Digglers

Red

Dirk Diggler

"Once a Diggler, Always a Diggler"

Founded in 2014 as Seniors at OPRF High School, the Digglers joined a 14" slow pitch league where they had a winning season. Throughout their college years the Digglers did not play in any official leagues, rather they created their own make-shift league with other local groups.

It wasn't until the Summer of 2019 that the Digglers once again played in a official softball league, playing 12". A gutsy season left the Digglers with a 4-2 record, claiming the 3rd seed in the playoffs. The semi-finals were played against a team that comprised of many childhood friends. Pitcher Mike Hoke was able to not hit the talented foes into the 5th inning and the Digglers came out victorious.

The Championship game was one that would remain controversial to this day. The game was to be played against the undefeated first place team, that had given the Digglers one of their two regular season losses. Upon gametime, the umpire was no where to be found. A half hour had passed before he arrived, which was a problem considering the late August sun was to set during the game. The Digglers showed off an inspiring performance, holding a 4 run lead into the last inning. Being the lower seed, they were to field in the last half of the inning, but the sun was nowhere to be found. The bottom half of the inning featured a lazered ball hit directly at the Pitcher Mike Hoke, who didn't see it until it wizzed passed his face. Star Centerfielder Eric Lofgren lost a softly hit ball in the air, clueless that it had landed a few feet behind him. The Digglers did not record an out in that inning, and the 4 run lead was quickly turned into a loss.

The game was discussed much by the Digglers and fans in attendance. The majority felt cheated,and it was widely accepted that had the game started on time they would've been victorious. It was decided that the Digglers reached out to league officials, requesting they receive the Championship fleeces. The league agreed and the Digglers now have the fleeces in their possession. They coined themselves the "Daylight Champions", and whenever referred to as Champions* they make sure to include an asteriks, as at the end of the day, the final score was a loss.

The Fall of 2019 the Digglers tried to mix it up a bit and play 16", with no gloves. The transition was a bit much and after a few close games, the Digglers went winless in the regular season, and claimed the last seed in the playoffs. Their confidence was not broken, and they incredibly were able to win both playoff games and make their way to the Championship. However their star player Alex Rice was not able to attend the championship game, and the Digglers went on to once again, lose in the Championship.

The pandemic year of 2020 was a rather interesting one for the Digglers. As was the political climate, slowpitch softball was filled with controversy after controversy. Securing a second seed for the Summer Playoffs, the Digglers were met with an early exit by bats of the last seeded Short, Fat, Fading. The team who the Digglers had beaten 18-4 during the regular season, SFF showed up to the playoffs with a host of ringers who were not previously rostered, as well as some performance enhancing narcotics. The Digglers fought hard but ultimately lost to the fresh faced team.

2020 also featured a new rivalry with the team "Ohio Elite". Tough fought games in both regular seasons led to much trash talk both on the field and on social media. The rivalry was culminated in the Fall semi-finals between the teams, a game in which the Digs were missing starting pitcher/coach Hoke, leadoff hitter/ centerfielder Elijah Marder, 1B Andrew Lofgren & clean up hitter Al Rice. Despite the lack of Digglers, the Digs found themselves with a 6 run lead headed into the final inning. The Ohio Elite were able to take advantage of the Digs lack of leadership & closing experience and ended up walking off after a few routine errors by players playing out of their usual positions. The tragic ending to the fall season at the helms of Ohio Elite, who went on to win the Championship, only enhanced the rivalry between the 2 teams.

Following the Fall 2020 season, the Digglers entered the Holiday Tournament in November in a last chance effort to earn some fresh Championship fleeces. After some tightly contested games, the Digglers found themselves in a heated & emotional Championship game. After much argument between the both teams & the umpire, the Digglers were able to pull off a Championship win in the late November cold earning themselves a fresh batch of Players Sports Championship fleeces.

2021 will start with the Digglers once again playing a Clarendon Park with some familiar teams like Ohio Elite, Benchwarmers, Softballs Hard Bats & Defensive Indifference. Starting Pitcher/ Coach Hoke will be coaching the team remotely from a ranch in the Mojave Desert for what is sure to be another year of drama & controversy.