Whats done is done.

Noooooo!

its over. New Haven Kickball season 2, gone but not forgotten. Dont worry though, kickball will live on!

the winds blew hard this sunday. so hard I know at least my kicking game was affected. It was the longest day in my own personal kickball history. 20 innings of kickball and man, am I sore two days later.

The day started off with an easy win for the Wrecking Balls- the Sofa Kings forfeited (they are the working type and many were stuck at work. they just couldnt swing the early game). But no wrries- it left us more time for tailgating. We had quite a spread- burgers, dogs, cookies, ice cream cone cupcakes (thats my contribution!), brownies, chips, even a little hot chocolate heated up on the grill.

For reasons unknown, the uniballs decided to do a little warming up (never been done before). We also had a fan and beer (also new to us). I think that was what kept our game close with the Abe LIncolns. The persistent bunters gave us a run for our money but we clinched it in the end. I caught the end of Balls Deep and Ultimate Balls. Best play I saw- Alex not even try to run to third (he thought he'd be out) but since they fumbled the ball he got there safe. He probably could have made it home, but I guess he was too tired from being up all night at a bachelor party.

NExt I watched the Wrecking Balls take on the top seated team. They recruited a lot of fans and cheering (everyone likes an underdog). But no upset- the Ballbusters came through with their typical solid playing. We then played the Ultimate Ballz- they were a bit short since their captain was still out with a knee injury (from our regular season game against them). We were killing it in the beginning but they snuck back up on us in the last inning, giving me a little heartburn. They kept kicking the ball into the puddle and I just couldnt seem to get behind it. THey found our weak spot. I did make a promise to dive into the puddle the next time they did it. Either they were sympathetic or just couldnt aim, but I stayed relative dry (except one foot in the puddle.). In the end we pulled it off with some fine feilding. Our outfield rocked it- greg came from center field to nail someone out on third. Solid catches in both right and left field by Sara T and Andy. Big shout out to Patrice on the Ultimate Ballz who not only slid into third, but took a ball in the head. well done.

I dont know what happened in the other semifinals game, but they were done quick. and the Ballbusters came out on top.

The championhip game was one for the history books. 10 innings. Triple overtime. (ok, I know its really called three extra innings, but triple overtime sounds so much cooler). Fielding was unreal on both teams. The Ballbusters eventually realized that they couldnt rely on their usual tactics of booting the ball into the outfield, becuase outr outfield just could not miss. Though I do respect them for trying! Eventually they had to move into a bunting game, which is what I think won it fo r them. Unlike them, we cant throw from third to first to get someone else. There was one girl in their lineup who surprised us all a kickone over the Ringer's head. She holds a record- I think she's othe only one who ever kicked one pass Ryan. As for us, we couldnt seem to kick one anywhere on the field. The Ballbusters were everywhere! Our only consistent basekicker was Rachel, who bunted like a champ. I have to say I thought we had it in the 9th inning when we had bases loaded and only one out. But somehow the Ballbusters nailed us out a home. I'll give it up to them- we lost to a damn good team , and by the end, I was just thankful the game ws over.

CM's turnout was great. Got turnout from most teams and many stayed for a while. There was a lot of talk of "what am I gonna do on sunday now?". Dont worry. there is a solution for that:

The New Haven Social League. (or something of the sort). For those who want to keep their social skills sharp in the off season, who cant get through sunday without a drink, who are just plain bored, we bring you more sunday fun. In the future: bowling, snow football, whirley ball. think about it. I"ll be emailing out about how to be a part of the group (think facebook and/or group emails).

Scoreboard
Championship
Ballbusters (4) vs Uniballs (2)

Semifinals
Uniballs (11) vs Ultimate Ballz (10)
Ballbusters (4) vs Balls of Glory (0)

Quarter finals
Ultimate Ballz vs Balls Deep
Uniballs (6) vs Abe Lincolns (5)
Ballbusters (8) vs Wrecking Balls (4)
Balls of Glory (4) vs Team Awesome (2)

Awards
Ballbusters- the team most likely to throw you out at first from third.
Abe Lincolns- team most likely to bunt/team to travel furthest
Uniballs- Miss Congeniality
Team Awesome- team most likely to show up in costume/play to the tunes of Michael Jackson
Sofa Kings- team most likely to do jello shots. and share them
Balls Deep- team with most spirit
Ultimate Ballz- team most likely to forfeit/ most likely to distract the uniballs first baseman
Wrecking Balls- team most likely to impersonate a dinosoar.
Balls of Glory- team most likely to have a chugging contest/a three legged dog.


Word up from the Captains (The Captain's Corner)
Balls of Glory
Wow! What a fun season. I felt like I was leaving summer camp Sunday with promises of "Write everyday!". BOG squared off against Team Awesome 1st round. a great match with points being traded ultimately we (BOG) were able to pull it off - (I could be wrong with the score) 4-2. Next we faced off with #1 seed Ball Busters. we were clearly not a match for the future champions losing 4-0 but we took a certain pride in not being slaughtered. The Championship game was amazing to watch - great job to both teams! See you in the spring. BOG began off-season training yesterday.

Balls Deep

I think I can speak for the team in saying we had a great time, and made some awesome new friends this season. Not mention having an excuse to drink and play flip cup on Sundays...Congrats to the winners, we plan on taking the urn in the Spring season!

Ballbusters
"Well it's over now, who would have thought kickball could be so intense? What a freaking barn burner that final game was...A big shout out to the Uniballs for their fierce competiveness and classy sportsmanship, it was definitely the best game we had all season. The team playoff MVP award has to go to pitcher Scott Dietter for his amazing play at home to save the game which shall now be known as "The Immaculate Deflection". Great play all around from the entire team, nice job guys. It was a long 20 inning day of kickball and there was no such thing as an easy game with this group of teams, everybody really brought their A game to the playoffs. The Ball Busters have had a great time playing this fall and look forward to coming back in the spring to defend our title. Oh and we have to give some credit to our fans, friends and family, who came out to enjoy the action. And thanks to the league managers for running a smooth operation, and to Meghan for the blog. I'm rambling now...see you all at the end of season party!

Team Awesome

I want to give a shout out to balls of glory in the hopes that we can combine teams next season to form a superteam, "balls of awesome." that being said, it was a hard fought game, but ultimately team awesome became team insufficient runs and we lost.., respect. haha. we had such a great season! i'll be back with thriller next season

Overheard...(The Gossip Corner)

"If you wear thigh highs, you have to bunt."

"Hey maybe we should bunt....nah!" - member of the Uniballs

"I want to see you kicking, not taking balls!' - Ultimate Ballz captain to one of his players at bat. (he'd rather be taking balls. heh. heh."- one uniballs onlooker)

"he's unassuming looking"

"No more gunning down next season. I'm coming like this." (see photo) "I might even wear tights." -Mike, Balls Deep

"Dear Ryan, I swear I'm heterosexual, but I'm in love with you." -Dean, Uniballs

"You're THE Meghan?!?"

"BOG is gonna charge $65 next year" "What are you going to do with the extra $2" "We're gonna get a masseuse."