On Deck: Better L8 Than Never
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6 pm - Away
History: First meeting
AWOL: ?
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This team finished atop the standings last season in Tempe's top league. Are we David and them Goliath?
1 Samuel, chapter 17:[2]'s account of the duel:
Saul and the Israelites are facing the Philistines at the Valley of Elah. Twice a day for forty days, Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, comes out between the lines and challenges the Israelites to send out a champion of their own to decide the outcome in single combat. However, Saul and all the other Israelites are afraid of him. By chance, David is present, having brought food for his elder brothers. Told that Saul has promised to reward any man who defeats Goliath, David accepts the challenge. Saul reluctantly agrees and offers his armor, which David declines, taking only his sling and five stones chosen in a brook.
David and Goliath confront each other, Goliath with his armor and shield, David with his staff and sling, “and the Philistine cursed David by his gods.” David replies: “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that God saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is God’s, and he will give you into our hand.”
David strikes Goliath in the head with a stone from his sling, and the Philistine falls on his face to the ground. David takes Goliath’s sword and cuts off Goliath’s head. The shocked Philistines flee and are pursued by the Israelites “as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron.” David puts the armor of Goliath in his own tent, and takes the head to Jerusalem. Saul sends Abner to bring David to him. The king asks whose son he is. David answers, ‘I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.’ ”
Scouting: We know nothing except they may put ten players on the field at any given time.
Pregame: Arrive 25 minutes before gametime for warming up arms and bats. Practice your head-chopping motions.
Postgame: Better to empty pitchers L8 than never.