FH Softball 2008, Improbable Underdog, Passes Away at 7-6.

The 2008 Fleishman-Hillard softball season, a wide-ranging and epic 13 games that ushered in the post-Tara Walker era, passed into that silent and cold dark night on Monday August 4th at 8:37 p.m. with a 10-8 semi-final defeat at the hands of its merciless opponent Porter-Novelli.

FH softball 2008 lived a life of ups and downs. The season started out with promise in those first few formative weeks, as upset victories over defending champion Porter-Novelli and powerhouse Burson-Marsteller vaulted FH atop the league with a 2-0 record. But the good times did not last forever. After such a heralded start, many considered the possibility that FH wasted its formative weeks during a 2-4 mid-season slump.

Some — most notably the other corporate PR softball teams — thought FH softball was washed up, having squandered the legacy of excellence that its forbearers had scratched out through their blood, sweat, and tears.

But FH Softball wasn’t ready to give up just yet. “Two factors turned FH Softball’s season around: the influx of interns who played with passion and tenacity,” said Coach Silvio Marcacci, “and the veteran leadership of PJ and The Wizard.”

FH Softball proved more resilient than anyone could have imagined. Undaunted by its early season struggles, FH softball dusted itself off, snubbed its nose at every detractor, and won three of its last four games through a mix of timely hitting, gritty pitching, and tough defense.

“We all loved FH Softball, and that month gave us renewed hope it would live on,” commented team fan club President Juliet Johnson. “It broke my heart to hear the news that FH Softball’s brief existence had ended so suddenly.”

Many had hoped that a first-round playoff win over Ketchum would spark a renewed vitality. But ultimately, Porter proved too much for the team to overcome. In spite of valiant efforts by hitters and fielders alike to keep the season alive, Porter inflicted too much damage in the first four innings for a full recovery to occur.

FH Softball enjoyed many of life’s other pleasures, including launching model rockets in the outfield during games, playing with herds of dogs and their recalcitrant owners, getting rained out and flooded more than anyone could have ever imagined, and relaxing after games at Cleveland Park Bar and Grill.

Will Sullivan was named FH Softball 2008’s MVP in a quiet ceremony. Dave Whiting was named runner-up.

FH 2008 Softball is survived by a large family of loved ones and well-wishers: Coaches Silvio “pepperoni mascagna” Marcacci, Will “I once hung out with Theo” Sullivan, and Craig “you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry” Paridy; players David “the wizard” Wickenden, Jenny “la cubanita” Alonso, Lindsay “WOOT WOOT” Wooten, Coleman “dutch” Hutchins, Dave “the natural” Whiting, Dan “microsite” Horowitz, Lowen “bulldog” Baumgarten, Molly “I hit home runs” Williams, Andrew “fred-neck” McClellan, Luke “I run to games from work” Merkel, Jeff “da traub” Weintraub, Ben “I came to one game” Clark, Paul “ PJ” Johnson, Jason “don’t hassle the hoff” Werden, Jessica “eich bin ein FHer” Rheinlander, Amanda “G&T and Caesar Salad” Schildt, Matt “big blue” Kretman, Angela “say hey” Schonberg, Jen “where’s the Phish show?” Kelly, Brianne “hop to it” Hoppe, Kelly “trash talk is a way of life” Moran, and Molly “golden gopher” Gherty; and fans Juliet “JJ” Johnson, Emily “skipper” Canis, Eliza “the textor” Kanovsky, Valerie “sugar” Arrington, Mary “LoJacCity” LoJacono, and Katie “Katie-OH!” O’Brien.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 2009 FH Softball Charity Fund, which teaches young people the value of respecting the individual while understanding that teamwork is everything and personal success is measurable and attainable.