Game 133: Patriots 10-5

Matt LeCroy

	Mac Nelson 1-0, 3.00 ERA		Brian Adams 10-7, 5.02 ERA

Regardless of where this final week takes the Barnstormers, Matt LeCroy’s stolen base on Sunday will go down as one of the season’s defining moments.

That’s not just because it was rare – his first steal since Aug. 9, 2002. It’s also because of what it symbolized. Here you had a long-time big leaguer with bum knees giving every ounce of effort just to move 90 feet on the basepaths. And he was doing it in indy ball.

“He has been key for us all year,” outfielder Mike Woods said. “You can’t say enough about Matt LeCroy. Even when he was injured, he was there for our morale. Then he got healthy and provided so much offense. You need leaders like that around.”

When Von Hayes saw LeCroy taking off for third, the manager first thought his DH had missed a sign. His second thought?

“I was praying he didn’t get hurt,” Hayes said.

“Payback was in order for us. (Bridgeport) had a big inning against us earlier in the year where (Calvin) Pickering stole second. Maybe Matt was thinking about that to rally the troops. That definitely picked up the energy level.”

If Woods is the MVP of this team, LeCroy is the glue. He has held everything together, despite injuries, turmoil and a lot of losing. Many players in LeCroy’s position wouldn’t have ridden this season out to the finish. He has stuck around for the sheer enjoyment of playing, which has earned everyone’s respect.

“I tell these guys all the time, ‘There’s nothing better than playing on a team that’s going to win every night,’” LeCroy said. “I’ve done that. I’ve played on teams that knew coming in they were going to win that ballgame. Whether you’re down eight runs or up, that’s fun. These guys are starting to feel it. It’s a lot easier coming to the ballpark every day.”

During a long baseball season that sometimes feels like it will never end, you often remember the big things – like Eric Crozier’s inside-the-park homer against Atlantic City in 2006. Sometimes, though, the little things stick out in your mind. One has the feeling LeCroy’s steal will be one of those little things. It represents a team that should have been out of it, but has refused to give up.

The Barnstormers lost for just the second time in 11 games. Although they remained three games behind first place York, they fell behind Newark and into third place. The Bears are 2.5 back.