Final touches readied for banquet

The pig is in the poke, meaning the awards are in the house. Added good news is that there is now only a 10 percent chance of rain tomorrow night.

My office is cleaner than usual, even though it inspired an argument between Allie and I.

Also, the potluck list is coming together and we are expecting nearly perfect attendance tomorrow. See you all then.

--Nate

Banquet Preview

So I guess I haven't updated this in a while, but give me a break! If I remember right, we won all the games I don't have results for, so it's going to take a while to update all those stats.

I have started compiling a list of what everyone is bringing. Click on each item if you want a preview.

Please remember not to go to any clubs with a gun in the waist band of your sweat pants this week, we don't want any bad press before the banquet.

-- Coach Nate

Reminder: Bye Week

Hi guys,

I haven't updated the blog for a while, but it's okay because we are off this Wednesday. We could hold a practice anyway if people are interested and assuming it doesn't rain/snow as is forecast. Our next game is slated for the following Wed., Nov. 5, at 7:20.

Nate

Game 5 Recap/Game 6 Preview

Alright guys, sure we're on a three-game losing streak. Sure we've sunk nearly into last place in the league. But there's good news ahead!

Our next opponent, Blue Ballz, has also lost three in a row and is falling toward the bottom. So something's got to give. I've also drawn up a new defensive strategy to be unveiled before our 6:30 game, so be sure to get there around 6:15 for kicking practice, lap running, and a defensive map that may or not feature a cat that you should or should not feed.

I don't want to leak all our info on the Internets as our outgoing prez likes to say, but I do want to let you know what it means to have Blue Ballz. Maybe they're distracted and that's why they are on a losing streak. Or maybe it means this.

Of course, we are on a losing streak ourselves. But I must say this, despite losing by the largest margin of the year last week, we showed some positive signs:

• We were not throwing the ball behind the runner
• Becca succesfully laid down three bunt hits, while Zack went 3-3 and made his usual leaping catches; he also provided some comic relief when we were down by pulling the ol' "lost my tooth" trick
• Allie also had her first perfect game at the plate, kicking safely in two at-bats
• We still were able to out-drink our opponents, who were too busy masticating to show up at City Limits after the game

That said, we still made a few too many errors in the field, but I think the start of the World Series is the perfect chance for us to begin tightening up the defense. See you at 6:15!

Game 5 Preview: What's a masticator?

As it turns out perhaps the 9:00 prime time games are not as good to us as I thought. This week, we will see how we do in the early game when we take on The Chronic Masticators.

The Masticators are 3-1, although their wins come against two winless teams and one with only one win. I've also acquired this scouting report of the team practicing their filthy chewing habit (Megan, you may not want to watch this). They are crazy frogs.

Meanwhile, we can no longer say that our only win is against a winless team as Geniuses Pick Green got in the win column last week. And unfortunately tied us.

We could really use a win here if we want to avoid playing a top team in the first round of the playoffs. We will be without Lori, Jason and Allie so we will really need a good game from everyone. The spead coming out of Southside Saloon has us as 2.5-run underdogs but we should win this game outright. I would call us lock of the week.

The weather should be sunny and warm. Just plan on meeting at the field at 6 p.m.

Game 4 Recap: The night that just wasn't our day

We knew we had a tough task at hand facing the undefeated Kick You in the Balls squad, who maybe took things a little seriously. Unfortunately, we were not up to the challenge that evening, but hopefully it is a game this upstart expansion franchise can learn from.

Despite falling 12-2 by mercy rule for the first time in team history, it's not like we were dropping balls. The bigger problem was our throwing the balls to the base behind the runners. Some friendly reminders:

• It's best not to try to hit someone with the ball unless you are a) sure you will hit them, b) sure that you can recover the ball after it hits them
• If you don't know where to throw the ball, get it to the shortstop if you are throwing from the outfield; if you're in the infield get it to the pitcher so the umpire will call time and runners can no longer advance

We also have to remember that when on the base paths it is OK to run through first base, at any other base you have to stop on the base. If a defensive player is standing on the base, run them over like this guy does (watch second base after the second batter kicks). You probably don't need to use the forearm though.

Even in a 12-2 loss that took about 20 minutes, we did have a few highlights, like Jim's two-run double that he called a home run a little early. (As in when he yelled at Nate "Fucking go! It's a home run!) Jason also ran his streak of consecutive times reaching base to start the year to four, before he got out in the 6th. He still established a club record.

Jim and Jason also starred at the bar that night. Jason made sure everyone would stay awake and in high spirits after the late game by distributing espresso vodka; later, Jim did a good job of getting the bartender to take one beer off his tab.

Another Game 4 Preview: The Stars Come Out at Night

After a rain out last week both We Just Blue Ourselves and the violently named Kick Your Balls (joke's on them: half our team doesn't have balls) will square off in prime time for the 9:00 game at Latrobe Field this Wednesday.

Kick Your Balls come into this match 3-0, including handing each of two teams its only loss, and are 5-run favorites this week, according to the local bookie at Paul's on Fort Ave.

However, We Just Blue Ourselves have already proved a tough opponent in the late night spot, where they are undefeated at 1-0.

They say the biggest performances come out when the spotlight is on and they'll be glaring this week in the late game. This week's pick to click is Devin White in his second appearance of the season. Andrew McLeod is again slated to start on the mound for the third straight week.

Game 3 Recap: Nearly the Greatest Comeback Ever

It was the fall's first Wednesday, and a crisp autumn breeze blew through the air. The We Just Blue Ourselves Kickball squad were on the diamond for a little kicking practice, unaware that they were about to take part in the greatest kickball game ever played.

Suddenly, Drinkerz with a Kicking Problem, a slightly unruly, ragtag, self-made squad of perennial underdogs walked to the opposite side of the field ready to get the game started.

Yet these Drinkerz were not to be underrated. They had a lineup stacked with powerful legs, as evidenced by a first-inning three-run homer that answered the two runs Team Blue had put up in their half of the first.

However, Blue Ourselves was also there to play. Despite playing with heavy hearts in the first game without teammate and friend Pat Citroni, who died in a traffic accident on the previous Thursday, Blue Ourselves was out for a win. They honored Citroni by leaving his spot in right field open during the first inning, and added his initials to their jerseys.

As mentioned earlier, Blue came out firing in the first inning. Mark Goldman started his slump-busting, 3-hit game with a single, later scoring on an RBI kick by Matt Marsden. Blue then added a run on a sac-fly by starting pitcher Andrew McLeod that plated Zach Seprodi for a 2-0 lead. In the first inning Devin White, making his league debut, also learned some rules about the game and where you can kick from. At least he didn't make the same mistake as this kid.

In the second inning, We Just Blue Ourselves blew the opposition away, kicking a two-run homer to right for a 4-3 lead and simultaneously bunking the notion that "short girls can't kick." Seprodi then homered in the following inning to put Blue up 5-3.

However, from that point a few defensive lapses and some stalled rallies allowed We Just Blue Ourselves to lose hold of their lead, as they fell behind 8-5 as they came to the plate in the seventh inning. But Blue was just getting warmed up!

Coach Nate Sandstrom led off the inning with a single, then Wanner again knocked him home as Sandstrom circled the bases with reckless abandon. Then Jim Marsden, just done shooting his porno flick, followed with a two-run moon shot to tie the game at 8.

Lori "The Pretzel Assassin" Evans then dropped down a nice kick for a single, before Allie McLeod roped a line drive only to see it snagged by the Drinkerz' third basemen. Unfortunately Assistant Coach White had to learn another kickball lesson because he sent Evans, who was doubled up.

However, Blue Ourselves was not done. Goldman kicked a single and Seprodi tripled him home, giving Blue the lead again at 9-8. Becca Dougherty then dropped down a perfect bunt for the second time in the game, unfortunately the Kickerz pitcher made an immaculate play and threw out Seprodi as he headed to the plate.

With the lead, closer Sandstrom hoped to seal the door shut; however, after a few errors the Drinkerz or Kickerz or whatever they're called tied the game and put the go-ahead run on third base with one out.

With their backs against the wall, Sandstrom tried to be crafty and announced he would walk the bases loaded. Then he accidentally threw it right down the middle of the plate for what appeared to be the game-winning kick. Fortunately, it was foul. Now needing just one more strike, Sandstrom tried to get the kicker to chase strike three, but unfortunately the kick sailed to left field for a game-winning sac fly.

Despite the disappointing loss, We Just Blue Ourselves kept their heads up and did a good job of drinking City Limits' beer and remembering that they were out there to have fun, which they did. They also achieved several franchise firsts, with Megan McNew getting the team's first walk and Wanner, Seprodi and Marsden getting the team's first home runs.

"I'm proud of the way our kids played tonight," Coach Sandstrom said after the game. "They showed a lot of heart to come back when they were down and I'm sure that we'll Stomp the Footstompers next week."

Sandstrom denied that the razzing of shortstop Jim Marsen by his brother and White after late-game errors would effect his play.

"Marsden has a lot of upside, we just need to get him to sharpen his focus. I'm predicting an error-free game next week."

Game 4 Preview: The Stomp-off

Well team Blue, after nearly pulling off the most awesome kickball comeback in history last week we now will have to try to regroup and knock-off The Footstompers at 7:20 on Wednesday.


The Footstompers, like us, are 1-2. They are 2-point favorites but despite their name, they are not as good at stomping as they would have you believe. See this YouTube clip for a scouting report. They also tend to dress like David Bowie, as you can see in this clip.

We should be able to out stomp then. Plus we should have cooler game-time temperatures and the We Just Blue Ourselves franchise is undefeated (0-0) in games where the temperature is 60 degrees or lower.

Recap later today.

Game 2 Recap or The Geniuses who picked green and lost

It was a dark and stormy night. Well, not really, but it was the second ever game for the We Just Blue Ourselves Kickball Club who were charged with defeating the heavy favorites, Geniuses Pick Green.

Despite being underdogs, We Just Blue Ourselves came out kicking, tallying two runs in the first inning. The Geniuses countered with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Blue Ourselves however came back with a three-run rally keyed by a Matt Marsden bases-loaded double.

Blue never looked back, securing an 8-7 win after Allie hauled in a force out at second.

Andrew McLeod earned the victory in his pitching debut, and also went 1-2 at the plate, scoring the game's first run.

Patrick Citroni also was a key table-setter, going 1-3 and scoring a run in the third inning. He was also a victim of good defense by our opponents.

Angie Wanner made several catches in the field, but lest you thing she was only in their for the glove, you should note that she went 1-3 and kicked home Pat (not literally).

Our clean-up kicker Jim Marsden certainly did clean-up, kicking in the game's first run, despite his depression.

Jason Crook told people he had never played organized sports before, but we know he really just said that so he could hustle the other team out of cash because he got on safely every time he was up. (Drinks on Jason this week.)

As mentioned above, Allie McLeod made the game-ending catch, conquering her long-time fear of playing second base. She also was 1-3, kicking in Angie to score yet another run.

Nate Sandstrom was just 1-2 at the plate, but he had a key moment on defense when he stared down the opponent, freezing him at third base and stopping him from tying the game. He also came out of the bullpen in the fourth to keep the other team's kicking off balance.

Mark Goldman didn't kick on safely, but he was Defensive Player of the Game. He made, like, at least five catches. It was awesome.

Miss Lori Evans also pretended like she didn't know the rules. But she was simply awesome, getting a hit and scoring a run.

Zach Seprodi was Blue Ourselves secret weapon. He emerged from the shadows to kick on-base in the second inning and score a run. I think he also made like 21 catches in the outfield.

Becca Dougherty must have bought a Maryland Lottery Double Bubble that night, because she was all about the doubles. She turned a double play in the field and also scored a pair of runs both time she was up.

Matt Marsden was our other secret weapon, even though he got out for the first time all year he still had the key bases-clearing double.

Megan McNew was our main squeeze at the bottom of the line-up, kicking a single to keep the inning going in the fifth, which led to a run that made the difference in the game.

After the game they all enjoyed libations at City Limits. Even though they stole Mark's credit card they all lived happily ever after.

Getting our feet wet

The We just Blue Ourselves kickball era has begun. Even though we lost our first contest I was very encouraged that we played our opponents to a 1-1 tie after falling behind 4-0 in the first. Nine different players reached base safely and we will look for more improvement this week when we take on Geniuses Pick Green (or so they say).

It's a late game .. we're scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. We'll probably meet at City Limits around 7ish again.

Check back for more updates tomorrow.