Fort Collins - Week 4 - Highlights

Greenbriar Park Field 1 (5:45pm)

Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names (Cardinal Red) vs. New Kicks on the Block (Heliconia):

Talk about some highlights! It started off with Katy “Foxy” Forte from Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names catching a ball between her knees for an out in the top of the 1^st. Then came Derek “High Hops” Parker’s leaping grab in the outfield in the bottom of the 2^nd for New Kicks on the Block. However, by the end of the inning, the score was 4-2 in favor of Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names, and they would add to their lead in the bottom of the 3^rd after Aaron “Nomad” Novacek’s two run homer. Finally, Micah “The Master” Schnellinger’s sweet grab in the bottom of the 6^th on a line drive for New Kicks on the Block was snazzy, but not enough to claim victory. At least it was an entertaining ride… Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names wins 7-3.  

Greenbriar Park Field 2 (5:45pm)

Ballsagna Face (Neon Pink) vs. American Made (Carolina Blue):

Watch out for that wind! With 30+ mph gusts, this game really came down to strategy in the face of Mother Nature. “Big Ben” Burnham, Captain of American Made (not to be confused with Captain America himself) harnessed the wind as pitcher, throwing extra speedy fastballs that Ballsagna Face could not catch up to.  Burnham had two strikeouts in the top of the 3^rd, and a strikeout to end the game as well. He was virtually unhittable! Burnham commented after the game, “Sometimes ya got it. Sometimes ya don’t. I had it today.” American Made wins 5-1.

Greenbriar Park Field 3 (5:45pm)

Oilers (Tropical Blue) vs. Little Lebowski Urban Achievers (Royal Blue): It was a battle of the "blues" today so to speak as the Oilers took on the Little Lebowski Urban Achievers. The Oilers started off hot in the first inning, but that didn't stop veteran captain Chad Cheshire from making a couple huge plays at catcher, thereby preventing two bunts and any runs from advancing. Then it was Ben Schisler’s turn to shine on offense for the Little Lebowski Urban Achievers with a giant boot to left field that cleared the bases for a three-run triple in the bottom of the 3^rd! The Oilers would answer the next inning with six important runs of their own, including four from a grand slam. However, it was not enough to overcome their arch rivals… Little Lebowski Urban Achievers win 10-8

Greenbriar Park Field 1 (6:45pm)

Flint Tropics (Tennessee Orange) vs. Where My Pitches At (Sport Grey): There were so many highlights in this game, we are just going to list them by team… Flint Tropics: Top 1=Matt Kelly diving one-handed catch! Top 2=Double play by Aaron Gaston!! Bottom 4=Home run by Kevin Gallant!!! Bottom 6=Two run homer by Matt Kelly!!!! Where My Pitches At: Bottom 2=Catch in center field by Moose, then a long throw to first base for an out! Bottom 5=Line drive catch by Aria “The Sandspider” Khosravi, then she steps on third base for a double play to end the inning with the bases loaded!! Top 7=Two run home run by J.T. Pickert!!! Based on the highlights can you tell who won…? Flint Tropics win 6-3.

Greenbriar Park Field 2 (6:45pm)

Florida Mike and the Free Ballers (Purple) vs. Ballz n Dollz (Neon Yellow):

Once again, wind was a factor in the teams’ strategies, with Ballz n Dollz carefully rotating pitchers and outfielders to best maximize each matchup. Brianna Beans from Ballz n Dollz was a real standout under this careful strategizing—she got a base runner out via a “pickle play” in the top of the 2^nd (see the highlight here) then got a key third out as catcher in the top of the 3^rd. The game stayed close though until Sarah Rice’s two run double with two outs in the top of the 4^th inning, which gave Florida Mike and the Free Ballers a 4-2 lead! Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to strategize how to score enough runs… Florida Mike and the Free Ballers win 5-2.

Fort Collins - Week 3 - Highlights

Greenbriar Park Field 1 (5:45pm)

Flint Tropics (Tennessee Orange) vs. Little Lebowski Urban Achievers (Royal Blue):

Little Lebowski Urban Achievers took an early lead 1-0, and then Captain Chad Cheshire’s defense kept his team in the lead after one of his patented “tip” outs as the catcher in the bottom of the 1^st . Next it was Mega-Megan Anderson’s turn to step up for Little Lebowski Urban Achievers, as she caught two screaming line drive catches in the 3^rd and 4^th innings. Outstanding! But the Flint Tropics couldn’t be kept down for long, as Captain Matt Kelly kicked a two-run double to take the lead for his team in the bottom of the 5^th! Then Sean “Baller-Shot-Caller” Blair and Nathan “His Airness” Averett from the Flint Tropics completed their patented buddy catch in the outfield for a key out in the bottom of the 6^th to secure the win! Flint Tropics win 6-3.

Greenbriar Park Field 2 (5:45pm)

Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names (Cardinal Red) vs. Where My Pitches At (Sport Grey):

The game started off promising for Where My Pitches At—they held Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names to only one run in the bottom of the 1^st due to a key catch in center field by Tim Jordan.  Then Captain Kyle May from Where My Pitches At stepped up to the plate in the top of the 2^nd and knocked in a solo home run! It’s pretty obvious who the lead candidate is for league MVP… Then came the top of the 4^th inning though, and all-star reliever Brian Caffee for Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names took the mound and got three outs on five pitches. Yowza! But just as things started to look out of reach, JT from Where My Pitches At crushed a two-run RBI down the right field line. Unfortunately, it was too little too late—and other one slips through their fingers… Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names wins 11-7.

Greenbriar Park Field 3 (5:45pm)

American Made (Carolina Blue) vs. Oilers (Tropical Blue):

Folks this game started off amazing and only escalated from there! Starting with Big Foot Billy Colavito's 3-run triple in the bottom of the 1^st inning, putting American Made on top early in the ballgame. The Oilers would answer back a couple innings later with a couple of runs themselves. Ross Johnson contributed to American Made’s big inning in the 4^th with a key home-run to right field after he beat the throw home with his speed and quickness. The play of the game though goes to Dan Hughes with a spectacular catch running backwards, over-the-head, and juggling to end the 6^th inning. American Made wins 12-4.

Greenbriar Park Field 1 (6:45pm)

New Kicks on the Block (Heliconia) vs. Ballz n Dollz (Neon Yellow):

New Kicks on the Block asserted their dominance early on with a four-run outburst in the bottom of the 1^st inning. But would it be enough?!? The tide seemed to be turning in the bottom of the 3^rd inning, as Dust Clay from Ballz n Bollz caught a screamin’ line drive for an important out. See the play here! However, New Kicks on the Block would end the inning with a score from second base on a sacrifice fly ball by David Block. Then in the top of the 5^th inning, Ballz n Dollz was really challenging after loading the bases with zero outs. But New Kicks on the Block was able to come up with three outs in a row to hold them. These “New Kicks” sure seem often “Old & Experienced” to me… New Kicks on the Block wins 9-1. 

Greenbriar Park Field 2 (6:45pm)

Ballsagna Face (Neon Pink) vs. Florida Mike and the Free Ballers (Purple):

Good things come in sets of five, right? Ballsagna would score five runs in three different innings during this contest, with one of those innings coming in the bottom of the 1^st. Back-to-back home runs tend help get things rolling—especially when there is already two outs. Florida Mike and the Free Ballers didn’t go quietly though. Jordan Wiswell had some spectacular defensive plays, including a basket catch in left field in the bottom of the 5^th! However, Ballasgna was just too hardy of a meal for Florida Mike and the Free Ballers to swallow. Jenna Togerson, Captain of Ballasgna, noted after the game, “We may be inexperienced, but we have lot of firepower on this team. I am expecting a deep run in the playoffs—or else!” Ballsagna wins 17-7.

Fort Collins - Week 2 - Highlights

Greenbriar Park Field 1 (5:45pm)

Florida Mike and the Free Ballers (Purple) vs. New Kicks on the Block (Heliconia):

Things started off slow… But boy, would they heat up later! New Kicks on the Block had two runners on with no outs in the top of the 1^st inning, then Florida Mike and the Free Ballers got three straight outs. In the next inning, Neal “Lex” Luther from New Kicks on the Block made an MVP-caliber sliding catch in right field for the third out. And finally, in the top of the 3^rd inning, New Kicks on the Block got on the scoreboard with a three-run homer by the one-and-only Justin “Power Ranger” Paul. But the play of the game came in the top of the 6^th inning when Erin “Super Girl” Kullman from New Kicks on the Block nose-dived into home plate for a key score—at the end on of the inning, the tally was 12-5 for New Kicks on the Block. However, in the bottom of the 6^th inning, Florida Mike and the Free Ballers came alive! In one of the craziest innings in kickball history, Florida Mike and the Free Ballers scored 11 straight runs before clinching the game after the top of the 7^th inning!!! Florida Mike and the Free Ballers win 16-13.

Greenbriar Park Field 2 (5:45pm)

Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names (Cardinal Red) vs. Ballsagna Face (Neon Pink):

What a game for week 2! These teams are going to be something to watch out for at the end of the season! It was a tight competition throughout with the bulk of the runs coming in the 3^rd and 4^th inning for both teams! Got to give it up for Rachel “Get It Done” Bunn for her smart thinking and charging a bunt to tag the runner out in the bottom of the 5^th inning for Ballsagna Face. Unfortunately that was not enough for Dan “Warrior” Warro with his 3 run homer to put Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names back on top for the win. Kickin’ Grass and Takin’ Names win 5-6.

Greenbriar Park Field 3 (5:45pm)

American Made (Carolina Blue) vs. Ballz n Dollz (Neon Yellow):

Ballz n Dollz kept things close through three innings with the perennial top-contender, American Made, with the score 1-0 in favor of AM.  Vegas was shaking in their boots, and the media outlets were in a frenzy, could fan favorite - Balls n Dollz - pull off the upset?  The answer was clear, the American Made explosion started in the 4th inning and continued - four runs in the 4^th, two runs in the 5^th, two runs in the 6^th, and four runs in the 7^th.  Only in America...American Made wins 13-0.

Greenbriar Park Field 1 (6:45pm)

Little Lebowski Urban Achievers (Royal Blue) vs. Where My Pitches At (Sport Grey):

Where are the glow-in-the-dark kickballs when you need them? Whether it was the darkness, the dirt field, or a lack of defense, runs were definitely not in short supply. Team MVP and Captain of Where My Pitches At, Kyle May was on display right off the bat with a two-run RBI stand-up double in the top of the 3^rd to bring his team back from a nosedive. Then May completed a double play at first base to end the bottom of the 4^th. He really is a double threat on offense AND defense! However, Jimmy Hebbein from the Little Lebowski Urban Achievers defied on the odds with a two-run triple of his own in the bottom of the 5^th that dialed in the victory for his squad. Little Lebowski Urban Achievers win 14-11.

Greenbriar Park Field 2 (6:45pm)

Flint Tropics (Tennessee Orange) vs. Oilers (Tropical Blue):

Well folks strap your seat belts because this game was one for the books! With veteran Matt Kelly’s famous curve ball, the game was a tight match to begin, and before you knew it, there was a great pitchers’ duel going on. First baseman Kevin Gallant was unstoppable for the Flint Tropics letting nothing get by him like a crazed goaltender. Never count the Oilers out though. Late in the 4th inning David Smith had a huge boot to drive in 3 runs in a stand up triple! Then Emily Kupec comes through with a great catch in left field for the Oilers to end the 6th inning and send things to the 7th. Oilers win 7-1

Fort Collins - Week 1 - Highlights

Greenbriar Park Field 1 (5:45pm)

American Made (Carolina Blue) vs. Kickin Grass and Takin Names(Cardinal Red): 

What a game! Even though it was the first week of the season, these teams were already in championship form! Ross Johnson from American Made started off the highlight real with a one-handed catch on a pop fly in the top of the 1^st inning to really set the Horsetooth Cup-caliber tone. Then just like American-hero Rambo, American Made drew first blood in the bottom of the 1^st inning by putting up three runs off of a home run from Bryan Pekara. Kickin Grass and Takin Names had an answer in the top of the 2^nd though, with home run champion Cavin Shepard knocking in a three-run homer of his own to tie up the game 3-3! Then Kickin Grass and Takin Names would take the lead in the top of the 4^th! American Made tried to answer in the bottom of the 4^th—they had the bases loaded with zero outs, but Kickin Grass and Taking Names would get out of the jam with a double play and a foul out. Finally, in the bottom of the 5^th inning, American Made would reclaim the lead on a questionable call from the referee down the third base line… And in the end, they would hold on for victory! (Just like Rambo again) American Made wins 5-4.

Greenbriar Park Field 2 (5:45pm)

Where My Pitches At (Sport Grey) vs. Ballsagna Face (Neon Pink):

The game started off on such a hopeful note for Where My Pitches At… They took a 1-0 lead after the 1^st inning, with Alan “Blue Man Group” turning a double play off of a line drive catch to end a scoring threat from Ballsagna Face. Then Spencer “Highway to” Hellwig from Where My Pitches At knocked in an RBI triple in the top of the 3^rd inning to bump up the score 2-0! That’s when it started to go down hill for Where My Pitches At however… (Editor’s note—“down hill” means bad in this euphemism.) Shaun “Super Feet” Healy’s three run homer in the bottom of the 4^th would give Ballsagna Face the lead, and Paul “Super Hands” Schofield’s juggling catch in the outfield during the top of the 6^th would seal the deal for his team. Ballasgna Face wins 10-4.

Greenbriar Park Field 3 (5:45pm)

Florida Mike and the Free Ballers (Purple) vs. Little Lebowski Urban Achievers (Royal Blue):

Despite Little Lebowski Urban Achievers not having enough players, fun times were had by all. It was a hotly contested matchup regardless, with the highlight being Luke Bolinger’s double play in the bottom of the 5^th inning. See the video here. Florida Mike and the Free Ballers win by forfeit 3-0.

Greenbriar Park Field 1 (6:45pm)

Oilers (Heliconia) vs. Ballz n Dollz (Neon Yellow):

With a newly revamped roster, the Oilers came into the season gunning for that elusive three-peat, and they did not disappoint in game number 1! Captain Garrett Dean started things off with a BANG in the top of the 1^st inning with a three run homer that squashed any nerves his team was feeling. Ballz n Dollz didn’t give up though, and they would score three runs of their own off of in-field hits in the bottom of the 3^rd inning. “Go-Go Gadget Garrett” was too much for Ball n Dollz however, and his amazing catch at shortstop in the bottom of the 4^th would help squash the comeback effort. Dean commented after the game, “While we have some new faces on our team this season, the new recruits definitely have the potential to be even better than before. Horsetooth Cup, here we come!” Oilers win 4-3.

Greenbriar Park Field 2 (6:45pm)

Flint Tropics (Tennessee Orange) vs. New Kicks on the Block (Heliconia):

Just like the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors, the Flint Tropics and New Kicks on the Block matchup has become a key rivalry due to free agency and various trade deals… So let the games begin! Grace Costillo from the Flint Tropics started off the highlights with a foul ball snag at the catcher position in the bottom of the 2^nd. Ashley Hilderbrand from New Kicks on the Block had the answer in the bottom of the 4^th inning though with a two-run RBI. However, Matt Kelly’s pitching and his Flint Tropics were too much to handle on this night as game play went into the darkness. Kickball commentator Dick Vitale noted after the game, “This new rivalry could be amazing baby! The intrigue, the experience on both sides… I can’t get enough! We could be looking at another Duke vs. North Carolina some day!” Flint Tropics win 7-2.