We're not sure how or why it happened, but for the second year in a row, a United States (Adult Male Slow-Pitch) Softball Team game was televised on ESPN.

As was the case last summer, the game was slipped into the ESPN rotation on a lazy Saturday afternoon.  And, per the usual, the United States team played Canada in a game entitled "The Border Battle".  Apparently, those are the only two land masses that recognize adult slow-pitch as a national sport  - and we here at JoeSportsFan could not be more grateful.

Our pictorial recap of last year's affair proved to be one of the most-trafficked (and hastily-commented) posts in our existence, so we thought we would give it another go.

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Advertising to Target Markets: Advertisers for this event know their target demographic...

Those that like adult slow-pitch softball, buying their own hardware and mowing down a meat sandwich wrapped in buns made of fried chicken.



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Dare to Dream Big, Kids: This is Rusty Bumgardner of Team USA, as if you didn't know that.  He flat out rakes and has one heck of a adult film name.

And look at that form; it's damn near perfection.  Hands below the belt, eyes affixed at the apex of the pitch arc, and an impeccable front-leg kick.  Oh, and an arm guard.  Don't even try to bust Rusty inside.



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Proper Softball Head Gear: With a victory for the United States team last year, it was time to up the ante.  Apparently, in adult mens softball, that's accomplished by a pitcher sporting a face shield.  Stroke it up the middle if you please, Canucks.  Our pitcher comes equipped with his son's paintball helmet.

And eyeblack underneath.  Fear him.



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Proper Softball Head Gear: Team Canada's pitcher needs no face mask.

The mixture of a goatee, chained-linked jewelry and Oakley sunglasses creates a force-field of softball incineration.  Scientists can't even explain it.



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Philosophical Softball Question of the Day: If a foul ball lands in the stands, but there are no fans there to claim it, is it still considered a "souvenir"?



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Softball Mound Visits: After the United States took the lead in the 3rd inning, it was time for a Canadian mound visit.  Even at this elite level, sometimes pitchers just don't have their stuff.  Velocity was a down a bit for the Team Canada hurler.  Around 14 MPH, we're told.

He's usually in the upper teens.



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Patience is a Virtue: Ask any professional softball player; they face many of the issues currently plaguing the Major League Baseball circuit.  Case in point; getting quick-pitched.  Thus, calling for time is extremely necessary and effective at this level.

Getting "quick-pitched" while playing "slow-pitch".  Makes perfect sense, right?



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Adult Slow-Pitch Umpires are Important: We're not 100% sure of the qualifications that are necessary to umpire a game of this magnitude, but we are positive that "ample mustache" is towards the top of the accreditation process.



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Ballpark Craftsmanship: A dumpster behind center field, an abandoned golf cart and street-side parking for minivans.

The game of adult male slow-pitch softball is exciting enough, but frankly, we could travel around the nation marveling at the facilities.  True craftsmanship.



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Arguing with the Umpire: Sticking up for your team is part of the "adult softball coach" job description, but the dozens of USA fans began to get restless when Team Canada's skipper barked up the umpire for the third time, pleading his case for why ice fishing was better than deer hunting.



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You Gotta Want It: Classmates laughed when Rusty Bumgardner's high school yearbook stated that he would be the "Most Likely to Dive Headfirst into Home Plate During a Softball Game with other Adult Men".

Rusty was elated to finally validate that premonition.