[HumanRainDelay]

Note: I'm enjoying pretending to be a baseball writer while at the same time pretending to be a pro baseball GM (isn't modern tech fab?).

I'll use this space to post periodic attempts at professional journalism.

Reading Railbirds #1

"Yesterday, the familiar pop of baseballs striking gloves pulsated inside the Reading Railbirds spring complex.

After an AM workout, the team held an afternoon intersquad scrimmage featuring some veterans and lots of young players.

Unfortunately, the exhibition's quality of play wasn't reminiscent of professional baseball, but rather The Bad News Bears of movie fame.

The seven-inning game included 4 wild pitches, 4 hit-batsmen, 6 fielding errors, and innumerable swings and misses by hitters. The final score was 7-6, and players and coaches were left trying to put a positive spin on the day's disappointing effort.

'This is February. We'll get there,' declared outfielder Victor Baker to the media after the game.

New Railbirds General Manager Sylvester "Slam" Dunksaker sought humor in downplaying the 'Birds' disconcerting performance.

A beat reporter asked Dunksaker: 'What about your team's execution?'

The elder executive paused, and seemed to channel former NFL head coach John McKay in formulating a response.

'My team's execution?'

'Yes, your team's execution.'

'Right now, I am in favor of it.'"