This. Is. It.

ABPG Newshounds Softball is on. Our first scrimmage is set for this Saturday at 10 a.m. at Reservoir Park. We're playing the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Dem Bums team until noon. Bums Coach "Howlin' Mad" Jack Schnedler lays down his featuring writing pen (thank goodness) to pick up a bat and take a swing at victory. But the Newshounds have other plans. (More important info on this Saturday at the end of this post!)

Actually, we'll go light on the Bums this week. This is only practice, after all. But it's important that we all get out there so we can get comfy on the playing field and be ready for Game One on April 29th.

Don't do it the Bonds way

Speaking of Game One, we don't yet have a schedule, but we'll post one here as soon as League Commissioner Tom Jones works one up.

Meanwhile, here's all the superstar players who signed up to play this year:

Lance Turner
Elana Geffken
JJ Watkins
Susan Mulhearn
Seth Mulhearn
Chip Taulbee
Anne Hickey
Justin Myers
Hallie Myers
Brent Birch
Mike Ortega
Nate Hinkel
Mike Pirnique
Mark Friedman
James 'The Commissioner' Gordon
Johnny 'B' Goode*
Mary Ellen Bost
Rachel Bradbury
Sean Dubar

We're still working out what the final playing fee will be per player. Remember, the league did not get a sponsor this year, so each time bears the cost of play. But we think we'll have it down to around $15 per person. We'll let you know when it's time to collect.

Please have your playing fee ready when it comes time to collect ...

IMPORTANT

Thanks to everyone for signing up. One thing I forgot to collect on the sign-up form was what number you'd like to have on your jersey. Please e-mail me by Tuesday with the number you'd like to have. And let me know by Wednesday whether you're playing on Saturday. I'll need to get our shirts ordered this week, and I'll need to know who to expect at the scrimmage on Saturday.

Play ball!

* Making his triumphant return to the softball field for the first time in, like, 6 years or something ridiculous like that! Glad to have ya back!