This went about as expected … Jon and I decided that after 4 people were able to finish the challenge last year we needed to add a little more speed to the fastball. Instead of buying a light beer (water) we picked up a substantially darker keg of Dos Equis Amber Ale.

The beer with accompanying lemon wedge was fantastic – the hotdogs were Oscar Meyer Wieners which were labeled “All Meat” were also delicious. But one must ask, if these are labeled “All Meat” than what is in the other Oscar Meyer Wieners that were NOT all meat? Shoelaces? Jon wisely decided not to find out and picked up the “all meat” kind.

This year’s challenge was not only more difficult because of the choice of beer but also the because length of the innings were drastically shorter due to fantastic pitching by Wakefield and a lack of scoring by both teams. In particular the 5th and 6th innings, also known as “The Hump”, were very quick three and outs for both teams.

This year there was only one person whom completed the “999 Dream Challenge” .. Todd Greenough went uncontested into the 9th inning and cruised across home plate to win this years “999 dream challenge”

Next year’s festivities (yes for some god awful reason we plan on doing it again next year) will include a prize of a Nordic Lodge dinner gift certificate. For those of you unfamiliar with the Nordic Lodge, is an “all you can stuff in your pie-hole” lobster, seafood and steak dinner valued at $50 a seat. This should be a great prize for a very deserving victor.

Thanks for all 12 participants, even Lisa’s 555 bid that fell unsurprisingly short at 3.5 beers and 3.5 dogs (with onions), for making this years “999 dream challenge” yet another surprising hit.

I do however need to note that after Todd completed the 999 challenge .. he promptly passed out on the couch with his shoes on .. so we had to have some fun with the champ.

Note to all: do not stand down wind from the following people; Joe Ponte, Jon Cooper, Me, Lisa Coletta, Dick Cheese a.ka (Dave Comella), Joe Webster, Todd Greenough, Shawn Picard, Jesse Lepre (shame on you .. 2.5 dogs), Steve Reynolds, A-Manda’ Smith and who could forget Apollo.