With the Misfits ticket to the dance already punched, they grabbed a seat on the bleachers, sat back and enjoyed what was undoubtedly the most entertaining game played at Bert Willis field this season. 

It was power vs power on display as Bada Bing hosted the Hot Behinds for the chance to play in next week’s championship game. 

The Hot Behinds got on the board with two quick runs in the top of the first. Bing answered back with one in the second. 

Bada Bings captain and ace, Joe continued the festivities with a towering moon shot that cleared the left field fence and tied the game at 2. The shot seemed to settle the nerves for Bada Bing and helped them play tighter defense. They tacked on one more and held the Behinds for the next few innings. They held a 3-2 lead after 5 and things were starting to get a little chippy. 

With two outs in the bottom of the 6th and down a run, pressure was starting to mount on the Bada Bing bench. Third baseman Casey, who would go on to make a pair of spectacular plays in the bottom of the inning, singled to right. When Vin hit the next pitch to right it looked as if that would end the rally, but with a loud “its dropping” Vin kicked it into gear and by the time the right fielder could get a grip the speedy Shortstop was cruising into third with a stand up, game tying triple. 

After a scoreless bottom of the 6th, tensions were starting to rise on the Bada Bing bench. The nervous feeling did not get better when they looked in the on deck circle and saw MVP candidate and home run leader Dave C. (3-3, 2R) stepping up to the plate. Joe decided not to walk him and as the pitch was half way to the plate, everybody on the complex knew where it was going. With a mighty swing and a bellowing grunt this pitch could have been caught by the center fielder on field 2. Problem was this game was played on field 1. The tape measure blast gave the Hot Behinds a seventh inning 4-3 lead and the party was starting on the Side of the Hot Behind Bleacher Creatures. 

Bada Bing stayed the course and limited the damage to one. Vic (2-2, 3R) led the top of the 7th with a double to left. Ant doubled him home and represented the winning run. After a couple of ground outs, Andrew and Kai drew walks to load the bases. Slugging first baseman Brett stepped up to the plate in the biggest spot of his ABL career. The vocal leader and infield captain knew it would take more than positive words to win this game. After taking two balls off the plate, pressure swiftly shifted to HB pitcher Frank. Pitching in his second game of the double header, fatigue had to be setting in. Working on pure adrenaline Frank was able to get the 3-1 pitch over the plate and fill the count and shift the pressure right back. Brett stepped out of the box, wiped the sweat off his head and dug back in. Now you could hear a pin drop. Franks next offering was on its way, Brett couldn’t take this one, way too close. The Sweet Swinging Southpaw barely foul tipped the off speed offering to stay alive. Franks next pitch was a couple inches inside and Bada Bing won in a walk off walk. 

That sets up the game we have wanted and needed all season. Identical records with almost identical run differentials. 

Yankees- Red Sox. 
Celtics- Lakers. 
Ohio St- Michigan. 
Bada Bing- Misfits. 

These two locked horns early in the season with Bada Bing winning 4-2. But that will not matter when it’s 9 innings winner take all next Tuesday night.