Amish Undefeated in May

AP - The Fighting Amish took the first step in their quest for an undefeated season.  With just 13 games to go, the team has yet to lose, winning their season-opener by a score of 18-17 on Friday night.

It took the Amish nine innings to comeback and finally polish-off the Crystal Crusaders in Cargill, but they pulled it out.  While the defense was a little rusty, the bats appeared to be in mid-season form.  Bryan Muegge and Jamie Donnelly both went three for three and Dennis Thompson and Scott Donnelly hit first-inning homeruns to get the offense off the ground.

There were a couple of new faces on the field and a few noticeable stars missing.  Along with 13 returning players on the bench Friday night were Cory Smith and Neil Anstett.  Smith, the brother-in-law of Daryll Dayman, is a seasoned veteran after playing two games with the Amish in the Owen Sound tournament last year.  He usually brings with him a potent bat and his baseball cleats. 

Anstett is a different story.  A speedy, young rookie, he moves from being the team umpire to the back-up second baseman this year.  While his youth and quickness will surely benefit the team, GM Kim Donnelly says that the most benefit will be from not having him umpire for us.  "His contract pays him $0.50 a game.  So we figured, we're saving $19.50 and not getting the brutal calls."

Absent were Kevin "Babe" Schmidt, Joe "The Messiah" Lang and Normy "Norm" Mirander.  Schmidt recently started his own industrial rectal safety company, focusing on the growing cases of anal asbestos.  Lang was most likely drunk and Mirander is still recovering from his honeymoon.  Norm married his long-time girlfriend Wendy in an exclusive ceremony in Hamilton in May.  Unfortunately he is expected to see limited playing time this year, leaving a bevy of baseball bunnies wanting when the team is on the road in Paisley and Mildmay.

The team's next action is Friday night at home to the Runabouts from Neustadt.  This new franchise is not unfamiliar to the Amish.  The two teams played an extra-inning game in the Owen Sound tournament last year.  The Amish won that game 15-14.