaded. Spider stepped in for Transfer-a-bull and smacked a stand up double to left field scoring Bank-a-bull and Zulu. Indestruct-a-bull got K’d on bad call before Richie Carter (Bulldog) smacked a double to left scoring Spider and Inkur-a-bull. Scores level. Responsor-bull stepped in for Network-a-bull but ground out to second base.

Game over scores tied. The Bulls break their Masters 14 game losing streak with a non loss.

2007 Masters Day 4 – Tuesday 3:00pm v Adelaide Aces

The half way point of the tournament.

Consta-bull kept talking about “Toss off Tuesday” and seemed to be insisting that all Bulls be involved. Invis-a-bull is not sure what makes Tuesday so special, but like all Bulls is happy to learn.

The herd was buoyant, after their non-loss the day before, but many were starting to feel the aches and pains that the Masters bring out.

Zulu announced the starting line up telling the herd that Consta-bull will pitch his second game. The Aces started their innings with a stand up triple to centre field and scored a total of 7 runs for the dig. With heads down the herd trotted back into the dugout. The Bull bats would really need to work today.

Defend-a-bull led off the batting and got walked. He was moved around to third by safe hits to Bulldog and Bank-a-bull then a got home on a wild pitch. That was it for the Bulls first dig. It was also it for Consta-bull, his arm was jelly. Zulu tossed the ball to Bank-a-bull.

Bank-a-bull threw a great innings, giving up one hit for no runs including a K. The Bull bats didn’t show up in the bottom of the second. Held scoreless.

Bank-a-bull threw another scoreless innings with great support from the field. Defend-a-bull and Network-a-bull taking good catches at left and third. The Bulls bats needed to work hard in the bottom of the 3rd. They did, scoring three runs on singles from Spider and Network-a-bull, a sacrifice from Text-a-bull and a double from Responsor-bull. Score 7-4 at the end of the third.

The Aces scored another run in their fourth dig. Score 8-4.

The Bulls bat ran hot in the fourth dig scoring another 3 runs on the back of doubles from Bank-a-bull and Responsor-bull. Score 8-7 at the end of four.

In the Aces fifth inning the Bulls defence supported Bank-a-bull. Excellent work at short by Inkur-a-bull to get the first out was followed up by two great outfield catches by Text-a-bull.

It was now up to the Bull bats. Drink-a-bull got to second on a miss hit and 1-3 wild throw. Vino got K’d. Defend-a-bull hit safely to left to score Drink-a-bull. He stole second on the next pitch. Bulldog got K’d, before Bank-a-bull hit to right to score Defend-a-bull.

The Bulls win 8-9. The losing streak was over.

Zulu, being the great coach he is, immediately declared a party night at his place where the celebration continued in the spa and long into the night.

2007 Masters Day 5 - Wednesday 9:00 v North Port Rams

Foggy heads were the order of the day. Not sure that the late night session was a good idea given the early start. The Drink-a-bull warm up was employed by just about everyone, except Richie Carter. Seems doing a good warm gets you the pitching duties.

For the first time at this Masters the Bulls batted first. Network-a-bull led off with a stand up double to left and was scored by an Inkur-a-bull double to centre.

Richie Carter (Bulldog) worked hard on the mound (his second ever life time mound appearance) giving up a walk, two hits, hitting two batters, striking out one batter for three runs.

The second innings produced no runs for either team. Bulldog continued to pitch well and was well backed up by the field.

The Bulls added 3 more runs in the third dig thanks to hits by Inkur-a-bull, Indestruct-a-bull, Respons-a-bull and Text-a-bull. Bulls looking good, batting well and fielding well.

In the bottom of the third the wheels fell off and we gave up 8 runs and never got back into the game.

The winning streak came to an end after one game.

2007 Masters Day 6 - Thursday 1:00pm v Sunshine Coast Dolphins

Second last game. It has been a long week. When Zulu asked who can pitch, all heads turned and looked the away. No-one had an arm left. Richie Carter showing his true Bulldog qualities put his hand up again.

The Bull bats went walk-about for the first two digs. The dolphins managed to score 2 runs in their second dig.

The week was starting to take it’s toll on every one. The Dolphins pushed Bank-a-bull round the bases with a walk and three wild pitches (two of which hit Bulldog and Consta-bull) and Spider doubled to bring Bulldog home.

Bulldog pitched another good inning giving up only one run. At the end of the fourth inning the scores are Bulls 2 Dolphins 3. In the top of the fifth, the Bulls scored 3 runs from singles by Bank-a-bull, Bulldog, a double from Zulu and two wild pitches.

Bottom of the fifth scores are 5-3 Bulls way. Bulldog working hard gave up a double then hit the batter. He had given all and was spent. Zulu retired Bulldog to the bench and threw the ball to Spider. Spider threw brilliantly hitting the bat squarely every time to giving up 5 singles and a double for a double for 7 runs. The umpire called time and game and Bulls trotted off.

A new streak begins.

2007 Masters Day 7 - Friday 11:00pm v Glenelg 6’s

Invis-a-bull could barely move by now. His throwing arm was hanging two inches lower than his left arm. His knees scream with every step, his back aches constantly and he has not played a game. He is in awe of the real Bulls who are playing.

The last game is finally here. The Bulls have no pitchers left, no energy and are looking forward to the beers at the end of the game. Our warm up is very short, only the starting nine put their cleats on. No-one ran anywhere.

Transfer-a-bull is going to start and Account-a-bull will close the game.

The Bulls batted like the troopers in Waltzing Matilda, “Down went the bulls 1, 2, 3!”. The tigers knocked in 4 runs before being retired. The Bull bats came alive to score 5 in the second. Hits to Network-a-bull and Bank-a-bull and a heap of errors from a rattled Glenelg saw the bulls in front 5-4 at the middle of the second. At the end of the second the Tigers were 5 runs up.

After 3 full digs and 75 minutes the tigers were 10 runs up and the Bulls 2007 Masters campaign over.

Zulu, being the masterful coach he is declared that Friday night was a party night at his place.

2007 Masters - The Wash Up

The Bulls had a great tournament. We may not have won too many but we had fun. Watching Bulldog at the closing ceremony sleep while all around him partied summed up how exhausting the week was.

Invis-a-bull should also congratulate Ken Bray (Resourc-a-bull) who, after breaking his ribs on day one, showed up everyday hoping not to have to play, but making a contribution all the same. It was great to have him along for the games and parties. We hope to see more of Ken at future Masters. Thanks Ken for all your efforts and being part of the Master Bulls.

Alan Barrett (aka Salty-Bull) our umpire for the games did a great job and we all enjoyed his company. We would have liked have spent more time with Salty “away” from the ground and look forward to seeing him at future masters. Thanks Salty for being part of the Master Bulls.

All the Master Bulls must also thank the great work done by Zulu in organising and coaching us. He did a great job, ensuring that the Bulls philosophy was adhered to while trying to make sure we had fun and even got a win. Well done Zulu.

All the Best and Keep Swinging! from Invis-a-bull.

P.S. Invis-a-bull will back for 2008 Masters