It's been over eight months since the SciStuy Baseball league was officially in effect, and the rust was evident in the hitters' performances opening day.  Larry Siu, Wilson Ramirez, and Brian Mangan combined on a 1-hitter to lead The Imperialists over Not And1, 6-2.  No single hitter managed to collect more than one hit, and Not And1 were simply stifled by the oppositions pitching, not managing a base-runner to pass second after the third inning.

	This particular game was a little unusual in a few respects.  Firstly, pitchers were capped at three innings apiece, in order to get everyone work after the long off-season.  Secondly, the game was played with lineups and fielding configurations larger than usual.  Due to a larger than expected turnout, and a willingness to get everyone into the game, both teams worked a 11-man batting order and four-man outfields.  

	Due to this, it was no surprise when a low-scoring duel emerged in the first few innings.  Starters Kevin Chau and Larry Siu both pitched well, but Chau was outstanding through his three innings.  He allowed one run, but struck out an impressive eight batters.  The wheels fell off in the fourth inning, when Chau gave way to Mark Rubin.  Rubin retired the first batter inauspiciously, before beaning the next two in a row and being removed on short notice for Joe Lee.  Joe, who had had some very good and very poor outings last season, never seemed to have his stuff on this particular day.  He afterwards complained of shoulder troubles, but didn't exit the game before issuing four walks in the rally inning for the Imperialists.

	Miraculously, though they had scored 6 runs, the Imperialists didn't get their first hit until the 5th inning, when Scott Schiffman clobbered a ground rule double that dropped into a tree overhanging the right-field fence.  Brian Mangan later lined a hard single off Plakas and Larry Siu tripled to ridiculously deep left off Mark Rubin to cap the scoring.  Only a line drive by Jason Cohen off of Siu in the third prevented the Not's from being no-hit.

	The game was still tight entering the Xth inning, with Ramirez and Mangan holding the opposition scoreless through the last six frames.  Ramirez was stellar in earning the win, pitching 3 hitless innings, striking out four and allowing only three base-runners.  Mangan entered with a 5-2 advantage and pitched the final three innings for the first save of the year, the second of his career.  Mangan walked three, and struck out five.

	For his part, Chris Plakas was very good for the Not's, as he came in to stop the bleeding in the fourth, and pitched 3.1 solid innings, striking out six and allowing three base-runners as well.  There were a few defensive gems made on this afternoon, and by some unusual suspects: Roger made a nice diving stab at Cohen's liner, Mike D went a long way to run down a fly out in foul territory, and Stefan did a nice little dance on first base after a putout.

	In short, this was a week dominated by pitching and nonsensical dancing.  A short summary of the dominance?  Four total hits.  Eight runs in 18 half-innings.  A whopping 29 strikeouts.  A few innings of shirt-waving and Pepe handstands.  Speaking of which, opponent Kevin Chau heaped praise on Pepe's move, saying afterwards, I didn't see it.

	Looking forward, it might be reasonable to expect a regression toward the league norms, although a 6-2 nail-biter isn't the worst alternative.  The 2004 season is successfully underway.