Tag: SJSL

Coming off our first loss of the season last week, we were really hoping to bounce back to our Honey Badger winning ways. Sadly our opponent the Ball Busterz had to forfeit their game against us, but the league found us some replacement players so that we could still play!

I tweaked our lineup just a little bit, leading off with John B. and dropping Dustin towards the middle of the order in hopes of scoring a few more runs. While I’m not sure if the changes made a difference, we definitely did score many, many more runs this week (22 I believe).

Everyone kicked extremely well, with almost everyone having a season best offensive performance. Honey Badgers of the Week John K. and Julie really stood out with big kick after big kick.

What was really great was seeing our offense kick intelligently. Moving base runners, kicking to right field and keeping the ball on the ground. It’s so important to contribute something ever if you get out if we want to win the tougher games.

At one point I ever had to ask Kevin not to advance past second base so that we could try some situational kicking out in what turned out to be an exhibition game.

Let’s hope the offensive trend continues as we move towards the end of our season.

It was the battle for first place with the two lone unbeaten teams battling. In our previous two encounters with the Terror Squad we had some amazing games with the Squad finding a way to walk away with the victory each time. The Badgers were really hoping to end that trend this week.

Bad news started when we found out Kevin would not be playing this week due to other plans. He’s a very valuable member of the team and does a great job of patrolling centerfield for us. To compound matters John B. who sustained a chest injury the previous week was wounded going into the game. He really wanted to play in this big game but as captain I ultimately decided to shut him down for fielding for the week to rest up but allowed him to kick if he could past the warm up tests.

Being a guy short, Lauren came through for us yet again in getting her brother Andrew to fill in. He did a great job for us, and we hardly missed a beat with his excellent play.

In the top of the first the Terror Squad got some runners on, but our excellent fielding got us out of the jam unscathed.  The Badgers would get off to a terrific start in the bottom of the first knocking in three big early runs. Once again we scored early and often.

Unfortunately the Terror Squad would answer back with four runs of their own in the second with some excellent team kicking. The Badgers would soon answer back tying the game at four where things would remain for several innings. Both teams were fielding well as usual, perhaps the two most intelligent teams in the league.

The difference maker would come later in the game when with two outs the Terror Squad was able to knock in two runs to take the lead. We didn’t convert on any of our two out opportunities and they did. This would later prove to be the difference maker in the contest as the Terror Squad would go on to win seven to four.

Despite the loss there was some excellent plays made by the Honey Badgers. Elder statesman Geoff made some amazing catches in right field earning him Honey Badger of the Week honors.

Hopefully we’ll get another crack with them in the playoffs.

This would the first kickball game in 4 seasons that I’d have to sit out due to a recent serious elbow injury. While I was really bummed to not be playing, I knew that the Badgers still had plenty of firepower to win against a much revamped and improved Vicious and Delicious.

We got off to our now customary early start, up 3-0 after the first inning. This has been huge for us this season, as it really relaxes the team and we seem to focus better with the early cushion.

I was really impresse with our fielding once again. We play so well as a team, backing one another up and just plain old playing well together. Our situational kicking was really great as well, with our kicks advancing runners even when outs where made. I think we really took a step forward in that regard.

V & D were very tough and would soon tie things up. A competitive tension could be felt during the last few innings. There were some questionable bunt calls on both sides (a very gray area always), but in the end fair play did seem to prevail.

The Honey Badgers held on 6-4 to stay undefeated on the season! A very tough but exciting victory.

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.