Monday, June 20, 2016

Fort Collins - Week 2 - Highlights

City Park Field 1 (6pm)

Balls Deep (Navy) vs. Florida Mike and the Free Ballers (Texas Orange): Luke Birky’s three-run homer for Florida Mike and the Free Ballers in the bottom of the 1st inning set the tone for what would be a challenging game for the undermanned Balls Deep crew. That being said, Balls Deep never gave up! They were able to stay in the game on the back of Blaine Mathisen’s MVP worthy performance. Mathisen hit home runs in the 2nd and 4th innings to keep the game close… In fact, at the end of the 5th inning, Florida Mike and the Free Ballers were only up by one run! Then came the disastrous bottom of the 6th inning where Balls Deep gave up nine runs—ouch. Kickball fan Lebron James said after the game, “I know what it’s like to be undermanned against another opponent… In fact, most of the time it feels like I am playing one against five out there, so I feel for ya Balls Deep.” Florida Mike and the Free Ballers win 15-6.

City Park Field 2 (6pm)

Kicktease (Neon Yellow) vs. Kick Balls and Kick Grass (Tennessee Orange):
This game had it all! Offensive surges, defensive stops, and some great all-around hustle—you name it! MVP-candidate John “Don’t Take No” Flack started it off in the top of the 1st inning for Kicktease with a three run homer. Then he added to his resume in the bottom of the 3rd with a snazzy tip catch for a key out! Ali “Razzle Dazzle” Raza also had some show-stopping defensive plays for Kicktease, including a double play in the bottom of the 2nd. For Kick Balls and Kick Grass, Jordan “Crazy Legs” Clay gave it his all on the base paths with great hustle and some even more impressive slides. Ultimately, the offensive firepower of Kicktease was too much for Kick Balls and Kick Grass to contain. Kicktease wins 11-4.

City Park Field 3 (6pm)

A Swift Kick in the Grass (Irish Green) vs. Kickass Data Nerds (Charcoal): 
What a nailbiter! Doug Liedle from a Swift Kick in the Grass really stood out on the defensive end with several great catches and plays at second base. Meanwhile, his counterpart on the mound for A Swift Kick in the Grass, John Miller, had his curveball working all night, thereby stifling the kicking for the Kickass Data Nerds. The MVP voting between these two came down to the wire, but in the end Liedle won out. He commented after the game, “While I appreciate fans’ acknowledgement in honoring me with the MVP award tonight, Kickball really is a team game. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the support of teammates. And my mom as well.” A Swift Kick in the Grass wins 4-3.

City Park Field 4 (6pm)

Ballz N Dollz (Tropical Blue) vs. Really Really RiKICKulously Good Looking (Carolina Blue): 
Based on the first inning, it looked like Really Really RiKICKulously Good Looking was going to run away with this one… But the Ballz N Dollz squad had other plans! After a near home run in the top of the 2nd inning for Really Really RiKICKulously Good Looking gave them a 6-1 lead (see the highlight here), things were looking pretty dark for Ballz N Dollz. However, they would bounce back in the bottom of the 6th inning to score four runs and keep things interesting. But it was too little too late. L Really Really RiKICKulously Good Looking wins 9-6.

City Park Field 1 (7pm)

Kick It To the Limit (White) vs. Where My Pitches At (Neon Orange):
The atmosphere surrounding this game made it feel like a playoff contest… And the teams didn’t disappoint the sellout crowd! For most of the game, it was a pitcher’s duel as Matt “The Gunslinger” Kelly kept the fastballs coming for Kick It To the Limit despite an injured foot. Kelly really showed his value tonight beyond just pitching by making a couple diving catches and even scoring a run in the top of the 4th inning. It wasn’t until the bottom of the 5th when Luke “The Bear” Ballou from Where My Pitches At finally was able to get the best of Kelly and hit a solo home run to tie up the game. Things were still tied up after seven innings, so we had to go into extras… Then, in the bottom of the 8th, Ryan “Iceman” Williams had a walk off base hit to end the game! And the crowd went crazy!!!! Where My Pitches At wins 3-2.

City Park Field 2 (7pm)

Kickin Grass and Takin Names (Purple) vs. Little Lebowski Urban Achievers (Sport Grey): 
Looking to bounce back from a loss in their first game, Kickin Grass and Takin Names went on to score eight runs through the first three innings to take a commanding lead. They also turned up the defense, with Kyle Oldham making a key bases loaded catch in the top of the 2nd inning, and Jordan Clay making some impressive snags at the catcher position throughout the contest. However, the highlight of the night was a collision catch by Marie Morley Jahn and Lauren Yoshizuka from Little Lebowski Urban Achievers. (See the highlight here!!!) Not enough offense spelled doom for the former champs though… Kick Grass and Takin Names wins 8-3.

City Park Field 3 (7pm)

high rollers (Ash Grey) vs. Saved By The Balls (Lime):
The defending champs are really on a role this season!!!  Despite some impressive work from Saved by the Balls’ pitcher, “Beans”, the high rollers were still able to squeak in a few runs in the 2nd and 5th innings. Then the high rollers closed things out in the bottom of the 7th with an impressive diving catch by Aaron Gaston! The high rollers Captain, Michael Hallczuk, commented after the game, “We were worried that we might have an early season let down after our championship performance in the Spring… Safe to say, we are just rolling right along and ready for the repeat!” high rollers win 5-2.

City Park Field 4 (7pm)

Merican Made (Red) vs. Oilers (Violet):
The sport of kickball is without a doubt, a game of skill and grace. In this matchup of experienced squads, the artful nuances of the game were on full display. Only five total runs were scored, but the in between moves could analogized to a masterful game of chess. And one person really stood above the rest—Tony Martin, captain of Merican Made. He did it on offense, by getting a triple out of a bunt, and on defense, by making multiple catches as the catcher right off the bunt. However, as any analyst will tell you, kickball is a team game, and on this night the Oilers were just better as a team. Oilers win 3-2.


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