Hey all,
We're unfortunately off to an 0-2 start and things are not about to get any easier when we visit How I Met Your Rubber (1-1) at 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday at the same Riverside field as the first two games.
Even though it won't be easy, everyone should be confident that we will win this game. I think we will have everyone there and with a defensive effort like the one we had the first we week I am guaranteeing that we will win. The team looked a lot better at the plate last Wednesday and this is the week that we put it together.
I also have one more secret weapon: Pabst Blue Ribbon. Both we and PBR have the same trademark color so officials from the company have approached me about being the team's official sponsor. The deal is for as long as we keep winning, I will keep bringing free Pabst from Wells Liquors. How's that for a contract incentive?
I think we are planning to go straight to the fields since we are playing one of the earlier games, but we will try to get there a bit early if anyone wants to tailgate at the field. Will be up for going out after with my eye finding a place with the Twins and Tigers on TV.
See everyone Wednesday!
Nate
Monday, September 28, 2009
Game 2 Recap: Sister Act 3, The One Where WJBO loses their second game
Well, it seemed inevitable that God would have his revenge on Andrew for all his flip Jesus-related fantasy football team names. That it would come in the form of a nun and her team of bible-preachin', God-fearing kickball squad surprised even myself.
For those of you who missed it, we found out that it is in fact possible for us to lose our second game of the season as we fell to the Holy Rollers (no, they weren't named after Ned Flanders's bowling team) 12-6.
Then I went all Jim Mora about the performance after the game, but it turns out that Mark was correct, it was not in fact our worst game ever. That still has to go down as the 15-0 loss.
But I'm not going to be all negative just because I'm a member of the mainstream media. To spin things positively I would just point out that had it not been for that inning where we tossed the ball all around the infield and they scored like 7 runs it actually could have been a good game. We just have to remember that making gambles on throws usually doesn't pay off it puts you in an even bigger hole.
We did have some offensive highlights too. Among them:
• Jason can now finally stop having all his conversations about his new dog and wedding planning. He can now talk about the time he scored three runs in a kickball game, 'cause that's what he did Wednesday. Good season opener Crook!
• Becca was a perfect 4-4 at the plate, including an RBI triple. She is now kicking .833 for the season! That is also our second straight game with one of girls getting a triple, so who says girls can only bunt?
• Mark exploited the walk rule so his keen eye allowed Angie a free pass as well that gave us a 1-0 lead.
• In his second ever game Mike found his stroke, going 3-3 with a run scored.
There were undoubtedly some other good plays too but it's been like a week and they are not immediately apparent from the score book. So let's keep the good plays coming and get back in the win column.
For those of you who missed it, we found out that it is in fact possible for us to lose our second game of the season as we fell to the Holy Rollers (no, they weren't named after Ned Flanders's bowling team) 12-6.
Then I went all Jim Mora about the performance after the game, but it turns out that Mark was correct, it was not in fact our worst game ever. That still has to go down as the 15-0 loss.
But I'm not going to be all negative just because I'm a member of the mainstream media. To spin things positively I would just point out that had it not been for that inning where we tossed the ball all around the infield and they scored like 7 runs it actually could have been a good game. We just have to remember that making gambles on throws usually doesn't pay off it puts you in an even bigger hole.
We did have some offensive highlights too. Among them:
• Jason can now finally stop having all his conversations about his new dog and wedding planning. He can now talk about the time he scored three runs in a kickball game, 'cause that's what he did Wednesday. Good season opener Crook!
• Becca was a perfect 4-4 at the plate, including an RBI triple. She is now kicking .833 for the season! That is also our second straight game with one of girls getting a triple, so who says girls can only bunt?
• Mark exploited the walk rule so his keen eye allowed Angie a free pass as well that gave us a 1-0 lead.
• In his second ever game Mike found his stroke, going 3-3 with a run scored.
There were undoubtedly some other good plays too but it's been like a week and they are not immediately apparent from the score book. So let's keep the good plays coming and get back in the win column.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Game 1: Defense wins championships but not our first game; Week 2 Preview: Right where we want them
Well, we gave a great defensive effort in our first game, the only problem was had a hard time getting our kicks to land safely in fair territory.
No worries though as the 3-1 loss is probably just a sign of some rust. Still, credit is due to Angie for her nice triple and props to Seal for the SAC RBI in our seventh inning rally. Mark, Jim, Becca and Jeff also all kicked on base and Nate reached on an error by kicking the ball and convincing the pitcher it was too high to catch.
The defense was superb. I can't think of really any errors so keep up the good work in that regard.
Special thanks also goes to Megan for filling in and calling a good game behind the plate.
So, let's take that positive energy into our next game against the Holy Rollers. I'm not sure which kind of Holy Rollers they are: these, these or these.
Either way, they are 0-1 and after being off for two weeks, they will be plenty eager to get out their and redeem themselves. They will have a tough battle ahead though, as they catch in our second game, in which our franchise has never lost!
Pre-game begins at 7:30 and is at Rub, which is conveniently located a few feet from the field. Game time is 9 p.m. at Riverside. See ya there!
Nate
No worries though as the 3-1 loss is probably just a sign of some rust. Still, credit is due to Angie for her nice triple and props to Seal for the SAC RBI in our seventh inning rally. Mark, Jim, Becca and Jeff also all kicked on base and Nate reached on an error by kicking the ball and convincing the pitcher it was too high to catch.
The defense was superb. I can't think of really any errors so keep up the good work in that regard.
Special thanks also goes to Megan for filling in and calling a good game behind the plate.
So, let's take that positive energy into our next game against the Holy Rollers. I'm not sure which kind of Holy Rollers they are: these, these or these.
Either way, they are 0-1 and after being off for two weeks, they will be plenty eager to get out their and redeem themselves. They will have a tough battle ahead though, as they catch in our second game, in which our franchise has never lost!
Pre-game begins at 7:30 and is at Rub, which is conveniently located a few feet from the field. Game time is 9 p.m. at Riverside. See ya there!
Nate
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Fall 2009 Season Preview
Welcome back everyone for another season of Blue Ourselves kickball! The schedule is out, the fields are striped and we are ready to push for our first playoff bid.
First off, let's welcome our new faces for this year. We have added Mike Lawrence, who used to work with me at Wells Liquors, as well as Joi Butler and Tim Regan, who work with Jackie at Baltimore's finest new hotel, Hotel Monaco.
The biggest change this season is that our games are now at Riverside Park rather than Latrobe Park. The good news about this is we closer to more of the bars, but the bad news is that parking here can be kind of tough. You can get directions here. Do not park in the apartment complex lot, cars will get towed. You are best off trying to find a spot along Well Street or Johnson Street. You may be able to find off-street spots elsewhere but be careful not to park on a block that requires a permit (you'll see signs).
There are not any new rules this year, but it is a good idea to give them a quick look over before the season starts. Click here to view the rules. To that end, I also need everyone to sign the roster, which also serves as a waiver that states that you know the rules and won't sue anyone if you get hurt.
This has to happen before the first game, so if you aren't there I will forge it for you. Everybody let me know your status for Wednesday when you get the chance. Also, if there is any position you want to play, let me know.
Go Blue!
--Coach Nate
First off, let's welcome our new faces for this year. We have added Mike Lawrence, who used to work with me at Wells Liquors, as well as Joi Butler and Tim Regan, who work with Jackie at Baltimore's finest new hotel, Hotel Monaco.
The biggest change this season is that our games are now at Riverside Park rather than Latrobe Park. The good news about this is we closer to more of the bars, but the bad news is that parking here can be kind of tough. You can get directions here. Do not park in the apartment complex lot, cars will get towed. You are best off trying to find a spot along Well Street or Johnson Street. You may be able to find off-street spots elsewhere but be careful not to park on a block that requires a permit (you'll see signs).
There are not any new rules this year, but it is a good idea to give them a quick look over before the season starts. Click here to view the rules. To that end, I also need everyone to sign the roster, which also serves as a waiver that states that you know the rules and won't sue anyone if you get hurt.
This has to happen before the first game, so if you aren't there I will forge it for you. Everybody let me know your status for Wednesday when you get the chance. Also, if there is any position you want to play, let me know.
Go Blue!
--Coach Nate
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Game 6 Recap: A furious rally falls short
OK guys, last week we suffered a tough loss that eliminated us from the chance of finishing with a winning record, but we should build on our valiant comeback (I think the game is airing on ESPN Classic at 4 a.m. tomorrow morning). We should have the confidence to end the year on a high note and get a win against Blackout on what should be a beautiful night.
In case you forgot our epic 13-10 classic against the FYM All-Stars, it went something like this:
Once again we got off to a quick start. After Jim dropped in a single, Becca followed with a run-scoring triple despite being clothes-lined into a summersault by the opposing first baseman that looked something like this, only she was tougher. Mark then man-bunted his way to safety and Seal drove a strike into the outfield to give us a 2-0 lead.
FYM answered with two runs of their own in the top of the second, but the game remained pretty much a pitching duel until the fourth, when FYM decided to kick like five home runs over NAte's head into the weekly keg party in the alley to build a hefty 9-2 lead.
Blue would not be held down easily though. The next inning Andrew kicked a ball the hugged the right field foul line for a triple, and Megan followed with a single to cut the lead to 9-3. But that was just the start of the rally.
In the sixth, Becca and Mark led off the inning with back-to-back singles, followed by a 2-RBI hit by Angie, her second double of the game. Nate then knocked her in, and Jason got his third hit and Nate slid/rolled into home to cut the lead to 9-7. After a close out at first, Michael vowed revenge for losing his perfect average and stroked a two-out to kick to make it 9-8.
FYM had more rally in them, and they plated four runs in the top of the seventh to boost the lead back to 13-8. Not that Blue was done scoring. Jeff started a one-out rally with a single, followed by a bunt hit by Becca. Mark then joined the three-hit club with a run scoring single to make it 13-9. Seal followed with another RBI hit to make it 13-10 and bring the tying run the plate. Angie then kicked a drive to right but unfortunately it hung up rather than falling for another double and the last rally fell short.
It was a still a good effort, and if we don’t give up any 7-run innings tonight I’m sure we’ll be able to get the win and finish 3-4.
It looks like we should have enough as Angie went all Demolition Man and told her bosses "take this job and shovel it, I ain't missing the last game or team pictures."
See you tomorrow!
Coach Nate
In case you forgot our epic 13-10 classic against the FYM All-Stars, it went something like this:
Once again we got off to a quick start. After Jim dropped in a single, Becca followed with a run-scoring triple despite being clothes-lined into a summersault by the opposing first baseman that looked something like this, only she was tougher. Mark then man-bunted his way to safety and Seal drove a strike into the outfield to give us a 2-0 lead.
FYM answered with two runs of their own in the top of the second, but the game remained pretty much a pitching duel until the fourth, when FYM decided to kick like five home runs over NAte's head into the weekly keg party in the alley to build a hefty 9-2 lead.
Blue would not be held down easily though. The next inning Andrew kicked a ball the hugged the right field foul line for a triple, and Megan followed with a single to cut the lead to 9-3. But that was just the start of the rally.
In the sixth, Becca and Mark led off the inning with back-to-back singles, followed by a 2-RBI hit by Angie, her second double of the game. Nate then knocked her in, and Jason got his third hit and Nate slid/rolled into home to cut the lead to 9-7. After a close out at first, Michael vowed revenge for losing his perfect average and stroked a two-out to kick to make it 9-8.
FYM had more rally in them, and they plated four runs in the top of the seventh to boost the lead back to 13-8. Not that Blue was done scoring. Jeff started a one-out rally with a single, followed by a bunt hit by Becca. Mark then joined the three-hit club with a run scoring single to make it 13-9. Seal followed with another RBI hit to make it 13-10 and bring the tying run the plate. Angie then kicked a drive to right but unfortunately it hung up rather than falling for another double and the last rally fell short.
It was a still a good effort, and if we don’t give up any 7-run innings tonight I’m sure we’ll be able to get the win and finish 3-4.
It looks like we should have enough as Angie went all Demolition Man and told her bosses "take this job and shovel it, I ain't missing the last game or team pictures."
See you tomorrow!
Coach Nate
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Game 6 quick notes and Review of Game 5: The Game Against the Team Like Us
Hi everyone,
Looks like it will probably be another game-time decision by the league as to whether we will play this week. Even if it doesn't rain, the fields may be so wet from the last few days that they will be unplayable. I'll try to get out an update around 4 p.m.
If we do get rained out it may be OK, because we may be short players. As of now, here's what I have status-wise:
In:
Angie
Nate
Zack
Probable:
Allie
Maybe Late:
Jeff
Out:
Andrew
Jackie
Jim
Megan
Don't Know:
Becca
Jason
Mark
Michael
Noah
Seal
I still suspect we will have enough to play, though unless we can convince someone to help us re-create Ladybugs, we will probably have to go with just nine in the field.
Besides, being up against long odds is no problem for us. Just look at last week, when we were coming off our worst loss in franchise history and lately had spent more time getting drunk and watching the Caps at City Limits than getting drunk and getting ready to play kickball.
It certainly wasn't ideal weather either, nor were we used to having a classy keg party hosted by Drinkerz with a Kicking Problem being held in left field. Nonetheless, we came up with a big five-run inning to start the game and get us pumped, then crushed Balls and Dolls' comeback bid with a six-run seventh. The final tally was an 11-5 win.
Getting us started in that first inning with a lead-off single was Zack, who returned from a lovely Indiana vacation with a brand new tooth but the same old attitude. Zack went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and did his best Rickey Henderson impression by making effort-free catches in left field.
After the game, team statistician Andrew McLeod pointed out we are undefeated when Zack plays and proposed that he be fined if he ever misses another game. Zack was so distressed he chugged a beer faster than anyone at the bar.
Mark batted second, and 2 must be his favorite number because was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. He also stepped up by replacing our normal cheerleader, Lori, with new cheerleader Scrabble.
Becca batted third, and was 2 for 3 with a run scored. However, her best at bat may have been an out, when she duped Balls and Dolls with a sac bunt that moved the first two runners in scoring position. She also made several sick catches at first while Allie was on the DL.
After Becca had put Mark and Zack in scoring position, Andrew knocked them in, the first of 2 hits in the game. He also earned the pitching win, making him the winningest pitcher in team history, which has earned him the nickname of "Three Fingers" Andrew.
Nate did not have his best game at the plate, going just 1 for 4. During a tirade, he told Jason he would kick over his chicken wings again. However, that was all part of his coaching strategy, just like telling Becca to let a fair ball drop in foul. Despite the many gaffes, Sandstrom did catch all cans of corn kicked his way.
Megan returned from the Boston Marathon in tip-top shape, leading the team to run lines, wind sprints and crab walks on the sidelines before the game to intimidate Balls and Dolls. But that was far from her only contribution. Megan took a cue from Becca with a key first-inning sacrifice and, unlike the catcher on the other team, decided not to let balls roll past her on the other field. "That's what she said," Megan added.
Jeff broke out another intimidation strategy, kick some home runs. He lined up a three-run shot in the first inning before adding a single and scoring a run in the seventh. He also intimidated Balls and Dolls by charging their bunts and showing that sometimes you can throw to first.
Jason was clearly mad about the wing-kicking incident from two weeks ago and Nate's threat to do it again, especially with all those starving people he could ship them to in Africa. The result was he singled in the first inning and did an admirable job at the hot corner in the absence of regular 3B Matt Seal who was also on the DL last week. On the strength of his performance his agent was able to negotiate a later curfew and finish his cribbage game at City Limits.
Jackie showed up to the game in a motorcycle, sunglasses and her best Ricky Vaughn haircut. Balls and Dolls were so freaked out that they wouldn't even kick it to her in the outfield. But Jackie was not about to let them get away without feeling her wrath, she singled and scored a run in the seventh. Then to show there were no hard feelings she offered a D.D. program after the game.
You know the saying "save the best for last." That's what Angie Wanner did. The other team was all like "it's the last girl in the lineup we should move up and read newspaper film reviews." Little did they know Angie is our all-time home run leader among women and this whole batting last thing was a con. She got two hits and scored on the second, but just to show she was nice she didn't injure anyway who tried to bring a weak slide into her house at second base.
Looks like it will probably be another game-time decision by the league as to whether we will play this week. Even if it doesn't rain, the fields may be so wet from the last few days that they will be unplayable. I'll try to get out an update around 4 p.m.
If we do get rained out it may be OK, because we may be short players. As of now, here's what I have status-wise:
In:
Angie
Nate
Zack
Probable:
Allie
Maybe Late:
Jeff
Out:
Andrew
Jackie
Jim
Megan
Don't Know:
Becca
Jason
Mark
Michael
Noah
Seal
I still suspect we will have enough to play, though unless we can convince someone to help us re-create Ladybugs, we will probably have to go with just nine in the field.
Besides, being up against long odds is no problem for us. Just look at last week, when we were coming off our worst loss in franchise history and lately had spent more time getting drunk and watching the Caps at City Limits than getting drunk and getting ready to play kickball.
It certainly wasn't ideal weather either, nor were we used to having a classy keg party hosted by Drinkerz with a Kicking Problem being held in left field. Nonetheless, we came up with a big five-run inning to start the game and get us pumped, then crushed Balls and Dolls' comeback bid with a six-run seventh. The final tally was an 11-5 win.
Getting us started in that first inning with a lead-off single was Zack, who returned from a lovely Indiana vacation with a brand new tooth but the same old attitude. Zack went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and did his best Rickey Henderson impression by making effort-free catches in left field.
After the game, team statistician Andrew McLeod pointed out we are undefeated when Zack plays and proposed that he be fined if he ever misses another game. Zack was so distressed he chugged a beer faster than anyone at the bar.
Mark batted second, and 2 must be his favorite number because was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. He also stepped up by replacing our normal cheerleader, Lori, with new cheerleader Scrabble.
Becca batted third, and was 2 for 3 with a run scored. However, her best at bat may have been an out, when she duped Balls and Dolls with a sac bunt that moved the first two runners in scoring position. She also made several sick catches at first while Allie was on the DL.
After Becca had put Mark and Zack in scoring position, Andrew knocked them in, the first of 2 hits in the game. He also earned the pitching win, making him the winningest pitcher in team history, which has earned him the nickname of "Three Fingers" Andrew.
Nate did not have his best game at the plate, going just 1 for 4. During a tirade, he told Jason he would kick over his chicken wings again. However, that was all part of his coaching strategy, just like telling Becca to let a fair ball drop in foul. Despite the many gaffes, Sandstrom did catch all cans of corn kicked his way.
Megan returned from the Boston Marathon in tip-top shape, leading the team to run lines, wind sprints and crab walks on the sidelines before the game to intimidate Balls and Dolls. But that was far from her only contribution. Megan took a cue from Becca with a key first-inning sacrifice and, unlike the catcher on the other team, decided not to let balls roll past her on the other field. "That's what she said," Megan added.
Jeff broke out another intimidation strategy, kick some home runs. He lined up a three-run shot in the first inning before adding a single and scoring a run in the seventh. He also intimidated Balls and Dolls by charging their bunts and showing that sometimes you can throw to first.
Jason was clearly mad about the wing-kicking incident from two weeks ago and Nate's threat to do it again, especially with all those starving people he could ship them to in Africa. The result was he singled in the first inning and did an admirable job at the hot corner in the absence of regular 3B Matt Seal who was also on the DL last week. On the strength of his performance his agent was able to negotiate a later curfew and finish his cribbage game at City Limits.
Jackie showed up to the game in a motorcycle, sunglasses and her best Ricky Vaughn haircut. Balls and Dolls were so freaked out that they wouldn't even kick it to her in the outfield. But Jackie was not about to let them get away without feeling her wrath, she singled and scored a run in the seventh. Then to show there were no hard feelings she offered a D.D. program after the game.
You know the saying "save the best for last." That's what Angie Wanner did. The other team was all like "it's the last girl in the lineup we should move up and read newspaper film reviews." Little did they know Angie is our all-time home run leader among women and this whole batting last thing was a con. She got two hits and scored on the second, but just to show she was nice she didn't injure anyway who tried to bring a weak slide into her house at second base.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Another Game 5 preview
I hate to say this, but a month may elapse between our last and next kickball game. Although the next two days are supposed to continue in the summer-like pattern, forecasters are calling for Wednesday showers.
Should that prediction be wrong, we are slated to face Balls and Dolls at 7:20 p.m. on our regular field at Latrobe Park. They are also 1-3, though they have faced all the best teams. No word on whether Mark Hamill will be on the team as Nathan Detroit.
We'll see how the forecast looks on Tuesday night and I'll send out another e-mail looking for a head count.
--Nate
Should that prediction be wrong, we are slated to face Balls and Dolls at 7:20 p.m. on our regular field at Latrobe Park. They are also 1-3, though they have faced all the best teams. No word on whether Mark Hamill will be on the team as Nathan Detroit.
We'll see how the forecast looks on Tuesday night and I'll send out another e-mail looking for a head count.
--Nate
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