I arrived a little before six PM, since we were told it was going to start at 6. With Team Venezuela still warming up all around the field, I had a feeling that it might be a little later. The Derby eventually got underway around 6:12 or so, and it was later announced that the start time would be 6:10 to 6:15 in the future.

The hitters were allowed no warmups, and a total of 5 swings each. The Glory started off, and Coach Erin pitched, from about 6 feet in front of the circle. (The distance may be off a little, since I didn't write it down, but I remember thinking how close she was to the plate.) Although these were not your typical Mowatt fastballs, it still was not a lot of reaction time for the hitter because of the distance.

Jessica Moore started things off, batting for Combat. She started off 0 for 4, but finally connected on the 5th swing, hitting it out over left field. 1-5

Courtney Bures hit next, swinging for Mizuno. A couple of fly balls died at the warning track in left, but nothing left the park. 0 for 5.

Oli stepped in, hitting for Demarini/Wilson. Her second swing resulted in a HR to center. The next swing just missed, hitting the fence in center. Swing #4 was also to center, but just Warning Track Power. The 5th was a grounder. 1 for 5.

My UVa girl Sara Larquier entered the box, swinging away for Worth while Fat Bottomed Girls blared from the sound system. This worked for her, as her first swing tied Oli and Jess with a HR to center. After a popup, she then one-hopped the fence in left, and then blasted number 2 to left-center. A popup ended the show for the Glory, but Sara came away the winner. 2 for 5.

Team Venezuela had their own pitcher; I think it was the coach. Hitting for Combat was Maribel Riera. She repeated Sara's line, with HRs on her first and third swings. 2 for 5.

Hitting for Mizuno was Yuruby Alicart. She hadn't done much against us in the first two games of the series, and she went HR-less here. But it must have helped her, because she went 3-for3 in the game that followed. 0-5.

Geraldine Puerta swung for Demarini/Wilson. She started off with a HR, but could not repeat it. 1-5

Cleanup batter Denisse Fuenmayor hit for Worth. She tied Sara's Worth stats, hitting it out on her 2nd and 4th swings. 2-5.

Venezuela won the derby portion of the evening, 5 to 4. Worth was the winner tonight for the bat companies, with 4 HRs. Combat was 2nd, with 3. Demarini/Wilson was third with 2, and Mizuno was last with none.

The totals from around the league have not yet been posted. But when they are, it will be here. (PDF FIle)

My impressions were this: it was not as fun as I thought it would be. Maybe because the timing meant the stands were still mostly empty. But also because it just flew by, with barely enough time between swings for me to scribble a result.  Possible changes I would suggest for next year might be:

- increase the number of swings to 10. More swings would allow the ladies to get into a rhythm, and likely produce more HRs. (Though I will admit that some around the league haven't needed that, with 2 different players hitting 4 out of 5.)

- change the time of the Derby. A packed house would definitely add to the excitement. After the games would be great, though last night's game was too long for that. Maybe start it closer to game time, and just delay the start of the game (but not tell anyone, so they get there in time to see it). It's Saturday night anyway, right?