Tag: kickball

In our second game of the season we were facing off against Kicking Grass. They seemed to be a combination of several teams from last season, and all their guys could kick pretty deep. So the Honey Badgers knew we were in for a worthy challenge.

We got off to a quick start. Just kept a steady dose of hits from the top of our lineup to get us 4 early runs. Defensively Kicking Grass would seriously threaten with runners on base, but we were able to get out of the jams unscathed. Yet more solid fielding for the Badgers.

In the second inning Caitlin boomed a kick over the drawn in left fielder. It was pretty impressive (as were several of her kicks that day, much more power behind them this week), and while she had an easy double, was thrown out stretching it into a triple She wasn’t alone in with impressive kicking, Lauren really showed his great kicking that we were used to seeing last year. I do believe she’s found her kick now (much to our opponents dismay).

I did peg a girl running to first. Despite the jokes I got from my teammates, and the disapproval from her body language it was a soft peg and much safer than if I had tried to beat her to the bag. I really didn’t want to chance a collision.

Kicking Grass would get on the board the next inning with 3 runs. While we were continuing to kick fairly well, we weren’t driving in runs leaving many base runners stranded in the middle innings. This allowed them to stay in the game and apply pressure to us.

While running to third I attempting a head first slide hoping the third baseman might bobble the ball. Unfortunately my wrist caught the ground and my right elbow got dislocated. I knew right away something bad had happened, it was pretty gross looking. I tried rolling around a bit hoping it would pop back in on it’s own. It hadn’t yet so I rolled on my back and announced, “I’m hurt bad” so that everyone knew to stop play. Upon getting up I immediately looked for something to attempt to drive my elbow back into place. I figured to use the soccer post and moved it a bit in my effort. Success, the elbow was back in place and I was not fielding or pitching for the remainder of the game.

From there the Honey Badgers just played tough. Just when it looked like the tide was going to turn, John B. made another amazing catch robbing the opponent of a scoring opportunity. He’s been playing  left field in an entirely different league all season, with each big catch firing up the team to find a way to play better themselves.

Perhaps the finest piece of kickball teamwork would unfold in the sixth inning. One of the Kicking Grass guys boomed a kick into right way past Geoff. Geoff didn’t hesitate our pout, he just turned around and chased it down. Dustin playing center for an absent Kevin immediately got in place for the relay. He then got it to the infield where John K. threw a perfect strike literally inches from home plate to peg the runner out. It was pretty amazing to watch and to see how the team reacted to the play was great. We’ve got a really great bunch this year.

We were able to tack on an extra run and held on to secure a victory. It wasn’t easy, but we found a way to hold onto our lead against a solid team.

This was another great victory for the Honey Badgers. It’s great that we were able to win such a close and hard fought game.

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!

I’m not sure exactly what’s been going on the past 2 weeks, but it’s been very tough to field a roster. This week John B. alerted me that he would be unable to play. While a huge loss for the team, John of all our players really could use a week off to get his body back together. So in a way I was a little glad.

However then I found out that Sean would be out too due to work obligations. Down to four guys now, that meant I’d have to start working the phones to find a guy to fill in for the week. Luckily dodgeball veteran and long time friend Jared “The Catch” Miller was able to fill in giving us our five guys for the week.

Our girls however were another story. With six girls on the roster I always was concerned with getting everyone enough playing time, but lately I’ve been just hoping to have the minimum three to field a team. Meghan had work obligations and would be out. Lauren injured her shoulder and even though she offered her services, upon seeing her in person there was no way I was going to let her play and risk further injury. Megan too was unable to play and Steph had to skip to get a lost phone.

Down to two girls, steady Irena and Caitlin who actually was hoping to be used sparingly coping with injuries is what we took the field with and I couldn’t of asked for a better two to go into this muddy, messy game with.

Right before kickoff, the captain of Vicious and Delicious had similar roster issues and was only able to field seven players himself. So our deficit wouldn’t be as bad as it could have been. He also insisted that we waive the less than three girls in the field penalty that would have costed us an out whenever our missing third girl would have batted.

The game got off to a fast start. Having Kevin and John K. back this week was huge for us. They really bring so much to our defense. Kevin did make a fine heads up play tagging a runner who ventured off of second base, but the ref deemed the play dead and since the opposing team didn’t enforce the girl penalty mentioned earlier, I really couldn’t argue the call. It did result in three runs that inning for Vicious and Delicious.

We would quickly answer back with three runs of our own. Dustin, John K. myself and Caitlin really kicked well all game and would go on to provide the majority of our offense on the day. We each went 4-5 apiece and scored and knocked in many runs.

I’ve been kicking well as of late and it does feel nice. When I’m up to bat I know that my teammates know as well and I do like that feeling. Hopefully I can keep it up with the playoffs coming in two weeks.

Honey Badger of the Week Caitlin has also been kicking very well as of late too, and it’s been a major boon to the team to get production from her later in the lineup. Jared really gave us a gutsy effort too. With an early injury he managed to play a solid first base for us despite the discomfort and though we was walking the bases like an old man, did his best to help the team out.

After the first inning, we clamped down in the field. Giving up only one more run on the day. With a very slick field and ball no catch was routine, yet we made many fine plays in the field. The amount of ground the Kevin and John K. were able to cover was amazing. They always come to play and it’s appreciated. Dustin too say an increase in action in left field and played great for us.

At the end of this fun game, we found ourselves back on the winning side at 11 to 4. Lot’s of fun and hoping that we can start to get players back in time for the playoffs.