Category: Sports

There’s nothing like opening day of SJSL kickball! Filling out my waiver, being issued my new shirt for the season, meeting and greeting new faces; it’s really a fine experience.

This season we’re returning nearly all of our Honey Badgers with two key additions. Geoff “Golden Leg” is returning this season and new addition Julie has already made a major impact to the team. I really like our squad this season!

This week we found ourselves pitted against the Banzai Executioners. When last we met we had ended their season in the playoffs so we knew they’d come back strong hoping for some payback.

We got off to a strong start which always makes the game easier for us. The most notable stat on the day would be our amazing fielding. We turned an astounding four double plays with one nearly being a triple play, and really could have turned five. In a seven inning game, that’s pretty astounding!

To go along with our outstanding fielding we also were equally as dominant at the plate as well. It was a steady stream of hits coupled with some fine base running.

I was very glad to continue with my not kicking streak that ended last season. I really like my placement with kicks, it tends to go exactly where I’m aiming. What’s really impressing me has been my base running though. I completely stole a run going from third to home with two outs and took and extra base on a single that would eventually set me up for another easy run as well. I felt like Vince Coleman, minus throwing fireworks at kids of course.

I was very impressed with our girls. They all can catch, field and kick very well. I think they will win us a lot of games this year. They’re all very solid and know the game.

John B. continued to dazzle in the field. He seems to produce several web gems each and every week now. So glad that he’s healthy.

With out great game we went on to win 8-1. Despite the score the Executioners hung in there for most of the game. We did get some late insurance runs at the very end.

All in all a perfect start to the season. Very excited!

Our second game of the playoffs had us facing off against the undefeated Terror Squad. When last we met we lost a heartbreaker in extra innings. So we knew we were in store for a great game.

The game was originally set to be played the previous week, but was cancelled due to rain the predicted t-storms in the area. The delay couldn’t of come at a better time for the Honey Badgers. Sean was away and Kevin and John B. weren’t feeling well. The extra week really allowed some of our better players a better shot to contribute to the team.

Leading up to the game Irena and I really discussed possible lineups a great deal. She as usual had some great ideas and it’s so great to have her as an asset to the team. Not only physically, but mentallyI can always rely on her to help make game decisions.

Well 6:00 finally rolled around and the weather was perfect for kickball. The captains exchanged lineups and we finally got to begin.

The first innig we put a run on the board. I was hoping to get a few more, but it was still a good start.

The Terror Squad answered back with a few runs of their own. We all knew we were in for a tight game.

John B. made some amazing plays in the field. He really stepped up his defense and made several amazing and very important catches. His addition to the team has been big all season, and his uncanny ability to come through in the clutch has saved us countless times.

Offensively it was not our finest day. A lot of that goes to the very solid fielding of the Terror Squad, but I still thought we had a few opportunities that we could’ve capitalized on further.

At the plate I was fortunate enough to of had a pretty solid game for us. Going 3-3 and knocking in 2 big runs. I kept getting to second and threatening runs, but I never did make it home and they were just threats. I’m really glad I was able to contribute in our big game, I really didn’t want to let anyone down.

The game would continue to be played very tight as two good teams battled it out. At the end of the day, the Terror Squad would wind up winning it 6-4.

We were bummed and really felt we could’ve won that one, but hats off to the Terror Squad. They played better and didn’t give us many opportunities to capitalize on.

Despite the loss and an ending to our season I truly couldn’t of been happier. Our team was great and truly played as a team all season. I had so much fun with these guys and can’t imagine what I used to do on Tuesday’s before this.

What a great season.

With our lackluster performances in our last 2 dodgeball playoff appearances, I was really hoping that kickball would be different for us. Our opponents were the fourth seeded Banzai Executioners who beat us earlier in the season. This was a pretty good match-up and one that I thought we should be able to take, but it would be close.

Apparently we all came to play last night. It was great, and this would go on to be our best overall game of the season. Things were just clicking and we really did a great job of manufacturing runs with the bottom of our lineup.

As the visiting team we got off to a terrific start. Our always potent top of the lineup got us five big early runs. The early lead really let us play with more confidence in the field, and it showed. Kevin got us started with a dribbler right up the middle and the rest of our guys just did their thing finding spots in the defense and hitting them.

Defensively we were just solid all around. Making all the catches, with some outstanding team defense as well. Caitlin pegged another runner this week, erasing yet another potential run! She must lead the league in pegs at this point.

She also utilized John K.’s strong arm in relaying throws to him to second. Very heads up team play by the Honey Badgers.

While playing first a ball that was just a bit over my head, I just barely was able to get a finger on it and tipped it just enough so that a charging Dustin coming from right field was able to make an outstanding catch on the play. Knowing where one another in the field and having confidence in each other really payed off.

Steph also made a very big catch of her won playing a shallow right field. It was an important catch and it was great to see her make a big play! She would go on to nab Honey Badger of the Week honors for it.

Offensively we were just on as a team. Production came from all parts of the lineup. John B. was back and it showed, going 4-4 with some big kicks. Kevin lead us off with a kick and didn’t let up going 4-4 as well.

I had one of my better days as well, kicking with some power getting a double and was robbed of a hit by an outstanding play by the Banzai third baseman. I knew that I’d have to be aggressive to try to manufacture us a run late in lineup and had a aggressive slide taking second base. I think I surprised the team, especially Kevin and could hear his praise. On the next play it payed off as I scored on an all out sprint from second to home.

This was a tremendous game and I was so proud of how well and hard everyone played. It was a very fine moment for the Honey Badgers franchise winning 11-4.

Can’t wait to continue our playoff run next week!

With our final regular season kickball game we had a rematch with our week 1 opponents the Lightning Donkeys. Sadly the Lightning Donkeys were short a few players, so that would give us a pretty substantial advantage on the day.

We got off to a tremendous start with Kevin leading off with our first home run of the season! The missing fielder and favorable wind really made kicking easy for all of us. The ball was clearly travelling further than usual and we had much larger gaps in the field to aim for.

The rest of the the team took advantage as well and we all put up some good numbers. Steph even scored her first 2 runs of the season with some great base running!

Despite putting up a sizable early lead, the Donkeys never quit. With some big kicks by their guys and some sub-par defense on our part they were able to score many late runs.

In the end our early lead was too much and we ended the regular season on a good note.

Next week the playoffs begin!