Colorado Springs - Week 1 - Highlights

Booze on First (royal blue) vs Bazinga (red):

New field location, new playing surface, new season… but the defending champs were up to their old tricks against Booze on First. The Bazinga defense showed mid-season form by retiring the first three kickers by getting a double play on an infield fly-out. In the bottom of the 1^st, leading off for Bazinga was Nate Kischer, who managed to make an infield single into a home run thanks to some faulty brakes. Down 4-0 in the top of the 3^rd, Booze on First got a 2-out rally started when Dylan Stoll kicked a single, followed by a Mike Fann single. On the next play, Dylan tried to score but the Bazinga defense would make the play on an infield grounder to get Dylan out at home plate, keeping the shutout intact. Bazinga started off the 5^th with 4 straight kickers reaching base while plating 3 more runs, highlighted by an RBI double by Tim Menditto. Bazinga’s pitching duo of Keith Hausam and Matt Howes held the Booze on First team to just one baserunner for the final 3 innings of the game.

Final Score: Bazinga 9, Booze on First 0

All My Pitches Love Me (Sapphire Blue) vs Fresh Kicks of Ball Air (black):

In an early season matchup of two serious championship contenders, Fresh Kicks of Ball Air was looking to show All My Pitches Love Me that they do indeed have some fresh kicks. With captain Alan Paquin on the mound for FKOBA, the AMPLM offense struggled to get any baserunners to advance past 2^nd base for the early part of the game. After plating an early run in the 1^st, FKOBA struck again in the 3^rd when Tony Case led off with a double and later scored on John Cole’s RBI bloop single to right field. Down 2-0 in the 4^th, AMPLM captain Beau Kelly tried to take matters into his own hands to cut the deficit in half. After a blast shot to right field, Beau sped around all the bases with his eyes on home plate, but the FKOBA defense was able to get the ball into pitcher Alan’s hands who then smashed Beau out as he was about to score. In the very next inning, Matt O’Connell led off and attempted the same feat as Beau had tried, but again the FKOBA defense got him out before he was able to get the home run. AMPLM was able to finally get on the board in the top of the 6^th thanks to a 2-RBI single by Beau Kelly to make it a 3-2 game. However, FKOBA exploded in the bottom half of the 6^th, successfully getting 6 of their first 7 kickers on base. Erin Sheik got an RBI double and Alan Paquin put the nail in the coffin with a 2-RBI triple.

Final Score: Fresh Kicks of Ball Air 8, All My Pitches Love Me 2

Fresh Kicks of Ball Air (black) vs Gold Ballerz (gold):

Coming off their first win of the season, FKOBA stayed hot against Gold Ballerz, taking an early 2-0 lead in the top of the 1^st after a perfectly placed 2-RBI single to the outfield by Jenna Smith. Gold Ballerz had a hard time finding offensive rhythm, only getting two kickers safely on base during the first 5 innings. FKOBA kept swinging away however, plating 2 each in the 2^nd and 3^rd innings. In the 3^rd Joey Vincent had a 2-RBI single to the gap, scoring Erin Sheik and Miles Andrews on the kick. Gold Ballerz was able to stop the bleeding in the 4^th through 6^th innings, only allowing one total baserunner for FKOBA. In the top of the 7^th, FKOBA got the bases loaded, and Lindie Eads came through with an RBI single to make it 7-0. Gold Ballerz got a couple runners on base in the bottom of the 7^th, but the FKOBA defense shut down their final attempt, preserving the shutout.

Final Score: Fresh Kicks of Ball Air 7, Gold Ballerz 0

Fort Collins - Week 1 - Highlights

Edora Field 1 (6pm)

Freeballers (Purple) vs. Ace of 2^nd Base (Irish Green):

The scoring came early and often for the Freeballers, who scored in every inning except one. Their offensive MVP had to be Nathan “The Ging” Froehlich” whose three run home run was capped off with a dive into home, thereby putting the game out of reach for Ace of 2^nd Base. The defensive MVP for the Freeballers though was starting pitcher Brent Behler, who pitched a 6-inning shutout. Behler commented after the game, “While we were sad to say good bye to Florida Mike, our new name has revitalized the squad and we are ready to make our championship run!” Freeballers win 12-0.

Edora Park Field 2 (6pm)

Where My Pitches At (Cardinal Red) vs. RiKickulous (Neon Yellow):

It’s hard to score ten runs in an inning… But it’s even harder to score ten runs in two separate innings in one game! And that’s exactly what RiKickulous did… The game started ominously for Where My Pitches At with a double play against them to end the top of the 1^st and then a solo home run by RiKickulous to begin the bottom of the 1^st… After a 14 run barrage in that first inning, RiKickulous would start rolling again in the bottom of the 3^rd with a grand slam by Kevin Baumgartner that ultimately ended with another 10 run inning. Yikes! The game would go on to end seemingly as it started with closer Jackie Marro’s double play against Where My Pitches At. RiKickulous’ captain, Joe Bohm, said after the game that he was worried about the transition from the social league to the regular league this season, but with some free agent pick ups and two-a-day practices in the off-season, he was happy to see their hard work pay off. I’d say so!!! RiKickulous wins 26-3.

Edora Park Field 3 (6pm)

Merican Made (Texas Orange) vs. Kickin Grass and Takin Names (Carolina Blue):

This game was a two-man show for Merican Made as both Cody “Wasteland” Wells and “Nasty” Nick O’Connell notched three RBIs each through the first two innings. Kickin Grass and Takin Names was then able to ramp up the defense for the rest of the game though, especially Josh “The Diviner” Devine and “D-Fence” Derek Arrington. But those seven runs were too much for the Kickin Grass and Takin Names to overcome unfortunately. Kickball analyst Bob Costas noted after the game, “Merican Made seems focused and ready to challenge for another championship. After coming within one run of winning the title last season, they are hungry for the cup. This is even better than the Olympics!” Merican Made wins 7-0.

Edora Park Field 4 (6pm)

Flint Tropics (Tropical Blue) vs. Benny THE JET Rodriguezes (Navy):

What a great week one matchup! This contest was a nailbiter right up until the last inning… The real difference was the defense of the Flint Tropics rising to the occasion. Austin “Ice Cold” Cole had an impressive diving catch in the 3^rd inning that kept Benny THE JET Rodriuezes from adding to their 4-3 lead. Then Curtis “Rough Rider” Woodruff’s final out in the last inning off a caught bunt put the game away for good. Flint Tropics win 8-5.

Edora Park Field 1 (7pm)

Ballz n Dollz (Lime) vs. Lunchbox Violators (Neon Orange):

This matchup had to be the game of the week! With the Lunchbox Violators moving up from the social league last season, Ballz N Dollz wanted to send a statement that there are no free lunches in the regular kickball league! Ballz N Dollz found themselves on top 4-2 through three innings despite an impressive relay from the outfield to home from the Lunchbox Violators that got the runner out. (See the highlight here!) Finally, in the bottom of the 6^th, the Lunchbox Violators would tie it up at 4-4 thereby making sure we would need extra innings to decide the winner. The defenses held for several innings until Ballz N Dollz squeaked in a couple runs to claim victory! Ballz N Dollz wins 6-4.

Edora Park Field 2 (7pm)

Where My Pitches At (Cardinal Red) vs. Oilers (Violet):

Talk about a bounce back game! After losing their earlier matchup that night, Where My Pitches At had to face the defending champs in the next contest… However, they came out with a fire in their bellies and would go on to take a 4-0 lead after two innings off a triple to left field by “Kickball Corey” Palencia that scored two. Then it was time for “hang on for deal life mode”… However, the defending champion Oilers weren’t going quietly if captain Paul “The Magnet” Schwarz had anything to say about it. His nickname stems from the improbable way the ball seems to find him all over the field. After a couple diving catches, Schwarz would go on to tie up the game with an RBI in the bottom of the 6^th. Then finally Dave Smith from the Oilers would put in the go-ahead triple that allowed the Oilers to claim the lead for good. Oilers win 6-4.

Edora Park Field 3 (7pm)

Kicktease (Neon Orange) vs. HP YEN Kickball Team (Royal Blue):

In this exhibition contest, anything goes! There were tons of amazing plays on both sides, so I will just name a few highlights here: Derek Showers amazing catch in the bottom of the 2^nd for HP Kickball at third base really stood out, but let’s not forget Scott Clutter’s first run of the season for HP Kickball in the top of the 3^rd inning either!!! For Kicktease, John Flack’s two RBI home run in the bottom of the 3^rd and Josh Maranian’s unassisted double play in the bottom of the 4^th were definitely SportsCenter Top 10 worthy. Kicktease wins 18-1. 

Fort Collins - Week 8 - Highlights

City Park Field 4 (6pm)

Kick It To the Limit (White) vs. Merican Made (Red): 

Big Ben Burnham drew first blood for Merican Made in the top of the 1^st inning with a walking triple that scored two runs. Then league MVP candidate Nicholas O’Connell’s triple in the top of the 3^rd also brought in a run, which put Merican Made in control of this game 5-0 through three innings. However, Allen Stefanik almost blew it for his team with a whiff and a few key outs that really put Merican Made in a bind. (See the whiff here.) Kick It To the Limit never gave up though, and would go on to score a couple runs in the last two innings to make things interesting… Unfortunately it was too little too late. They may get a another shot in the playoffs though! Merican Made wins 5-2.

City Park Field 4 (7pm)

Florida Mike and the Free Ballers (Texas Orange) vs. Ballz N Dollz (Tropical Blue): 

The fans could sense the intensity in the air in this contest… And boy, did it live up to the hype! (Despite some questionable calls by the official…) Just when it looked like things might go sour early on for Ballz N Dollz, Tom “The Torrent” Torres made a key double play in right field/first base to keep Florida Mike the Free Ballers at bay. However, those Free Ballers would get on the scoreboard in the top of the 3^rd inning, only be answered by a booming grand slam by Dustin “Make My Day” Clay in the bottom of the 3^rd to take the lead for Ballz N Dollz!!! From there on out, it was a pitchers duel with the duo of Brent “Ball Hard” Behler and Robert “The Axe Man” Axmacher for Florida Mike and the Free Ballers really putting the clamps on the Ballz N Dollz defense. For Ballz N Dollz, Torres secured defensive MVP honors though with his usual stellar defensive showing in right field. However the save goes to Brianna Beans (no nickname required) who closed out things quickly in the top of the 7^th for Ballz N Dolls. Ballz N Dollz wins 4-3.