When this game started, ALS was a death sentence. Today, our very own Rich “Ratt” Kennedy is the first patient ever with ALS to be given a new experimental treatment. And he is showing signs of getting better – treatment is working. Next, 15 more patients will try the treatment. Then 150 more. Then 1,000 more. Then treatment could be rolled out before we are done swinging. For many, your contributions could be part of the road to finding a cure (not just a treatment) for ALS.

From a game standpoint, what made this game most crazy was the pitching. James Greely (35 innings), Ian Sales (24 innings), Kevin O’Leary (17 innings), Steven Melo, Peter Mondolfi, Pete Lankrage – all with more than 10 innings. I’m sure there are other pitchers being overlooked. The pitching was great. Resulting in one of the lower scoring games, and the second time since 2014 the game has ended at 68-66.

The game came down to the last at bat. With Team Walter trailing 68-64 in the 100th inning, they rallied, scoring two to close the gap to 68-66. And with the 67th and 68th runs in scoring position, Jon Gallagher (the second Jono Gallagher in the game, though unrelated) hit a fly ball to centerfield that was caught, making those runners victims of obscurity, and ending the game. Scot Leslie caught the final out – the only player to play in the field all 100 innings – and he’s done it two games in a row.

While perhaps not in the field every inning, a total of 17 ironmen and 1 ironwoman played all 100 innings.

There were also fifteen 6-man umpiring crews rotating in every 2 hours supporting Walter Bentson – our umpire chief, also diagnose with ALS. He put on the umpiring gear at midnight for his annual appearance behind the plate.

Every year, after grueling through 100 innings, many believe this will surely be the last year. But as long as Ratt and Walter and the ALS Warriors continue to fight, we will be right there along their side in 2022 and beyond.