By Michael Letendre

Will the Bristol American Legion baseball team ever play a game again this year? 

Mother Nature hasn’t been Post 2’s friend as of late as Bristol’s last two games have been halted by tomfoolery. 

The locals attempted to get its contest in on Saturday against Berlin despite the lousy weather and had big Mike Lorenzetti ready to go on the mound. 

But if the rain didn’t stop the game, what did? 

Berlin did not have enough players to field a team that day, forfeiting the game in the process. 

It was Lorenzetti’s first win of the campaign (1-1). 

And after the holiday break, Post 2 was looking to get back into the swing of things, taking on Naugatuck in a Zone 1 contest from Naugatuck high school. 

A victory would have gotten Bristol closer to second place in the Zone 1 standings but as 5 p.m. approached that evening, the skies immediately darkened. 

Fifteen minutes later, Post 17 (Naugatuck) had just completed batting practice, but the wind picked up in intensity – even blowing a hat off a player or two. 

Quickly, Florida style lighting was seen in the area and minutes later, the facility was pounded by rain. 

There wasn’t any chance to start the game as Bristol players scurried to their cars as the rain was coming down in sheets. 

The temperature – which was in the 90s before the precipitation – dropped twenty degrees or so, but getting the contest in simply was not in the cards. 

The game will be made up on a later date. 

Rust or rest? 

Bristol has played only one game in July, back on the first of the month, as Post 2 dropped a tough 9-4 decision to Meriden from Muzzy Field in Bristol. 

Andrew Lozier threw 92 pitches over 5.2 innings of work – earning a no-decision for his efforts. 

But due to the pitch count rules, he could not throw again until July 6 and since that date has come and gone, every chucker from Post 2 is eligible to throw now. 

If games suddenly start to cluster up due to unpredictable weather and postponements, Bristol will need all hands on deck from the hill. 

Standings 

If all the records for Zone 1 are up to date, Post 2 is not far off the lead in the division. 

The top five squads in Zone 1 are West Hartford (7-2 Zone 1, 8-2 overall), Meriden (6-2, 6-3), Bristol (7-4, 9-4), Avon (5-3), and Naugatuck (4-3). 

Taking a closer look at the standings, Bristol is just a game behind West Hartford and a half-game in back of Meriden for second place. 

On the flip side, Avon is on a half-game behind Post 2 for third place. 

Next Game 

The locals are scheduled to host Newington on Thursday at 7 p.m. from Muzzy Field. 

Newington is dangerous at 3-5 and gave Bristol a run for its money back on June 20 from Legend’s Field as Post 2 broke a 3-3 stalemate in the eighth inning – propelling the team to a 5-3 victory as Roberto Cruz won in relief. 

After that Newington contest, Simsbury is in town on Sunday at 1 p.m. – also from Muzzy. 

Juniors hitting Muzzy Field for two

The Bristol junior squad, after battling Newington on Wednesday (5:30 p.m., Riley Field), will play its next two games from Muzzy Field in doubleheaders with the senior crew.

On Thursday at 5 p.m., the juniors take on Newington and then on Sunday, after the seniors game, Post 2 get the second contest against Simsbury with a 3:30 p.m. start.