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."
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