Denver - Sunday Funday Highlights - Week 1

Cuernavaca Field 2 (10am)

Gone Rogue (royal blue) vs. Hose Draggers (red): 

Welcome to fall GO Kickball, that first 10am game is tuff on the hangovers but good practice for what is to come this season!  Most of the scoring started in the beginning of this game, then the defenses got screwed on too straight – maybe a beer helped, and the lockdown defense followed.  Gone Rogue scored 2 runs in the 1^st inning to start off their first game they had ever played together…seems like they’ve “gone rogue” together with production like that!!  Perennial contender, Hose Draggers, responded quickly and topped the “rookie” production by scoring 4 in their half of the inning.  Derrick Keeton smacked a 2-RBI triple in the second inning that started a 3-run inning for Hose as Rogue struggled with throwing the ball all over showing their youth.  Action didn't start up again until the 4^th inning when Gary Spetseris hit an awesome line-shot-double for GR to put them in an excellent scoring opportunity.  However, Derrick was back at it again, and closed the inning by doubling up GR and leaving them scoreless.  From there, both teams locked it down defensively.  GR’s Gary Spetseris & Zach Haynes pitched a scoreless game from the 3^rd inning on & HD’s Chad Ferrier pitched a scoreless game from the 2^nd inning on.  Hose Draggers wins 7-2.

Cuernavaca Field 1 (11am)

Banzai Lightning (yellow haze) vs. Mile High Club (daisy yellow): 

The battle of Yellow!!  Many struggled even to watch the “game of brightness” & even the photographer struggled to get these colors clear! Both teams were getting warmed up in the first inning and each squeezed out a run to start off the game.  Banzai came out strong in the second and put up 2 runs in their half of the inning, but Mile High answered when Brett Stanilka doubled and brought in 2 runs to tie up the game again going in to the 3rd. In the 4^th, Banzai got runners in scoring position and again plated a run to go up 4-3, however Mile High answered and scored two runs to take the lead!  Going into 7^th, Banzai was down 5-4 and needed at least 1 run to tie and 2 for the win. Banzai got a base runner on first but got a bit too greedy and over-ran the base, Amber Kirchmer for MHC, hurled the ball at the runner, tagging him in the back for the third out and ending the game.  For some reason, we are recollecting a play in the summer 5280 Cup that was kinda similar…hmmmmm.  Mile High Club Wins 5-4.  

Cuernavaca Field 2 (11am)

Gone Rogue (royal blue) vs. Ballsagna (sapphire blue):

It was a double-header for Gone Rogue as Fresh Kicks of Ball Air were unable to attend this week.  Ballsagna was back for fall & looked stacked with talent!  With a controversial call at 3^rd going in Gone Rogue’s favor, GR started this game exactly the same way they did in the 10am game with 2 runs.  Ballsagna answered similarly with 2 runs of there own and it was tied up! In the 2^nd inning Matt Peterson (Ballsagna) showed why he’s playing pitcher by getting all three outs himself…let’s keep him there!!  ESPN’s, Tim Kurkjian, interviewed Matt after the game, and when asking him about the 2^nd inning Matt replied, “Timmy, come on, that’s just a normal day for me, you know how I do!”  Both teams had 2 shut out innings in a row in the 2nd and 3rd innings, talk about giving each other the "D"!! In the 4^th inning, Gone Rogue scored 2 more runs and Ballsagna plated 1 to have ourselves a 4-3 game going into the 5^th inning.  Both Matt Peterson (Ballsagna) & Gary Spetseris (Gone Rogue) pitched shutouts for the 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th innings…very nice job gentlemen. Gone Rogue wins 4-3. 

Colorado Springs - Week 1 - Highlights

Memorial Ballpark #3, Field 1 (6pm)

Bad News Brews (daisy yellow) vs. Ballsagna (charcoal): 

Both teams were returning from the summer season and looked to pose an early threat in this week one matchup. BNB was determined to get off on the right foot, and plated 1 run in the top of the 1^st to go up 1-0. Top 2, same score, and Matt Sayar for BnB made his presence felt thanks to all 3 batters on Ballsagna’s side lining out straight to him...nice work Matt!! The defenses were strong early, as there was no scoring in the 3^rd, but oh how things would change. Bottom 4, still a 1-run game, and Ballsagna went with a deep triple-threat-onslaught, consisting of a RBI double by Bryan Loucks, a 2-run bomb by Sean Zipprich and a solo shot to the moon by Ross Schumaker!  How bout THAT, for scoring! Top 5, and BNB needed answers fast so Craig Boyungs smacked a 2-run SAC fly due to an over throw which gave BNB enough ammo to get through the rest of the battle. BNB was trying to get this, at-least, to extras in the 7th.  They were on the verge with runners on the corners, but a pop out to center would end the night for BNB. Ballsagna wins, 4-3.

Memorial Ballpark #3, Field 2 (6pm)

Fresh Kicks of Ball Air (black) vs. Hot Ice (dark heather): 

2 very talented teams went at each other in this week 1 bout, trying to show each other they meant biddness!! FBKA got out to a big lead in the 1^st, as a solo shot form Ryan Longan and a 2-run single by Miles Andrews gave them a comfortable 3-0 lead. HI (oh hi, how are you? oh, just the abbreviation for Hot Ice, ok) tried to answer back in the bottom of the 2^nd inning with runners in scoring position, but a man by the name of Josh George made a ridiculous diving catch for the 3^rd out to keep HI at bay. FKBA looked for more run support as they sensed HI was ready to strike, and were able to do so by adding a run in the top of the 4^th to go up by 4. Good thing they did, as Davis Tutt for HI put the game right back into contention with a 3-run home run in the bottom of the 4^th to get the game within 1. FKBA wasn’t feeling too comfortable in the 6^th with only a 1 run lead, and doubled it thanks in part to a drop by the HI outfield to go up 5-3. HI was poised to strike back and win, but only scored 1 run in the bottom of the 7^th. Fresh Kicks of Ball Air win, 5-4.

Memorial Ballpark #3, Field 1 (7pm)

Pitches Be Crazy To (carolina blue) vs. Pandora’s Box (royal blue): 

PBC got on board early and often on this night, and it all started in the 1^st with their 1st run..crazy how games start in the 1st!!  Top of the 3^rd, still a 1-0 lead, and PBC2 was ignited on offense in part to a 2-run double by Hunter Saltzgiver to cap a 3-run 3^rd and a 4-0 lead. PB was not all that impressed and in the bottom of the 4th, their slugger, Anthony Brady, unloaded a rocket into left center for a 3-run home run!! Nice shot Anthony!!  PBC2 wasn’t going to stand the fact PB had gotten close, so Josh Rodney played a little trickery going opposite field with a ground rule double.  This sparked Daniel Wylie to jack a 2-run homer to center field & this was the start of a 3-run 5^th inning for PBC2. PB tried to answer but PBC2 went on lockdown defense and closed out the game. Pitches Be Crazy To wins, 9-3.

Memorial Ballpark #3, Field 2 (7pm)

Hashtag Balls (forrest green) vs. Schweddy Balls (white):  

Hashtag would get out to a 4-0 lead in the 1^st as Joey McElvy and Adam Huerta would each blast 2-run shots. Not to be outdone, SB's Ricky Favilla kicked a 2-run single in the bottom of the frame to cut the Hashtag lead in half. Ishan Ajmani would kick off the top of the 2^nd for Hashtag with a bloop-triple into right field, and would later score to go up 5-2. Chris Green had his turn against the stingy Hashtag defense, and made them pay for playing shallow!! He airlifted a ball and deposited it in the bleachers in left for a solo shot and bring the game within 2 runs. Doug Burris would get in on the action for Hashtag with an RBI double in the 3^rd to put Hashtag up 3 midway through the game. In the bottom of the 4^th, Tim Hayes would use his power to get SB back in the running with a 2-run homer and we had ourselves a 1 run game...well, at least for a second.  Hashtag would not slow down and their persistent offense lit up the dark Colorado Springs night in the 6^th with 5 runs to effectively put Schweddy Balls out of the game. Hashtag Balls wins, 12-5.

Memorial Ballpark #3, Field 1 (8pm)

Bazinga (red) vs. HeadShots Should Count (sport grey): 

HSSC was looking at this week 1 matchup as a revenge game from the summer 2015 playoff game. Neither team was able to muster a run in the 1^st, giving the game the appearance it was going to be more defense than offense. This all changed starting in the 2^nd when Bazinga went to work like a squirrel in a peanut factory!  Caleb Van Wingerden blasted a 2-run home run into right field to start a 3-run inning and get the early lead. Matt Howes (Bazinga) pitched a gem on this night, as he shut down HSSC in order in both the 2^nd and 3^rd innings. He’s also a force on offense, and in the top of the 3^rd, Howes, along with Erik & Erin Blessman, all scored doubling their lead to 6. Top of the 4^th, and it was more of the same from Bazinga. Nate Kischer would provide the offense for Bazinga with a 2-run double to cap off a 3 run 4^th and now a 9 run lead. HSSC had seen enough and put on defensive switches from the 5^th inning on, stopping Bazinga from scoring anymore through the 6^th. However, HSSC was dealing with Matt Howes and his healthy arm on the mound and weren’t able to put up any offense through 6. Bazinga would add 1 more run in the 7^th and HSSC started their offense in the bottom of the 7th with a RBI single by Klint Kane, followed by a 3-run homer to left center to score 3, but it wasn’t enough in the end. Bazinga wins, 10-3.

Memorial Ballpark #3, Field 2 (8pm)

Sons of Pitches (ash grey) vs. Kicks and Giggles (light blue): 

This was definitely the game of the night!!  Both teams were full Powerthirst 9000 energy and unleashed it on the field!! Summer Willis got the show started for SoP with a 2-run sac fly to right, followed by an RBI triple by Brian Peterson would cap a 4-run 1^st for SoP. Never to be outperformed on the big stage, Connor Carmen would boot a 2-run long-ball into deeeeeep right center to start what would be a 3-run bottom frame. Alan Paquin came up to bat in the bottom of the 2^nd with 2 on for K&G, and brought everyone home for dinner with a 3-run bomb to the ice cream trucks to put K&G up 6-4...nice job Alan!! Katie Strevey showed her "all-star-status" with SoP by smacking a 2-run liner to knot this game up at 6 a piece...the nail biting had started! The tie would last up until the 5^th inning, when Conner Carmen came up to bat for K&G and would sac fly a run home to put K&G up 7-6 - it was time for Tacos!  However, the tacos would have to wait, as Sean McCarthy SoP would blast an RBI triple to tie the game, and come home on an overthrow error on the same play to put his team up 8-7....how many lead changes are there going to be!!?? In the bottom of the 7th, Alex Moorhead was K&G's last hope, and he annihilated a ball deep to center, but he forgot that’s where "super woman" Nancy Mogge roams...she made the game winning, diving catch, and it cleared the bleachers...pandemonium!! Sons of Pitches win, 8-7.

Denver - Wednesday Highlights - Week 1

Cuernavaca Park Field 1 (6pm)

Step Parents (royal blue) vs. Don’t Stop Ballieving (white):

Don’t Stop came out PUMPED up in this one!!  With aggressive base-running & great ball placement, DS started the game plating the their 1^st run and taking the early lead.  SP answered with a Kelly Castle RBI single to tie the game, and the team added 2 more runs to take the 3-1 lead.  Unfortunately for Don’t Stop, Jeremy Wagner showed up in this one for Step Parents.  Wagner is coming off of his best season statistically with GO (Summer 2015), and not missing a step!  In two innings of play, Jeremy was credited 6 RBI’s of the 9 runs scored!  Getting 6 RBI’s in a game is AMAZING, getting 6 RBI’s in 2 innings is “bow-down-material!!”  Jeremy “German Shepherd” Wagner had a 3-RBI double in the bottom of the 2^nd, and a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 3^rd…thanks for serving up those amazeballs Jeremy!  In the top of the 4^th, Jenna Huelskamp for Don’t Stop, smacked an RBI single to start the comeback against Jeremy!  However, this one ended in the 5^th inning and all the other games went 7 innings…Don’t Stop Ballieving!  Step Parents win 15-2.

Cuernavaca Park Field 2 (6pm)

Balls and Dolls (lime) vs. Ball So Hard (irish green):

We matched week 1 up with a battle of the green teams - how fitting for Denver/Colorado!! Balls and Dolls played the free agent market perfectly this off season and snagged the "dynamic-Baca-foursome," and many ESPN analysts pick BnD as the "sleeper" pick the season!  BnD did not disappoint and started out on fire in this one!! They scored 3 runs to start in the 1st and were looking for more but BSH's, Candi Miley, made THE defensive play of the night with an amazing grab in center-field...heck yea Candi...nice grab!!  Phil Powers (3rd base BnD) tried, unintentionally, for the 1up on Candi in the next inning making 2 unassisted outs and 1 assisted out to end the 2nd inning...while we did change BnD's team name to PP (Phil Powers)...we're still giving the trophy to Candi!  Balls and Dolls pitcher, Zachary Ransom, pitched a shutout in this one and is at the top of the list in ERA for Denver pitchers - jk, although it could be, but we don't have stats!!  It's kickball!!  Balls and Dolls win 11-0.

Cuernavaca Park Field 3 (6pm)

Punani Patrol (pink) vs. Dice (purple): 

The highlight of this game was Tony Lusk’s refereeing, he had “spot-on” calls throughout the game!!  We appreciate your clear & concise calls Tony!!  The reason Dice won this game is because they put people in position to score.  In competitive kickball, on average, the home-run ball is worth less than 1 run a game – singles, SAC’s, & doubles win games/glory/championships!  It went like this…RBI single Jon Graffam, Dice, top 1.  RBI single Justin Andrew Anderson, Dice, top 2.  SAC fly Chris Allard, Dice, top 3.  RBI single Matt Graffam, Dice, top 5.  To cap this all off, Dice scored 2 more runs in the 7^th.  There was a moment of silence when Dice’s catcher, Amber Kirchmer, caught a crazy-spinning-oval-ball off the foot of Tony Lusk – where’s the call Tony?  A new referee stepped in and made the call, it was pandemonium!  In the bottom of the 7^th inning, Punani avoided the shutout by scoring 1 run and Tony Lusk received MVP of the game!  Dice wins 7-1.

Cuernavaca Park Field 4 (6pm)

The Simpletons (black) vs. Saved By The Balls (red):

Who is this Branson Fields for Saved By The Balls?  The next Mike Trout? For just hitting the GO Kickball circuit, he just hit the $$#! out of the ball! Fields started 2 onslaughts of scoring, one in the 1st (double) and the other in the 3rd inning (triple), might as well GO for the cycle Branson!!  Skillfully, Jeff Olsen (The Simpletons) shut down the scoring for the 2nd inning by capitalizing on a double play ball.  However, Saved By The Balls scored 13 runs in 4 innings of play and the people from the newspapers were starting to gravitate towards the game!!   Rick Frias got The Simpletons on the board in the 3rd inning with an RBI but Slater in crew were going to be too much on this opening night.  Saved By The Balls win 17-3.

Fort Collins - Week 1 - Highlights

Edora Park Field 1 (6pm)

Kicktease (Red) vs. Check Out My Big Kick (Maroon): 

Just another classic defensive battle in a matchup of these veteran squads! Sara “Superstar” Eccher from Kicktease started things off with an athletic “pregnant catch” in the bottom of the 1^st inning for the third out. However, no one was able to get on the scoreboard until Kicktease’s Eric “The Rollster” Caprarola came up with a sacrifice fly ball to take the lead 1-0 in the top of the 4^th inning. Check Out My Big Kick never gave up though, as evidenced by Josh “The Diviner” Devine’s impressive defensive effort in the top of the 6^th inning when he made all three of the outs. It wasn’t enough unfortunately as Devine’s team didn’t have a lot of big kicks to check out in this one. Kicktease wins 1-0.

Edora Park Field 2 (6pm)

New Kicks on the Block (White) vs. Bobs Your Uncle (Violet): 

New Kicks on the Block sure didn’t look like newbies in this contest. They scored a run in six out of the seven innings and had a lot of impressive plays along the way. Gareth Tubb’s made a sweet jumping catch for an out in the bottom of the 1^st inning. Meanwhile, New Kicks on the Block’s MVP for the night, Aaron Harbour, completed an unassisted double play in bottom of the 1^st and an inside the park home run in the top of 4^th inning!!! Harbour claimed after the game that his team’s disappointment in the playoffs last season has only fueled the fire this time around: “The loss in the summer 2015 playoffs didn’t get us down—instead it has only energized us so that we really do feel like new kids on the block again.” New Kicks on the Block wins 10-1.

Edora Park Field 3 (6pm)

Grassholes (Carolina Blue) vs. RiKICKulous (Irish Green): 

With two team names as entertaining as these ones, everyone knew that this game would be an exciting one. The Grassholes put the pressure on early by getting some runs on the board courtesy of Steven Warren’s home run by in the bottom of the 4^th inning. However, RiKICKulous never gave up—in particular, Dan Winnega had a great reflex play in the bottom of the 5^th inning and Ted Hewitt made an impressive juggling catch for an out in the bottom of the 6^th inning. In the end though, the Grassholes didn’t gave up much ground defensively as RiKICKulous was never able to score a run. Kickball fan Donald Trump said after the game, “I really liked what I saw out of the Grassholes tonight. I think they are going to go far this season. I really like their name too. Not sure why it resonates with me exactly though…” Grassholes win 10-0.

Edora Park Field 4 (6pm)

American Made (Sport Grey) vs. Ballz N Dollz (Heliconia): 

Talk about starting the season off on the right foot with an exciting early season matchup! American Made jumped out to the lead 2-0 after the 1^st inning courtesy of a home run way out in the dirt by Cody Wells, but by the 4^th inning, Ballz N Dollz had tied it up at 3-3. So we went to extra innings where Tony Martin from American Made quickly ended things by scoring the game-winning run!!! Captain of American Made, Alison Ford, said after the game, “Tonight’s match up was a good early season test to see how we would do as a team under pressure. Fortunately, we rose to the occasion and won it in the clutch. Of course, with America as our ally, how could we ever really lose???” American Made wins 4-3.

Edora Park Field 1 (7pm)

Florida Mike and the Free Ballers (Lime) vs. Just Kickin It (Old Gold): 

No one really knows who Florida Mike or the Free Ballers are, but the local kickballers better start getting used to their name in the headlines! Florida Mike and the Free Ballers opened things up in the top of the 2^nd inning with a 6-run explosion! They would continue to pile on the runs, while also keeping up a solid defensive front. In particular, Brent Beller as the rookie pitcher was very impressive, including a spectacular line drive catch. (See the highlight here.) After the dust had settled, Florida Mike and the Free Ballers won 16-3.

Edora Park Field 2 (7pm)

Oilers SLTI (Daisy Yellow) vs. vs. A Night at the Roxbury (Black): 

Fresh off their second place finish in the summer season, the Oilers SLTI looked to be ready for another championship run going into this contest. The Oilers SLTI jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning, and proceeded to keep up the defensive effort—Paul Schwarz’s fielding skills at third base really helped stop A Night at the Roxbury’s runners from getting into scoring position. A Night at the Roxbury hung tough though, as Michael Och’s home run in the bottom of the 5^th inning and a double play by David Jarvis kept them in the game. Nadia Fahoum, captain for A Night at the Roxbury, explained her team’s name change this season,  “Just like great coaches will tweak line ups and matchups until they find a winning combination, we will keep changing our names until we win it all!!!” Oilers SLTI win 6-3.

Edora Park Field 3 (7pm)

Where My Pitches At (Purple) vs. Little Lebowski Urban Achievers (Light Pink): 

What a nail-biter featuring veteran squads! This season is going to be a doozy!!! Little Lebowski Urban Achievers came into this matchup with the full confidence of a champion as they looked to keep up their winning streak from last season, but Where My Pitches At had other ideas… Tuss Erickson III for the Little Lebowski Urban Achievers tied it up at 1-1 after the 4^th inning on some patient baserunning. However, Where My Pitches At tightened it up defensively with an astonishing sliding catch by Andrew “Call Me Ryan-Maybe” Williams and a solid pitching appearance by Alan “Never-out-of-the” Blue. Little Lebowski Urban Achievers made it interesting in the bottom of the 7^th, but Where My Pitches At would prevail for the upset victory!!! Where My Pitches At wins 4-3.

Edora Park Field 4 (7pm)

Lunchbox Violators (Royal Blue) vs. High Rollers (Charcoal):

The High Rollers were able to stay one step ahead of those pesky Lunchbox Violators throughout most of this matchup. The Lunchbox Violators got off to a rocky start with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 1^st inning, but starting pitcher Sydney Engelhardt was able to get out of the inning with only one run given up. (She was promptly pulled as the roller during the next inning.) The MVP of the game though was Colter Chuttle as catcher for the High Rollers—his dominance up front completely stifled the offensive strategy of the Lunchbox Violators. His quick reactions and all-around kickball strategy know-how gave his team the leg up in this contest. Stephen Curry, reigning MVP of the NBA, said after the game, “Don’t count out Colter for MVP this season—us shorter guys have to stick up for each other.” The High Rollers win 8-5.