Week 3 Preview and Week 2 Recap or "How the Super Goldstar Lock of the Week Came Through" (retroactive to March 29)

Hi gang -

I guess everyone has probably had a hard time containing themselves all week after our thrilling 5-2 victory last week, but the weather forecast is calling for rain so we will see if we have to wait another week to get above .500.

Still, weather forecasts can be wrong (don't tell Andrew and Allie -- their dad is a meteorologist) and there's a chance we will still get in our game at 9 p.m. at Latrobe Park against Drinkerz with a Kicking Problem. We are on the same field we were the first two weeks.

Those of you on the team last year probably still remember that game, when we squandered a lead, came back only to fall on a walk-off sac fly to lose 10-9.

However, that was a 6:30 game, and we all know how much better we are at night games when we don't have to rush home from work and have a few drinks before the game.

The scouting report calls our next opponent the Oakland Raiders of the Federal Hill JV A kickball league: old but experienced, crafty but drunk, kicking for power yet likely to fall over, in but out, hot and cold (I've got to stop getting these things from those Hungarians.)

We are planning to get to City Limits at approximately 7:15 for pre-game, rain or shine. Our opponent also usually hangs out at City Limits, so if we get a staring match, a silent competition or a dance-off, remember it is they who are going down.

And fresh off last week's win, we should have confidence. Entering the Week 2 as a 3.5-run underdog against previously undefeated Red Balls and Vodka, famous Vegas bookie Sam "Ace" Rothstein picked We Just Blue Ourselves to win outright, pointing to their past Week 2 performances.

The blue-clad squad made 'Ol Ace look pretty good when Jim led off the game with a single in his first at bat of the year, then Andrew knocked him in for a 1-0 lead two batters into the game.

Jim went 3 for 4 with two RKI's in his first game back from Colorado and his failed attempt to join Ski Patrol. It's OK Jim, maybe you can join Kickball Patrol.

Andrew went 2 for 4 with 1 RKI and also earned both the victory and save on the mound. In honor of the pitching stats accumulation, he is planning on growing a Rollie Fingers moustache. (He will show you the facial hair thing Jim.)

Allie won the coveted Rolaids Bunter of the Week Award, going 4 for 4 with 4 bunt singles. Allie said she has bunting since she was a small child, but this was her first perfect game.

Cleanup kicker Matt Seal showed why he was in the middle, driving several long balls just foul. If we had lost, we definitely could have called for a review on some of those.

Jason also had a big game at the plate, going 3 for 3, scoring a run and knocking in another. He also psyched out Red Balls and Vodka by pounding Red Bulls and vodkas and doing a Ben Roethlingsbergererer impression.

Megan was also hot at the plate, going 3 for 4 and kicking in the final run of the game. Megan also did her best Jake Taylor and did some good trash talking behind the plate, showing Rexman who was boss.

Mark went 1 for 3, including a single that kept the rally going in Blue's go-ahead fifth inning. He also got the U.L. Washington Award for playing multiple positions, even without a toothpick.

Jeff also went 1 for 3, and made several key catches in the outfield, intimidating the Red Balls from trying to kick the ball against this outfield.

Angie again provided spark at defense, hauling in several force-outs at second base and was able to scream louder than any runners screaming toward her. She also went 1 for 3 and scored the go-ahead run.

Meanwhile, Noah proved to be a surprise the Red Balls weren't expecting as he pitched three scoreless inning and earned the win. This guy should definitely be on the add list for people playing fantasy kickball.

Coach Nate was appearing in his first game of the year, and he did show some signs of rust when he gave Jim the green light and got him thrown out at home. However, he did coach the team into successfully letting that bunt teeter foul and went 1 for 2 with a run scored.

Zack also made his debut with the team, even if he didn't get to the game until the sixth inning. Nonetheless, he showed those Red Balls who was boss when they tried to kick at the new guy and he calmly snagged the ball.

Finally Kate did a good job of filling in on short notice, and showed Red Balls and Vodka that we are a team that is not afraid to get a little bloody, even if it means executing a full somersault on the way to first base.