CT-Ivy Ghost Man on Third

the Ghost Man & Ghost Lady

2010-11-11T10:01:00.002-05:00

the Ghost Man
Greetings Kickballers!
Well, here we are, at the end of another fall season. If your a Ball Buster, I'm sure it comes with a familiar sense of pride and joy. If your not a Buster, the feeling probably more closely resembles that of wishing you were a Ball Buster. (Or maybe the mischievous, yet strangely satisfying, feeling of urinating in one of their gas tanks...) While the BB did not dominate the regular season, they did manage to show why they are always a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs. Congratulations on achieving the coveted Championship Cup and the three-peat! Their key to success was clearly evident again as they played hard and when a mistake was made, they capitalized. The Inglorious Ballstards found out the hard way. Though kudos go out to the Maroon Army on a fantastic season. And let us not discount the efforts of the Uniballs and Sweep The Leg. There's was definitely a passionate game; both teams gave it all they had. It didn't look good at first when Kharim walked the Uni's first kicker. Or was he just trying to give them false hope...because the next kicker he struck out. The game was not as easy for STL as the score suggests (4-0). The Uniballs played some good defense but just were not able to get around the bases. In the big game (STL vs. BB) a victory was well within grasp of either team. Both played extremely well and in the sixth inning, both looked like they had just played 10 innings of kickball...because they had. Of the many highlights in this game, many of which I'm sure will be covered elsewhere in the blog, one of the standouts was when Brandon (STL), in a nice display of heads-up base running, managed to turn your average kick to the outfield into a home run. Well done. But, as noted earlier, the Busters got it done, once again, winning 3-2. It was definitely an exciting game well worth watching. For those not in attendance, you missed out. Which brings us to the fall All-Star game. As the sun started going down early (a lovely side effect of Eastern Standard time), it got cold rather quickly. But again, if you weren't there or if you left early to go and get warm, you missed a fun game. Not only was it the All-Star game, but also the guest-star game as our favorite, albeit sometimes overly sarcastic, bartender, Frank (in attendance for most of the afternoon), was invited to play on Team East. I think even he was surprised when he managed to get all the way to third before being thrown out. I'd post the winner and score, but I have to admit that I was too busy enjoying some liquid refreshments and didn't pay attention to that aspect of the game. And as a final comment on our last Sunday of kickball in 2010, a big thank you to those brave souls who dared step on the field to referee these last few games, including, but not limited to, Ty, the WAKA Northeastern Rep., who ended up as head ref for the Uni vs. STL game as well as the championship game.
Now, however, we find ourselves sliding head first into another off season. The long
dreadful winter ahead of us will be filled with bitter cold temperatures, slushy roads, filthy cars, wet shoes, runny noses, and no kickball. But all is not necessarily as grey and bleak as the winter landscape. Don't forget that with the off season comes a whole new round of recruitment, smack talk, and the growing popularity of Facebook-fu**ing your so-called friends! Some players become haters and some haters become players. Back-stabbing, front-stabbing, team jumping, new teams started, old teams getting back together, and the ever-popular threatening to quit and/or retire. Yes, there are plenty of ways to stay connected and interested in the CT Ivy over the winter. There are already several trade/recruitment rumors flying around, some of which were confirmed and that was just in the first round of the playoffs. (Have you no decency!) I've not checked the mighty FaceSpace in the last few days, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if this has not already begun. But before we say our final farewell to kickball for the year, we still have the end-of-season party ahead of us. The familiar and comfortable Anna Liffey's will be home to this stellar event once again, with good food, good booze, and another round of raffles and tournaments. So bring the cash and buy many tickets...remember, it all goes to our charity, Life Haven! At least after this shindig, we don't have to get up and play the next day...we have 4+ months to rest, recuperate, and re-energize until we once again take over East Rock Park!
'Til next year, Ball Kickers, see you, well, in a bar somewhere!
~Your Friendly Neighborhood Ghost Man

CT Ivy Fall 2010
Superlatives:
Best Looking Team – Uniballs
Most Improved Team – Kickelback
Best Team Food – Sweep the Leg
Team Most likely not to play flip-cup: Balls of Fury, Wrecking Balls, Blue Ballers
Team to most likely to close down the bar; (Must have at least 4 or more members): Ballstards / Ball Busters
Most Likely to Argue a Call – Mike Pinto (Balls to the Wall)
Best Matched/Dressed Team – Blue Ballers
Best New Couple – Robert Olsen and Dana Hurst (Ballstards/Kickelback)
Most Likely to Get Hurt – Richard LeBlanc (Sweep the Leg)
Best Dancer – Brendan Carey (Sweep the Leg)
Best Photographer – Samantha Liacos (Ballstards)
Loudest – Jillian Kellogg (Blue Ballers)
Cutest Couple – Brianna Sullivan and Stephen Smith (Wrecking Balls/Ballstards)
Best Free Agent Change – Matt Griswold (Kickelback)
Best Family Duo – Fischetti’s and Hurst’s (Wrecking Balls / Kickelback)
Best Drunken Giggle – Thomas Choma (Wrecking Balls)
Most Likely to make Random Friends – Theresa Jakubowski (Ballstards)
Funniest New Kickballer – Lauren Vassallo (Ballstards)
Most Likely to be picked up by another team – David Barnes (Balls of Fury)
Most Improved “in” Season – Balls Deep
Best Team Spirit - Teabaggers
Best Team Cheer – Ball Busters
Best Play this season – Brandon Smith(Sweep the Leg) Homerun in the championship game
Most Hated – Inglorious Ballstards

End of Season Party

2010-11-11T10:00:00.004-05:00

Sat, November 13, 2010 @ 7PM

Location: Anna Liffeys Irish Pub; 17 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT
Time: 7pm till 2am
Cost: Free for Kickballers, $5 for Friends
What: 4 Free Kegs, Free Food (Chef's Choice finger foods, Lasagna, Chicken & Veg curry, Shepards Pie, etc.)
Don’t drink Beer? Ok, we also have Free well drinks (these are strictly only for league members that do not drink beer; please leave it for them. Vodka or Rum well drinks only, once the bottles are done it's a cash bar)
And…… our very own live kickball DJ, “DJ Jura”, spinning the best tunes all night long and taking requests.

Charity: Once again, we will gladly be sponsoring Life Haven as our charity; a temporary shelter that provides a safe and nurturing environment for homeless pregnant women and women with young children. http://www.lifehaven.org/

Other activities:

Charity Flip Cup Tournament:
5 player teams- $25 entry fee per team ($5/person) (16 teams)
Single Elimination
Tourney Rules:
`Teams of five
`5 cups on each side;
`Best of 5, every player starts a round
`Nothing else on the table except your cup (IE no back boards)
`All cups to have same amount of beer

Winners of the charity tournament will receive prizes
Tournament will be run by board members Hannah LaPlante & Mike Pinto
All other disputes that come up during the tournament will be settled by them.

Flip Cup tournament is pre-register. 1st Come, 1st Serve. Space is limited; 16 total teams. Tournament will start at 8:30pm sharp!!!! Upon entering the party, please pay your entry fee. All monies will be going to our Charity LIFEHaven, so don’t be cheap, you spend $$$ when you go out on a normal Saturday, so let’s make it help someone in need this time.
Questions and to register at Hannah LaPlante (hlaplante09@gmail.com) & Mike Pinto (mpinto12@gmail.com)

Raffle:
We’re going to be raffling off 3 different baskets full of absolute goodness……
Kickball basket / Alcohol Basket / Sex Basket
And before you ask, No… The sex basket does not come with coupons for free sex with random kickballers, though rumors of sexy toys and accessories have been mentioned. Definitely something about a ball gag...
Tickets will be sold at the door and throughout the night.

We’re out to top last Seasons End of Season party. So come one, come all…. Let's end this season CTIVY style!
November 13, 2010 - 7:00pm - Anna Liffeys Irish Pub, Downtown New Haven

Championship Sunday Recap

2010-11-11T09:59:00.005-05:00

Final Four Game 1:
Inglorious Ballstards - 0 Ball Busters - 2
Our 1st game was a tight one all the way to the end. Ballstards got away from bases loaded no outs situation in 2nd unscathed but failed to capitalize on scoring opportunity in the same inning, proving to be critical. All Defense, all the time until the 4th when 2 minor errors by the Ballstards allowed the Busters to score thus ending the game.

Final Four Game 2:
Uniballs - 0 Sweep the Leg - 4
Our 2nd game started with STL walking the 1st kicker and it seemed we might have a upset on our hands. But to no avail STL semi- dominated. A couple of bounces here, and a few calls the other way and Uni’s may have actually pulled this win off. The score doesn’t do justice of how close the game was; and then again Uni’s 1st base captain was not in attendance…… shame!

Championship Game:
Sweep the Leg – 2 Ball Busters - 3
As the chill started to set in, we had what some had anticipated from the beginning of the season…. A STL/Busters championship game. A very, very entertaining game to say the least. By the 2nd inning, some crucial errors by STL gave up 3 runs and prevented 1 or 2 scored by themselves. But with 5 innings left to play, STL fought back, and fought hard. Brandon smith had probably the best play of the season, scoring a homerun of a routine kick that seemed to ignite the STL bench and demoralize the Busters. By the 6th inning the score was 3-2, Busters… and Mr.Kickball, Gabe Johnson had not been playing his best game. But with 6 outs to go, big time players step up in big time games. Throwing out 2 baserunners in a row and catching an very important fly foul ball. Bottom of the 7th, guy on 1st and 3rd, 1 out; a kick comes Johnson’s way and he fakes a throw to first moving STL’s Chad of 3rd for just a moment, and before he could get back on base…. He was thrown out for the 2nd out. 2 outs, man on 1st and 2nd… Steve from STL pounces on the 2nd pitch and it goes flying to the outfield at incredible speed and distance, and somehow, someway…. The busters make an unbelievable over the shoulder catch to seal the game for the 3-peat!!!
Game MVP: Julie Pellegrini

All – Star Game:
Eastern Conference - 3 Western Conference – 0
The Sun had started to die down, the cold had started to set in and it was time for the real game. The most intense, un-meaningful game of the season. Also, the last kickball game for the 2010 year;
The east jumped out to a 3-nothing lead in the 1st courtesy of ms.kickball’s base running and Choma’s 2 run RKI. But after that, not much offense was provided. A clear contrast to last season’s all-star game. The highlight of the game had to be our Favorite Bar-Tender getting on the field and enjoying what we do every Sunday before we drive him made at the Lif
GAME MVP: Thomas Choma

Presidential Power Poll

2010-11-11T09:58:00.003-05:00

Final Presidential Poll

1. Ball Busters (9-2-1)
Yes, even through adversity they seem to play their best when playoffs come around. Completing the 3-peat wasn’t easy, and they know… they are super lucky, they were inches from the door being closed on them in the 1st round. Count your blessings
2. Sweep the Leg (8-3-1)
From an idea in DC sprung the Fall season runner ups. Some on their team may be disappointed but they had a great season. Resilient to say the least after being 1-2-1 at the mid point. Big Cheers to this STL team
3. Inglorious Ballstards (7-1-2)
They almost pulled off the impossible season after no expected them to do so at the beginning of the season. There is some consolation in losing to the champions in the final four and beating the runner ups in week 3. I’m sure this isn’t the last we heard of the Ballstards
4. UniBalls (6-3-1)
Predicted to be one of the better teams this season, they didn’t show much until late in the season. Making it all the way to the final four and….. being the only team to have a winning record against the Ball Busters this season.(beat them 6-5 in week 1)
5. Balls Deep (5-4-1)
Yes, Balls Deep…. Even though their record doesn’t show them being a top 5 team, they displayed great promise for next season and almost sneaked into the final four

Presidential Address

2010-11-11T09:56:00.003-05:00

My Fellow Kickballers;

First off, congratulations to the Ball Busters for a great championship game and the completion of their 3-peat. You can ask them, this definitely was the toughest one to get. But, how about you guys come back in the spring…. Just this one time. I’m sure it won’t disappoint.

For the rest of the league, I not only thank you for an unbelievable season, but a fantastic year. All 14 teams this fall were great and I personally enjoyed everyone. This was the biggest group of kickballers New Haven has ever had and all the pre-season hype lived up to expectations. From a Presidents point of view, I’ve learned alot this year and hopefully achieved a lot in my goal to give every single kickballer their registration moneys worth. Weather it was an all-star game, more interaction at the bar, this very newsletter with lots of fun stuff to read, and the mid/end of season parties. It has been an incredible ride and even with all the ups and down of 2010 kickball, I would do this year over in a heartbeat. Yes, I have made mistakes but let those who are perfect cast the 1st stone. I haven't always done a good job and I haven't always been successful, but I know that I have always tried.
And yes this usually is a time when people are sad to see the season go, but it’s not really goodbye just yet, but see you later. We have an awesome end of season party to get to. If I don’t see everyone at the end of season party, it was a pleasure meeting you and I hope to see you in the near future.

Emails should be sent out from WAKA for a customer service survey, Please take a quick 5-10 minutes to fill those out and be completely honest. Those help make your WAKA experience that much better.

A special shout-out goes out to following people who made this the best season ever. They are the people responsible for making sure the season ran smooth so all you had to do was play.
Board;
Jose Canarte, WAKA Rep
Kyle Settle, League President
Jordan Schreck, League VP
Therese Horn, Treasure
Dan McLeggon, Social Chair
Jillian Kellogg, Social Chair
Steve Watson, Ref Coordinator
Dom Alston, Ref Coordinator
Mike Pinto, Tournament Chair
Hannah LaPlante, Tournament Chair
Robb Khlor, Charity Coordinator
Lindsey Voskowsky, Ivy Media

Newsletter/Blog;
Robb Koehler, gMot
Jillian Kellog, GLot
Peter “Gio” Giordano, Video master
Lindsey Voskowsky “Strawberry”, Predictions
Thomas Choma “Handsome Tom”, Predictions/Game of the Week
Kyle Settle, Editor & contributor

ALL CAPTAINS AND TEAM REPS………………..

Your President,
Kyle R. Settle
ksettle28@yahoo.com

Can we get an Encore for 2010?

2010-11-11T09:55:00.002-05:00

the ghost man’s “Drink of the Week” ~
This week is actually an award of recognition, of sorts. This weeks recipe is:

Whatever that concoction was that Rob Olsen from Inglorious Ballstards had in the water container that he was pouring into people's water bottles and/or straight down their throats. Tasty & effective. I think it was a delightful combination of vodka, orange juice, champagne, ginger ale, and something else... see that was the effective part... Rumor has it, Scott Frison from the Ballstards is the original Einstein for this, so Kudos to him

A Tip for this weekend!
This Saturday is your last chance to party up with your Favorite Kickballers. Don’t miss it!!!!

Weather Report:
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Sunny
High of 61, Low of 43
0% chance of Rain
Source: Weather channel

Final Thoughts
the GMOT's Predictions for next season:
I predict -
~ the Wrecking Balls will have green shirts.
~ Kickelback will think about changing their name, but will end up staying with Kickelback.
(...'cause they all just wanna be big rock stars, live in hilltop houses drivin' 15 cars...)
~ I Got A Fever will change their name, but not their pitcher and certainly not their cowbells.
~ Jillian will have the loudest (yet most angelic) voice on (or off) the field.
~ Dom will start a custom eye-black sticker company.
~ Balls of Fury will win more than one game. Maybe even more than two.
~ Mr. Handsome will have the ugliest shoes.
~ there will be off season controversy and Kharim's name will be involved even if he actually
has nothing to do with it.
~ Jason will wear a Red Sox hat.
~ the Inglorious Ballstards will still be the most cheered-against team in the league.
~ Russ will play 1 1/4 innings in a defensive position...before benching himself.
~ Hannah will follow her life-long dream of becoming a pro-wrestling diva.
~ the Teabaggers will still beat everyone at flip-cup, Tim will get 3 inches taller, and their
pitcher will, at some point, wear a string bikini while pitching.
~ your GMOT will be brought up on charges of libel and slander and (hopefully) inciting a riot.

See you next season...Cheers!

In Case you Missed it………

All-Star

Western Conference:
Captain – Kharim Jones Sweep the Leg

Chad Martin (C) Sweep the Leg
Christina Wolf (2b) Sweep the Leg
Steve Castellon (SS) Sweep the Leg
Ben Hawthorne (OF) Ball Busters
Gabe Johnson (3b) Ball Busters
Leslie Howthorne (SS) Ball Busters
Ryan Dalton (3b) Uniballs
Adam Sperling (CF) Uniballs
Meghan O’Conner (OF/IF) Uniballs
Melanie Raubeson (P) Fever
Gordon Ober (OF) Fever
James Elsworth (1b/OF) Fever
Chris Donlin (SS) Balls Deep
Nienke Geerts (P) Balls Deep
Dan McLeggon (1b) Balls Deep
Mike Pinto (1b) Balls to the Wall
Kelsey Arena (SS) Balls to the Wall
Steve Arvan (3b) Balls to the Wall
Emily Gogel (2b/OF) Saved by the Balls
Saki Angelopoulos (OF) Saved by the Balls
Brian Shabbott (P) Saved by the Balls

Eastern Conference:
Captain – Kyle Settle Inglorious Ballstards

Dom Alston (CF) Inglorious Ballstards
Kelly Miller (C) Inglorious Ballstards
Lauren Vassallo (OF/SS) Inglorious Ballstards
Christine Huber (LF/RF) Hamden Mafia
Colby Whelan (SS/3b) Hamden Mafia
George Evans (3b/P) Hamden Mafia
Robert Slattery (C) Kickelback
Lindsey Voskowsky (P) Kickelback
John Palmer (LF/2b) Kickelback
Tom Fischetti (C) Wrecking Balls
Mark Scarinzi (LF) Wrecking Balls
Robyn Siedel (SS) Wrecking Balls
Billy Ryan (C) Blue Ballers
Kim Ryan (2b/SS) Blue Ballers
Rachel Finley (CF) Blue Ballers
David Barnes (P/IF) Balls of Fury
Gerard Downes (SS/3b) Balls of Fury
Jeanette Hugli-Lopez (LF) Balls of Fury
Jemar Vasquez (P) Teabaggers
April Chevalier (2b) Teabaggers
Tiago Rodrigues (1b) Teabaggers
*Rob Olsen (3b) Inglorious Ballstards
* Captain at-large-pick
^ Replacement pick/player
# originally picked, unable to play

Fall 2010 Ivy Regular Season Awards

Mr. Kickball - Most Outstanding Player;
Gabe Johnson ; Ball Busters

Ms. Kickball - female mop;
Lindsey Voskowsky ; Kickelback

Mr. Roy - Male Rookie of the year
Chris Donlin ; Balls Deep
(rup) Sal Fiorentino ; Fever
(rup) AC Cogburn ; Balls to the Wall

Ms. Roy - Female Rookie of the year
Lauren Vassallo ; Inglorious Ballstards
(rup) Christine Huber ; Hamden Mafia
(rup) Sarah Hoffman ; Fever

Golden Foot -
Brian Westermeyer ; Hamden Mafia

Best Pitcher -
Kharim Jones ; Sweep the Leg
Kyle Settle ; Inglorious Ballstards

Best Catcher -
Kelly Miller ; Inglorious Ballstards
Tom Fischetti ; Wrecking Balls

Captain of the Year -
Kyle Settle & co.; Inglorious Ballstards
Lindsey Voskowsky & co.; Kickelback

All-Pro; Elite 11 Team
C - Kelly Miller - Inglorious Ballstards
P - Kharim Jones - Sweep the Leg
1b - Mike Pinto - Balls to the Wall
2b - Christina Wolf - Sweep the Leg
SS - Lauren Vassallo - Inglorious Ballstards
3b - Gabe Johnson - Ball Busters
OF - Mark Scarinzi - Wrecking Balls
OF - Tom Choma - Wrecking Balls
OF - Christine Huber - Hamden Mafia
OF/IF - Lindsey Voskowsky - Kickelback
OF/IF - Dom Alston - Inglorious Ballstards

Honorable Mention
*(C) Tom Fischetti - Wrecking Balls
*(P) Kyle Settle - Inglorious Ballstards
*(OF) Ben Hawthorne - Ball Busters
*(3b) Rob Olsen - Inglorious Ballstards
*(1b/OF) James Elsworth - Fever
*(P) Melanie Rauberson - Fever
*(OF) Sarah Hoffman - Fever
*(OF) Rachel Finley - Blue Ballers
*(SS) Kristen Tsou - Hamden Mafia
*(C) Chad Martin - Sweep the Leg

Pictures

The Ghost Man

2010-11-04T14:19:00.002-04:00

Hello there, Kickballers.
In a weekend of ball-gags and broomsticks, it was quite the Sunday we had, wasn't it?
Playoffs are always interesting, but this past Sunday seemed exceptionally so. Some of the antics, costumes, and comments off the field were every bit as interesting as what was happening on the field. To recap some of the highlights (or lowlights, depending on which team you're on), the mighty Wrecking Balls, favored by some to make a run for the Cup, have fallen in not so glorious fashion. On the wrong side of an 8-0 score, they have seen the inside of STL's body bags, and I'm sure it was not the ending they were expecting. The fall playoffs ever-present Ball Busters were at the root of two of the most exciting games of the week. In their round 2 game vs. Kickelback, Kickel definitely had most of the league cheering for them. Everyone loves an underdog. Unfortunately, one small miscue led to the Ball Busters scoring three runs late in the game, thus enabling them to advance to the semi-final round. More on that shortly. The game ranking highest on the excitement meter has to be the first round match-up of the Ball Busters and the Elm City Teabaggers. Close to being the upset of the decade, the one-win 'Baggers almost had their second win until the last inning. Not that I'm giving out any big secrets, but BB has got speed and skill and will detect even the smallest glitch in your system. And I'm not just talking about their guys, as their ladies won this game for them in the waning moments of the fifth. Soooo close. And tension??? We almost went to a UFC scoring system in this one. They were in a cage, after all. While the ladies of the Busters get kudos for getting them the win, the 'Baggers surely get recognition for putting up one hell of a fight. Something tells me the Teabaggers will have a much different record next season. And, by the way, the team affectionately known on the bleachers as the Irritable Bowels won again. Bringing me back to the Ball Busters. It will be BB vs. IB in one of our semifinal games on Sunday and I wholly expect that all who were at one time cheering for the demise of the Busters, will now be rallying behind them as they try to take down the undefeated Ballstards. The other semifinal game will be Uniballs vs. Sweep The Leg. While it doesn't have the immediate draw of the BB/IB game, this one will be no sleeper. Stay tuned after these stellar match-ups, because the winners will go right into the Championship Game. Followed closely by this season's all-star game. A note to all of you who will not be playing in one of the games this Sunday, study the rulebook and check the blog for some of the answers to your "was that a bullshit call or what?" questions, because you may be called upon to ref a game, and if you think people get a bug up their ass in the regular season, that's nothing compared to the finals! And, lastly, I'd like to share with you all a couple of things that I learned this past weekend:
1) I had no idea that Smurfs could play kickball.
2) Under no circumstances should you kiss a zombie; you'll get a rash.
'Til next time, see you on the playing field! The Ghost

End of Season Party

2010-11-04T14:18:00.002-04:00

November 13, 2010 @ 7PM

Location: Anna Liffeys Irish Pub; 17 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT
Time: 7pm till 2am
Cost: Free for Kickballers, $5 for Friends
What: 4 Free Kegs, Free Food (Chef's Choice finger foods, Lasagna, Chicken & Veg curry, Shepards Pie, etc.)
Don’t drink Beer? Ok, we also have Free well drinks (these are strictly only for league members that do not drink beer; please leave it for them. Vodka or Rum well drinks only, once the bottles are done it's a cash bar)
And…… our very own live kickball DJ, “DJ Jura”, spinning the best tunes all night long and taking requests.

Charity: Once again, we will gladly be sponsoring Life Haven as our charity; a temporary shelter that provides a safe and nurturing environment for homeless pregnant women and women with young children. http://www.lifehaven.org/

Other activities:

Charity Flip Cup Tournament:
5 player teams- $25 entry fee per team ($5/person) (16 teams)
Single Elimination
Tourney Rules:
`Teams of five
`5 cups on each side;
`Best of 5, every player starts a round
`Nothing else on the table except your cup (IE no back boards)
`All cups to have same amount of beer

Winners of the charity tournament will receive prizes
Tournament will be run by board members Hannah LaPlante & Mike Pinto
All other disputes that come up during the tournament will be settled by them.

Flip Cup tournament is pre-register. 1st Come, 1st Serve. Space is limited; 16 total teams. Tournament will start at 8:30pm sharp!!!! Upon entering the party, please pay your entry fee. All monies will be going to our Charity LIFEHaven, so don’t be cheap, you spend $$$ when you go out on a normal Saturday, so let’s make it help someone in need this time.
Questions and to register at Hannah LaPlante (hlaplante09@gmail.com) & Mike Pinto (mpinto12@gmail.com)

Raffle:
We’re going to be raffling off 3 different baskets full of absolute goodness……
Kickball basket / Alcohol Basket / Sex Basket
And before you ask, No… The sex basket does not come with coupons for free sex with random kickballers, though rumors of sexy toys and accessories have been mentioned. Definitely something about a ball gag...
Tickets will be sold at the door and throughout the night.

We’re out to top last Seasons End of Season party. So come one, come all…. Let's end this season CTIVY style!
November 13, 2010 - 7:00pm - Anna Liffeys Irish Pub, Downtown New Haven

Captain's Corner (Final 4 Style)

2010-11-04T14:17:00.003-04:00

Last Week (Playoff) Recap
Game 1 - #8 Fever - 3 #9 Balls Deep - 4
The kickoff game to the fall 2010 playoffs didn’t disappoint with all types of action from beginning to end. In the end, Fever fell for the 4th straight game
Game 2 - #5 Kickelback - 4 #12 Balls of Fury - 1
BoF almost pulled out the upset, having base loaded 3 different times, once or twice with 0 outs, but for some reason couldn’t score and pull out the upset
Game 3 - #4 Ball Busters - 3 #13 Teabaggers - 2
Teabaggers had the upset of the century going, up 2 -1 with 2 outs left in the bottom of the 5th; All signs pointed to yes but somehow, someway… Busters prevailed to hold on to their 3peat dreams
Game 4 - #7 UniBalls - 4 #10 Blue Ballers - 2
Blue Ballers tried to capture the magic that led them to the champ game last season, but to no avail, they weren’t even close
Game 5 - #3 Sweep the Leg - W #14 Saved by the Balls - L
Forfeit by the Sbtb, guess it wasn’t worth showing up
Game 6 - #6 Wrecking Balls - 4 #11 Balls to the Wall – 2
A game where it was all too close for the ninja turtles of day; All pro 1b of b2w made a routine double play that looked to lead a upset of the green wreckers… but like all season b2w made 1 too many mistakes and cost them the season
Game 7 - #1 I.Ballstards - 1 Balls Deep – 0
Controversial was the word to use for this game. Not the best job done by referees but in the end, the Ballstards pulled a W in a near upset to the improving Balls Deep team
Game 8 – Kickelback - 0 Ball Busters - 3
Nil-Nil was the score going into the bottom of the 5th, and once again….. somehow, someway, the Busters pulled out a victory to advance to the Final Four…
Game 9 – Uniballs - 3 #2 Hamden Mafia - 1
It couldn’t be a playoffs without an upset….. Uniballs played probably their best game of the season in beating the #2 ranked Mafia team. The ghost of past still reign as the legendary uni’s move on to the final four
Game 10 – Sweep the Leg - 8 Wrecking Balls – 0
1 word, Domination, Domination, Domination! STL showed their displeasure with the 1st round forfeit of their opponent, so they took it out of the Wreckers…. What should have been a good game turned out to be a bust

Captains Corner
The Ivy presents to you, the Final Four

#7 UniBalls
Regular Season Recap:
The Uniballs had an inconsistent and somewhat frustrating regular season, taking a while to figure out the best strategy and how the new pieces best fit together. The low point was losing a lead in the 5th inning to lose (or tie) a game three times – both due to timely kicking of the opposition as well as a few defensive lapses. Of the Unis three loses, only one was by more than one run (against Final Four opponent Sweep The Leg of course). The highlight of the regular season was overcoming a five-run first inning deficit against the Wrecking Balls and winning in walk-off fashion on a sac fly.
Opening Round Recap:
The Uniballs didn't let an up-and-down regular season affect them once the post season started as they picked up two wins to advance to the Final Four. Defense and pitching were the team's strength as usual and the offense did enough to move on. The Unis didn't trail in either game, winning 6-2 in Rd 1 and 3-1 in Rd 2. Including the regular season, the Unis are currently on a four-game winning streak and have not allowed more than two runs in that stretch.
Final Four Preview:
The Navy & White seem to be the long-shot of the Final Four - the only team in the FF without an All-Pro, or even an honorable mention, while ever other team has at least two. There's a chance at revenge in the semi-finals as Sweep The Leg was the only team to beat the Unis by more than one-run this season (6-0). The Unis were asleep at the wheel that game, something the team partially chalks up to the mid-season party being the night before and also because it was before the team made some key strategic adjustments and gelled. The Unis are on a roll, confident and ready to fight, looking to add a third championship to the Uniballs' trophy case.
Players to Watch:
Kyle Cousins' transition to the pitching mound helped turn around the Unis' season, both pitching and fielding-wise. He has not allowed more than two runs in a game and has done a great job in limiting the opposition's bunting game along with catcher Tom McGrimley.
Ryan Dalton leads the offense side of things, as shown by drilling an impressive home run in the opening round of the playoffs. His strong arm and stellar fielding at third base is the backbone of the Unis' defense. Adam Sperling also contributes to the power game offensively in addition to patrolling CF.
Keep an eye out for the female Uniballs as well. Not always flashy or powerful, they have a knack for getting down a timely bunt or making a key defensive play when the Unis win.
Projected Starters
P – Kyle Cousins
C – Tom McGrimley
1b – Bill Damsby
2b – Kim Brown
SS - Meghan O'Connor
3b - Ryan Dalton
LF - Jamy Drouillard/ Bradley Lenz
LC – Sara Thomas
CF - Adam "Young Griffey" Sperling
RC – Jody Podell
RF - Jordan Schreck

Projected Kicking Order
1. Tom
2. Bill
3. Jamy
4. Ryan
5. Meghan
6. Kyle
7. Sara
8. Sperling
9. Bradley
10. Jody
11. Grey
12. Kaela
13. Jordan

#3 Sweep the Leg
So what exactly happened last week? We didn’t pregame, didn’t drink, no rah rah. We just kind of threw around a football and danced to some good music courtesy of DJ chaz. We played a little warmup game, and then proceeded to wreck Choma’s balls so badly that his right hand is finally going to get that long awaited vacation it’s been looking for since he was 11. A+ on the costumes though. It felt so wrong taking out my childhood heroes like that. MVP is a tie on our team, Amanda made some spectacular catches and looks to have set herself up as our starting 3rd baseman during Sunday’s battle. Co MVP is to kick.el.back for brutally demoralizing wrecking balls the week before. You guys must have crushed their morale, because I didn’t see the team that has had us concerned all season long.

Man this has been a long season. What started as 1 man and the desire to be WAKA’s first SUPERSTAR free agent (sorry kyle), turned into an offseason fiasco filled with so much drama that said person almost retired. His former team spit on him, threw rocks, and urinated on his head. There was no turning back for the wanderer. During a trip to visit Kickball’s Mecca in DC, and some help from partner in crime, Jose Patron Cuervo Jr., his prayers were answered in the form of a Wiley Dj, a curly haired vixen, and a squeaky wheel that appeared before him. They told him “Sweep… the.. leg…” He hurried back to call out to all the mercenaries, journeymen, and team outcasts he could find. Recruiting the fastest, strongest, and meanest that WAKA had to offer. They all assembled to build one of the greatest teams the world has ever seen…… On paper. Well, you guys explained it the best after week 4…

~"I think the Sweepers are now the Sleepers"
~"Once thought to be a super team, the aura around Sweep the Leg has quickly faded."
~"I don't quite know what to think about STL anymore. They are certainly not the dream team we all thought they were"
~"Sweep the Leg continues to spiral to the league basement"

Things didn’t quite go as planned. The team’s attitude made Allen Iverson look like the perfect practice player. And after a loss to the worst, most pathetic, woman stealing, grenade banging team in the league, things had to change. 22 shots at the midseason party were taken, and we vowed STL will rise in the second half. A team breakfast capped it all off. I can’t even name all the people that have stepped up to become absolute monsters on the field. And for that alone, I am pleased regardless of whatever the outcome may be in the end. I look forward to seeing these guys with a season of experience under their belts. But now, with renewed focus, here we are. The final 4. We face the Uniballs; Smart veterans of the game that will destroy you the moment they smell blood in the water. With some big boots and pure athletes, I have nothing but respect for these guys. Rest assured though, we will be bringing out the body bags for them on Sunday. Looking at the team around me, I honestly get scared sometimes. Have you seen them? they look like starved cannibals when they take the field. They want flesh! Someone has to come out the winner at the end of the day, so why not us? Why not STL? We all know what’s worse than losing… NOTHING.

kicking order and position:

1.nicole (as)
2.chad (as)
3.davon (as)
4.russell (as)
5.wolfie (as)
6.kharim (Ass)
7.caitlin (as)
8.javil (as)
9.steve(as)
10.jackie m.(as)
11.lisa (as)
12.rich (as)
13.brandon(as)
14.brendan(as)
15.jackie s. (as)
16.amanda (as)

Yes AS stands for all star! That’s all you need to know! Who to watch for? We’re all lethal and can slice you up at any position in the line up. When it’s all said and done team, take the bar no matter what. And don’t let it go until the end of season party is over. Take their women, dine in hell with the enemy, and flip those cups! We’ve already proven the haters wrong with 6 straight shutouts and the best offensive production in the league, but the boos and jeers will still come strong on Sunday. Stay focused, zone them out and let’s prove ourselves right… We are THE superteam. You’re the best around STL…

#4 Ball Busters
Our first game versus the Teabaggers had a little bit of everything: tough defense, close calls, desperate offense, threats of violence, inappropriate language (think of the children!), and late inning heroics; the only thing missing from this circus of a game was a streaker. The game began with Teabaggers jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead with some well placed short outfield kicks. Our first at bat resulted in only a single run after an unfortunate incident of friendly fire when Gabe was hit by a well struck ball from Corey. After the first inning both defenses tightened up and only a couple kickers were able to get on base for the next few innings. Starting off the bottom of the 5th inning, down a run, Ben was able to turn a bunt into a double after an errant throw to first base. Next to kick was Ali, who perfectly put the ball on the ground and made the Teabaggers make a play. A good job by Baggers first base man to keep the ball in front and get it home preventing the tying run from scoring. Runners on first and third, no outs, down 1 run, Leslie put the ball on the ground and when the play went to first the tying run was able to score. Lindsay followed that kick up with another base hit. 1 out, runners on third and first, Dan Crum in the biggest situation of his young kickball career, kicked a perfect walk off base hit to win the game. MVP honors for the game go to Ali Heery, Leslie Hawthorne, and Lindsay Toland for excellent situational kicking when we needed it most.

In the quarterfinals the Busters were matched up against a red hot Kickleback team, who was looking to keep their late season winning streak alive. The game turned out to be another defensive struggle, with neither team able to score early on. The opening innings were highlighted by excessive ball hogging from the Ball Busters outfielders, and more impressively Kickleback's left fielder who was able to haul in multiple balls while being bulldozed by the centerfielder. Finally in the third (or fourth?) inning, fueled by all the teams who graciously came to cheer against us the top of the order did what they do best and quickly put 3 runs on the board. Pitcher Mike Allard was locked in all game and was able to complete the shut out, only allowing one base runner all game. MVP honors go to Corey Chase for the 2 run Triple.

Well, well, well look who we are running into now...the Inglorious Ballstards. Can't say we didn't see it coming, and I don't think we'll be surprised by anything since we've had the pleasure of reffing many of their games. Can't take anything away from that regular season record of theirs. According to the standings they are the best team. Well like all great teams, we want to go through the best on our way to the championships. When we look at the Ballstards we see a team built in a similar fashion. Not an overwhelming offense, but smart and opportunistic with their kicking and base running. Really the team is built on defense, and I see this game coming down to who makes a mistake first. Don't anticipate a high score in this one, but it should be some good kickball.

Now once we get through the Ballstards we're set up for a rematch of either of our two losses. Both losses came with key players absent for us so we're really looking to back up our excuses for those losses and settle the score. The last two falls have come down to the Ball Busters vs Uniballs, with Busters coming out on top in both meetings. I'm sure they'd love to take another crack at us after notching an early victory over us this fall.

No matter how it shakes out it should be some quality kickball and a lot of fun. Good luck to all!
Players to Watch: Too many players to discuss, you have to watch the whole team in action, especially the shutdown defense of the infield. Team selected all-stars were: Gabe Johnson (3b) (also All-pro, he's so dreamy) , Leslie Hawthorne (2b), and Ben Hawthorne (CF).

Projected Line-up:
1. Mike Lyons (C)
2. Gabe Johnson (3b)
3. Corey Chase (1b)
4. Zac Czaplicki (LF)
5. Ben Hawthorne (CF)
6. Ali Heery (SS)
7. Leslie Hawthorne (2b)
9. Lindsay Toland (OF)
10. Dan Crum (LF)
11. Brad Allard (RF)
12. Mike Allard (P)
13. Julie Pellegrini (OF)
14. Maria Fazzino (OF)

#1 Inglorious Ballstards
After a bye in the 1st round we were match-up with Balls Deep, our Captains former team of 2009. Trash talk started spewing immediately and it seemed Balls Deep strategy was to get into the head of pitcher Kyle Settle. They tried everything and anything, but no matter how many shots they took at him, he never showed signs of weakness. The game was nil apiece until the bottom of the 5th, Ballstards had runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. A call was made to intentionally walk the kicker; so after 3 far ball pitches, the pitcher made a mistake…. Allowing her 4th pitch to bounce and settle outside the box, and Dave pounced on it for a sac fly to far right. Kelly ran home and a play was made at home… after the dust settled, the ref called the runner safe and we advanced to the final four.
If you weren’t around last season, the Maroon was ridiculed, bullied, and not respected. Even win after win after win this season against some pretty tough opponents, it was always an excuse. We played our worst game ever against the blue ballers, without our all-pro catcher and we still tied. I could use this time to say hahahaha to all the other teams that are sitting for the final four, but I won’t do that…. No, after all the boo’s , and heckling, and whatever else thrown at Maroon’s way, we never derailed. And that my friend is the heart of a champion. What started out as a dream and an idea back in March is almost realized. I told you…. Fear the Maroon, you should have listened!
In the Final Four we play hands down, pound for pound one of the best teams in the history of New Haven Kickball. In comparison, they’ve accomplished a lot, and we have done nothing. Us being underdogs is expected against the two time defending fall champs, but like Ric Flair used to say…. “To be the Man… whooooooo……. You gotta beat the Man” And that’s just how we look at it. A lot of teams would be scared to play the Busters, not us….. If we can’t beat the fall champs of last year, then I don’t want it. To be the best you gotta be the best, so Busters…… I’ve waited 365 days for this, best believe I and the rest of the Maroon Army are gonna bring our ‘A’ game…. And Haters and Hecklers, please come out and show your support. It wouldn’t be a game if you didn’t come boo as hard as you can.

Players to Watch For:
You already know about the best Catcher in the league, Kelly Miller… and you Already know about the Rocket, Rob Olsen, and perhaps you heard of the awesomeness that is pitching of Kyle Settle, but who you should pay attention to is Dom, LV, Blake, and Danielle. Dom hasn’t caught many balls in the outfield for knowledge of his ability to shut all fly balls down, but people are starting to forget what he is capable of. Blake as well is a name not all too familiar but he is automatic on base and is also a shut down outfielder. Lastly rookie of the year, LV and Danielle; The ladies of Maroon that if tested will shut you the f*** down! Danielle doesn’t get a lot of respect around here for whatever reason, but test her… I dare you!, afterwards you’ll be saying… (why in the hell did we go after her, she caught everything and doubled up our best player, damn!)

Projected Line Up:
1. *Dom (CF)
2. Leon (1b)
3. Theresa (SS)
4. *Rob (3b)
5. *Kelly (C)
6. Blake (OF)
7. Dave (OF)
8. *LV (2b)
9. Kristy (OF)
10. Pope (DH)
11. *Kyle (P)
12. Therese (RF)
13. Danielle (SS)
14. Steve (1b)
15. Maggie (2b)
16. Scott (OF)
17. Samantha (OF)

Schedule/Predictions

2010-11-04T14:16:00.003-04:00

Final Four Schedule
November 7, 2010
Championship Sunday

Higher seed has choice of home/away
~Final Four Games are [5 Innings]
~Championship Game is [7 Innings]
~All-Star Game is [7 Innings]

Final Four – Game 1
#1. Inglorious Ballstards vs. #4. Ball Busters
Approx 1:30pm @ Field 1

Final Four – Game 2
#3. Sweep the Leg vs. #7. Uniballs
Approx 1:30pm @ Field 2

Championship Game Finals
Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
Approx 2:30pm @ Field TBD

All-Star Game
Western Conference vs. Eastern Conference
Approx 3:30pm @ Field 2

Field 1 is the little league baseball field
Field 2 is the corner of the football field, behind the baseball field

Game of the Week
Game 1- [Ballstards v Ball Busters]
My oh my, what a game we have here. We have the one seed Ballstards who had scratch and claw their way to a very hard victory against the ever surprising Balls Deep team. We also have the Busters, who were seemingly on their way to a major upset against the Teabaggers but somehow managed to pull it off.
Both teams will want to show why they are worthy champions, more so the Busters who are looking for the 3 peat, and the Ballstards are looking to be the second team to finish without a loss. Now its time for them to show us who wants it more.

Game 2 - [Uniballs v Sweep the Leg]
Well, I think it’s about time that for all of us to stand up and listen. Sweep the Leg are showing us that we were all wrong to write them off during the mid point of the season. With their domination of the Wrecking Balls, Sweep showed that they are every bit of their title ambitions. Then we have the ever resourceful Uniballs, another team written off by most of us at the blog. After taking down the preseason favorite Blue Ballers, Uniballs had to face the 2 seed Hamden Mafia in the next round. With the real upset of the day, the Unis showed that they weren't just a team of the past and managed to get their way back into the semi finals. Two teams with a ton of momentum coming into this game, this game has game of the season written all over it.

GMOT Kickball Playoff Predictions

Inglorious Ballstards vs. Ball Busters:
This one will be good. If Maroon can get through it without any CF vs. P violence, they may be able to scratch out a win. But if even one mistake is made, IB, you better hope there are no Busters on base. Ballstards by one. ~ gmot
This game will be too close for comfort. I can see both sides putting up extremely strong defenses and any possible scoring won't happen until one of the last innings, when mistakes can cost you the game. I think Mr. Kickball and those other boys that are really fast on the Busters will figure out how to bring in multiple runs at the very last second (as they've been known to do recently) and the Ballstards just will not be able to retaliate. Ball Busters FTW! ~ Strawberry
This game will be without a doubt the most anticipated of the afternoon, both teams have a lot to prove. The Ballstards didn't quite get it down last season, where the Busters are looking to complete the 3 peat off the Fall. I say experience wins in the end, I have the Busters winning this game and keeping the dream alive. ~ Handsome Tom
A game that masses have been waiting for. When the brackets came out for the playoffs, this was the game everyone wished for. Busters, 2x fall champs, and the Ballstards, without a loss in the season. From the outside a very close game, but I have to be a homer, Ballstards by 1 ~ el Presidente

Sweep The Leg vs. Uniballs:
I think that this one will be more lopsided in the scoring. Uni's played a tight game against the Mafia last Sunday, but they'll have to do more to get past STL. I have STL by 3. ~ gmot
It's nice to see the UniBalls in the final four, many congrats to them, but I think STL has finally become comfortable in their kickball skins and will be unbeatable. Kharim's mind-blowing pitches and the team's all around goodness will put the UniBalls to shame. STL FTW! ~ Strawberry
Two teams with a ton of momentum coming into this game. Sweep after taking care of the Wrecking Balls with ease, and the Uniballs after taking the 2 seeded Hamden Mafia. The Unis have been here before, but I'm sticking with my prediction of last week, and I have Sweep winning this game and keep their mission to put the whole league in a body bag. ~ Handsome Tom
The Uniballs have improved dramatically, finally figuring out the pieces to the puzzle to make the a championship caliber team. I see this game close as this is a different defense the sweepers faced in week 5 and the Uni’s have seen Kharim’s pitching so there will be no surprises there. All in all, I see STL winning 3-2 and advancing to the chip ~ el Presidente

CHAMPIONSHIP Predictions:
Inglorious Ballstards vs. Sweep The Leg:
In week 3, it was IB over STL 5-3. While some talk going around suggests that IB's schedule was purposefully set up to be easy, I would think that somehow the entire league schedule was prophesied by Nostradamus to bring us right here: STL vs. IB for the championship. And the Ghost foresees Maroon being the second team in two consecutive seasons to go undefeated, again winning by 2. ~ gmot

Busters v STL
Oh lord, I just don't know. The battle of the blues will be bloody, with one team as good-looking as the other, but for some reason I've got this feeling in my stomach that STL will take this one. They're just so strong in the field and fast on the bases, and pretty much every player is as good as the next—girls and boys alike (and perhaps they'll stop harassing me for choosing against them almost all season??)... STL = Fall 2010 Champs! ~ strawberry

Ball Busters v Sweep the Leg
A rematch of a regular season match up, where the Busters were taken down 1-0 by the power pitching of Sweep's captain, this game has low scoring kind of feel. It will come down to who can manufacture the most runs, and this factor is why I think Sweep will crush the dream of the 3 peat of the Busters. Put them in a body bag indeed. ~ Handsome Tom

Sweep the Leg vs Inglorious Ballstards
Round II, their epic match-up of week 3 has still proven to be the game of the season… so why not end the 2010 kickball season that way. I see a tough game with lots of jocking for position, back and forth, extra innings, with the Ballstards coming up on top for their 1st Championship crown

Everything has a Beginning and a End

2010-11-04T14:15:00.002-04:00

the ghost man’s “Drink of the Week” ~
Since the weather is getting colder, here's one to warm you up on a winter
night as you snuggle up with that special someone that may or may not have
bought you at an auction: Sweet Dreams (the adult version of Hot Chocolate.)

Ingredients:
1 c. heavy cream
1 1/4 c. whole milk
4-6 oz. milk chocolate
2 T cocoa powder
4 T whiskey or Irish whiskey
whipped cream for the top

Instructions:
1. Place milk & chocolate in a saucepan & heat slowly over
medium heat until chocolate has melted.
2. Add cocoa & stir well.
3. Bring all to a boil. When it reaches a boil, remove from heat.
4. Stir in cream.
5. Stir in whiskey.
6. Pour into your favorite container for hot beverages.
7. Put whipped cream on top.
8. Sip. Again, it's hot, you don't want to burn your mouth.
9. Repeat.
* Note: Depending on your tastes, you may want to eliminate
the whiskey and use either peppermint schnapps, Kahlua, or
even both. Also tastes good with cinnamon; if using some, add
it with the chocolate.

A Tip for this weekend!
This is it..... The Very Last Sunday of Kickball New Haven 2010; You should know what to do by now

Weather Report:
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Partly Cloudy
High of 51, Low of 36
20% chance of Rain
Source: Weather channel

Final Thoughts

In Case you Missed it………

All-Stars
Western Conference:
Captain – Kharim Jones -Sweep the Leg

Chad Martin (C) Sweep the Leg
Christina Wolf (2b) Sweep the Leg
Steve Castellon (SS) Sweep the Leg
Ben Hawthorne (OF) Ball Busters
Gabe Johnson (3b) Ball Busters
Leslie Howthorne (SS) Ball Busters
Ryan Dalton (3b) Uniballs
Adam Sperling (CF) Uniballs
Meghan O’Conner (OF/IF) Uniballs
Melanie Raubeson (P) Fever
Gordon Ober (OF) Fever
James Elsworth (1b/OF) Fever
Chris Donlin (SS) Balls Deep
Nienke Geerts (P) Balls Deep
Dan McLeggon (1b) Balls Deep
Mike Pinto (1b) Balls to the Wall
Kelsey Arena (SS) Balls to the Wall
Steve Arvan (3b) Balls to the Wall
Emily Gogel (2b/OF) Saved by the Balls
Saki Angelopoulos (OF) Saved by the Balls
Brian Shabbott (P) Saved by the Balls

Eastern Conference:
Captain – Kyle Settle- Inglorious Ballstards

Dom Alston (CF) Inglorious Ballstards
Kelly Miller (C) Inglorious Ballstards
Lauren Vassallo (OF/SS) Inglorious Ballstards
Christine Huber (LF/RF) Hamden Mafia
Colby Whelan (SS/3b) Hamden Mafia
George Evans (3b/P) Hamden Mafia
Robert Slattery (C) Kickelback
Lindsey Voskowsky (P) Kickelback
John Palmer (LF/2b) Kickelback
Tom Fischetti (C) Wrecking Balls
Mark Scarinzi (LF) Wrecking Balls
Robyn Siedel (SS) Wrecking Balls
Billy Ryan (C) Blue Ballers
Kim Ryan (2b/SS) Blue Ballers
Rachel Finley (CF) Blue Ballers
David Barnes (P/IF) Balls of Fury
Gerard Downes (SS/3b) Balls of Fury
Jeanette Hugli-Lopez (LF) Balls of Fury
Jemar Vasquez (P) Teabaggers
April Chevalier (2b) Teabaggers
Tiago Rodrigues (1b) Teabaggers
*Rob Olsen (3b) Inglorious Ballstards

* Captain at-large-pick
^ Replacement pick/player
# originally picked, unable to play

Fall 2010 Ivy Regular Season Awards

Mr. Kickball - Most Outstanding Player;
Gabe Johnson ; Ball Busters

Ms. Kickball - female mop;
Lindsey Voskowsky ; Kickelback

Mr. Roy - Male Rookie of the year
Chris Donlin ; Balls Deep
(rup) Sal Fiorentino ; Fever
(rup) AC Cogburn ; Balls to the Wall

Ms. Roy - Female Rookie of the year
Lauren Vassallo ; Inglorious Ballstards
(rup) Christine Huber ; Hamden Mafia
(rup) Sarah Hoffman ; Fever

Golden Foot -
Brian Westermeyer ; Hamden Mafia

Best Pitcher -
Kharim Jones ; Sweep the Leg
Kyle Settle ; Inglorious Ballstards

Best Catcher -
Kelly Miller ; Inglorious Ballstards
Tom Fischetti ; Wrecking Balls

Captain of the Year -
Kyle Settle & co.; Inglorious Ballstards
Lindsey Voskowsky & co.; Kickelback

All-Pro; Elite 11 Team
C - Kelly Miller - Inglorious Ballstards
P - Kharim Jones - Sweep the Leg
1b - Mike Pinto - Balls to the Wall
2b - Christina Wolf - Sweep the Leg
SS - Lauren Vassallo - Inglorious Ballstards
3b - Gabe Johnson - Ball Busters
OF - Mark Scarinzi - Wrecking Balls
OF - Tom Choma - Wrecking Balls
OF - Christine Huber - Hamden Mafia
OF/IF - Lindsey Voskowsky - Kickelback
OF/IF - Dom Alston - Inglorious Ballstards

Honorable Mention
*(C) Tom Fischetti - Wrecking Balls
*(P) Kyle Settle - Inglorious Ballstards
*(OF) Ben Hawthorne - Ball Busters
*(3b) Rob Olsen - Inglorious Ballstards
*(1b/OF) James Elsworth - Fever
*(P) Melanie Rauberson - Fever
*(OF) Sarah Hoffman - Fever
*(OF) Rachel Finley - Blue Ballers
*(SS) Kristen Tsou - Hamden Mafia
*(C) Chad Martin - Sweep the Leg

Pictures

All-Star Rosters

2010-10-28T05:09:00.002-04:00

Yes, I know. You couldn't wait until this issue of the blog came out. Fall10 Playoff Edition is jammed packed full of stuff. Playoff info, All-Pro Team, Regular Season Awards and ahhhh All-Stars!!! after the delay, all the hype, and extreme anticipation.... Your All-Stars are finally here........ Where are they?? Well, we could make you wait until the end of the blog, but that wouldn't be fair to you guys... so without further a due;

Introducing your CT Ivy All-Stars………

Western Conference:
Captain – Kharim Jones - Sweep the Leg

Chad Martin (C) Sweep the Leg
Christina Wolf (2b) Sweep the Leg
Steve Castellon (SS) Sweep the Leg
Ben Hawthorne (OF) Ball Busters
Gabe Johnson (3b) Ball Busters
Leslie Howthorne (SS) Ball Busters
Ryan Dalton (3b) Uniballs
Adam Sperling (CF) Uniballs
Meghan O’Conner (OF/IF) Uniballs
Melanie Raubeson (P) Fever
Gordon Ober (OF) Fever
James Elsworth (1b/OF) Fever
Chris Donlin (SS) Balls Deep
Nienke Geerts (P) Balls Deep
Dan McLeggon (1b) Balls Deep
Mike Pinto (1b) Balls to the Wall
Kelsey Arena (SS) Balls to the Wall
Steve Arvan (3b) Balls to the Wall
Emily Gogel (2b/OF) Saved by the Balls
Saki Angelopoulos (OF) Saved by the Balls
Brian Shabbott (P) Saved by the Balls
*Brendan Carey (1b) Sweep the Leg

Eastern Conference:
Captain – Kyle Settle - Inglorious Ballstards

Dom Alston (CF) Inglorious Ballstards
Kelly Miller (C) Inglorious Ballstards
Lauren Vassallo (OF/SS) Inglorious Ballstards
Christine Huber (LF/RF) Hamden Mafia
Colby Whelan (SS/3b) Hamden Mafia
George Evans (3b/P) Hamden Mafia
Robert Slattery (C) Kickelback
Lindsey Voskowsky (P) Kickelback
John Palmer (LF/2b) Kickelback
Tom Fischetti (C) Wrecking Balls
Mark Scarinzi (LF) Wrecking Balls
Robyn Siedel (SS) Wrecking Balls
Billy Ryan (C) Blue Ballers
Kim Ryan (2b/SS) Blue Ballers
Rachel Finley (CF) Blue Ballers
David Barnes (P/IF) Balls of Fury
Gerard Downes (SS/3b) Balls of Fury
Jeanette Hugli-Lopez (LF) Balls of Fury
Jemar Vasquez (P) Teabaggers
April Chevalier (2b) Teabaggers
Tiago Rodrigues (1b) Teabaggers
*Rob Olsen (3b) Inglorious Ballstards

* Captain at-large-pick
^ Replacement pick/player
# originally picked, unable to play

the Ghost Man & Ghost Lady

2010-10-28T05:08:00.000-04:00

Greetings playoff-bound kickballers...
A couple of real close ones last week and a couple of blow-outs; but what about that Kickelback shutout of the Wreckers?!?!? That put Kickel in the #5 spot just ahead of the Wrecking Balls. Now who could've predicted that at the beginning of the season? Now some may contend that Green did this with some intention to gain a more favorable playoff berth, but I was there. That was not the case. The Kickel crew earned every bit of it. And the game was not without a good measure of controversy - intentional walks, adjust-on-the-fly kicking order, and a healthy dose of smack-talk. I love it. This weekend is certainly shaping up to be quite the test of skill and strategy. Scouting reports, special plays, lopsided line ups, and costumes! Gotta have the costumes. Just add adult beverages and some of the fantastic food that's been showing up lately, and we may as well call it the First Annual CT Ivy Halloween Party and Kickball Festival. All we need now is some live music or a stellar DJ....hmmmm....(hint, hint) So get it together, kids. For a few teams, the end is near. Start communicating with your teammates, plan your costumes, get warmed up, and drink plenty of liquids because Sunday is coming. And bring your "A" game unless you want to end up in one of STL's bodybags! Speaking of bringing things, this provides me with a perfect segue into the latest ramblings from the CT Ivy Headquarters regarding a new fundraiser of sorts.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and in the spirit of the coming holidays, if each member of every team would be willing to purchase just one item of food for a Thanksgiving dinner, we would be able to provide a Thanksgiving meal to 14 families in need. This would be in addition to the donation kits that we typically put together and provide to Life Haven each year. It is our opportunity to give back to the community that lets us defile their parks and fields each season with our kickball debauchery. A checklist will be provided to your team captains and will probably be coming soon to an inbox near you!

'Til next time, see you on the playing field.
~Your Friendly Neighborhood Ghost Man

“Kickball oh kickball, how the playoffs have been made. Kickball oh kickball, what the F Wrecking Balls?”

This was a very exciting week in kickball. I officially got to see almost every game, and not just because I was scouting out the competition. Ball Busters played a close game against Fever, with not a whole lot of action on either side. That third baseman of BB sure has one hell of an arm though. And how about Fever’s pitcher? She was dominating this game. Hamden Mafia and I are in a fight, and they know why…it’s cool, because we get to play them anyways…watch out Black biotches. Inglorious Ballstards still think their bastardness doesn’t stink, but just wait my little friends…just wait. For Mafia playing like crap, why was the score so close? Tell me that…? As for the Uniballs game, well, I have to be honest, I got a little bored. This was a dominated game by UB…couldn’t even get any good notes on them because after a while, they seemed to not care. I think I stayed watching this game to stare at Uni’s men…I mean, kicking ability. STL and Balls to the Wall game was another not really watched by myself…though I do remember a judgment call where one red player in particular seemed like he needed a nice big hug. Not to mention any names…Mike… =] Blue Ballers had most of their key players there this week…which was very exciting to watch. And then there is Wrecking Balls… my little green monsters, what happened? Was Rick’s party that intense? I mean…Yale’s Football game was…aka the reason I never made it to Rick’s party…haha. Way to go Kickelback! Did you have a few more practices? And how about them walking Gris that first time? Party foul. Bases were loaded for this orange dominating team almost every inning…WB barely made it past 2nd base. Very exciting week this past week…with a great spread of food by the WB…and, if I wasn’t hung over I might have thieved a Yueng Ling from that cooler…great beer. This will be a great playoffs…I can just feel it! ~glot

END OF SEASON PARTY - 11/13
7:00PM – ANNA LIFFEY’S
Just when you thought it was safe to go outside again!

Bringing the Flip Cup back!!!
Teams of 5 - $25 team
Bracket of 16 teams - First Come, First Serve
Register at mpinto12@gmail.com

More Details of this Party to Come.........

Word up from the Captains (captains corner & sunday recap)

2010-10-28T01:45:00.001-04:00

Last Week Recap
Ball Busters - 2 Fever - 0
Great game to start of the day; Fever gave up 2 early but was within 2 eye lashes of tying this one.
Wrecking Balls - 0 Kickelback - 4
Upset of the day, as Kickel put on a show to take down the wreckers.
Hamden Mafia - 0 Inglorious Ballstards - 1
This game was close, tough defensive game. But what would you expect from the top 2 defensive teams in the league; Only 5 base runners all game but all from IB, as Kyle from Maroon pitched a perfect game. 15 up, 15 down…..
Saved by the Balls – 2 UniBalls - 15
The game started, then ended quickly.. painfully. Completing the dreadful winless season.
Sweep the Leg - 5 Balls to the Wall - 0
A game that almost didn’t happen was interesting none the least. Started with a near double play by b2w, and then an actual double play to start. To bad this was there only highlight of the day.
Balls Deep - 4 Balls of Fury - 2
A rematch of an earlier game this season showed the same results. Balls Deep played tough and gritty while BoF haven’t played well all season
Blue Ballers - 7 TeaBaggers - 1
Ballers used this game as a warmup for the playoffs, trying new strategies and such. Now, lets see if it will work.

*Game of the Week Report*
Hamden Mafia vs Inglorious Ballstards

So the Stage was set. 1 vs 2 for the Regular Season Championship. The crowds gathered around for a much anticipated game and the hope for an end to the Ballstards reign.
The started with Mafia up 1st to bat… and in under than 3-4 mins, their turn was up 1-2-3 out to start the defensive day for the Ballstards. Bottom of the 1st Ballstards get their chance to to put runs on the board but fail as well. Not a 1-2-3 inning, but runners stranded at 1st and 3rd. Top of the 2nd for Mafia and once again, 1-2-3 out. And to tell the truth I could go through this until the 5th but Mafia never got on. Not 1 single runner. Game looked like it would end in a 0-0 tie but in the bottom of the 3rd, a base hit by Kyle Settle of the Ballstards went up the 3rd base line and after an erratic throw to what looked like a safe call anyway at 1st, the ball went sailing into foul territory moving Kyle to 2nd with 0 outs. Next kicker kicks and it caught but a tag up moved the runner to 3rd. Pope steps up to the plate for what would be the only RKI of the game, a deep centerfield kick and a run for the Ballstards. The Game ended in a 1-0 game, with the Ballstards themselves only having 5 hits. Ballstards wrap up the #1 seed and and regular season championship of a pitched perfect game by Kyle Settle; the first and only in New Haven Kickball. Congrads to them

Captains Corners

Wrecking Balls
The Wrecking Balls came to play last Sunday, with a full squad showing up to help contribute to the cause to take down the new look Kickelback. There were many top performers on the day, including (and not limited to) Robyn, Doug, Timmy, Papa, Cow, Erica, Chris, Tom, Critter, and pretty much everyone who was either associated with the big green wrecking crew. A day that will go down in history.
Then we stopped tailgating and had to play kickball.
That didn't go so hot. Maybe Kickelback set us up by encouraging us to drink as if we were dying tomorrow? Possibly. Did they deserve to win the game that they clearly wanted more? Definitely. Either way, the Wrecking Balls have a long week to think about how they let the 2 seed slip through there very tipsy hands.

Fever
Ah, yes, last Sunday. I will make this as quick to read as the game was
to play: Busters were up, they scored 2. Everybody got out. Game over.
Fever dropped another well fought game 2-0. Sarah and Sal will share
the MVP spotlight this week as both made some very critical defensive
plays. Now for the long version:
BUSTERS WERE UP. THEY SCORED TWO. EVERYBODY GOT OUT. GAME OVER
No matter how you put it, it was probably the fastest game in history.

Inglorious Ballstards
“Dear #1, you’ve tried to escape me all season long. Yes you yelled and screamed, and even fought and inflicted pain along the way but, you know that no one can love you like I can. “You know there’s no better match than #1 and the Maroon Army. No matter what you say now, no matter what you do, we will always be remembered together. Kisses and Hugs – the Inglorious Ballstards”
Great game Sunday against the Mafia, they were real tough defensively as we thought but, our will to win was that much stronger. Regular Season Champions is not something shoot for, but when it happens we took it upon ourselves to grasp at it. MvP definitely goes to our Captain, Kyle Settle for pitching a perfect game. That’s right, no one got on base. 15 up-15 down. 2 strike outs, 2 foul outs, and 0 walks or errors. Also scoring our only run. Big shout out to our stellar defense who made it possible for such a feat. Kelly played exceptionally well, as did Rob, Blake, Danielle, LV & Leon.
But now that’s over, our focus changes toward a new goal, a championship as the #1 seed. We will be focused and hungry, ready to prove the doubters wrong.
Go Ballstards!!!!

Blue Ballers
This week wasn’t too exciting for the Ballers…minus the fact that we had a new player show, a few new positions to try, a couple of no shows, a couple of call outs, an allstar drop, dogs get loose, a pitcher return, an angry TB pitcher, a hung-over captain…okay, maybe there was a lot of excitement. Overall it was a really fun game with some great plays by the Ballers. One in particular was Phil’s dive catch. And Kelly, can we just say how glad we are that we have returned her to her rightful spot at first?! Yes, we sure are glad of this. Lucas finally got to use his foot…Billy too! This game was a great way for us to enter the playoffs. GO BLUE!

Hamden Mafia
Regular season championship game was definitely a game of defense. I have to give it to the Ballstards and Kyle for pitching a perfect game. We definitely tried but could not get on base. The one run that was scored was on a sac fly to the outfield. In total I think IB had 3 base runners. I also have to say that this game may have been one of the fastest full games ever played. Our MVP award goes to Nat, our ball catching outfielder who made numerous catches!! Nice job Nat. I will even give out the MVP award to Kyle from IB for his pitching. Luckily we still grabbed the #2 seed for the playoffs. What does that mean? We could have a rematch in the Finals. Hope to see you there IB. Good luck to all in the playoffs!

Kickelback
Once was born a beautiful navy blue baby named Kickelback in the Spring of 2010 on the kickball fields of East Rock park. Kickelback had never played kickball before and it was very excited to play its first game ever against someone called the Wrecking Balls, who was quite a few seasons older than Kickelback and much much bigger than Kickelback. As the game got underway, the innocent and fun-loving Kickelback quickly realized they were at the mercy of the win-hungry Wrecking Balls. The final score was 8 to 1 (but it must be noted: "Yea, Kickel was excited to score 1 run, but they sure shut the bar down afterwards"), and it is sad to say that first game against the mean ol' Wrecking Balls set the tone for the rest of the season—Kickelback ended with only 2 wins.
...FAST FORWARD TO PRESENT DAY...
Adorned in a beautiful burnt orange, Kickelback, now 2 seasons old, took the field to play their last regular season game against the—can you believe it—Wrecking Balls. With visions of last season's 1st game still dancing in their heads, almost every single prediction on the blog against them, and with one of the WB's very own all-stars now on their team, Kickelback knew they had show their stuff... and that they did. Their defense was stronger than a bull and their offense was as swift and graceful as a gazelle. The Wrecking Balls never had a chance. It was now the Wrecking Balls who were at the mercy of Kickelback, muahahaha, with the game ending in a shutout, 4 to 0.
MVP goes to our mind-blowing catcher Bobby... and to Rory, who, despite his fractured wrist, made a diving game-ending catch in right field. And everyone else.
KICK.EL.BACK.

Standings and Playoff Seeding

2010-10-28T01:30:00.002-04:00

*1. Inglorious Ballstards (6-0-2) (7.0 pts)
*2. Hamden Mafia (5-2-1) (5.5 pts)
3. Sweep the Leg (5-2-1) (5.5 pts)
4. Ball Busters (5-2-1) (5.5 pts)
5. Kickelback (5-3) (5.0 pts)
6. Wrecking Balls (4-2-2) (5.0 pts)
7. UniBalls (4-3-1) (4.5 pts)
8. I got a Fever (4-3-1) (4.5 pts)
9. Balls Deep (4-3-1) (4.5 pts)
10. Blue Ballers (3-3-2) (4.0 pts)
11. Balls to the Wall (3-5) (3.0 pts)
12. Balls of Fury (1-7) (1.0 pts)
13. Teabaggers (1-7) (1.0 pts)
14. Saved by the Balls (0-8) (0.0 pts)

* 1st Round Byes

Playoff Points in Italics

Playoff Schedule

2010-10-28T01:15:00.002-04:00

Who plays Who?
~ Playoff Sunday ~
October 31, 2010

Higher seed has choice of home/away
All Games are 5 Innings
Any game resulting at a tie at the end of 5 innings goes to extra innings
(No Sudden Death)

Early games, please be there on time.... teams & refs

Game 1 - #8Fever v #9Balls Deep (Field 1@ 12:15pm) -reffed by 2 ea of 4&13 seeds (Busters/Teabaggers)

Game 2 - #5Kickelback v #12Balls of Fury (Field 2@ 12:15pm) - reffed by 2 ea of 7&10 seeds (Uniballs/Blue Ballers)

Game 3 - #4Ball Busters v #13Teabaggers (Field 1@ 1:00) - reffed by loser of Game 1

Game 4 - #7UniBalls v #10Blue Ballers (Field 2@ 1:00) - reffed by loser of Game 2

Game 5 - #3Sweep the Leg v #14Saved by the Balls (Field 1@ 1:45) - reffed by loser of Game 3

Game 6 - #6Wrecking Balls v #11Balls to the Wall (Field 2@ 1:45) - reffed by loser of Game 4

Game 7 - #1Ballstards vs winner of game 1 (Field 1@ 2:30) - reffed by loser of Game 5

Game 8 - winner of game 2 vs winner of game 3 (Field 2@ 2:30) - reffed by loser of Game 6

Game 9 - #2Hamden Mafia vs winner of game 4 (Field 1@ 3:15) - reffed by loser of Game 7

Game 10 - winner of game 5 vs winner of game 6 (Field 2@ 3:15) - reffed by loser of Game 8

Field 1 is the little league baseball field
Field 2 is the corner of the football field, behind the baseball field

Playoff Predictions

2010-10-28T01:00:00.001-04:00

Game of the Week
Potential Games to watch for have to be the following:

Game 1 – #8 Fever v #9 Balls Deep
Rematch of a regular season game that could have went either way

Game 4 – #7 UniBalls v #10 Blue Ballers
Depending if both teams show their best effort, this can be the best game of round 1

Game 10 (R2) – #6 Wrecking Balls v #3 Sweep the Leg
Assuming both get through the 1st round, we have a final four type game in round 2. Last Game of the day, but I know within my bones it should be worth it. Big time treat here

GMOT Kickball Playoff Predictions
1st Round-

Fever v Balls Deep
Fever will win another close one against the Haters. ~ gmot
Fever will take this one hands down. Sorry yellow, but your sun is finally going down. ~ glot
Two teams who seem to be going in opposite directions, the Fever struggling to keep up to their hot start and Balls Deep rebounding after a rough beginning. In what I see as a very, very close game, I have the Fever finding a way to get it done. ~ Handsome Tom
I've got a good feeling about this game for the Fever. This game will send them to the next round. ~ Strawberry
A real close game, and Balls Deep is playing real well, but Fever are just too strong. ~ el Presidente

Kickelback v Balls of Fury
Kickelback will continue to soar and astound. ~ gmot
Kickelback will come back strong from a great win last week…taking another win. ~ glot
Once everyones favorite team to play (for various reasons) Kickelback has proved that they belong by beating down the Wrecking Balls. I see them advancing and ending a frustrating season for the Furies. ~ Handsome Tom
Kickelback's smokin' off their major defeat of the WBs and hungry for more wins. KICK.EL.BACK ~ Strawberry
A good matchup for BoF to try and steal a playoff win, but Kickel is too good at this point; I have kickelback ~ el Presidente

Ball Busters v Teabaggers
See you next season, 'Baggers. ~ gmot
Try not to anger TB Busters when you dominate this team for an easy win. ~ glot
I don't see the Busters having any problems with this game. They should take it with ease. ~ Handsome Tom
No brainier here, Ball Busters will bust these Baggers. ~ Strawberry
Wouldn’t that be amazing, an upset here… only upset is if busters don’t score 10+ runs. ~ el Presidente

Uniballs v Blue Ballers
This one might actually be close...but the results the same. Uniballs win. ~ gmot
I have By far the only game that will be worth watching…I have Blue taking the win…but not easily. ~ glot
Def the best matchup of the first round. Two teams who have had up and down seasons, with Ballers getting back to their preseason form after a surprising tie with the Ballstards. This game really can go either way, but I'm taking the Uni's. ~ Handsome Tom
Uniballs for this one, but not by much. ~ Strawberry
Match-up of the 1st round. I see back and forth, and even a late inning game with Uniballs rising up out of the smoke in the end. ~ el Presidente

Sweep the Leg v Saved by the Balls
Saved sees the inside of the bodybag. ~ gmot
STL takes this one easily…only to get wasted before their next match up. ~ glot
I see STL putting them in a body bag with the quickness. ~ Handsome Tom
OK Kharim, this time I'm predicting a win for you :) STL! ~ Strawberry
It’s Body Bag time!!!!! STL big ~ el Presidente

Wrecking Balls v Balls to the Wall
This has some upset potential, but I doubt it. Wreckers win. ~ gmot
Wrecking Balls…will this be another upset? Yeah, I don’t think so…WB with the win. ~ glot
After being served with a giant helping of humble pie, the Wrecking Balls have lost all the allure that made them favorites through out the year. With that being said, a re-focused Wreckers realize you make your money in the playoffs and I see them getting it together to take down Balls to the Wall in a close game. ~ Handsome Tom
Anything can happen here ladies and gents, and the WBs might be too depressed to win this one after their hard loss last week. I'm saying BttW will win this one! :X ~ Strawberry
Balls to the Wall will make a game of it, but Wreckers cruise to the 2nd round. ~ el Presidente

So after the 1st round, it's anyone's guess what the 2nd will look like. So the blog has listed there projected 2nd round Match-ups, who they think will win those, and there Final Four Predictions for next weeks games

GMOT 2nd Round Playoff Predictions

2nd Round ~ gmot
Inglorious Ballstards vs. Fever
Fever will redeem their previous effort and get the victory.

Kickelback vs. Ball Busters
I'd love to say Kickel with the underdog victory, so I will. Kickel wins.

Hamden Mafia vs. Uniballs
The Mafia climb another step toward the pinnacle...

Sweep the Leg vs. Wrecking Balls
Won't that be a game...ouch. Hide the children. STL wins.

FInal 4 TEAMS:
Fever
Kickelback
Mafia
STL
--------
Round 2 ~ glot
Inglorious Ballstards vs Fever
Bastards take is easy…sorry green.

Kickelback vs. Ball Busters
Kickelback tries, and fails. Sorry, but Busters have the experience over you here…

Mafia vs Blue Ballers
Blue tried to help the black demons last week, this week, they show no mercy…Blue with a nice solid win.

Sweep the Leg vs Wrecking Balls
This game will be GREAT to watch! I want WB to win…but it’s hard to tell with last weeks loss.

Final 4 TEAMS
Ballstards
Ball Busters
Blue Ballers
Wrecking Balls
--------
Round 2 ~ Handsome Tom
Ballstards v Fever
A rematch of an regular season game, the Fever will look to get some revenge on the Ballstards. Sadly, the Fevers season comes to the end as the Ballstards look to stay undefeated.

Kickelback v Ball Busters
a very interesting matchup, with Kickelback coming in with a ton of momentum, sadly I see their dream season coming to an end at the hands of the Busters, who are trying to keep their 3-peat chances alive.

Uniballs v Hamden Mafia
a tough game to call, as the Mafia were gifted the 2 spot by the Wrecking Balls despite being shut out against the Ballstards. That being said, they have one of the better offenses in the league so one game a season does not make. I see this game being low scoring and very defensive...with the Uniballs coming up with the upset of the playoffs.

Sweep the Leg v Wrecking Balls
Now this match up is what the playoffs are all about. Two trash talking, athletic, and experienced squads with championship ambitions. Sweep have the momentum from the regular season, and the Wrecking Balls are looking to exercise some demons against the former members of Balls Deep and 1UCK, this game as the potential to be the best of the season. Sadly, my loyalties can only say the Wrecking Balls win this game, BUT, I will say the winner of this game, wins the league. Guaranteed.

Final Four
Ballstards
BallBusters
UniBalls
Wrecking Balls
----------
2nd Round ~ Strawberry
Fever v Ballstards
I once had faith in the Fever. But then they lost a whole lot of games, and those Ballstards... they kept winning! Sadly, Ballstards will be victorious here.

Kickelback v Ball Busters
As I said before, hot off their triumphant fight last week, Kickelback is officially in it to win it. The Busters will be very hard to beat... but I have faith it can be done. KICK.EL.BACK!

Uniballs v Mafia
I can see the Mafia bombing the outfield many times in this game for a victory.

STL v Balls to the Wall
STL will dominate those Balls once again this week—my have they proven themselves!

FINAL FOUR
Ballstards
Kickelback
Sweep the Leg
Mafia
--------
2nd Round ~ el Presidente
Fever vs Ballstards
A rematch of the 1v1 conf challenge earlier this season. Back then, Ballstards were fighting the pressures of undefeatedism, now I think they’re focused on the bigger picture. Ballstards win. ~ el Presidente

Kickelback vs Ball Busters
Nope, not even worth an explanation. Busters advance to the final 4

Uniballs vs Hamden Mafia
With the playoffs here, I see Uniballs being in full force and taking advantage of the bye the Mafia has.Uni’s pull off a seeding upset. ~ el Presidente

Sweep the Leg vs Wrecking Balls
Whoa…. Last game of the day and I see a douzy. Both teams hungry but, I think STL’s early game works against them. I have Wrecking Balls in possibly an extra inning game. ~ el Presidente

Final Four
Ballstards
Ball Busters
UniBalls
Wrecking Balls

Flip Cup & Bar

2010-10-28T00:45:00.002-04:00

Anna Liffey's - 17 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511
~Not an option, The Bar is mandatory~
Featuring Frank, the greatest Bar Tender in the World!!!!!

NFL Games on the Big Screens
35 Cent Wings

Flip-Cup Regular Season
Last Weeks Results:
Ball Busters - 4 / Fever - 5
Hamden Mafia - 1 / Inglorious Ballstards - 5

Balls to the Wall (4-0)(+14)
Teabaggers (4-1)(+10)
Inglorious Ballstards (5-2)(+14)
Hamden Mafia (3-2)(+6)
Ball Busters (4-3)(+9)
Kickelback (3-2)(-3)
Sweep the Leg (2-1)(+7)
Blue Ballers (1-1)(+1)
Balls of Fury (1-1)(-3)
UniBalls (1-2)(-6)
Fever (2-2)(-3)
Wrecking Balls (1-2)(-6)
Saved by the balls (1-4)(-7)
Balls Deep (0-6)(-21)

the ghost man’s “Drink of the Week” ~
This weeks offering is the perfect pick-me-up for that
Monday morning after kickball: Coffee.

Ingredients:
1. Coffee.
2. Booze.

Instructions:
1. Buy or make some coffee.
2. Pour coffee into a cup or mug or Thermos, but do not
fill all the way to the top.
3. Pour a small amount of your favorite liquor into the
vessel containing the coffee.
4. Stir.
5. Sip. (It's coffee, it's hot, so don't chug, that'll hurt.)
6. Repeat.

Some favorite liquors include:
Kahlua, Bailey's, Irish whiskey, Frangelico, Amaretto,
Creme de Menthe, or for the die-hard, scotch. Feel
free to try your own fav's or mix and match!

Regular Season Awards

2010-10-28T00:30:00.004-04:00

To add to your Kickball Fun, we have another special treat for you.
It was tough, but after considering over 50 players for all the spots below here are CT Ivy's Best!
Congrads to the Winners

Fall 2010 Ivy Regular Season Awards

Mr. Kickball ~ Most Outstanding Player;
Gabe Johnson ; Ball Busters

Ms. Kickball ~ female mop;
Lindsey Voskowsky ; Kickelback

Mr. Roy - Male Rookie of the year
Chris Donlin ; Balls Deep
(R*up) Sal Fiorentino ; Fever
(R*up) AC Cogburn ; Balls to the Wall

Ms. Roy - Female Rookie of the year
Lauren Vassallo ; Inglorious Ballstards
(R*up) Christine Huber ; Hamden Mafia
(R*up) Sarah Hoffman ; Fever

Golden Foot
Brian Westermeyer ; Hamden Mafia

Best Pitcher
Kharim Jones ; Sweep the Leg
Kyle Settle ; Inglorious Ballstards

Best Catcher
Kelly Miller ; Inglorious Ballstards
Tom Fischetti ; Wrecking Balls

Captain of the Year
Kyle Settle & co.; Inglorious Ballstards
Lindsey Voskowsky & co.; Kickelback

All-Pro; Elite 11 Team
C - Kelly Miller - Inglorious Ballstards
P - Kharim Jones - Sweep the Leg
1b - Mike Pinto - Balls to the Wall
2b - Christina Wolf - Sweep the Leg
SS - Lauren Vassallo - Inglorious Ballstards
3b - Gabe Johnson - Ball Busters
OF - Mark Scarinzi - Wrecking Balls
OF - Tom Choma - Wrecking Balls
OF - Christine Huber - Hamden Mafia
OF/IF - Lindsey Voskowsky - Kickelback
OF/IF - Dom Alston - Inglorious Ballstards

Honorable Mention
*(C) Tom Fischetti - Wrecking Balls
*(P) Kyle Settle - Inglorious Ballstards
*(OF) Ben Hawthorne - Ball Busters
*(3b) Rob Olsen - Inglorious Ballstards
*(1b/OF) James Elsworth - Fever
*(P) Melanie Rauberson - Fever
*(OF) Sarah Hoffman - Fever
*(OF) Rachel Finley - Blue Ballers
*(SS) Kristen Tsou - Hamden Mafia
*(C) Chad Martin - Sweep the Leg

All Good Things.......

2010-10-28T00:00:00.003-04:00

A Tip for this weekend!
Win or Go Home (just kidding, stick around)….. Playoff Sunday baby, grab a chair, some snacks, a tent if you have one and chill out... literally (check out the weather report)

Rules of the week:

1. Q. Is the Catcher allowed to field to the left or right of the kicking box as long as he is behind the Kicker?
A. The catcher must field behind the kicker, within or directly behind the kicking box, and may not cross home plate nor be positioned forward of the kicker before the ball is kicked. The catcher may not make contact with the kicker, nor position so closely to the kicker as to restrict the kicking motion.

2. Q: Can a kicker who overruns first base be tagged out if they turn to the left?
A: An idle left turn that still brings them directly back to first base does NOT constitute an active attempt to advance per 10.06. However, even the slightest deliberate move towards second base would allow the runner to be tagged out.

Real Time
on the field rules clarification:

Situation:
Bases loaded, Kicker kicks line drive towards 1st base. Runner on 1st base starts to run but foot is still on the base and the ball hits his shin area. Ball then deflects into foul territory, person on 3rd base scores – play is over.

Question;
~Is the runner on 1st base safe or out?
~Is there an interference call that results in a dead ball because the ball hit a non permanent object in fair territory deflecting in foul territory?
~If the play becomes dead, does the runner on 3rd have to go back, nullifying the run?

Answer;
According to WAKA rules, a runner is no longer safe on a base from which he/she is being "forced" to run, as is the case with the runner on 1st. (See also Rule 14.02n "[An out is:] A runner tagged by the ball while on a base they are forced to vacate by the kicker becoming a runner.)"

As for the ball deflecting foul, the only reason to invoke Interference would be if the Referee believed that the runner deliberately deflected the ball to make it more difficult to recover:
"15.02b [Interference is:] when any runner on or off base intentionally touches a ball. This interference causes the play to end, the runner to be out, and any other runners shall return to the base from which they came, unless forced to advance."

The call should be:
The runner on 1st base forced to 2nd is out. All runners who reached their base safely will remain and the run scores from 3rd.

Weather Report:
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Mostly Sunny
High of 57, Low of 43
10% chance of Rain
Source: Weather channel

Birthday Shout-Outs:
Lindsay Aronheim: KickelBack : October 30

Final Thoughts
Do You Really Need More???? It’s Playoffs Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wanna see something cool though, check this out!!!
New Haven at its Best……..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSQ4BVkGB4I

Pictures

All-Star Game News

2010-10-21T01:59:00.002-04:00

Somewhere deep in the heartland of the great US of A, there is a seven year old. That seven year old is not thinking about Christmas Vacation coming up; No, this seven year old is sitting on the bench at a chilly recess, holding a big red rubber ball and dreaming of one day being a prestigious Kickball All-Star.
Well right here in the CT Ivy, that dream is soon going to be realized by some lucky kickballers. Dreams will come true Next week when Rosters are revealed

After a successful inaugural all-star game in the spring, the CT Ivy Division will be having another All-Star game, showcasing the best of the best of this Fall 2010 season; Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference. All-star voting is currently taking place and the rosters will be announced next week in our Ivy Blog. All voting is being conducted through respective team captains. Please contact yours for more information.

How it works?
Each team will be required to select three players to represent their team in the all-star game, one of each gender, which is being held on November 7, 2010 (The last day of the fall season). All-Star team Captains will be the Captain of the team with the best record in their conference after week 8. They also will receive at least 1-at-large-pick within their entire conference if they are selected All-Stars themselves bringing the total All-Star Roster for both conferences at 22 players.
*Teams failing to provide players to represent their team will be replaced with at-large picks by the All-Star Conference Captains*

Rosters will be announced October 28, 2010 through the Ivy Blog.

~So Kickballers, you still might have 1 game left to prove why you should be an all-star. So play your best game, suck up as much as you can, and step up your game!!!

the Ghost Man & Ghost Lady

2010-10-21T01:52:00.005-04:00

Greetings Kickballers,
Well it seems the week off did some teams good (Blue Ballers) and other teams not so good (Fever). As the last regular season game approaches, you can feel the sense of urgency to win emanating from each bench. Every team is jockeying for position in the playoffs with the hopes of extending their season by at least one more week. All leading to the most critical game: The Championship. Yes, it seems everyone is looking forward to November 7 with anticipation, hoping that they will be the team to go head to head with the Inglorious Ballstards for the title of CT Ivy Fall Season Champion. Was that a grumble I just heard? A moan? Profanity, maybe? If you feel I'm being a bit presumptuous, then get out there and prove me, and them, wrong! [Please, somebody, prove me wrong!] But from what I can see, this team is not showing any sign of letting up. Yes, they made a bunch of critical errors last week and ended up in a tie with the Blue Ballers (and a returning, revamped Jillian), but they didn't lose. Oh, The Ballers of Blue tried their hardest, as did every other team that faced the Maroons this season, and they certainly put on a great show, but in the end, IB didn't lose. And, no I didn't lose any sort of bet, if you think that's why I'm going on about them. I'm just trying to get everyone fired up enough to actually get out there and put at least one loss in their record this season! 'Til next time, see you on the playing field.
A Man Called Ghost

“Kickball oh kickball, one more week to get in gear.
Kickball oh kickball, before the playoffs are here!”

What a great week! For some…Mafia, Uniballs, Kickelback, Ballers, Balls Deep, Wrecking and STL pulled off some great stuff on the field. A few games to discuss in particular include: 1. Ballstards vs. Ballers…what an awesomely wonderful game. Both teams were without some of their top players, which made for a really fair, well played, with lots of errors game. Both teams faulted, both teams scored, both teams cheered…oh wait, that was a lie. The Ballers were the only ones cheering, and playing ‘fair.’ I put fair in quotes, because what the Ballstards did was perfectly ‘fair’ just not all too nice. Getting a player out on purpose to start a kicking order a certain way; good or bad call? Confusing a player and a whole team; good or bad call? What is really funny is how this seemed to irritate the Ballers more than the Ballstards. Bump that…if my coach told me to get out on purpose, I would tell him to take that call and shove it up his…but that’s just me. What was great about this game was the ending; Theresa and Hannah on the ground…on top of one another…naked? No they had clothes on! Perverts. And how about the STL vs. Busters game? Who saw that one coming?! The Busters had some fumbles here and there, which ultimately cost them the game against this stealthy new team. Who knew Kharim could make it as a pitcher? Here’s a player with some dedication…some cockiness, but also some dedication. =] I think it must have been the food made by the players. If you didn’t try the chicken, you missed out. I heard the jello shots were good too…but after “a previous party the nite before” …they simply were not being had by me. And then there is the most talked about game thus far this season…Wrecking Balls vs TeaBaggers. Jeromy…pissing people off again?! No…who could have called that one?! In all fairness, I was told that to the NEWBIES I should explain what can easily come across as a**-h***-ness that is Jeromy…don’t worry we are friends. =] The rule book states that you are allotted 3 strikes, 4 fouls and 4 balls; well, when you have a good pitcher (or mediocre) they tend to usually do pretty well on the strike side…but in some cases, those strikes you aren’t ready for. In those cases (especially if you already have a strike or two) if you DON’T want to kick it, you should foul it. That way you don’t get out. Be careful when going up a good catcher though…they can catch those bad boys, and boy does that one hurt the ego. Been there, done that. So no hard feelings Teabaggers…the Wrecking Balls all told me they would buy you beer next week. (HA HA…now you have to do it WB). As far as those games I missed and those games to come…I do have a few words of wisdom. GO KICKELBACK! Love you WB, but, the orange are my ladies, and thumbs…of course. And Mafia, the Ballers hate you, because you are black, but we will be there cheering and hooting and hollering none the less for your black-selves…take those Bastards, I mean Ballstards down! And finally the #1 most attractive player team did some damage, beating Fever 3-0. Good job Uniballs. I look forward to one more week of damage with you kickballers before my team brutally beats all your asses in the playoffs…just saying. We are friends this week…enjoy it! And good luck to all…well, except Ballstards…I hope you lose.
~Your Glot

END OF SEASON PARTY - 11/13
7:00PM – ANNA LIFFEY’S
Just when you thought it was safe to go outside again!
Stay tuned for details

Playoff Sunday
October 31, 2010 – Halloween
Games will Start at 12:00pm
Brackets will be announced October 28, 2010
Captains will be informed before then

According to waka tournament rules
ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR THEIR KICKBALL SHIRT IN ORDER TO PLAY
But it's Halloween so.............. wear your costumes. We encourage it!

Word up from the Captains (captains corner & sunday recap)

2010-10-21T01:00:00.005-04:00

Last Week Recap
Hamden Mafia - 3 Balls to the Wall - 2
A close, great, game that displayed lots of great plays; but in the end 1 mistake cost b2w a victory, yet again
Fever - 0 UniBalls - 3
Even though the score says 3-0, this was a total domination by the uniballs. The once heralded Fever drops a 2nd game in a row.
Kickelback – 7 Balls of Fury - 3
The battle of the orange proved to be very exciting. Errors around, big kicks around, but kickel has improved major-ly
Inglorious Ballstards - 3 Blue Ballers - 3
A game that had the eyes of everyone watching ended with the Ballstards fighting back in the later innings to almost pull of the miracle win after a poor game
Balls Deep - 12 Saved by the Balls - 2
Deep returned to their roots by laying the smack down on someone again. Can they do it again though?
Sweep the Leg - 1 Ball Busters - 0
Game of the week panned out to the hype. I don’t remember the last time ball busters were shut out
Wrecking Balls - 10 TeaBaggers - 0
No teabagging going on here; Just pure wrecking domination

*Game of the Week Report*
Sweep the Leg vs. Ball Busters

Who would have thought the game would have ended like that. Not an upset, but a surprise to many but STL.
The game started out with Ball Busters all-pro 3b Gabe Johnson dashing to 2nd unconventionally and being called out with what looked like a pretty safe slide. In the next inning, STL moved the front of their line-up with all 3 kickers getting on base and Kharim Jones kicking in Chad Martin for the 1-0 lead. And from there all that was seen was some pretty incredible defensive on both sides. Gabe doing his impressive thing, Kharim with another lights out pitching performance again, Steve from STL even becoming famous. You saw the speed from the STL outfield in Davon, Brandon and some impressive athleticism from Busters Brad Allard. Not much offense, but a demo tape on how to play correct defense.
Kudos to both teams for a well played game, but unfortunately, someone has to lose

Captains Corner
~True stories told by the captains themselves or team reps~

Kickelback
We had a great time playing our friends Balls of Fury on Sunday, and it's good to know we are kings and queens of the orange! MVP goes to everyone! But especially our handsome catcher Bobby, Dave and all of his sweet catches in the field, and Matty Griz for his sick home run—woa! No matter the outcome of this Sunday's game, Kickelback is proud to end the season with either a tied record or a winning record (!?!))... it's hard to believe we were once the team with only a couple of wins last season. KICK.EL.BACK!

Fever
Partly cloudy, breezy, autumnal nip in the air. It was the perfect day for Kickball. We started the day with a victory at Rock-Paper-Scissors and we opted to kick first. It was a good thing, because we lit up the scoreboard with 7 kicks and 5 runs scored. We could see in the faces of the Uniballs that they were stunned as we took the field. They went up to kick and back to the bench just as quickly...1,2,3. Through the course of the day Melanie made 12 strikeouts. They didn't get close to first base...we barely even let them look at it. They did get a kick in two different innings and this week's MVP, Sarah, made a couple of excellent catches to close out those innings. We scored at least 3 runs per inning while scoring the most in the 5th with a total of 7 runs that inning. Each one of us scored at least once. 22 runs in one game...now that's impressive. They were obviously demoralized and we were all quite proud of ourselves. Or...umm...wait a minute. I must have a Fever or something....we lost 3-0. At least the part about Sarah is right.... damn painkillers....

Sweep the Leg
What am I really supposed to say? We suck remember? No one listened when I said it's a new STL after the midseason break, and our lack of practice and confidence were the only things holding us back. Well now here we are. We might take this week off to rest for the playoffs actually. But I don’t advise that you continue to sleep on us, because we'll continue to humiliate you. Haters you can kiss our whole.... Anyway, we are just here to eat our great food each day, hang out, drink, steal your women, win something having to do with a big red ball, and then start a dance party at the bar. Props to the team tailgates becoming a culinary competition each week. Front runner looks like Javil with back to back phenomenal chicken dishes. Hold your racism please. Hold your everything actually, just take a number, and get in the body bag. All jokes aside, much respect to our opponents this week, even with a depleted roster they still gave a hell of a showing, and we look forward to playing them again when they are at full strength. Hopefully Buster STL II will be another battle of epic proportions, with the drama to match. MVP goes to our rising star Jackie. After 2 seasons of being buried on the depth chart with Balls Deep, she has moved up to near the top of our roster and challenging for most improved player! Her sac bunt set up game winning run this week. Then to show that her commitment to the team is absolute, she sacrificed her play time in the final inning to allow her captain to take the field. Cheers to Jac, our mean lefty and MVP.

Saved by the Balls
SBTB started this one off strong with two back to back singles and two runs scored in the first inning, and then things really fell apart after that. At least SBTB doubled our run total for the year this game!!! A few fumbles in the field led Balls Deep to catch up and then some at the bottom of the first and they never looked back. SBTB’s legs were alive the rest of the game but we left many players stranded on base every inning. This was not a terribly heated game and a few solid plays were made by both sides, though there was some commentary misconstrued as trash talk but that was cleared up by the time we got to the Liff….
Balls Deep was soundly manhandled at the flipcup table by SBTB with a definitive score of 5-1. Yay! SBTB finally beat someone at something at some point in time. It was bound to happen eventually. There goes the perfect season…..

Blue Ballers
I don’t even know how to begin but to say HELL YEAH BLUE BALLERS! This was a tie that no one saw coming…well, I envisioned a win, but a tie is wonderful. BB have been hearing a lot of crap lately about what we “can be” and I think this week, we really showed our potential…with 4 players missing. We are finally coming together as a unit where not a single player is dominating over another…we are finally working together. MVP’s are the whole friggin team. Dave as pitcher was phenomenal; Kim with a great catch, Eddie solid at first, Billy doing his catcher thing, Ed taking over third…our infield flat out dominated this week. And off the field, the cheering we did proves we definitely know that when it comes to kickball, FUN comes first. Where there is fun, wins will come. It probably didn’t help that Ballstards talked too much trash and we had to show them just what we are made of. I can’t wait to see the playoff line up…maybe we will get to play IB again….and with our 4 other players, give them another go ending with 18-2…or according to Kyle, 18-3. =]

Wrecking Balls
The Wrecking Balls haven't had the easiest of schedules as of late, so the prospect of playing the Teabaggers was a welcome relief. We started the game off with a quick run in the first, but the Teabaggers proved to be tougher then their schedule had made it appear, holding us to no runs over the next two innings. Then the sleeping giant was awoken in the 4th inning, with our offense batting around and scoring at will. Before we knew it the game was at 10-0 and the game was over.
Now before you think this game was quick and easy as I made it seem, its not to say that it went without incident. Let's just say some of the (read:one) Teabaggers was less then happy with some of our tactics. I for one could say that I speak for the majority of our team when I say we primarily play kickball for fun, so we don't do things in games to disrespect anyone at all. Yes sometimes games do get heated as we do want to win, but don't assume that we are trying to do anything to piss people off.
The games MVP will go to Ant Fischetti, not only for his dedication to the team for hussling back to New Haven from his military duties, but for playing the game in full combat boots. The LVP would certainly be one Joe Nista, who for whatever reason seems dead set on trying to take out his teammates on collision at a time. Tell next week...keep kicking real!

Inglorious Ballstards
(sigh)
With the Maroon Army missing probably their best player in Catcher Kelly Miller we knew it would be a tough one; but as someone said before “The show must go on”. The Ballstards lined-up determined to get revenge for the spring season but that determination didn’t follow too far into the game. With some many errors; dropping balls, overthrows, even taking a fast ball to the face the Ballstards were down 2-0 quick and down 3-1 after 2 innings. With some minor defensive changes (moving pitcher Kyle to Catcher, and Scott to Pitcher) we got back on track to our normal lock down defensive. Yes, what you hear is true. In the 3rd we intentionally got out for the 3rd out to start at the top of the line-up for the 4th. And with that, we scored the next inning and were close to winning even after playing our worst game of the season. We give a lot of credit to Blue Ballers though; they came out and played real tough. They made a lot of unbelievable, spectacular catches that I can’t remember seeing them make any other time this season. When they play like that, they are capable of beating anyone. BUT; they know they don’t want to see Maroon again. After all the trash talk they talk, deep down….. they don’t want it with us.
MVP’s goes out to Scott for stepping in and performing quite well at pitcher. Also Dom was on monster on offense; And lastly Maggie for her unselfish act in the 3rd inning.
All season this entire team has been unselfish and willing to “run through walls” for the Maroon. But with all this Hate you all send, a fire burns and the Maroon Army is pissed! I received a message Monday saying congrads on the season success so far but “watch your back” O yea? ok- Thank You… A Monster has awoken again
FEAR THE MAROON!!!

The Ivy Top 5

2010-10-21T00:45:00.002-04:00

below are actual Ivy league standings

Top 5 teams heading into Final Week of Season
1. Inglorious Ballstards (5-0-2)
Not as perfect as they would have liked to be but, they done enough to remain #1 in the standings all season long. Scoring 39 runs and given up a league low 10 runs as well. A win locks them in for the #1 seed and the regular season crown
2. Hamden Mafia (5-1-1)
Quietly, and sneaky the Mafia crew has come along way since being 0-1-1. Now one can only wonder can the half that is veteran Freeballers muster enough power to dethrone the Ballstards and make a run a the championship. They’ve scored 28 runs and given up 11 runs, showing flashes of greatness at times; this offensive juggernaut with 10+ homeruns
3. Wrecking Balls (4-1-2)
Wrecking Balls have expected to be in the position since the start of the season; A season favorite to make the final four for the 2nd straight season. Defensively the green crew aren’t defensive slouches either; Only allowing 13 runs, after playing the likes of Mafia, Busters, and Ballstards.
4. Ball Busters (4-2-1)
Ball Busters have taken a loss and tie in as many weeks; but history shows this is kind of thing is typical of 2x fall champs. Currently in a 3-way time for 4th (STL,Fever). Busters have another big game against the Fever in what should be their final test before the playoffs. They’ve scored 28 runs and given up 14 total.
5. Sweep the Leg (4-2-1)
A pre-season #1 has finally started to show their stuff. At the mid-season break they were 1-2-1 and since then haven’t allowed 1 single run in their 3 games after. A couple of position changes and switcharoo of the kicking order, and the bodybags distributors are in business. They’ve scored a league high 49 runs and allowed 16 total runs.

Schedule / Predictions

2010-10-21T00:30:00.003-04:00

Who plays Who?
Week 8 Schedule – October 24, 2010

Ball Busters vs. Fever @ Field 1 ~ 1:45
Umpire: Kickelback

Wrecking Balls vs. Kickelback @ Field 1 ~ 2:45
Hamden Mafia vs. Inglorious Ballstards @ Field 2 ~ 2:45
Umpire: Fever / Ball Busters

Saved by the Balls vs. UniBalls @ Field 1 ~ 3:30
Sweep the Leg vs. Balls to the Wall @ Field 2 ~ 3:30
Umpire: Balls Deep / Blue Ballers

Balls Deep vs. Balls of Fury @ Field 1 ~ 4:15
Blue Ballers vs. TeaBaggers @ Field 2 ~ 4:15
Umpire: UniBalls / Sweep the Leg

Field 1 is the little league baseball field
Field 2 is the corner of the football field, behind the baseball field

Game of the Week
[* Hamden Mafia vs. Inglorious Ballstards *] 2:45
So… how often does the regular season championship come down to a game with #1 v #2 in week 8? Almost never!
For the 1st time ever, the CT Ivy Division Regular Season Championship will be decided in a head to head match in the last week of the season. Toe to Toe, Winner takes it all.
In one corner, is the High-Flying Hamden Mafia team wearing the black shirts. They have crushed double digit homeruns this season with the likes of Jeff W, W George, BMW, and Colby. And have stellar defenders with the likes of captain John Ackley, and what they like to call their SSS, (spanish short stop). Yes, with all that offense comes defense as well. Allowing only 11 runs this season, 2nd best in the league. Mafia has come from big time debut on opening day tying the pre-season favs 1-1, to losing to the wrecking balls the next week. Since their 0-1-1 start, they are 5-0 and are looking to quite the critics who say they haven’t beaten anyone. They have a big task in front of them as they try and take down an opponent that many have tried, but all have failed.
In the Other corner we have the Maroon Army from Ballstards land and they don’t come with a marching band or bells and whistles, no they come looking to punch people in the mouth. They are the stingiest defense in the league, allowing only 10 runs all season, that’s best in the league and never more than 3 in a game. They have great players all over as well. Superstar Kelly Miller, the Rocket Rob Olsen, the speedster Dom Alston, and the athletic/long duo of Leon Brown and LV. Coming off a disappointing tie to the Blue Ballers last week, you have to believe this team is hungry to prove they are worthy of being the top team this fall. But the question remains, are they satisfied with what they accomplished so far or do they want more.
Yes my friends, a dream match-up of sorts… and at 245 on field 2, a perfect setup to get your seats early and setup shop for this heavyweight bout. You may never see another regular season ending like this again. So if you liked the past Game of the Weeks so far, you are certainly not going to want to miss this. I promise you a great game, intense action, and boos and cheers louder than you ever heard before.
1vs2 – The Mafia vs the Army
Who ya got???

Game of the Week Predictions

(heavy sigh) Ballstards yet again. ~ gmot
GO MAFIA MY BLACKIE FRIENDS!!! If you can't do it...no one can? Okay, that's a lie...but good luck and kick ass. ~ glot
A slip up by the Ballstards against the Blue Ballers means that the Mafia has all the momentum coming to this game. With that being said, this will be the first real test for the Mafia since they played the Wrecking Balls. I have the Ballstards finishing the regular season with no losses. ~ Handsome Tom
This may be it, folks! The end of the Ballstards' inglorious reign is in the hands of the Mafia... and they WILL succeed. ~ strawberry
So its all split above 2-2… I haven’t picked against my team all season, won’t start now. Who ever plays better will win this game; I have Ballstards ~ el Presidente

And the rest of the
GMOT Kickball Predictions

Ball Busters vs. I Got A Fever
These teams are pretty evenly matched. Both have the desire to take it to the next level, but who will get it done? I say Fever by 1. ~ gmot
Busters better come back this week...my cheering better not have been for nothing! Show them just what blue is made of. ~ glot
The Fever seems to have hit the mid season wall, having another tough luck loss to the Unis. The Busters have tasted a loss for the first time in awhile, but I see them bouncing back. ~ Handsome Tom
Despite their dashing good looks, I'm not sure if the Fever will get back into their winning groove this week—Ball Busters will be hungrier for a win after their hard loss to STL. ~ strawberry
I see this being a real good game, but… I also see Fever falling by 1 run here ~ el Presidente

Wrecking Balls vs. Kickelback
Sorry, Kickel, this one's a no-brainer. Wreckers. But since they're nice guys, they won't run up the score too bad. ~ gmot
I can't wait to watch this game, and I'm pissed it's at the same time as Mafia/Ballstards game...I really don't know who I think will win, though I hope for Orange... ~ glot
The Wrecking Balls got back on track last week with a big time win, and despite the big turn around shown by the Kickelback, I say the Wreckers end the regular season with a W. ~ Handsome Tom
This will be a showdown to remember—let's hope the all-star Kickelback stole from the WBs lives up to his name. KICK.EL.BACK! ~ strawberry
Kickelback has improved dramatically from last season to this season. 4 wins, awesome stuff. How impressive would a 5 win season sound for these Cinderella’s…. not so though; I have Wrecking Balls ~ el Presidente

Saved By The Balls vs. Uniballs
Uni's will carry the energy from their hard fought victory of last week into this week and earn another "w". ~ gmot
Uni's have this in the bag for another win. Hope to see you all in the top brackets this playoffs. ~ glot
Yet again the Unis seem to choose which week they want to play, but I don't see them having any problems with this game. ~ Handsome Tom
UniBalls will win this one. ~ strawberry
SBTB hasn’t won a game all season. Their biggest achievement is losing to ballbusters 2-1. No one ever wants to see an 0-8 season, but the inevitable is near. ~ el Presidente

Sweep The Leg vs. Balls To The Wall
I think STL will win but it will not be easy. ~ gmot
STL with an easy win here...sorry red, but you have fallen this season. ~ glot
Ask and you shall receive, I for one can be one of the many people on the blog who doubted STL during their early season struggles. I'm officially on the bandwagon and hereby stating that the team least wanted be played by everyone is STL. They win this and make the playoffs instantly more interesting. ~ Handsome Tom
A close one, but I see Balls to the Wall taking this one (sorry Kharim) ~ strawberry
Balls to the Wall used to look so promising. Maybe just 1 or two plays away from being close to top seed. STL is playing way to strong to pick against them; STL Wins ~ el Presidente

Balls Deep vs. Balls of Fury
The Furious Ones will try and try and try. But the Deep will earn the win. ~ gmot
Balls Deep seems to be on a winning streak...and I love it! Keep coming Balls Deep. ~ glot
Shhh, but very quitely Balls Deep are playing some solid kickball. I see them winning again. ~ Handsome Tom
Balls Deep ain't so bad anymore. They'll subdue the Fury. ~ strawberry
Balls of Fury, who are you guys? Are you aware your playing in a season. I mean everyweek I expect you to snap out of it and it never happens; (sigh) I have BoF 1 last time~ el Presidente

Blue Ballers vs. Elm City Teabaggers
The Ballers look to continue their winning ways. Let's see what happens if Jillian and Jose actually show up to play on the same day! Either way, I see the Teabaggers going down... ~ gmot

Ballers come back strong here with an easy win. Watch out, I heard they are switching up positions this week, BIG TIME! ~ glot
What to make of these Blue Ballers? One week they are completely destroyed by STL, only to pop up next week to tie with the Ballstards? With that in mind, I think they should win this week, but who knows what this team will do the rest of the season. ~ Handsome Tom
Blue Ballers FTW, but watch out for the golden baggers! ~ strawberry
(Has anyone else notice Jillian and Jose have played together only once or twice? hmmm, conversation worthy?) Everyweek I pick against the teabaggers. Just once, can they shock the world? Do you believe in miracles? No…. not a chance. Ballers here big! ~ el Presidente

Flip Cup & Bar

2010-10-21T00:15:00.003-04:00

Anna Liffey's - 17 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511
~Not an option, The Bar is mandatory~
Feat Frank, the greatest Bar Tender in the world

Games on the Big Screens
35 Cent Wings

Flip-Cup Regular Season

Hamden Mafia / Balls to the Wall - Makeup Pending
Fever / UniBalls - Makeup Pending
Kickelback / Balls of Fury - Makeup Pending
Wrecking Balls / TeaBaggers - Makeup Pending
Inglorious Ballstards / Blue Ballers - Makeup Pending

Balls Deep - 1 /Saved by the Balls - 5
Sweep the Leg - 4 / Ball Busters - 5

Standings
1. Balls to the Wall (4-0)(+14)
2. Teabaggers (4-1)(+10)
3. Inglorious Ballstards (4-2)(+10)
4. Hamden Mafia (3-1)(+10)
5. Ball Busters (4-2)(+10)
6. Kickelback (3-2)(-3)
7. Sweep the Leg (2-1)(+7)
8. Blue Ballers (1-1)(+1)
9. Balls of Fury (1-1)(-3)
10. UniBalls (1-2)(-6)
11. Fever (1-2)(-4)
12. Wrecking Balls (1-2)(-6)
13. Saved by the balls (1-4)(-7)
14. Balls Deep (0-6)(-21)

the ghost man’s “Drink of the Week” ~
I'm going to make this one even easier than water: Beer.
INGREDIENTS:
1. Beer. (While I could expand upon the traditional ingredients
of hops, barley, water, & yeast, I won't.)
INSTRUCTIONS:
(Again, I could go through the entire brewing process, but
I won't.)
1. Go to a store or a bar.
2. Select a brand you like or try something different.
3. Pay.
4. Open with an opener, twist off the lid, pour from a tap,
or have someone do one of the above for you.
5. Drink.
6. Repeat.

Cupid Shuffle

2010-10-21T00:10:00.000-04:00

That's all Folks!

2010-10-21T00:00:00.004-04:00

A Tip for this weekend!
Week 8 is upon us. Just like that our beloved Fall season is coming to a close. So finish up making new friends, stop being shy and hook up with that girl/guy, and cherish these last moments of Fall 2010 Kickball

Rules of the week:
1. Q. Is the Catcher allowed to field to the left or right of the kicking box as long as he is behind the Kicker?
A. The catcher must field behind the kicker, within or directly behind the kicking box, and may not cross home plate nor be positioned forward of the kicker before the ball is kicked. The catcher may not make contact with the kicker, nor position so closely to the kicker as to restrict the kicking motion.

2. Q. If a kicker ducks in the way of thrown ball and is hit in the head, are they still safe?
A. 10.04 Hitting a runner’s neck or head with the ball is not allowed, except when the runner is sliding. Any runner hit in the neck or head is safe, and advances to the base they were running toward when the ball hits the runner.
If the runner intentionally uses the head or neck to block the ball, and is so called by the Referee, the runner is out.

3. Q. If a ball is kicked and it bounces on the ground but is headed toward the foul area in the air before 1st/3rd base, is that Ball foul?

A. No; even if the ball is in the air crossing the foul line but never touching the ground in foul territory, if that ball is touched before, the ball is Fair
13.02 A foul ball is:
a. a kicked ball landing in foul territory (see Diagram 3G, 3H);
b. a kicked ball touched in foul territory (see Rule 1.04);
c. a kicked ball landing in fair territory, but touching foul territory on its own at any time before reaching first or third base (see Diagram 3I, 3J, 3K);
d. a kicked ball

also:
9.02 All kicks must occur:
a. at or behind home plate. The kicker may step on home plate to kick, however no part of the planted foot may be in front of or cross the front edge of the home plate (see Rule 13.02g).
b. within the kicking box (see Rule 1.01g). The kicker must have at least a portion of the plant foot within the kicking box during the kick (see Rule 13.02g). The kicker may line up outside of the kicking box.

Weather Report:
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Few Showers
High of 64, Low of 55
40% chance of Rain
Source: Weather channel

Announcements:
~Remember, for New Haven Kickball, Pink is October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Birthday Shout-Outs:

Have a birthday coming up? Let us know. Find a board member or tell your team captain and we’ll make sure we get you in here!!!!

Final Thoughts
This past Sunday there was a display of a not too popular strategy in the Ballstards/Ballers game. In case you missed it, the Captain of the Inglorious Ballstards intentionally acquired a 3rd out in order to be in a favorable kicking order the next time around. Though this wasn’t against the rules, it’s not a very popular practice. This type of non-popular strategy has evolved from first: Bunting, to fast overhand pitching with twist and bouncy turns, to fouling off a pitch intentionally, even looking for a walk or intentional walks. All these to the more not accepted “taking advantage of the no infield fly rule” by dropping a pop fly, and finally a player getting tagged out on purpose. Even with hints of teams losing on purpose to better seed. So what can we all take from this? In a game that was intended for pure fun, big kicks, and all types of things that come with the kids’ game, it has turned into a competitive sports game with evolved strategies that may or may not be good for the game. Everyone has their own opinion but look at it like this first before you cast your stone: When’s the last time you played without some type of strategy or an entire team just kicked with no bunts? Just because it’s the 1st time you have seen something that hasn’t been done before or is not a normal practice doesn’t mean that it is “foul”. I’m pretty sure everyone thought harsh things about the 1st time someone bunted and now look at us now.

Pictures

the Ghost Man & Ghost Lady

2010-10-14T01:15:00.002-04:00

Greetings Kickballers,
I trust you all had a relaxing week off. We all had some time to recharge the batteries and should be coming back ready to kick some ass in the run up to the playoffs. I imagine things will be heating up nicely as the weather gets a bit cooler. The standings show that this season is pretty tight in both divisions. As a shock to no one, the Ballstards are standing alone at the top of the pile. But while they remain the sole undefeated team, the rest of the teams are but a win or loss away from leap-frogging some other team. This is the point in the season where sh!t starts to get interesting. Reffing becomes a real pain in the buttocks because everyone with a voice wants to argue every call (the closer the call the louder the mouths). Teams start tweaking the rosters and kicking orders. People start making some pretty "creative" (read: bullsh!t) plays, many of which border on unsportsmanlike conduct and should result in lost yardage and a loss of downs. Whoops, wrong sport. I meant to say: many of which should lead to the worst offenders being stripped of all clothing, covered in fine salt, and placed in a stable with some mangy horses needing a salt-lick. (I'll bet a few of you got all tingly with excitement and that's just wrong.) But, when it's all said and done, the dust settles and we gather at Anna Liffey's to take the fight to the flip-cup tables and after a few rounds, all is right with the world again. Just remember, the refs are people too; some with more and some with less experience than you and they are generally doing their best to call it straight and fair. With the exception of maybe...me. I like to make crappy calls just to hear people get all frustrated and watch that big vein in their forehead really pop out and they start looking like their head is about to explode. That's just plain fun. [FYI, the last three sentences were a joke, don't have a cow.] So buy your refs a drink or two at the bar. It will either help to make the best out of what you thought was a bad call and you can make peace or it will help alter their balance and they won't see the left hook you're about to land on their jaw. On a more peaceful note, let's discuss breasts. I, personally, like 'em. And I'd like to do my part to keep them all healthy. If you'd care to join me in that endeavor, please do what I'm going to do and find Robb (Fever) at the games on Sunday and buy a pink wristband or two. Oh, you already got one? So what! You want to save the boobies, don't you? If we all spent as much on breast cancer research during the course of a season (or a year) as we do on alcohol....the cure would be within reach. And we are still in October, breast cancer awareness month, and we should all be showing our support and wearing pink. So let's get the rivalries fired back up, put on some pink, and get ready to kick some balls! 'Til next time, see you on the playing field.
The Ghost

“Kickball, oh kickball you taste so yummy and sweet. Kickball, oh kickball, especially when made by Russell and covered in cheese.”

While there wasn’t a whole lot of kickball this past weekend, there definitely were some festivities. Some games, some parties, some wineries, some home drinking, some working, some sleeping (actually, probably not a whole lot of this)…but now, back to a weekend filled with Kickball! Don’t worry, there will still be games, parties, home drinking and little sleeping occurring as well.
Last weeks games proved to be quite an event…especially for those not present and receiving about 50 phone calls all telling me how much my team sucked. Well, here’s what I have to say to that…see what happens when “The Jillian” isn’t present…shit hits the fan. Ha ha. As far as Ballstards winning again…someone please stop them. And Wrecking Balls…please be that team… oh wait, we play them this week…Christ. Kickelback, you rock my socks… Uniballs…what happened? Mafia, a legit win, I am impressed. Saved by the Balls…really now? … Practice harder! Fever, you disappoint me. Balls to the Wall, come on!! they aren’t even that good of a team. ;] Balls Deep, it’s all up hill once you scrimmage the Blue Ballers. Balls of Fury, I don’t even know what to say. And Teabaggers…way to bag them beasts.
I hope for a good, sunny, wonderful, full-of-happiness Sunday. Bring food and “adult water” so that I can mooch. Do good fellow kickballers…do good.

Word up from the Captains (captains corner & sunday recap)

2010-10-14T01:00:00.003-04:00

Last Week (10/3) Results:

Balls to the Wall - 4 Hamden Mafia - 5
Game started off with an early homerun that had many thinking blow out, however… balls to wall fought back hard to no avail
Teabaggers - 7 Saved by the Balls – 3
The Battle of the winless showed some real hard fought kickball, but in the end…. Teabaggers stroke was just too hard
Sweep the Leg - 12 Blue Ballers – 0
What a disappointment as a game. One team showed up the other team never got off the bus.
Ball Busters - 2 Wrecking Balls - 2
A true battle of 2 great teams and easily one of the top 2 or 3 games of the season. I’m drooling over a rematch
Balls Deep - 6 Balls of Fury - 2
A game BoF had been waiting for since last season, but they took a bigger beat down then last time
UniBalls - 1 Kickelback - 2
Uni’s were up 1-nil all game then with 2 outs in the bottom of the 5th, the kickel surged back not only to tie, but to win the game. Easily the franchises biggest win.
Inglorious Ballstards - 5 Fever - 3
As the stage cleared for leagues top 2 teams, it was a battle all the way through. Probably the most watched game of the day and season. Fever took an early lead, but the Maroon, as they always do, found a way to win.

*Game of the Week Report*
Sweep the Leg vs. Blue Ballers

In a game of the pre-seasons top 2 teams, this was anything but. Sweep the Leg came prepared with Chili, “Gatorade”, edible Jello, a cooler full of goodness, and a tent that’s built for summer. Easily they slapped in run after run after run. Almost declaring field 2 their own this season. It seemed the only chance Blue Ballers had was……. Hmmm, don’t know if they did.. Anyway, For a game with prepared with trash talking and lots of bragging right attached, only one team came to Play. Sweep the Leg; bodybags distributed; RIP Blue Ballers

Captains Corner
~True stories told by the captains themselves or team reps~

Hamden Mafia
Hamden Mafia v Kickelback
Looks like these soccer players have finally found out how to kick a kickball, rather than the ever so common bunt. This game was the Mafia’s best so far, with 2 home runs (Colby and BMW) and great defense. Not much else needs to be said. Kickelback tried to fight back but the Mafia wouldn’t allow much offense. MVP award goes to Colby, turning in a 3-3 performance with 2 singles and a 3-run HR! Nice job Colby. Jeff also returned from the DL and we were happy to have him back in the lineup. We will give Kickelback credit, after being down 3-0 in flip cup they came back with fierce flipping fingers and took the mafia out 5-4! Then in a make-up the mafia took it out on the Teabaggers and handed them their first defeat.

Hamden Mafia v Balls to the Wall
Looks like our kicking legs are here to say. For the second week straight we had 2 home runs (W George and Jeff W)! Balls to the Wall also had 1 in what was a very good offensive game by both
teams. The defense on both sides was good as well, with it all coming down to the bottom of the 5th inning. With the tying run on second base for BTTW and 2 outs, the ball was kicked to a perfect spot over the outstretched arms of our SSS (Spanish Short Stop, Haha), slid past a diving JB to Captain John in the left center. Sprinting in from left field all the way to home plate, John tagged out the run 5ft. from the plate to end the game! Very exciting on both sides of the field. MVP award goes to Jimmy B. He had numerous defensive plays in the field with runners on to help put away BTTW. Looking forward to a rematch in 2 weeks. See you then BTTW.

Teabaggers
The Teabaggers found a way to win this week, thanks to a solid defensive effort from everyone except our entirely still too drunk 3rd baseman. Not only did we put our most complete defensive game of the season together, but we scored 7 runs in an offensive breakout. We really enjoyed the game and want to give a shout out to our opponents, Saved by the Balls, who played a great game and actually had the cojones to challenge us to a game of flip cup after. Of course, it only took 3 'baggers to beat a team of 4 and regain our dominance atop the flip cup table. Our MVP of the week is Jamar, whose sliding play at home proved that he should be a top pick in the upcoming MLB draft. Will the Teabaggers be the come back kids of the CT Ivy league and make a playoff run? Stay tuned to find out...

Balls of Fury
The BOF battled the bright yellow Balls Deep team on Sunday. The BOF were able to keep it fairly close for awhile but as has been the case this year, a tough inning or two seems to spell doom for the BOF squad. Let's just forget the game and let everyone know that YES, we actually went to the bar after the game. The real action was on the flip cup table where BOF and the Ballstards matched up. Money was thrown on the table, trash talking was non stop and in the end it was the Ballstards 4 - 2..........though we got to thinking about it and decided that since it's a best of 9 game, we're not actually done with them, yet.
Team bright spots for the day - Janet, who dove into first base and again at right field. Not many BoF'rs will even entertain that thought. Plus we got a little revenge on an outnumbered Balls Deep team on the flip cup table.

Balls to the Wall
Tough match up this week, but we asked for it, literally. Even though we had the opportunity to forgo playing the Mafia on consecutive weeks for an easier match up against the Blue Ballers, we chose to keep things the way we were for the sanctity of the league. We held our own except for our weekly one bad inning. Being down 4-0 before we even had a chance to kick did not help our chances, but our defense settled down after the first and the comeback began. Thanks to some timely kicks and some good base running we brought the score back to 4-4 going into the fifth. With 2 quick outs it looked like we would have a chance to end it with a walk off in the 5th; however, with a man on first, a questionable call resulted in a two-run homerun for the Mafia. Take away the 3 foot head start the batter got from kicking the ball in front of the plate and the BTTW outfield may have had a chance at coming out of the inning unscathed. Despite our misfortunes we once again tried to claw our way back. With the bases loaded and two outs, rookie Mike Occone kicked his 3rd bomb of the day into deep left field. The first run scored easily to make it 6-5 and as the tying run was only steps away from the plate a miracle throw and high "peg" ended our hopes for the day. The Mafia decided they wanted to end their day on a winning note because they we too scared to show up to Liffey's and face the reining and still undefeated champs at flip cup. We've got 2 weeks to prepare and will make sure the Mafia won't get away with stealing a win and running away from a loss for a 2nd time. CONSIDER IT BROUGHT.

Ball Busters
A hard fought game against a solid Wrecking Balls team resulted in a less than satisfying tie. It was a game of near misses and blown opportunities for the Busters. The defense did just enough to hold the Wrecking Balls to only 2 runs, but unfortunately we just couldn't seal the deal on offense and left too many runners stranded on base. The best threat to break the tie came at the tail end of a strong two-out rally in the 3rd inning when first baseman Corey Chase booted a beautiful ball deep to left center. The excitement was short lived as the Wrecking Balls' left fielder made an impressive catch at a dead sprint just barely tipping it up to himself. After a controversial close call at home denied us the go ahead run, it came down to a final defensive stand to escape with a tie. The top of the Wrecking Balls' order made a strong push for the win, but with 2 outs and a runner on second third baseman Gabe Johnson made an impressive backwards leaping catch to end the game. MVP honors for the game go to Ali and Lindsay for their sweet baked goods, which helped to get the bitter taste of a tie out of our mouths.
As always Sunday at the bar is the only way to end the weekend. Not sure what happened to our awesome flip cup team, but hard to care once the next pitcher is bought...

Presidential Power Poll

2010-10-14T00:45:00.002-04:00

below are standard opinions and should not be confused with actual standings

the President’s top 5 teams heading into week 7
1. (1) Inglorious Ballstards (5-0-1)
Won a tough match-up against the impressive Fever team. You just wonder if they’re overlooking their next match-up in anticipation for Mafia in two weeks
2. (5) Hamden Mafia (4-1-1)
Though they may have only 1 quality win, their offense is super impressive. Leading the league as a team in Homeruns
3. (2) Wrecking Balls (3-1-2)
3 straight weeks of the toughest competition in the league and they come up 0-1-2. Not too bad, but they rest of their schedule is cake, pie, or however you wanna say it.
4. (3) Ball Busters (4-1-1)
Had a great game against the Wreckers of Green but the eye test shows, they probably should have lost that game. They’ll get their chance to prove another point this Sunday.
5. (NR) Sweep the Leg (3-2-1)
They have really been pulling out the bodybags lately. Don’t know what inspirational speech their captain gave after the Balls Deep game but, they are taken no prisoners lately.
~ (last week rankings in italic parenthesizes)
*Just missing the top 5: Fever, Balls Deep

Schedule / Predictions

2010-10-14T00:30:00.002-04:00

Who plays Who?
Week 7 Schedule – October 16, 2010

Hamden Mafia vs. Balls to the Wall @ Field 1 ~ 1:45
Umpire: UniBalls

Fever vs. UniBalls @ Field 1 ~ 2:45
Kickelback vs. Balls of Fury @ Field 2 ~ 2:45
Umpire: Hamden Mafia / Balls to the Wall

Inglorious Ballstards vs. Blue Ballers @ Field 1 ~ 3:30
Balls Deep vs. Saved by the Balls @ Field 2 ~ 3:30
Umpire: Balls of Fury / Fever

Sweep the Leg vs. Ball Busters @ Field 1 ~ 4:15
Wrecking Balls vs. TeaBaggers @ Field 2 ~ 4:15
Umpire: Inglorious Ballstards / Saved by the Balls

Field 1 is the little league baseball field
Field 2 is the corner of the football field, behind the baseball field

Game of the Week
[* Sweep the Leg vs. Ball Busters *] 4:15
This Game has the potential to be the most watched game of New Haven Kickball History. Sweep the Leg came out the gate a little slow but their foot is heavy on the throttle, and Ball Busters are still out to prove no matter how much the league changes, they are the champs!
Sweep the Leg just a couple of weeks ago were 1-2-1 and were coming off back to back losses to Ballstards and Balls Deep. With their backs against the Wall, they came out swinging; Blanking the on again-off again Uniballs 6-nil and then completely destroying Blue Ballers 12-0. However, most of the league still isn’t impressed with this STL team. An almost championship atmosphere game for them they’ve heard all summer and most of the fall how good this Ball Busters team is; Almost sparking the legendary 1uck to come back completely. Those 1uckers that remain have been itching at this game for awhile. The newly trained STL pitcher/captain Kharim Jones has been flexing his stuff for a late season push for IVY Best Pitcher.
But, no matter how you slice the bologna… To be the best, you have to beat the best. Ball Busters have never had more than 1 loss in a season in their franchises history. Probably one of the best infields not only in the league, but probably New Haven History. Powered by their All-Pro 3rd Basemen Gabe Johnson, bunting is almost not an option. However, as good as they are… they do have their weaknesses; But Can STL find them? Or will they crumble under pressure?
STL - Busters
Who ya got???

Game of the Week Predictions
STL is on the comeback trail and the Busters have regained their form of last year. Who wants it more? I think the Busters do. BB wins. ~ gmot
Ball Busters win…though I think it will be a good game. ~ glot
Easily one of the better games of the season, with STL seemingly figuring out what ailed them. But the Busters should be a tough test. I like the Busters, but not by much. ~ Handsome Tom
STL is looking better every time I see them, but the Ball Busters will take this one. ~ Strawberry
This match-up should live up to the hype. Two top pre-season contenders, STL has a chance to snatch some swagger back…. But I still don’t think they’re ready yet; Ball Busters by the 1 run ~ el Presidente

And the rest of the
GMOT Kickball Predictions

Hamden Mafia vs. Balls To The Wall
This one is going to be close & could heat up. BTTW comes away with the win. ~ gmot
Hamden will use their black team skills against these red beasts and kick some butt. ~ glot
Hamden Mafia have quitely been one of the stronger teams in the league, I see them taking this one as well. ~ Handsome Tom
The Mafia has been going strong, home runs galore. Mafia! ~ Strawberry
A must win game for Balls to the Wall. I think a lost in round I will pay dividends for round II, I have Balls to the Wall. ~ el Presidente

I Got A Fever vs. Uniballs
Both teams are coming off of a loss; both teams hungry. I think the Fever will show that they are a real contender and squeak by the Uni's. ~ gmot
I have Uniballs with the comeback here. Tough lost last week. ~ glot
A tough game to call, it all depends on which Uniballs team shows up. I wouldn't be surprised either way...but I'm gonna go with Fever. ~ Handsome Tom
I've got the Feverrrrr ~ Strawberry
Who knows which Uniballs will show up but against the Fever… it won’t matter. I have a slight Fever as well. ~ el Presidente

Kickelback vs. Balls Of Fury
Two teams that are here to have fun and are usually good sports...I hate to pick a winner here, so I won't. It ends in a tie. ~ gmot
Kickelback sticking with the wins. ~ glot
As much as I think the Furys are good, its hard for me to see them beating the new look Kickelback. ~ Handsome Tom
Kickelback, hot off their last victory, shall prevail once again! ~ Strawberry
The ones they call kickelback are not bad as a team. One even predicting championship this season- I won’t go that far but they have this game; Kickelback ~ el Presidente

Inglorious Ballstards vs. Blue Ballers
I can guarantee that most of the league will be cheering on the Blue Ballers in this one. But that won't help. Team Maroon wins. Again. (sigh) ~ gmot
Blue Ballers will finally come together and show the Ballstards some competition…hopefully. ~ glot
Wow how the once mighty have fallen, what used to look like a great matchup at the start of the season now seems boring. I have the Ballstards big. ~ Handsome Tom
The Blue Ballers have been crumbling more and more each week, and, very very unfortunately, the Ballstards will add another notch to their belt. ~ Strawberry
I don’t know how the Ballstards will handle being favored but…. It’ll be closer than everyone thinks… Ballstards ~ el Presidente

Balls Deep vs. Saved By The Balls
Balls Deep (a.k.a. The Haters) will get the win over the fun-loving Saved crew. Sorry guys, everyone is on to the pitching...um...distraction. ~ gmot
Sorry Saved by the Balls, I have Balls Deep with winning this week…again. ~ glot
Never really sure to which Balls Deep team will show up, but I don't see them having any problems with this game. ~ Handsome Tom
This will be fun for Balls Deep. BD! ~ Strawberry
With the weather changing, maybe its time for saved by the balls to go back to school or start a spin-off team; Balls Deep ~ el Presidente

Wrecking Balls vs. Elm City Teabaggers
The Teabaggers could win this. And the earth could tip off it's axis causing colossal devastation. Neither will happen this Sunday. Sorry. ~ gmot
Wrecking balls with an easy win. ~ glot
This game has the potential for the most adult beverages consumed before the game starts, but I think the Wrecking Balls will get back to their winning ways. ~ Handsome Tom
Oh dear.; Wrecking Balls ~ Strawberry
Wrecking Balls, but they will show them so mercy…. ~ el Presidente

Flip Cup & Bar

2010-10-14T00:15:00.002-04:00

Anna Liffey's - 17 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511
~Not an option, The Bar is mandatory~

Flip-Cup Regular Season
Last Week (10/3) Results:

Teabaggers - 5 / Saved by the Balls - 2
Ball Busters - 2 / Wrecking Balls - 5
Balls Deep - 3 / Balls of Fury - 5
UniBalls - 1 / Kickelback - 5
Inglorious Ballstards - 5 / Fever - 0

Sweep the Leg - /Blue Ballers – (Make up Pending)
Balls to the Wall - /Hamden Mafia - (Make up Pending)

(Make up Game) Inglorious Ballstards – 5 / Balls of Fury - 1

Standings:
1. Balls to the Wall (4-0)(+14)
2. Teabaggers (4-1)(+10)
3. Inglorious Ballstards (4-2)(+10)
4. Hamden Mafia (3-1)(+10)
5. Ball Busters (3-2)(+9)
6. Kickelback (3-2)(-3)
7. Sweep the Leg (2-0)(+8)
8. Blue Ballers (1-1)(+1)
9. Balls of Fury (1-1)(-3)
10. UniBalls (1-2)(-6)
11. Fever (1-2)(-4)
12. Wrecking Balls (1-2)(-6)
13. Saved by the balls (0-4)(-11)
14. Balls Deep (0-5)(-17)

the ghost man’s “Drink of the Week” ~
With a slight nod toward the Italians in celebration of this past Columbus Day,
I bring you the espresso martini. That's right coffee & vodka; two great tastes...
(that's all I can put without fear of copyright infringement).

INGREDIENTS:
1 oz cold espresso
1 1/2 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz Kahlua (coffee liqueur)
1 oz white creme de cacao

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Pour ingredients into shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously.
3. Strain into chilled martini glass. (It should be somewhat frothy.)
4. Drink.
5. Repeat.

Wrap it up

2010-10-14T00:00:00.002-04:00

A Tip for this weekend!
Bring some long sleeves for the Fall time Breeze; and Hand out some more….. Kicball is only 4 more Sundays – ouch!

Rules of the week:
1. Q: If the kicker slaps a pitched ball away with their hand, is that a Foul?
A: A deliberate Foul made with the hand or arm results in an OUT for the kicker.

(Also, if the kicker pick ups the ball or stops it with their hand/arm- they are out!)

2. Q: If a runner physically hinders a fielder attempting to make a play, what is the appropriate call?
A: If the Referee judges the interference to be deliberate and unsportsmanlike, this should be treated as Interference per Rule 15.02b: the play ends, the runner is out, and other runners must go back unless forced forward.

3. Q: When a runner misses a base, or leaves base on a caught ball before it is first touched, and the play ends without the runner returning to retouch the base, or without the fielding team putting the runner out, should the fielding team "appeal" the play by holding the ball at the missed or vacated base once the play is concluded?
A: No. After the play has concluded, any Ref that witnessed a runner miss a base or leave one prematurely may call the runner out at that time, without the formality of appeal (see Rules 10.05, 14.02f, l, and m). Any Out so called is applied as of the end of the play.
Note that any runner leaving a base before a pitched ball is kicked is immediately out (see Rules 10.03 and 14.02g).

Weather Report:
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sunny/Windy
High of 64, Low of 48
0% chance of Rain
Source: Weather channel

Announcements:
~Remember, for New Haven Kickball, Pink is October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Birthday Shout-Outs:
Jeromy Reynolds : Wrecking Balls : October 12, 2010

Have a birthday coming up? Let us know. Find a board member or tell your team captain and we’ll make sure we get you in here!!!!

Final Thoughts
Just a reminder: Playoffs will start the Sunday after week 8. On playoff Sunday we will be having the 1st games start at about 12:00pm. If haven’t already done so, check out the playoff schedule and plan your day accordingly. Games will be running from 12pm till about 430ish (to battle daylight savings time). Seeding will be based on season record and nothing else. The following Sunday will be the final four games, championship game and All-Star game.

Out of the Office

2010-10-07T09:13:00.003-04:00

Sorry Kickerballers:

the CTIVY Blog Team is out on Vacation
Founders Cup in Vegas

Check back next Thursday, October 14 for the full force CT-Ivy blog/newsletter

Enjoy the long Hoilday Weekend

the Ghost Man

2010-09-30T00:27:00.002-04:00

Greetings Kickers of Ball,
For those not in attendance (or those needing a bit of a reminder), last Saturday night a large contingent of party-hungry kickballers assembled in New Haven and proceeded to have themselves a mighty fine, alcohol- and hormone-fueled good time. Okay, so it may have gotten a bit warm, but that didn't seem to bother many after the second or third drink...and if people got too warm, the patio provided a much welcomed respite. The back room at Kelly's stayed fairly packed for most of night, while the main bar was empty until much later. Visible were many glazed expressions, a few perma-grins, and even a few dance floor coital flare-ups. Jillian spent the better part of the evening running her posterior off selling raffle tickets (and stashing the wads of cash in the easiest place she could reach) for the wonderful assortment of gift baskets which she also lovingly assembled. The beer pong tournament proved to be a hit, if only the winners could remember it! And the league's first ever date auction was quite the spectacle. Which brings me back to Jillian for a moment. Will her new "owner" please come forward? Mystery Man has yet to reveal himself and claim his prize. I think it was someone who realized after making the winning bid that he would not be able to keep up with that woman's energy! Congrats to all winning bidders and good luck to all the datees! All in all, I'd say the event was a great success as we raised a nice sum of money for Life Haven as well as a good amount for breast cancer research. As one could imagine, after an evening of this much excess, the much anticipated game between the Inglorious Ones and the Wreckers turned into the Battle of the Hangovers and it ended in a 1-1 tie. See how a few strategically placed cocktails can change the whole scope of the league? If you're the competitive sort, getting your friends on another team a few rounds the night before a big game can be more than just a nice gesture. And the date winners are not the only ones to be congratulated this week. Unless my data is incorrect, it would appear that the Balls of Fury have earned their first victory of the season! Nice job! Maybe we'll start to see the Orange around Anna Liffey's a bit more often? And we're not done yet...a BIG congratulation goes out to Steve Watson (Fever's captain) and Libby Brown (now retired) on their engagement! See, people? Kickball and love go together like ice cream and pretzels! (trust me - try it!) 'Til next time, see you on the playing field!
~ The Man Called Ghost

Word up from the Captains (captains corner & sunday recap)

2010-09-30T00:25:00.001-04:00

Last Week Recap:
Ballstards - 1 Wrecking Balls - 1
A game of many names turned into the game of the great hangover…. Defensive though!
Sweep the Leg - 6 Uniballs - 0
STL finally were able to bring out the body bags and headstones for their opponent.
Ball Busters - 5 Blue Ballers - 1
A game that looked interesting back when the schedule came out, the result was pretty much expected. Ball Busters are at championship form
Balls of Fury - 8 Teabaggers - 3
The battle of the winless teams… and at the end, one left still winless :-( maybe bof can show up at the bar now. (did anyone see them at the mid-season party?)
Fever - 3 Balls Deep - 1
A game in which balls deep should have won every which way, somehow, they screwed it up and Fever came out victorious
Mafia - 7 Kickelback - 1
The game of many homeruns. Not sure how many but 2 or 3 would be about correct. Tough break for kickel
Balls to the Wall - 6 Saved by the Balls - 0
A grudge match between old teammates, it turned out not to be that high scoring, even though shut out, sbtb held their own

*Game of the Week Report*
Brought to you by “Handsome Tom” from the CT Ivy Blog Team

Wrecking Balls vs Inglorious Ballstards:
And here we were, the two top teams in the Eastern Conference. Two teams with a heated past, given how last seasons game had ended. This game always had the potential to be close, and these did not disappoint.
The first couple of innings both teams flexed their defensive muscles, showing that each team feature very athletic catchers in Tommy Fischetti and Kelly Miller respectively. The Wrecking Balls were able to score first in the top of the 2nd, but their lead would not last long. Through a view miscues and a bone crunching collision, the Ballstards were able to get a run to tie the game up.
From there each team was able to put the clams down, going through each others lineups with unnerving ease. With a blink of an eye, it was the bottom of the 5th and Ballstards were up to try to take the W in this slugfest. After yet another Wrecking Ball collision (this team between two teammates) the Ballstards had runners on first and second with no outs with all star Dom Alston up to bat. With swing of the leg, Dom ripped a line drive up the middle, only the Wrecking Balls captain Timmy Moran to make a great catch and double up the runner at first. After that, the Ballstards weren't able to get the runner past second and the game ended in a tie.
Some would call the game a let down, especially if you talk to the two people who were interviewed after the game. Either way, this game was never going to be high scoring, and each team took advantage of the few scoring chances they had. Looks like these two will have to wait for the playoffs to settle the score.

Captains Corner
~True stories told by the captains themselves or team reps~

Kickelback
Here are some things we are proud of: being fun, funny, nice, and attractive, beating the Hamden Mafia in flip cup, eating 30 buffalo wings, owning the most bicycles out of all the teams, and our captain being auctioned off for $95 at the date auction on Saturday night. Here are some things we are not proud of: allowing the Mafia two home runs, only scoring one run, and not drinking enough fluids before our game.

Inglorious Ballstards
A game that happened with our bodies present, not our minds… a 1-1 tie I guess is justice. Great Defense on both sides, not so much offensively. And as for us, we were so hung-over, the captain didn’t know everyone’s name. MVP goes to Rob or 3rd Basemen for his Rocket Arm and for scoring our only run. But one question, why is a tie for the other team a win for most you ask and a tie for us is a loss for most of you? Are we hated that much? Yes the perfect season is over, but that was never the goal.
This week, we face the Fever in a 1v1 conference match-up. Not only will we be holding the Maroon Pride, but we’ll be representing the East. Fever our a personal rival of the Ballstards Captain that goes back to spring 09’ when they were called “Los cojones”. Finally, we will be able to settle the score. And make sure you come and boo as loud as you can, that only feeds us
GO BALLSTARDS

Wrecking Balls
So here we were, facing the toughest game of our season, after the mid season party. I like many of my teammates weren't exactly in the best of the shape for the game, but we were sorta kinda ready to maybe run in a straight line. As the game progressed, our hangovers either evaporated or we just decided to start drinking again, we were able to get the first run on the board. Then after the Ballstards trying to take out our second basemen with some strange base running they were able to tie the game up. This is right around the point in the game when a certain member of the Ballstards, let's just call him Lyle Ettle, might have taken the ability to peg people out a bit too far. I would only point this out as a note for the rest of the league, if given the opportunity, to fully utilize the chance in pegging this person (although you will have to guess as their identity is cleverly hidden by yours truly). Oh yea, where was I? After the Ballstards tied it up, the game actually ended up kinda boring, except when certain right fielders ability to run over innocent center fielders for next to no reason (allegedly), the game ended up a tie. The MVP of the game is totally Timmy, bringing no less then 36 Gatorades for the struggling Wreckers who may or may not have had a few too many beverages the night before. The LVP is without a doubt the person who decided to have to the two teams who consistently close the bar...as the early. The very definition of uncool.

Sweep the Leg
The call to arms went out Saturday night. "Wherever you may be tonight, pour out a little liquor for the old STL, and take a shot to a fresh start."
Seems like we responded. Maybe it was the 22 shots that night, maybe it was the team breakfast at Ihop that gave us all the runs, because everyone had a little pep in their step this week. Brendan ran to the middle of the field with the ball looking and looked very confused again, but then I realized he was making a really solid play, and that's not his confused face, he's just ugly. Chad showed ridiculous table to toilet speed, but showed he could run base to base just as quickly. Davon FINALLY showed his speed doing his best pacman impression in the outfield yelling "gimme gimme gimme" as he covered half the field in 0.23 seconds to swallow up the ball. "Dom who? It's not Halloween yet son, put the mask away. I'll see you in the fastest man contest" - Davon. We had a nice small lineup this week that really allowed some players to step up. I would like to thank all the silky johnsons and bucknasties for their hate on the blog last week also. Is it possible STL's captain just showed respect to his brothers Dan, and Kyle in a prearranged agreement? You win now, we win in playoffs? BALLS DEEP beat us! This win was probably just a fluke and everyone should just circle us as an easy win from here on out. And make sure to put it in the blog, and on your facebook walls, and mock us at the bar too. Child Please! MVP this week goes to hot head Steve. He's made his way from a walk-on in a timeshare in the outfield, to a quick thinking rocket armed kickball monster seeking a long term contract. Keep it up team. The wins or losses don't matter right now. It's about us. We have 3 more scrimmages before the big dance. Cinderella just might have to extend her curfew... maybe.

Saved by the Balls
Sunday brought a match of grudge
Of which neither team cared to budge
Saved by the Balls, the rookie team
Her foundation, her captain's dream
But of last season, we dare not tell,
That Balls to the Wall 'twas where we dwelled.
Needless to say, a victory we sought,
To her knees our former team would be brought.
But victory did not occur on this day,
Yet the details of the game, the score doesn't say
Only two innings did the red team score,
But both times the third out should of come before.
Three easy outs were walked with one out left,
Most balls were strikes, we were quite bereft.
At last we asked if the ref knew the zone,
To the crowd for the answer, he had to phone.
When outs become walks from a reffing error,
Is the only time Balls to the Wall could strike a terror.
So at the final score do we scoff,
And we hope to see the red team in the playoffs.
For six to zero really works to be a tie,
Oh, and did I mention we played minus one guy?

Fever
Captain' Log; stardate: 2010.09.26.3:30 edt.
It was with great hope and...anticipation that I did lead my crew onto the field of kickball
to do battle with those who like it...Balls Deep. Some of these creatures were...hung-over.
Or, maybe still inebriated, it was very hard to tell. Our plan was to attack early and throw
them off of their game...make them think, adjust, question. Mistakes...there were few, but
they existed just the same, and we...overcame. Melanie lead the offensive charge. Her two out single was...well placed. She knocked in our second run of the first inning. It was...stellar. And so she receives the coveted MVP of the Week award, to which, she is no stranger. The enemy did manage to penetrate our defenses once. We, however, did not allow them to do so again. With our determination intact, we held our position and we defeated them soundly. Thus subjecting them, like others before, to the ever growing menace that is.......the Fever. Now, we begin the process of preparing to once again do battle, on Sunday, with a disease that is far more noxious, and, toxic; A disease that, if left unchecked, could possibly rid the entire universe of any sense of humanity, decency. A disease that goes by the name of...the Inglorious Ballstards. This week, my crew must be ready to sacrifice themselves, to put themselves in harms way, to give every ounce of their being, in order to prevent this scourge from infecting anymore beings. We must protect the earth and preserve humanity. This week, The Fever is the cure!!!!!!

Videos

2010-09-30T00:24:00.000-04:00

Game of the Week Video

Ballstards and the Wrecking Balls Discuss Their Game of the Week

- What led to this 1-1 tie?

- Is there more behind this story?

- Does this solidify their #1 and #2 rankings?

Presidential Power Poll

2010-09-30T00:20:00.001-04:00

below are standard opinions and should not be confused with actual standings
the President’s top 5 teams thru week 5
1. (1) Inglorious Ballstards (4-0-1)
The Maroon Army stays at #1 after last week. After a 1-1tie in a 1v2 match-up, what else can you say?
2. (2) Wrecking Balls (3-1-1)
A tough two weeks for the Wreckers. 0-1-1 in the last 2 weeks. They have to get through one more tough week before they can coast to the playoffs.
3. (3) Ball Busters (4-1)
Busters handled their job Sunday but is unable to move up in the power poll due to unfavorable ties. This week, they take on #2 themselves… sure to be a barnburner
4. (4) I got a Fever (4-0-1)
Fever escape disaster against Balls Deep. Bases loaded with no outs and they managed not to give up any runs; sure hope they don’t luck like that to continue.
5. (NR) Hamden Mafia (3-1-1)
And lastly the mafia, purely here at #5 for default. They looked good offensively against kickelback and their next 3 games only 1 looks tough. League, look out for these mafiaers

~ (last rankings in italic parenthesizes)
*Just missing the top 5: Sweep the Leg, Balls to the Wall

Schedule & Predictions

2010-09-30T00:15:00.001-04:00

Who plays Who?
Week 6 Schedule – October 3, 2010
League Cross Conference Challenge
~Sponsored by: Breast Cancer Awareness Month~

Balls to the Wall vs. Hamden Mafia @ Field 1 ~ 1:45
Umpire: Saved by the balls

Teabaggers vs. Saved by the Balls @ Field 1 ~ 2:45
Sweep the Leg vs. Blue Ballers @ Field 2 ~ 2:45
Umpire: Hamden Mafia / Balls to the Wall

Ball Busters vs. Wrecking Balls @ Field 1 ~ 3:30
Balls Deep vs. Balls of Fury @ Field 2 ~ 3:30
Umpire: Blue Ballers / Teabaggers

UniBalls vs. Kickelback @ Field 1 ~ 4:15
Inglorious Ballstards vs. Fever @ Field 2 ~ 4:15
Umpire: Balls Deep / Balls of Fury

Field 1 is the little league baseball field
Field 2 is the corner of the football field, behind the baseball field

Game of the Week
With this being cross conference week, just about all the games are games to watch. If you had to pick one day on the kickball schedule to watch all the games, ladies and gentlemen this is that Sunday. Every time slot has 1 great game to watch, seriously. It’s 1v1, 2v2, 3v3’s…. all through the board. Which conference is the best??? Through 5 weeks the West holds an advantage over the East 3-2, but all that can be erased this week.
Bring the lounge chairs, the popcorn, the Gatorade, and get ready for a great day……..

[* Sweep the Leg vs. Blue Ballers *] 2:45
A game that if you have been following the facebook wire, has stirred up all types of mixed feelings. Yet maybe not the most appealing game on the schedule, once upon a time these two teams were heavily favored to meet each other in the champioinship…. Way before the schedule was posted and the season started.
Can Sweep the Leg continue their winning ways? Are the able to use all their talent and play to their capabilities? With a new pitcher on the mound and a new pitching style by Kharim Jones enough to fly the STL plane to the championship?
And for Blue Ballers; once considered a super team can they be considered the biggest bust since Ryan Leaf? Yes, they have not had all their pieces of the puzzle there the past couple of weeks, but sooner or later pride has to come into the fold. Maybe it takes the collision of former Balls Deep members to play against former Freeballers. To see former spring champs 1uckers take on spring runner ups Mooners. To see who won the war of the off-season free agency, what better way then to play it on the field.
STL………….. Blue Ballers
Who ya Got?????

Game of the Week Predictions
After they finally gave some indication of what they are capable of last week, I think STL keeps rolling and the Blue Ballers drop another notch. ~ gmot
This should be a very fun and interesting game. I'm leaning toward STL. ~ Strawberry
Two teams who were thought to be early season favorites only to find out games aren't won on paper, I say that STL wins this game in the battle of the blue shirts. ~ Handsome Tom
Tough to say, but I think STL has figured out the winning formula, I have STL ~ el Presidente

And the rest of the
GMOT Kickball Predictions

Balls to the Wall vs. Hamden Mafia
This should be a tight game, but the Mafia takes it to the Wall. ~ gmot
Hamden Mafia had some nasty offensive moves that scared the pants off Kickelback on Sunday—I think they're taking this one. ~ Strawberry
Balls to the Wall responded nicely to a tough loss to the Fever, but I see the Mafia winning again and quietly becoming one of the better teams in the league. ~ Handsome Tom
Balls to the Wall hasn’t impressed me these past couple of weeks. What have you done for me lately b2w? I have Mafia after round I ~ el Presidente

Teabaggers vs. Saved by the Balls
Battle of the Basement! Save by the Balls has the edge with their visual assault. They win the game and then get their @$$e$ kicked on the flip cup table! ~ gmot
I'm going with Saved by the Balls for this one. ~ Strawberry
Useless fact- A baboon called Jackie became a private in the South African army in World War I. This game ends in a tie. ~ Handsome Tom
Hmmm, Saved by the Balls put up a good fight with busters a couple of weeks ago so I’ll go with that. Sbtb in a 13-12 win. ~ el Presidente

Ball Busters vs. Wrecking Balls
With the cobwebs of last week cleared, I think the Wreckers return to their winning ways. ~ gmot
Wrecking Balls, but only if they're not as hung over as last Sunday. (Tom, after running to 1st base: BURRRP. Me, in the stands: EWW! Tom: ...at least I didn't throw up.) ~ Strawberry
another tough game for the Wreckers this week, but I see them bouncing back after a tough break tie to take down the Busters. ~ Handsome Tom
Other than week 1, busters have been solid each and every week. I don’t see them slipping this week. Ball Busters ~ el Presidente

Balls Deep vs. Balls of Fury
The Fury have tasted victory and they want more! But, not this week. ~ gmot
I'm likin' Balls Deep for this one... they're getting stronger every day! ~ Strawberry
Did Balls Deep have a hangover after celebrating their win over STL, I say that Balls of Fury take another surprise win. ~ Handsome Tom
Balls Deep is growing better each and every Sunday, but I have to take BoF. They may be 1-4, but their tough. ~ el Presidente

UniBalls vs. Kickelback
Uniballs rebound after a tough loss last week. ~ gmot
Gee whiz, I dunno. But I guess I can't vote against my own team... Kickelback. ~ Strawberry
Two teams that can't seem to figure out who they are, I literally flipped a coin on this one and I'm gonna go with the Uniballs. ~ Handsome Tom
Looks like kickelback has to fall on funniest team this year. But they leave the bar so early compared to last season… what? You mean who’s gonna win the game.. o Uniballs for sure. ~ el Presidente

Inglorious Ballstards vs. Fever
The Fever are the next team in line to try to hand the Maroons a loss. Prez. & Co. are confident but they may underestimate the Fever as many have. Fever wins. ~ gmot
The Ballstards are facing yet another team to make them sweat this week... I've got the Fever! ~ Strawberry
Even though I know the Ballstards are probably a better team, I'm gonna go with the Fever, just for funsies. ~ Handsome Tom
Quite don’t understand how the Ballstards are underdogs everyweek... o well, they’ll keep winning until they figure it out. Ballstards. ~ el Presidente

Flip Cup & Bar

2010-09-30T00:10:00.001-04:00

Anna Liffey's - 17 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511
~Not an option, The Bar is mandatory~

Flip-Cup Regular Season
Last Week Results:

Balls to the Wall - 5 Saved by the Balls – 1
Ballstards - 5 Wrecking Balls – 1
Mafia - 4 Kickelback - 5

(Make up Game) Hamden Mafia - 5 / Teabaggers - 2

Sweep the Leg / Uniballs - Make up Pending
Ball Busters / Blue Ballers - Make up Pending
Balls of Fury / Teabaggers - Make up Pending
Fever / Balls Deep - Make up Pending

Standings:
1. Balls to the Wall (4-0)(+14)
2. Ball Busters (3-1)(+12)
3. Hamden Mafia (3-1)(+10)
4. Teabaggers (3-1)(+7)
5. Sweep the Leg (2-0)(+8)
6. Inglorious Ballstards (2-2)(+1)
7. Kickelback (2-2)(-7)
8. Fever (1-1)(+1)
9. Blue Ballers (1-1)(+1)
10. UniBalls (1-1)(-2)
11. Wrecking Balls (0-2)(-9)
12. Saved by the balls (0-3)(-8)
13. Balls Deep (0-4)(-14)

the ghost man’s “Drink of the Week” ~
This week we cross the sound for a Long Island Iced Tea.
They're good, but they hurt later!

INGREDIENTS:
equal parts:
gin
rum
tequila
triple sec
vodka
1 1/2 parts sour mix (simple recipe follows)
Coca Cola (mainly for color)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Mix all ingredients in a glass.
2. Pour into a shaker with ice.
3. Shake a 2-3 times and pour back into glass.
4. Garnish with lemon slice (or wedge).
5. Drink.
6. Repeat - with caution!

Sour mix recipe:
Combine 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup water until sugar
is completely dissolved. Add 1 cup fresh lime juice &
1 cup fresh lemon juice. Refrigerate.

The Very Last Drop!

2010-09-30T00:00:00.002-04:00

A Tip for this weekend!
Kickball is slowly winding down, get out there and enjoy it… You’ll regret it later

Rules of the week:
1. Q: If the kicker slaps a pitched ball away with their hand, is that a Foul?
A: A deliberate Foul made with the hand or arm results in an OUT for the kicker.

2. Q: If a kicker/runner safely overruns first base, and the ball is then overthrown, how far may that kicker/runner advance?
A: Overrunning first base is NOT equivalent to “running toward” second base (see Rule 10.07b), and therefore the kicker/runner would be limited to second base. The kicker/runner is permitted to attempt an advance to third base only if the kicker/runner had started an active attempt to reach second base (see Rule 10.06) before the ball was overthrown.

3. Q: What kinds of Foul Balls can be caught for an Out? May runners tag up on such Outs?
A: All of them, except for when the ball touches a foreign object such as a batting cage or fence (13.02d). Other fouls, including kicks on or above the knee (13.02e), balls touched more than once by the kicker in the kicking box (13.02f), and balls kicked outside the kicking box (13.02g) MAY be caught for Outs, and runners may attempt to tag up and advance on them, provided the caught ball is not in the possession of the pitcher on the mound.

*4. Q: When the ball is returned to the pitcher on the mound, what determines whether a runner off base may attempt to advance or must return to their last occupied base? Is there a “halfway” rule?
A: There is not a “halfway” rule, nor any rule requiring that a runner be a certain distance from their next base in order to legally proceed. However, there is a requirement that in order to advance, the runner must be in “forward motion” at the time the pitcher receives the ball on the mound (15.01). Therefore, a runner who is running may keep running, but a runner who is stopped must go back. No longer may a runner pause a step off the base and attempt a late dash once the pitcher’s back is turned. Note that, as always, any subsequent attempted play that brings the ball off the mound or out of the pitcher’s possession WILL allow any runner to resume advancing at their own risk.

Weather Report:
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Partly Cloudy
High of 63, Low of 50
0% chance of Rain
Source: Weather channel

Announcements:
~Founders Cup 2010 is coming up: Columbus Day weekend. Book your reservations today
~In an effort to keep the park clean and recycle while raising money for charity, we will have plastic bags out at the fields. Please only place cans & bottles in these bags. No Trash!!!
~Remember, for New Haven Kickball, Pink is October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Birthday Shout-Outs:
Sara Thomas: UniBalls : September 27
Danielle Kravet: Inglorious Ballstards: October 1
Dave Diana: Saved by the Balls: October 4
Allie Malcom: Inglorious Ballstards: October 4
Emily Gogel: Saved by the Balls: October 6

Have a birthday coming up? Let us know. Find a board member or tell your team captain and we’ll make sure we get you in here!!!!

Final Thoughts
Just a reminder: Playoffs will start the Sunday after week 8. On playoff Sunday we will be having the 1st games start at about 12:00pm. If haven’t already done so, check out the playoff schedule and plan your day accordingly. Games will be running from 12pm till about 430ish (to battle daylight savings time). Seeding will be based on season record and nothing else. The following Sunday will be the final four games, championship game and All-Star game.

Pictures

Presidential Address

2010-09-23T01:30:00.003-04:00

My Fellow Kickballers:
We have reached the mid-way point for the season. Great times we've had so far but more to come I promise. We have the mid-season party this Saturday, (expected to be great) we have 4 more weeks of the regular season, the playoffs, and the end of season party. Just a couple of important announcements you need to be aware of.
*At the midseason we will only be having a beer pong tournament; we will be saving the flip cup for the end of season party. Beer Pong is first come, first serve! Registration is filling up fast, so sign up ASAP
* We all would like the punctuality of games to get a little better. Everyone is eager to get back to bar to watch the games and play flip cup so in order to so, lets be ready to play as soon as the game before yours is over. Please show up to your games at least 15-20mins beforehand so things can get moving fast. If you have to ref, please start the games at their scheduled times
*Field Clean-Up has been better, but we still can do an overall better job. We have no maids, so after your games are over please remove ALL clothing, trash, debris and any other evidence of you being there.
*With clean-up in mind, we currently have white trash bags to collect all cans, bottles, and any other things recyclable. In the coming weeks, to make it easier on you and the board… we will be the obvious blue recycle bins at the fields to place your items in. Remember, this is not trash … please be respectful and not lazy
* The Month of October is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”. To show awareness, we are asking all team captains and players if they can, to wear some article of pink clothing and/or accessories. This will be a great message to show that New Haven Kickball is not all about drinking.
Also in addiction to this, our Charity Chairperson, Robb, will be selling pink bracelets from now until the end of October. If Robb, from Fever, hasn't found you yet and tried to shake you down for at least $5.00, he will. Or you could seek him out. If you don't already know who he is, he's not hard to find; he's the loud guy with the scruffy beard and cowbells wearing a shade of green called forest.
*October 3, 2010 (week 6) will be IVY’s Cross Conference Challenge, sponsored by Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This weekend will match East vs. West for all teams by rank in your conference. You will have the #1 team in the East vs the #2 team in the West and so on & so on right down the list. The schedule for the conference challenge will be posted after this Sunday’s games. Please make sure you check the schedule Sunday night, Monday Morning for your time of game.
*Lastly, playoffs will start the Sunday after week 8. On playoff Sunday we will be having the 1st games start at about 12:00pm. If haven’t already done so, check out the playoff schedule and plan your day accordingly. Games will be running from 12pm till about 430ish (to battle daylight savings time). Seeding will be based on season record and nothing else. The following Sunday will be the final four games, championship game and All-Star game.

See you all this weekend as Saturday promises to be a blast.

Your President,
Kyle R. Settle
ksettle28@yahoo.com

Now a kind word from our Charity Chairperson:
As the charity chairperson for W.A.K.A.'s CT Ivy division, I am selling pink wristbands for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) with ALL money collected being donated directly to Susan G. Komen For The Cure. The wristbands cost $1.00 each or as much of a donation as you want to contribute. The bands come with one of four words imprinted on them: Faith, Hope, Strength, and Survivor. You can find me at the games on Sunday or at Anna Liffey's after...if I don't find you first!
Thank you,
Robb

the Ghost Man & Ghost Lady

2010-09-23T01:15:00.002-04:00

Hello Fall & Hello to those who like to kick big red bouncy balls,
IB at 4-0, WTF??? You know, people, El Presidente's ego grows by leaps and bounds with every out and every run scored. He may start referring to himself as "Your Hallowed Invincible Supreme Leader" if this goes on too much longer! It would appear that the Maroons have accepted that their shirts now have targets on them. What has become of the Sweepers lately...1-2-1? I personally think it's a ploy, a tactic; or perhaps some of the team is more focused on (the former glory-hounds)1stUCK's upcoming trip to the desert. And what about that Fever?! 3-0-1. Impressive. Perhaps they are just trying to keep up with the IB so they can get a rematch from last season's two ties, hoping to once and for all close that door and move on. This season has only been four games so far, and though some records look bleak, the standings could change with just one game. The Wreckers know this all too well and are not very pleased. It is, however, very difficult to determine if someone is really all that angry or just fooling around when sporting the league's cheesiest mustache. I'd be very wary of this team, for it is doubtful they ever leave a game in the hands of the judges again. We'll all just have to wait until Sunday to see who will prevail in the battle of The Pearl Necklace vs. The Mustache! (eewww, that's just plain wrong!); but this Saturday night is the Mid-Season party... and though every party has a pooper, don't let it be you!!!!
'Til next time, see you on the playing field!
~ The Ghost Man

“Kickball, oh kickball, gathering us together to share a beer.
Kickball oh kickball lets share 12 this Saturday!”

First thing to say about this week, is the guy from the gray team…with the cookies, phenomenal! Those cookies rocked my socks! Your mom may or may not be my new hero. Moving on…What the F is going on with the Ballstards? Now don’t get me wrong, I love them to death, but can someone beat them already?! Please Wrecking Balls…would you wreck them…please! And Blue Ballers…does your team ever plan on coming together as a whole unit at some point? This is turning into the Mooners playoffs all over again! Fever…who saw them coming? And BALLS DEEP BEATING SWEEP THE LEG!?!?!?! Wow. STL definitely needs to consider joining in on the Kickelback practices. Your welcome Balls Deep…yeah I know, scrimmaging one of the best helped you out. ;] BOF, TB, STB…you need to join hands with your team, maybe have a group hug, come together and start kicking some ass! No more of this no wins crap. There is no losing in kickball!
On a brighter, happier, less out of the ordinary, note…MID SEASON PARTY this Saturday. And I don’t know about you, but the 90’s? Most of my clothes are 90’s…how am I supposed to look any different? I even googled that shiznit…I tell you Ladies: leggins, jean everything, glitter everywhere…it’s the early 90’s style… Males: faded jeans, tight shirts, tipped hats, slicked hair. This is the best I have to offer you that are wondering what to do. I hope to see you all there in your 90’s best bright eyed and bushy tailed with your dancing, drinking, ponging and bidding, shoes on!
~gLot

Mid-Season Party 9/25

2010-09-23T01:00:00.001-04:00

Last Call, Last Call
Calling all Kickballers. The time has come to stop, drop, and roll on down to the CT IVY Mid-Season Party. You'll Regret it if you didn't......
Last Call Ladies and Gents, Last Call!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mid-Season Party
90’s Block Party Theme Party
September 25, 2010

Location: Kelly’s Restaurant; 196 Crown St., New Haven, CT
Time: 7pm till 2am
Cost: Free for Kickballers, $5 for Friends
What: 4 Free Kegs, Free Food (Wings, Chicken Marsalis, Vodka penne, etc.)
Don’t drink Beer? Ok, we also have Free well drinks (these are strictly only for league members that do not drink beer; please leave it for them. Vodka or Rum well drinks only, once the bottles are done cash bar)
And…… our very own live kickball DJ, “DJ Jura”, spinning the best current and 90’s tunes all night long

Charity: Life Haven; a temporary shelter that provides a safe and nurturing environment for homeless pregnant women and women with young children.http://www.lifehaven.org/
And to raise even more money than we did last season, we have some charity activities to achieve this mission

Raffle:
We’re going to be raffling off 3 different baskets full of absolute goodness……
Kickball basket / Alcohol Basket / Sex Basket
Tickets will be sold at the door and throughout the night

Charity Beer Pong Tournament:
Come prove your the best.........
2 player teams- $10 entry fee per team ($5/person) (16 teams)
Single Elimination
Tourney Rules:
`Teams of two
`10 cups on each side;
`No Elbows over the table
`Both teammates make their shot in a row, the team gets bonus shots
`No –“On Fire” rules
`Bounce the ball in = 2 cups
`Only two Racks allowed (only at the beginning of your turn to shoot)
`Shoot an air ball, minus a cup on your side until the final cup (exception being your shooting at 1 cup
`No “blowing the balls out” “fingering the balls out”
`20 Min time limit on games…… Time limit expires, team with less cups win
`If time expires and equal cups on both sides, next made cup wins pending rebuttal
`If both teammates make final cup, game over
`If 1 teammate makes cup, other team has chance for rebuttal.
`If sudden death overtime (1 teammate on each side makes final cup), 1 cup playoff; 1 shot per side

Winners of the charity tournament will receive prizes
Tournament will be run by board members Hannah LaPlante & Mike Pinto

Beer Pong tournament is pre-register. 1st Come, 1st Serve. Space is limited; 16 total teams. Tournament will start at 8:30pm sharp!!!! Upon entering the party, please pay your entry fee. All monies will be going to our Charity LIFEHaven, so don’t be cheap, you spend $$$ when you go out on a normal Saturday, so let’s make it help someone in need this time.
Pre-register at ksettle28@yahoo.com

Live Charity Auction:
And at last, we have the names revealed of the 4 lovely ladies and 4 handsome gentlemen that will be participating in our mid season charity auction. Here are the contestants:
Females:
Lindsey “strawberry” Voskowsky - Kickelback
Erica Pachlhofer – Wrecking Balls
Hannah LaPlante – Blue Ballers
Jillian Kellogg - Blue Ballers
Males:
Eric-Eddie Garcia – Blue Ballers
Jason Klein – Balls Deep
Anthony Fischetti – Wrecking Balls
Rich LaBlanc – Sweep the Leg

Stats will be revealed Saturday
Get your Money Ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All money will be donated once again to our Charity. For each participate, along with winning a date with that person…you will receive a gift certificate to take that person out
Auction will be hosted by Jillian Kellogg of the Board

We’re out to top last Seasons mid-season party. So come one, come all….

Word up from the Captains (captains corner & sunday recap)

2010-09-23T00:45:00.002-04:00

Last Week Recap:
Balls Deep - 5 Sweep the Leg – 4
Whoa….. upset alert, 6nil underdogs balls deep pulls off the upset of the season. Once again STL gets placed in their own bodybags
Fever - 5 Balls to the Wall – 4
Rock em’ sock em’ type of game. Both fighting for their kickball lives and in the end, Fever proved they are here for real.
Mafia - 6 Teabaggers – 0
Finally, teabaggers played like team in this one, too bad the score doesn’t show it… but they are coming together.
Blue Ballers - 2 Kickelback – 1
Closer than most what have expected, good game and maybe If Kickel had all their offseason signees there… this game could be a different story.
Ball Busters - 2 Saved by the Balls – 1
Even though a win, an upset as to how the last placed team was able to score and hold the mighty ball busters to a 2 runs…. Something fishy is going on here.
Ballstards - 4 Balls of Fury – 0
Ballstards played another hard as nails defensive game, earning their 3rd shut out on the season; However the BoF pitcher may have just earned some league wide recognition.
UniBalls - 6 Wrecking Balls - 5
Controversial ending to the game, but a good one nonetheless; definitely a top 5 game on the season.

*Game of the Week Report*
Brought to you by “Handsome Tom” from the CT Ivy Blog Team

Fever vs. Balls to the Wall
In a battle of the two of the most surprising teams of the start of the season, these two were ready to slug it out to see who will continue their hot start to the season.
Balls to the Wall came out kicking scoring a couple of quick runs to start off the game putting the pressure squarely on the shoulders of Fever. But just as soon as they scored, Balls to Wall were letting the Fever get back into the game one run at a time. Before they knew it, they were trailing the mighty Fever as their blend of solid defense with efficient offense started to wear Balls to the Wall down. With one last inning left to try and scrap back to win, Balls to the Wall came up just short as the Fever were able to hang on for another tough fought win.

Captains Corner
~True stories told by the captains themselves or team reps~

Ball Busters
Close call for the Ball Busters this week. Was it the hard night of drinking before? The missing players? A lack of respect for our opponent? Saved by the Balls half shirt pitching scare tactics? After all the flip cup it's a little too fuzzy to remember. All we know is it's another plus in the win column and we'll continue to do what it takes to win, even if that means just barely enough.

UniBalls
Like we always say "All you need is one" and this week it could not have been more true. After a fierce few innings it was a tie game. It came down to the last play where we were able to beat the out at home and bring in another W. This win is exactly what the Uni's needed to get back on track and were really looking forward to next week!

Balls to the Wall
There's not much to say about our game this weekend against Fever. Team commitment seems to be at an all-time low because with a roster of 22 we were only able to manage 10 people to put on the field. We also underestimated the power of the Fever and came in too cocky. I mean most of us didn't even have the will to go to the bar after the games this weekend. That is a first for BTTW and shows we haven't been ourselves. We're not making excuses, but things didn't look good from the jump for us this past weekend. The game of the week and a top-5 ranking seemed to come too soon for Balls to the Wall and hopefully these past 2 losses have put us in our place and made us hungry to come out against our "rivals" and former teammates "Saved by the Balls". With everything being said, we only walked out of last weekend with a 5-4 loss. Team management is confident that with our key personnel returning this week and time to regroup we'll turn this season around before it's too late. We're planning on starting things off right and upping team morale with a strong showing Saturday night and continuing that right through Sunday. See you this weekend with a new look and a new attitude.

Balls Deep
Way way back in June, there were lots of rumblings coming from certain former Balls Deep members about “starting a dream team like Lebron.” Apparently Balls Deep had too many weak links. From this idea, sweep the leg was formed. This new team consisted of former members of the ever popular pink team, as well as a collection of “free agents”. All summer, the whole kickball league has listened to sweep the leg brag about their collection of semi-pro athletes guys who can run 4.4 40’s.
After the last two weeks, it appears that they are in reality over hyped.
The game against Balls Deep went kinda like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pz5XTvFvrk
I really hope that the real Lebron dream team is better than sweep the leg has been thus far. For now, sweep the leg stays at grasshopper status.

Hamden Mafia
Week 3- Our First win of the season felt good! It only took forever for the game to start due to some sort of voodoo chant/ceremony that was held by IB before the game on field 1. The Mafia does not need such a chant or team stretches or cheers, they just do what they do.
After 2 close games the Mafia finally pulled through and took the Balls of Fury out right at the Knees. The Mafia scored 1 in the 2nd and 3 in the 4th. It must have been their secret “Spanish” weapon. Finally making it to her first game she ended up 2-2. Further proving the fact that the Mafia just doesn’t have ONE woman on the team. Speaking of women, the MVP award goes to Lisa for her catch at second base. Not only did she catch it but she caught it right on her chin! Yeah that’s right, she took a ball of fury to her chin. That out ended the inning, in which the Fury had 2 base runners. The best part, was when she tried to take the ball off the field like it was her trophy, and she was kindly asked to return it to the field of play. She also had a single in the game. The Mafia managed the win without our MVP from last year Jenny W. At the bar the Fury was once again a no show. But credit needs to be given to the Fury for drinking quite early at the kickball fields on Sunday afternoon. The Mafia did manage to make-up their flip cup match against the Blue Ballers. Winners 5-2! Enough said.
Week 4- Well I guess the Mafia found out why they are called the TeaBaggers. Even at the end of the game they said it themselves. “We just got Teabagged.” That’s pretty much what happened. Scoring 3 runs in the second and 3 runs in the 4th Inning. The game was played on the ginormous field #2 that was laid out on Sunday, helped the bunters bunt with ample room in front of the plate. The Mafia revealed a new pitcher with a swift right arm known as W George. He finished the last 3 innings with a stellar performance! The Mafia managed to score 3 runs in the 2nd and 3 in the 3rd. MVP award goes to Jimmy B. He had 3 RBI’s and went 1-2 at the plate! In other news, lefty JW was put on injured reserve, get better buddy! The Mafia did not make it to the bar this week, but was thankful for the kind words from a Teabagger after our week 3 game. When told that we would be playing that persons team the reply was “good win.” Thanks! Hope to see you next week on the flip cup table. FYI look out for the Hamden Mafia on the beer pong table Saturday night. Let’s go Huber. See you all at Kelly’s.

Balls of Fury
The winless Balls of Fury team took on El Presidente and his undefeated Inglorious Bastards. Despite still leaving with defeat, the BOF team played some of their best defensive ball of the season.......now if we could just score some runs, we might actually win a game. NYC Kickball Alum Mike C returned to the field on Sunday and caught a few deep balls. The pitching duo of Big Dave and Podzi handled their duties and there weren't too many bad spots in the game........but did I mention we didn't score!! Plus the BOF co captains actually got along this week. For having lost, we were feeling optimistic. Maybe it was our super sized pre game tailgate. Or Maybe it was the 5 year old son of our first baseman rumbling with that Inglorious Bastards heckler. Though Theresa did kind of take our boy down in that battle.
Having played a season and a half in the ultra competitive Ivy Division, the BOF might finally be ready to take their steps to some winning glory.

Hey, psst… BoF… tell everyone about how much you had at the bar…. What?!?! You’ve never been? Oh… sorry, never mind then…………..

Teabaggers
While the Teabaggers still haven't won a game, we are making significant progress defensively. At some point, our offense will click, and then watch out as everyone will be getting Teabagged. Our MVP for the game goes to April, who showed that all of the pop fly practice did pay off. While we haven't won at kickball yet, we are still undefeated at flipcup. Our reputation is proceeding us to the point where the Hamden Mafia wouldn't even show at Liffeys to play us. That's right Mafia, we're calling you out - you owe us a game of flipcup. Don't be late this Sunday.

Presidential Power Poll

2010-09-23T00:30:00.002-04:00

below are standard opinions and should not be confused with actual standings
the President’s top 5 teams thru week 4
1. (2) Inglorious Ballstards (4-0)
Who would have expected the Ballstards to be atop the polls going into the midseason party. Not only are they undefeated, but they have 3 shutouts in 4 games. Truly impressive, but their 1st defense of the #1 ranking is against #2…. O boy!!!!
2. (1) Wrecking Balls (3-1)
A tough controversial loss drops them from #1. A tough, tough game they played but in the end they left it up to the refs. This week they get redemption against the leagues #1 team. 1V2
3. (3) Ball Busters (3-1)
Ball Busters have been semi impressive for the 1st half of the season. They would be holding onto the #2 spot had they not looked so poor against the league’s worst team. This week should show their true colors.
4. (5) I got a Fever (3-0-1)
Fever’s 1st real test against a decent team earned a “W”. They move up one spot, but sooner or later the funk will hit the fan for this team.
5. (NR) UniBalls (2-1-1)
I guess the UniBalls only get up for the big games; with two wins on the season over impressive teams, they would be ranked higher had they not lost and tied to lesser opponents.
~ (last week rankings in italic parenthesizes)
*Just missing the top 5: Blue Ballers, Hamden Mafia

Schedule & Predictions

2010-09-23T00:15:00.004-04:00

Who plays Who?
Week 5 Schedule – September 26, 2010

Inglorious Ballstards vs Wrecking Balls @ Field 1 – 1:45
Umpire Duties: Ball Busters

UniBalls vs Sweep the Leg @ Field 1- 2:45
Balls Busters vs Blue Ballers @ Field 2 – 2:45
Umpire Duties: Inglorious Ballstards/ Wrecking Balls

Balls of Fury vs Teabaggers @ Field 1 – 3:30
Balls Deep vs Fever @ Field 2 – 3:30
Umpire Duties: Saved by the Balls/ Kickelback

Balls to the Wall vs Saved by the Balls @ Field 1 – 4:15
Hamden Mafia vs Kickelback @ Field 2 – 4:15
Umpire Duties: Fever/ Teabaggers

Field 1 is the little league baseball field
Field 2 is the corner of the football field, behind the baseball field

Game of the Week
[* Inglorious Ballstards vs. Wrecking Balls *] 1:45
Well…………… what a barn burner we have here!!!!!!!! #1 vs #2…… possibly the match-up of the season. Kickballers and groupies around have been waiting anxiously for this game; And Finally, it has arrived………….. and with so many story lines attached.
Wrecking Balls, are fresh off a heartbreaking loss to the UniBalls last week. Perhaps they were looking ahead to this game, but better believe they are fired up for this game. An early season favorite and a spring final four participant, wrecking balls want their spot back. They’ve believed all along they were the #1 team so far this season and it’s time to prove it. They have the spring season Catcher of the year Tom “papa” Fischetti at the helm guiding a strong defense and he’s looking to go back to back with catcher of the year with a championship.
O, but Lee Corso would say…. not so fast my friend! The catcher on the other side for the Ballstards isn’t too bad himself. Kelly Miller became famous by dominating the StL game a couple of weeks ago and he is staking his claim as the league’s best catcher. Him and the rest of the Ballstards come sprinting in with a 4-0 record complete with 3 shutouts (oouch!). They match up quite well with the Wreckers and are looking for revenge on a 9-2 loss last season. Along with Kelly, the Maroons have quite the cast of characters on their team, none more vocal then their captain pitcher.
Tempers have been flying since last season and anyway you slice it, these 2 teams are looking for a fight. As if the #1 ranking wasn’t on the line, but these teams also have something in common….the love interest of the wreckers all-star short stop and the maroons starting 1st basemen.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, these teams are match-up very well in everyway possible and as one has mentioned, we wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a 0-0 tie. Call this game what ever you want, Game of the Week, Battle of the defenses, Clash of the Catchers, the pearl necklace vs the Stash…….. Get out of bed after the midseason hangover, It’s gonna be a good one folks, so get you popcorn ready!!!!
1 vs 2……… who ya got??????

Game of the Week Predictions
Yet another epic match-up; The Prez. & Co. will bring their best. But in an attempt at validation, Green gets mean. Wrecking Balls win. ~ gmot
Wrecking balls will you PLEASE wreck that sh*t! ~ glot
Easily one of the headline games of the season, two talented teams with loads of expierence. With that said, I'm just going to be a homer and say the Wreckers bounce back and make things interesting. ~ Handsome Tom
OMG, can't wait for this game. WB's loss last week was surprising, but I think they can bounce back for this game..or can they?! I don’t know who is going to win this game. Wrecking Balls close ~ Strawberry
The Ballstards run is about to end...Wrecking Balls by 3. ~ Gio
Another game the Ballstards have been looking forward to since the schedule came out, unfortunately after the midseason party so…. Whoever is less hungover will win; I have the Ballstards. ~ el Presidente

And the rest of the
GMOT Kickball Predictions

Uniballs vs. Sweep the Leg
Uniballs looked very solid last week and I think the Sweepers are now the Sleepers (playoff comeback looms on the horizon). Uniballs with the win. ~ gmot
Well, with there record of losing and all, I can’t even believe I am going to say it.....Uniballs~ glot
Once thought to be a super team, the aura around Sweep the Leg has quickly faded. I like the Unis to build on their impressive win against the Wrecking Balls. ~ Handsome Tom
I don't quite know what to think about STL anymore. They are certainly not the dream team we all thought they were (though still quite dreamy) —I think Uniballs will take this one! ~ Strawberry
Sweep the Leg continues to spiral to the league basement after a devasting loss to Balls Deep. I have Uni’s ~ Gio
Really depends which team shows up for both. If they both bring their “A” game, I see STL getting back on the horse with a ‘W’. ~ el Presidente

Balls Busters vs. Blue Ballers
Busters only 2-1 over Saved last week...did they take it easy or have Saved improved that much? I think Ball Busters come on strong this week and beat the 'Ballers blue. ~ gmot
This should be the game of the week, blue against blue. Ballers will come together for win. ~ glot
Old school vs new school. The Busters seem to be coming into this game with a ton of confidence...and I see them taking this to show why they are to reckon with. ~ Handsome Tom
Both of these teams aren't as scary as I've imagined them to be, should be a pretty even game, but I think the Ballers will squeeze out a win. ~ Strawberry
Ball Busters shake off the rust from missing a season to take down the Blue Ballers. ~ Gio
Would love to see Ballers play up to their potential, but in the end I don’t think they have what it takes; Ball Busters by 2. ~ el Presidente

Balls of Fury vs. Teabaggers
Somebody WILL win this game! One team will come away with a mark in the victory column. Who wants it more? Fury does. Fury wins. (This better not end in a tie!) ~ gmot
Fury…for their first well deserved win! ~ glot
Someone's gotta win right? Ill take Balls of Fury to finally break the duck. ~ Handsome Tom
BOF put up a nice fight on Sunday and will most likely slaughter the Teabaggers. ~ Strawberry
Teabaggers are improving, but not enough to get their first W. ~ Gio
Balls of Fury finally gets some relief. They should win unless teabaggers pick it up then we have a problem bof. In the end the Furians win by 3. ~ el Presidente

Balls Deep vs. Fever
This one is going to be good, but the Fever climbs another degree higher. ~ gmot
Even with their great win last week, I still have Fever’s record knocking them out…Fever for the win. ~ glot
The Fever keep on proving people wrong, although Balls Deep were able to exercise some demons last week...I believe in the Fever. ~ Handsome Tom
This should be an awesome game, but I'm not sure Balls Deeps' momentum from their awesome victory over STL will hold up... I've got Fever. ~ Strawberry
Balls Deep has just the medicine to eliminate the Fever on site. ~ Gio
After the past 2 weeks, balls deep looks to have used some old mojo to get the juices rolling. I say close but the Fever look focused this season; Fever by 1 ~ el Presidente

Balls to the Wall vs. Saved by the Balls
Saved will not get through, nor climb over the Wall. Though, beware Wall, last week Saved employed what could only be described as Visual/Psychological Warfare. You'll see what I mean. ~ gmot
Balls to the Wall win this one to make up for last weeks loss. ~ glot
Balls to the Wall bounces back after a tough loss~ Handsome Tom.
Balls to the Wall wins. ~ Strawberry
Balls to the Wall win big after two tough weeks. ~ Gio
So were ALL ON balls to the Wall huh, me too; Ball to the Wall wins big ~ el Presidente

Hamden Mafia vs. Kickelback
The Mafia will take control and Kickel ends up their latest victim. ~ gmot
Kickelback comes back this week for a win. ;] Go Orange! ~ glot
The new kids on the block keep on impressing, as much as I love Kickelback, I'm not sure which team will show up. Ill take Kickelback this time, but I won't be surprised if the Mafia pulls it off. ~ Handsome Tom
Unfortunately, this could be anyone's game, but I'm leaning toward K-back. ~ Strawberry
Hamden Mafia puts a hit out on Kickelback. ~ Gio
Both teams are middle of the road type of teams and it should be quite close, however in the end Kickel doesn’t have the fire power needed; I have Mafia to continue to fly under the radar. ~ el Presidente

Flip Cup & Bar

2010-09-23T00:05:00.002-04:00

Anna Liffey's - 17 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511
~Not an option, The Bar is mandatory~
Flip Cup and the Football Games

Flip-Cup Regular Season
Last Week Results:
Balls Deep - 1 Sweep the Leg – 5
Blue Ballers - 4 Kickelback – 1
Ball Busters - 5 Saved by the Balls – 0

(Makeup Game) Sweep the Leg -5/ Ballstards - 1
(Makeup Game) Ball Busters -5/ UniBalls - 0

UniBalls / Wrecking Balls - Make up Pending
Mafia / Teabaggers – Make up Pending
Ballstards / Balls of Fury - Make up pending
Fever / Balls to the Wall - Make up Pending

Standings:
1. Balls to the Wall (3-0)(+10)
2. Teabaggers (3-0)(+10)
3. Ball Busters (3-1)(+12)
4. Hamden Mafia (2-0)(+8)
5. Sweep the Leg (2-0)(+8)
6. Fever (1-1)(+1)
7. Blue Ballers (1-1)(+1)
8. UniBalls (1-1)(-2)
9. Inglorious Ballstards (1-2)(-3)
10. Kickelback (1-2)(-8)
11. Wrecking Balls (0-1)(-5)
12. Saved by the balls (0-2)(-4)
13. Balls Deep (0-4)(-14)

the ghost man’s “Drink of the Week” ~
One for the Ladies: the perfect Cosmopolitan
(If I ever saw a guy drinking one, Man-card revoked!)
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Cointreau (though some use Triple Sec)
1 oz. cranberry juice
1 oz. lime juice
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Shake ingredients well with cracked ice (frozen water, remember?)
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Drink.
4. Repeat.

Hurry up so I can drink............

2010-09-23T00:00:00.005-04:00

A Tip for this weekend!
PARTY, PARTY, PARTY……. And then drink some Gatorade and eat some soup in the am because your probably be hung-over

Rules of the week:
1. Q: Overthrows – if a fielder tries to catch a kicked ball but fails, deflecting the ball into foul territory, is that an “overthrow” that restricts the runners?
A: No – Rule 10.07a defines an overthrow as “a ball thrown, kicked, or deflected into foul territory while making a defensive play toward a player or base;” – therefore a misplayed catch of a ball directly off the kicker’s foot does not qualify, since it is not a defensive play towards a player or base. Similarly, an attempted defensive play that sails into center field does not restrict the runners either, since the ball has not entered foul territory

2. Q: If the ball touches the base to which a runner is forced, is the runner out?
A: No - for a force-out to be recorded, the ball must be in the control of a fielder who is touching the base.

3. Q: When the ball is returned to the pitcher on the mound, what determines whether a runner off base may attempt to advance or must return to their last occupied base? Is there a “halfway” rule?
A: There is not a “halfway” rule, nor any rule requiring that a runner be a certain distance from their next base in order to legally proceed. However, there is a requirement that in order to advance, the runner must be in “forward motion” at the time the pitcher receives the ball on the mound (15.01). Therefore, a runner who is running may keep running, but a runner who is stopped must go back. No longer may a runner pause a step off the base and attempt a late dash once the pitcher’s back is turned. Note that, as always, any subsequent attempted play that brings the ball off the mound or out of the pitcher’s possession WILL allow any runner to resume advancing at their own risk.

Weather Report:
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Partly Cloudy
High of 69, Low of 56
10% chance of Rain
Source: Weather channel

Announcements:
~Founders Cup 2010 is coming up: Columbus Day weekend. Book your reservations today
~In an effort to keep the park clean and recycle while raising money for charity, we will have plastic bags out at the fields. Please only place cans & bottles in these bags. No Trash!!!
~Remember, for New Haven Kickball, Pink is October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Birthday Shout-Outs:

Have a birthday coming up? Let us know. Find a board member or tell your team captain and we’ll make sure we get you in here!!!!

Final Thoughts
With the Mid-season here, we are have about 2 quarters left of the season. 4 weeks of regular season and playoffs with the end of season. Conference wise, things look to be even. 4 weeks in and both conferences have 2 wins and 2 losses over the other. If you haven’t come out to be social, do so immediately; before you know it Fall season will be over and you’ll have to sit through Winter and wonder why and what if…. Don’t let that person be you….. See you Saturday

Anonymous Quotes
“icing wasnt around in the 90's, sooo am i safe from smirnoff????”

“RIP STL, 2010-2010…with love from Balls Deep and Ballstards”

“I have $150 ready to bid on someone Saturday”

“considering bidding on everybody at the kickball live date auction and then starting his own dating-based reality TV show.”

Pictures

the Ghost Man & Ghost Lady

2010-09-16T01:30:00.002-04:00

Hola, Kickballers!

Last Sunday's games certainly proved to be interesting and quite entertaining. There were some very good games, some close games, some games that were closer than the score showed, and of course, there were some "epic fail" games. We had it all this week. We had a schedule of three potential "games of the week." One team tried real hard and gave it their best while missing a few key players. One team came damn close but then got blown out in the last inning. And then there was that other one. I'll bet that both teams saw going quite differently in their minds; one in the beginning and one in the end. I'll bet that STL were quite confident and had visions of body bags dancing in their heads. That would explain the headstone that they thought they were going to put on the mound at the end of the game to signify the end of the Maroon Army. Then there's the way the whole thing began: with some chanting that couldn't be understood and some music that couldn't be heard and running through a banner that couldn't be read. I'm sure they all had grand images of a college football playoff game entrance, but alas, it was not to be so. I'm fairly sure that STL were not as intimidated as the IB had hoped. One comment overheard was that their entrance was proof positive that there is no such thing as adult kickball! It proved that we're all just a bunch of fifth graders that have reached the legal drinking age...and we wouldn't have it any other way! Why else would we subject ourselves to the heat, the mud, the rain, the cold, and the ridicule of those who just don't get it? Personally, I think those who don't get why we do this were the ones who were always picked last in elementary school and they've never quite gotten over it. To them I always say, "Join us. Show up and watch a game or two and see what it's all about." Once they get bitten by the kickball bug, then they, too, can start tie-dying their shirts, socks, and undergarments; they can make up banners, and silly chants, and stretching routines; they can ring cowbells and make cd's full of walk-up music; they can play flip-cup and beer pong; and then, if they are lucky, they will have the opportunity to experience a first base 'teabagging!' 'Til next time, see you on the playing fields!
~ The Ghost Man

“Kickball, oh kickball, what do you do when your team screws you over?
Kickball, oh kickball, you bench their ass the next game!”

The highlight of this past week had to be the awesome banner done by the Ballstards…or the Jason mask worn by Dom of the Ballstards…or the signs at Liffy’s posted by Dan of Balls Deep…or the brutal beatings Kickelback, Fever, Mafia and Ballbusters laid down…or Balls Deep tying Uniballs? (what)...Blue Ballers and Sweep the Leg losing….? What is going on here! Kickball is becoming a circus of booze, arts and crafts, Jason impersonations, hot black men, puppies, dirt, sweat and teams winning that really shouldn’t * cough * Wrecking Balls. What can we expect for this upcoming week? Will Liffy’s have the same amazing turn out? Will people remember to recycle cans and bottles at the field? (Yes! That is why there are bags there! Not for trash!) Who will win? Who will lose? Who will be replaced on the field multiple times? Whose sunglasses won’t help them? Who will show up late to ref? Whose team may or may not show up in its entirety? Who will have Jeromy pitch for their team? (Where did that even come from Wrecking Balls?) It is all a mystery when it comes to kickball, and that is the joy of it all…always keeps you wanting more. Till next time fellow Kickballers, have a safe and joyous week full of happiness, booze and hot black men…I mean, awesome men…. I mean people. – (uhh, I’m in trouble)
~your glot

Mid-Season Party

2010-09-16T01:15:00.004-04:00

Detail by detail fine scoop on the mid season party next Saturday. That’s right next Saturday!!!! You got plans??? Cancel that ish………… Who wants to miss possibly the party to set off Fall 2010. Come on, as good as Summer 2010 was, who doesn’t want a sequel?

Mid-Season Party
90’s Block Party Theme
September 25, 2010

Location: Kelly’s Restaurant; 196 Crown St., New Haven, CT
Time: 7pm till 2am
Cost: Free for Kickballers, $5 for Friends
What: 4 Free Kegs, Free Food (Wings, Chicken Marsala, Vodka Penne, etc.)
Don’t drink Beer? Ok, we also have Free well drinks (these are strictly only for league members that do not drink beer; please leave it for them. Vodka or Rum well drinks only, once the bottles are done cash bar)
And…… our very own live kickball DJ, “DJ Jura”, spinning the best current and 90’s tunes all night long.
Dress in your favorite old school 90's gear and enjoy the good ol'days.....

Charity: Once again, we will gladly be sponsoring Life Haven as our charity; a temporary shelter that provides a safe and nurturing environment for homeless pregnant women and women with young children.http://www.lifehaven.org/

And to raise even more money than we did last season, we have some charity activities to achieve this mission

Charity Beer Pong Tournament:
2 player teams- $10 entry fee per team ($5/person) (16 teams)
Single Elimination
Tourney Rules:
`Teams of two
`10 cups on each side;
`No Elbows over the table
`Both teammates make their shot in a row, the team gets bonus shots
`No –“On Fire” rules
`Bounce the ball in = 2 cups(other team is allowed to defend with their hands before it gets to the cup)(However, all cups knocked down in the process will be removed)
`Only two Racks allowed (only at the beginning of your turn to shoot)
`Shoot an air ball, minus a cup on your side until the final cup (exception being your shooting at 1 cup)
`No “blowing the balls out” “fingering the balls out”
`20 Min time limit on games…… Time limit expires, team with less cups win
`If time expires and equal cups on both sides, next made cup wins pending rebuttal
`If both teammates make final cup, game over
`If 1 teammate makes cup, other team has chance for rebuttal.
`If sudden death overtime (1 teammate on each side makes final cup), 1 cup playoff; 1 shot per side

Winners of the charity tournament will receive prizes
Tournament will be run by board members Hannah LaPlante & Mike Pinto
All other disputes that come up during the tournament will be settled by them

Beer Pong tournament is pre-register. 1st Come, 1st Serve. Space is limited; 16 total teams. Tournament will start at 8:30pm sharp!!!! Upon entering the party, please pay your entry fee. All monies will be going to our Charity LIFEHaven, so don’t be cheap, you spend $$$ when you go out on a normal Saturday, so let’s make it help someone in need this time.
Questions and Pre-register at ksettle28@yahoo.com

Live Date Auction for Charity:
We have 4 lovely ladies and 4 handsome gentlemen that will be participating in our mid season charity auction. (Names will be revealed next week) All money will be donated once again to our Charity. For each participate, along with winning a date with that person… you will receive a gift certificate to take that person out.
So, that sexy girl you been watching from a far…. Or that hot guy that you’ve tried not to get caught staring at; now is your chance to bid on them for a date. Once again, this date auction will be supporting our charity, Life Haven; and will be held right after the conclusion of the Beer Pong Tourney
Auction will be hosted by Jillian Kellogg of the Board

Raffle:
We’re going to be raffling off 3 different baskets full of absolute goodness……
Kickball basket / Alcohol Basket / Sex Basket
And before you ask, No… The sex basket does not come with coupons for free sex with random kickballers, an outline of numbers for prostitutes and/or escorts, or any other sick freak McNasty things your mind (and mine) can think of.
Tickets will be sold at the door and throughout the night.

We’re out to top last Seasons mid-season party. So come one, come all….
September 25, 2010 - 7:00pm - Kelly's Restaurant, Downtown New Haven
Sponsored by the good folk of the CT Ivy Division EBoard

Word up from the Captains (captains corner & sunday recap)

2010-09-16T01:00:00.005-04:00

Last Week Recap
TeaBaggers - 2 Kickelback - 14
There was a time when kickelback were the teabaggers; Keep ya head up teabaggers, sooner or later things will click
Balls to the Wall - 3 Ball Busters - 10
A prove it to me game by both parties turned a little for the worse. Busters jumped on them from start and never let up
Wrecking Balls - 3 Blue Ballers - 0
With about 6 or 7 starters out for the Blue Ballers (league investigation for contact with agents) this came in as a not so hot “GOW”… even though, the ballers held still (after the 1st) for 4 innings with no runs….hmmmm
Sweep the Leg - 3 Inglorious Ballstards - 5
The game just about lived up to all the hype; a tough, intense game with the Ballstards coming away with the big win. Some would say an upset, but don’t tell them that.
UniBalls - 2 Balls Deep - 2
In what could be the shocker of the day, BD tied the one time #1 team. Maybe that opening day win for the Uni’s against Ball Busters was a fluke or.. balls deep is on the comeup
Hamden Mafia - 4 Balls of Fury - 0
Strong showing after the tough loss last week; too bad we can’t say anything nice about BoF though.
Saved by the Balls - 0 Fever - 5
Fever sharpened up their skills against the new look Saved by the balls. Bedazzled, and tie dyed… too bad it didn’t help on the field

*Game of the Week Report*
brought you by “Handsome Tom” from the CT Ivy Blog Team

Wrecking Balls vs. Blue Ballers
Number 1 vs. Number 2. Two of the leagues most talented teams along with two of the loudest junk talkers, this game add the makings of a classic. Yet like most things that look great on paper, reality always seems to get in the way. With as many missing players as excuses, the Blue Ballers offense was stymied by the defense of the Wrecking Balls all game, with a runner failing to even advance past second base. All the Wrecking Balls had to do was score 3 quick runs in the bottom of the first and the game was almost over before it started.

Inglorious Ballstards vs. Sweep the Leg
For the second half of our game of the week, this game certainly lived up the hype. Trash talking, pre game chants, running through banners, Friday the 13th masks, heckling fans with a tailgating atmosphere, and all this was before a ball was kicked.
As for the game, these teams showed why they are going to be tough outs for the rest of the season let alone the playoffs. Great defense and stellar offense abound, the game was back and forth between the first couple of innings. Then mental mistakes on the behalf of STL began to creep on them and slowly but surely the Ballstards started to pull away. One final push to even up the game was stopped by the games best player by far, Kelly of the Ballstards. He single handily recorded all 3 of the finals out to seal up not only the game of the week, but the game of the season.

Captains Corner
~True stories told by the captains themselves or team reps~

Inglorious Ballstards
Shhhh….. Can you hear that? It's the sound of the Inglorious Ballstards finally wrapping up their celebration of the cross-divisional victory over rival and often high praised Sweep the Leg! It was them that were put into their own body bags. What led to our victory? Was it the fabulous banner the Ballstards ran through? (Thanks Kickleback) Or was it hockey-masked Dom dance through the field gates? Could it be the pre-game chant and pep talk led by our captains, maybe, it was our superb fielding skills that held STL scoreless for the last three innings? Or perhaps it was a “mole” working for us on STL. The game started with a quick 1-2-3 out as the ballstards defense was crisp. And quickly jumped to a 2-0 lead. Before they knew it, STL realized we were no pushovers and we demanded respect. STL answered in the 2nd with 3 runs, 2 on an error and that was the last time STL crossed the plate again for the day. Ballstards scored 3 more runs in the 3rd and the defense held through. MVP goes to Kelly for superb defensive play along with the rest of the team who all stepped up really big. All in all a great, great game and the Maroon Army celebrated and partied all night long. We wonder though, what will the critics say about us now?

Sweep the Leg
Insert: Rocky training montage...
See: Apollo Creed, Ivan Drago, Mr. T....... Pray for: Balls Deep!!!
You should have let sleeping dogs lie. Now there is going to be a rabid dog come the rest of the season & playoffs; and we raping everybody out here! Hide your kids! Hide your wife! That includes you Mr. Settle, Mr.President. MVP goes to our Pitcher, Nicole. Sorry we let you down in the field.

Wrecking Balls
Two of the leagues most talented teams (well I think so) along with two of the loudest junk talkers, this game add the makings of a classic. Yet like most things that look great on paper, reality always seems to get in the way. With as many missing players as excuses, the Blue Ballers offense was stymied by the defense of the Wrecking Balls all game, with a runner failing to even advance past second base. All the Wrecking Balls had to do was score 3 quick runs in the bottom of the first and the game was almost over before it started. The MVP will have to be the one and only Rick "Gunz" Straube for cutting off the sleeves on his kickball shirt and proving his nickname to be true.

Blue Ballers
What can I really say that I haven't already yelled, texted, IMed and commented? This was a loss that was NOT supposed to happen. Overall, we are two fairly matched teams. After losing the rock-paper-scissors, I knew it was going to be a rough game. Everyone played a great game in their NEW positions....well, some better than others. Billy really kept this team in check with two pop-up catches in a row, and Dave came through as a solid pitcher. This probably was the shortest kickball game ever played, ending in a little over 25 minutes...which just proves that WHEN not IF but WHEN we play Wrecking Balls again, they are going DOWN! I really do hope that we get to play this team again, full team against full team...I mean just look at how awesome we did with 6 of our starters missing, two brand-new players, all new positions and a brand new kicking order! Bring it Green Team. =]

Saved by the Balls
“As the menacing, now half psychadelic tie-dye, half gray SBTB took the field, there was a feeling in the air that Sunday was the day that SBTB would no doubt impress everyone present, even though they were predicted as the underdogs for the match. That feeling could not be more correct. The first inning started with the bases being loaded and a grandslam kick by "the Natural" Eric B into the field lights quickly put Saved by the Balls up 4-0. Shabbott also showed his finesse on the mound as well, pitching five 1-2-3 innings. That's right, Fever quickly sent up fifteen kickers, only to send them right back to the sidelines with astounding KOs and diving catches by left fielder and game MVP Matt "Brosef" B. The superb fielding of the rookie Saved by the Balls and ferocious mascot "Underdog" Leonard has now certainly struck fear into the hearts of all members of the CT Ivy division, and their 14-0 victory with key RBIs from "Secret Weapon" Kristi-E and Kathy "the Dominator" K surely places them among the highest ranks within the league currently. And to cap off a great victory, the CT Ivy's comeback-kids Saved by the Balls stomped their opponents further in flip cup, performing the much revered 5-0 sweep."
And then I woke up Monday morning with a giant headache only to be reminded that we had lost in both kickball and flipcup but an EPIC time was had by all at our local favorite establishment.; The Lif
But have no fear One of these days Ivy, one of these days....

Kickelback
KICK.EL.BACK! Boy did we have a fun and great game on Sunday. Chad Kroeger would be proud. MVP = the whole team! Pretty much everyone made 1 full rotation around the bases and our fielding was solid. Flip cup, however, was another story. We were slaughtered by the Teabaggers. Perhaps instead of having multiple kickball practices per week, we should start having drinking and flipping practices. Oy! How embarrassing. But I guess the Teabaggers have to excel somewhere this season. Terrible drinking skills aside, I'm feeling confident in Kickelback's performance this season and look forward to more wins!

I got a Fever
This Fever's at about 102 and getting hotter! As mama always says, "Take your vitamins, drink plenty of fluids, and get lots of rest." This Fever is sticking around for a while. After posting our first shutout of the season our MVP is...the entire defense! Honorable mention goes to Melanie for 2 hits, 2 runs scored and to Robb for his "AARP Play of the Game" which was a sneaky double that somehow scored a run. Also of note - 9 different players scored or kicked in a run. Talk about balanced offense! While we haven't thrown up huge numbers, we are consistent and we definitely have staying power. As a courtesy, we have provided a Dr.'s note for all you other teams (feel free to copy, paste, print, and use as necessary):

Dear Boss,
Please excuse (your name here) from work on Monday
because he/she got a Fever and it kicked his/her Ass!
Sincerely,
The Doctor

UniBalls (Bonus)
The Uniballers walked off the field wanting more after the 2-2 tie. I can only think of a few things that are less satisfying than playing a great game and ending with a tie. Our ladies brought our A game and dominated with some great defensive catches by Abby and Lydia and some risky and speedy base running by Sara. After a quick post game pow-wow we showed up at the flip cup table with pure determination, where once again the ladies dominated and we stumbled home after a most satisfying shut out.

Kickball Video Interviews

2010-09-16T00:55:00.001-04:00

GOW Interviews

A Prediction by the Wrecking Balls

- Wrecking Balls player predicts a win by 10 runs!

- Are there any opposing players that they fear?

- Can they back up this talk?

Blue Ballers Response to the GOW

- How does the team captain feel about the Wrecking Balls Bold prediction?

- Is this the start of a new heated rivalry?

Aftergame Press Conference With the Ballstards

- How they felt about what seemed to be an upset win over STL?

- How did they pull off the victory?

- What is next for the Ballstards?

Presidential Power Poll

2010-09-16T00:45:00.004-04:00

below are standard opinions and should not be confused with actual standings
the President’s top 5 teams thru week 3
1. (1) Wrecking Balls (3-0)
The wreckers successfully defended their #1 ranking against the Blue Ballers and completed the mission with a shutout
2. (3) Inglorious Ballstards (3-0)
Pulled off a huge win last week with an impressive performance against the smurfs; one can only wonder though, have the hunters become the hunted?
3. (NR) Ball Busters (2-1)
The Carolina blue killers make return to the top 5 with an impressive win against a decent balls to the wall team. Everything seems to be golden so far with smooth sailing until week 5 & 6
4. (2) Blue Ballers (1-1-1)
Yea, they lost last week, but they did so with about 6 or 7 starters missing; And only managed to lose 3-0. Pretty admiralably if I say so… but beware, they are headed towards a road they don’t want to travel
5. (NR) I got a Fever (2-0-1)
Fever makes the top 5 despite the fact that their only competition was Sweep the Leg. Still impressive that they tied them, but Fever will get a chance to prove themselves this week in the *GOW*
~ (last week rankings in italic parenthesizes)
*Just missing the top 5: Sweep the Leg, Balls to the Wall

Schedule & Predictions

2010-09-16T00:30:00.002-04:00

Who plays Who?
Week 4 Schedule – September 19, 2010

Balls Deep vs. Sweep the Leg @ Field 1 – 1:45
Umpire Duties: Teabaggers

Fever vs. Balls to the Wall @ Field 1- 2:45
Hamden Mafia vs. TeaBaggers @ Field 2 – 2:45
Umpire Duties: Balls Deep/ Sweep the Leg

Kickelback vs. Blue Ballers @ Field 1 – 3:30
Ball Busters vs. Saved by the Balls @ Field 2 – 3:30
Umpire Duties: Balls to the Wall/ Hamden Mafia

Inglorious Ballstards vs. Balls of Fury @ Field 1 – 4:15
UniBalls vs. Wrecking Balls @ Field 2 – 4:15
Umpire Duties: Blue Ballers/ Saved by the Balls

Field 1 is the little league baseball field
Field 2 is the corner of the football field, behind the baseball field

Game of the Week
[*Fever vs. Balls to the Wall*] 2:45
This is a game where both teams have a lot to prove themselves and the rest of the league. Conference Foes and a rematch of that epic top 5 game of the season last spring.
Fever come in with an decent 2-0-1 record; And what makes it a decent record and not an impressive record is the quality of wins they have. Wins against teams with a combined record of 0-6 and an eye opening impressive tie against the high praised STL. Sooner or later everyone is going to ask, “what have you done for me lately?” They have the talent though to hang with the best of them. All-Pro’s Melanie Raubeson and Matt Lascelle along with all-star Steve Watson… they may have played the “bottom dwellers” so far but this team scare some people
Balls to the Wall come into this game after a devastating loss to the high powered veteran team of Ball Busters. High on their horse after a win over the #1 rank uniballs, they need another morale boaster. Captain Mike Pinto recruited some great rookies to sure up that outfield and for the most part has worked. They still have some of the most athletic girls in the league and when all else fails, this team can still drink you under the table… This game will show are they for real or just pretenders.
Let’s Get it ON!!!!!!!!

Game of the Week Predictions
This one should be very close. Fever climbs higher. ~ gmot
This should be a good game...but I have Fever taking home the victory. ~ gLot
Fever is a favorite of mine this season. They're gonna make those Balls sweat.; Fever. ~ Strawberry
Two of the more surprising teams in the league in the first month of the season, but it looks like Balls to the Wall were found out last week. I like the Fever to keep it going. ~ Handsome Tom
Balls to the Wall take this one in a very close matchup. ~Video Gio
Man, it couldn’t be two closer opponents than these two this week. I know how dangerous Fever can be but when you feel desperate like b2w does, results happen; Balls to the Wall ~ el Presidente

And the rest of the
GMOT Kickball Predictions

Balls Deep vs. Sweep the Leg
STL bounces back and goes deep. ~ gmot
Sweep the Leg sweeps back after last week; STL ~ gLot
BD may have finally played a good game on Sunday against Uniballs, but I don't know if they'll continue the trend—STL will win. ~ Strawberry
Balls Deep proved a lot of us here wrong at the blog with a surprising tie of Uniballs last week, and despite a wondeful amount of bar propoganda, they fall short to STL on their post loss hangover. ~ Handsome Tom
Balls Deep pulls the upset to put STL on a downward spiral to the league basement. ~Video Gio
This is another game circled on the Calendar by Kharim. Balls Deep may be growing as a team and getting better, but I see Mercy for this one. I have STL. ~ el Presidente

Hamden Mafia vs TeaBaggers
The 'Baggers go down. Again. But win big at flip cup. Again. ~ gmot
Black team for another easy win. ~ gLot
Love the grayscale matchup! The Mafia has this one. ~ Strawberry
There's no doubting the Baggers are a ton of fun and are just happy to be here, but the Mafia should have no trouble here. ~ Handsome Tom
The mafia puts out a hit on the Teabaggers and runs up the score in a blowout. ~Video Gio
Teabaggers may focus is to out drink you and teabag you at 1st base. Anything else is not in their vocab; Mafia win here ~ el Presidente

Kickelback vs. Blue Ballers
Another tough call; both evenly matched. Kickelback wins. ~ gmot
Well, SUPPOSEDLY Ballers are planning to show up this week...so I'll have them for the win. ~ gLot
This is going to be a very tough game for Kickelback, but we may have a chance here; KICK.EL.BACK! ~ Strawberry
Another interesting matchup, the Ballers looking to rebound from a tough loss and Kickelback looking to keep their strong start going, I'm going with my heart and saying Kickelback pulls off the upset. ~ Handsome Tom
Blue Ballers avenge their last loss and send Kickelback home. ~Video Gio
The improved Kickelback go up against an upset balers team. Had a Ballers not lost last week, I would pick kickel, but I have to go the other way; Blue Ballers here ~ el Presidente

Ball Busters vs. Saved by the Balls
Saved gets Busted, big time.; I have Ball Busters ~ gmot
Busters have this one. ~ gLot
Ball Busters have this one in the bag. ~ Strawberry
The Busters have seemed to shake off the rust from taking a season off and are starting to show why they are the two time defending champs, I see their roll continuing. ~ Handsome Tom
High scoring game, but only for the Ball Busters. Look for a lop-sided win. ~Video Gio
Umm, do I have to pick here? Hopefully Busters take it easy on them ~ el Presidente

Inglorious Ballstards vs. Balls of Fury
Sorry, Fury. Not this week either.; Ballstards ~ gmot
(sigh) Ballstards again....those damn ballstards ~ gLot
Inglorious Ballstards played a very good game on Sunday and will continue their streak ~ Strawberry
Poor Balls of Fury, easily having the hardest starting 4 games by a long shot. They are much better then their record, but its hard to see them stopping the rampaging Ballstards. ~ Handsome Tom
Ballstards continue to roll toward league dominance. ~Video Gio
Ballstards are not used to being favored, but they have worked hard for it. Hopefully they’re not still on cloud 9 from last week; I have the Ballstards. ~ el Presidente

UniBalls vs. Wrecking Balls
Wreckers keep it going. 4-0. ~ gmot
I'll give it to Wrecking Balls this time. ~ gLot
Wrecking Balls will also continue their all-win steak! ~ Strawberry
Yet another old school matchup, with the Wreckers exercising their ghosts of the past by finally beating the Uni’s last season. The game will be close, but the Wrecking Balls keep their impressive early season form going. ~ Handsome Tom
Wrecking Balls are too much for the Uniballs and win by 5. ~Video Gio
Tough one here, Uni’s should be playing better but they are not. They should be able to sneak one in on the wreckers due to the potential 1vs2 game next week but The Wrecking balls are too strong; Wreckers close. ~ el Presidente

Flip Cup & Bar

2010-09-16T00:15:00.003-04:00

Anna Liffey's - 17 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511
~Not an option, The Bar is mandatory~
It’s Football season so wings are so cheap, it may just be illegal.

Flip-Cup Regular Season
Last Week Results:
TeaBaggers - 5 Kickelback - 0
Balls to the Wall - 5 Ball Busters - 4
UniBalls - 5 Balls Deep - 2
Saved by the Balls - 3 Fever - 5

(Makeup game) Mafia -5 / Blue Ballers -2

Wrecking Balls/Blue Ballers - Make up Pending
Sweep the Leg/Inglorious Ballstards - Make up Pending
Hamden Mafia/Balls of Fury - Make up Pending

Regular Season Standings:
1. Balls to the Wall (3-0)(+10)
2. Teabaggers (3-0)(+10)
3. Hamden Mafia (2-0)(+8)
4. Ball Busters (1-1)(+2)
5. Inglorious Ballstards (1-1)(+1)
6. Fever (1-1)(+1)
7. UniBalls (1-1)(-2)
8. Kickelback (1-2)(-8)
9. Wrecking Balls (0-1)(-5)
10. Blue Ballers (0-1)(-3)
11. Saved by the balls (0-2)(-4)
12. Balls Deep (0-3)(-10)

O where, oh where are the Balls of Fury…. Oh where, oh where can they be??? Three weeks have gone by, still a no show at the bar… Oh where, oh where can they be…...

Advice for Sweep the Leg and Balls of Fury................

This here is a flip cup…. Please do not be afraid; it will not hurt you, it will not bite you, it will not attack you. All he wants to do is have fun with you. All you need to do is drink its contents and then flip him upside down (if "roofies" are involved so be it). All he wants is to fit in and send you home with no memory. But that can’t happen if you don’t play. So what can you do; play and make Mr. Flip cup and his friends happy.

the ghost man’s “Drink of the Week” ~
The Mother of all hangover helpers, The Bloody Mary.
INGREDIENTS:
2 ounces vodka
4 ounces tomato juice
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated horseradish
2 to 3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
3 dashes of Tabasco Sauce
Pinch of coarse salt or sea salt
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
Pinch of celery salt or seeds, crushed
Wedges of lemon and lime
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine all ingredients but the lemon & lime wedges in a cocktail shaker over ice, and blend.
2. Strain over fresh ice into a highball glass. Garnish with a wedge each of lemon and lime. If you
are hungry, add a tender celery stalk.
3. Drink.
4. Repeat.

Let's Wrap it up..................

2010-09-16T00:00:00.002-04:00

A Tip for this weekend!
Can you feel that? It’s starting to get chilly outside…. Wear some long sleeves

Rules of the week:
Q & A - Clarification of some Rules

1. Q: Can a kicker who overruns first base be tagged out if they turn to the left?
A: An idle left turn that still brings them directly back to first base does NOT constitute an active attempt to advance per 10.06. However, even the slightest deliberate move towards second base would allow the runner to be tagged out.

2. Q: If a runner physically hinders a fielder attempting to make a play, what is the appropriate call?
A: If the Referee judges the interference to be deliberate and unsportsmanlike, this should be treated as Interference per Rule 15.02b: the play ends, the runner is out, and other runners must go back unless forced forward.

3. Q: If a kicker/runner safely overruns first base, and the ball is then overthrown, how far may that kicker/runner advance?
A: Overrunning first base is NOT equivalent to “running toward” second base (see Rule 10.07b), and therefore the kicker/runner would be limited to second base. The kicker/runner is permitted to attempt an advance to third base only if the kicker/runner had started an active attempt to reach second base (see Rule 10.06) before the ball was overthrown.

Weather Report:
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Mostly Sunny
High of 74, Low of 55
0% chance of Rain
Source: Weather channel

Announcements:
~Founders Cup 2010 is coming up: Columbus Day weekend. Book your reservations today
~In an effort to keep the park clean and recycle while raising money for charity, we will have plastic bags out at the fields. Please only place cans & bottles in these bags. No Trash!!!

Birthday Shout-Outs:
Kathy Krasney: Saved by the Balls: September 19
Steve Watson: I got a Fever: September 18

Have a birthday coming up? Let us know. Find a board member or tell your team captain and we’ll make sure we get you in here!!!!

Final Thoughts
BE MORE SOCIAL! Just about everyone joined this league to meet new people. Weather your from New Haven, to Hartford, to New York, to Kansas, to Cali… we are all from somewhere, get out there and meet your new best friends.

Anonymous Quotes
“there is no such thing as adult kickball”

“Don’t run, just accept it… take it!”

“OMG I'm so excited that I can be Facebook friends with the most BADASS flip cup player ever!!”

“No. You look completely okay. Which is unusual” – made towards a kickballers commenting on the level of his sobriety."

“They keep thinking we sweet”

“They are who we thought they were...”

“There will be no bodybags tonight”

Pictures
Send in your Great Kickball Pics to ksettle28@yahoo.com

the Ghost Man & Ghost Lady............

2010-09-09T00:45:00.002-04:00

Greetings and Salutations Kickballers,

The following blog is rated TV-MA and may be unsuitable for children under 17. Rated TV-MA for: Strong Language, Sexual Content, Suggestive Dialogue, and Fantasy Violence. This content is intended for (im)mature audiences only. Reader discretion is advised.

Please be aware that, as previously stated in thr disclaimer, all content of this portion of the blog is from my own twisted mind only. The views and opinions expressed here do not represent the views of WAKA, The Management, the Board, or any other member of this division (or any other division on the planet), or it's subsidiaries. Any account of any situation is pure fiction or at least hypothetical. Any and all resemblance to actual events, persons, places, or things, is entirely coincidental. Trust me, would I lie to you?.............
Remember that just like with TV, you don't have to read the nonsense in blue script on this page. The scroll bar on the right side of your computer screen is just like the buttons on the remote control device that operates your television: you can change the channel; you can scroll past it! All content contained herein is for entertainment purposes only...if you're not entertained by it, move on. Right below this is the GLOT section, and she is fantastic! She's insightful, not very offensive, and she's also very easy on the eyes... (See...? I didn't say she was 'shag-o-licious' like I wanted to!) For those of you who do appreciate a sarcastic sense of humor, I will not be changing the content of my blogs; I will write what I want. BUT, for those who are not particularly fond of the course vernacular I tend to use on occasion, I will try my best to adjust my vocabulary. For instance, instead of stating that some people "have their heads firmly planted up their @$$e$," I will say they "suffer from cranial-rectal inversion." Now, I believe, we've reached a happy medium. We can finally get past all this "GMOT's too insensitive" bovine-excrement and get to the fun of kickball. But let me digress just a bit more: The game we all have joined together to play is one of elementary school children; we've just added age and alcohol. One of the reasons I think we play is to recapture that stage of life in some small way. Another aspect of that stage of life that we seem to forget is that kids say what they think at the moment. I can't count the times that I've heard many adults from all walks of life say that they wish they could still speak out that way. Guess what? That's what I'm here to do. So, in essence, it's just another subtle phase of the grand game of kickball and my own prepubescent regression. In closing, I would like to quote for you the most famous line from the classic film, Stripes : "Lighten up, Francis!" Till next time, see you on the playing field!

~ Das Ghost.

Kickball, oh kickball, we miss you when you go away.
Kickball, oh kickball, it’s a good thing drinking always stays!

Between the Liffy’s weeknight drinking excursions and the nightly Kickelback practices, kickball is proving to be more than just a “Sunday Experience”. While the field may prove to be a hostile environment, off the field there is nothing but love between players…sometimes too much love. And why would this weekend prove to be anything different? With beautiful skies, full cups, yippy dogs, STL falling over themselves, refs coaching, wooded bathrooms, overthrown-balls, sliding, hooting and hollering, moaning and groaning, smiling and weeping; this is gonna be ONE HELL of a weekend. Come one, come all…even you wannabe’s will want to be there for the balls that will be wrecked this upcoming Sunday.

~ the gLot

MID-SEASON PARTY

Saturday, September 25, 2010
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Kelly's - Downtown New Haven - 196 Crown St.
What: 4 KEGS
Bigger, Better Food
Beer Pong Tournament

AND:
A Live Date Auction with fellow kickballers
if interested in being auctioned off..... please email: jose@kickball.com ASAP!!!!!

Presidential Power Poll

2010-09-09T00:35:00.000-04:00

below are standard opinions and should not be confused with actual standings

the President’s top 5 teams thru 2 weeks of the season
1. (2) Wrecking Balls (2-0)
Not out of the wrapping long enough, they get a #1 v #2 Matchup for their 1st defense. Probably their biggest game of the franchises history
2. (3) Blue Ballers (1-0-1)
Once was atop of the polls, they look to capture #1 seed again after Sundays 1v2 game
3t. (4) Inglorious Ballstards (2-0)
A team with a chip on their shoulder but no pressure. Everything to gain, nothing to lose
3t. (5) Sweep the Leg (1-0-1)
Still out to prove they are worth their pre-season ranking
5. (NR) Balls to the Wall (2-0)
A sophomore team that has an unfamiliar taste in their mouth… success!!!
~ (last week rankings in italic parenthesizes)
*Just missing the top 5: UniBalls, Ball Busters

Schedule & Predictions

2010-09-09T00:30:00.004-04:00

Who plays Who?
Week 3 Schedule – September 12, 2010

TeaBaggers vs Kickelback @ Field 1 – 1:45
Umpire Duties: Balls to the Wall

Balls to the Wall vs Ball Busters @ Field 1- 2:45
Wrecking Balls vs Blue Ballers @ Field 2 – 2:45
Umpire Duties: Teabaggers/ Kickelback

Sweep the Leg vs Inglorious Ballstards @ Field 1 – 3:30
UniBalls vs Balls Deep @ Field 2 – 3:30
Umpire Duties: Ballbusters/Wrecking Balls

Hamden Mafia vs Balls of Fury @ Field 1 – 4:15
Saved by the Balls vs Fever @ Field 2 – 4:15
Umpire Duties: Ballstards/ UniBalls

Field 1 is the little league baseball field
Field 2 is the corner of the football field, behind the baseball field

Game of the Week

~Double Header~
[*Blue Ballers vs. Wrecking Balls*] 2:45pm
Blue Ballers have formed somewhat of a superteam to bring home the Ivy Championship. Half of the 09’ runner ups in freeballers, and half of the 10’runner ups in the Blue Mooners. They’re quick, fast, and powerful. Thoroughly organized and a good game plan every week combined with all –star fielders like Mike Colon, and Hannah LaPlante and heavy kickers like Bill Ryan; if they get through this week.. running the table can be at their fingertips
Wrecking Balls, the #1 team in the league. Once a doormat to the league, now a forceful bully. Boasting top notch talent like Fischetti, and Tommy Choma….along with lights out all-pro Brianna Sullivan and Erica P.; .,… they are rightfully so the #1 team. But their 1st test is a douzy…. These two titanics collide for the 1st time ever. A dream match-up for both teams and fans….. This could be the best game of the season. If you watch a few games this year, make sure you don’t miss this!!! Get your popcorn ready

[*Sweep the Leg vs. Inglorious Ballstards*] 3:30pm
Finally…………a game circled on the calendar for both teams. For the 1st time ever, Captains Kharim Jones and Kyle Settle will face off against each other on the kickball field. Former Balls Deep members, they have assembled armies to do battle. Sweep the Leg; half balls deep, half 1uck from the spring. They have players not used to tasting defeat in the New Haven league. They are loaded offensively and don’t have too many holes defensively. Offensive Coordinator Russell Morris matches wits and strategy with a team responsible for back to back shut outs this season. The player to watch in this game is the all-pro Christina Wolf aka Wolfie. Yea, she may be a female, but she plays better than most dudes in the league. Truly, a wolf in a dress…
Ballstards come in focused as ever on this game. Members can’t wait to get a piece of the only defector of IBS to STL. In this sophomores team short history, this is the game that will define them. They carry all-stars like Kelly Miller and Dom Alston along with some unheralded rookies that are looking to make a name for themselves. This game will truly show how good both teams are. After Game I, don’t leave… game II of this double header promises to be just as good, if not better.

Game of the Week Predictions:

Wrecking Balls vs Blue Ballers
Green goes to 3-0 over the Free Mooners(oops). ~ gmot
Blue Ballers wreck the sh*t out of some balls. ~ glot
This is a tough one, and I love both teams, but I'm going to have to go with Wrecking Balls! (Sorry Jill and Jose) ~ strawberry
Biggest game of the year for sure. Two sides showing the difference of the league...a super team vs a veteran team that stuck together. Loyalty wins over talent...Wrecking Balls win. ~ Handsome Tom
Wow!, with the exception of their captain, we’re all on the wreckers huh…well even though the wreckers think I pick against them every week, its so false. But, I have the Blue Ballers here. ~ el Presidente
Wrecking Balls ~ Zak

Sweep the Leg vs Inglorious Ballstards
Prez. & Co. squeak by with the win. By a hair, a very thin hair. I think... ~ gmot
I want Ballstards to have this one…but I’m going with STL. ~ glot
Can't wait for this game. After all the banter is said and done, STL. ~ strawberry
Another huge game, but I think its more hype then anything. Sweep the leg lives up to it. ~ Handsome Tom
Without being biased I must say…. the Ballstards are 1 hell of a team. Maroon Army close. ~ el Presidente
Sweep the Leg ~ Zak

And the rest of the
GMOT Kickball Predictions

TeaBaggers vs Kickelback
psst...hey, Kickel, I heard that the 'Baggers only put 10 on the field...ssshhhh.... I have Kickelback ~ gmot
Kickelback better have this after all those practices! ~ glot
Are those multiple-practices-per-week working? We'll see. Kickelback. ~ strawberry
Just what the doctor ordered for the new look Kickelback, they should win big. ~ Handsome Tom
TeaBaggers will be decent enough one day to compete, too bad its not this day, Kickelback big! ~ el Presidente
Kickelback ~ Zak

Balls to the Wall vs Ball Busters
I wouldn't want to ref this one. Balls to the Wall wins....close. ~ gmot
I have Busters on this one. Come on Blue! ~ glot
I've got Ball Busters for this one. ~ strawberry
Surprise team of the year in Balls to the Wall, but this is the week that the fairy tale ends. Busters bring them back down to Earth. ~ Handsome Tom
Even though they cracked the top 5, it’s still too early for a win against a team like the busters, I have Ball Busters. ~ el Presidente
Ball Busters ~ Zak

UniBalls vs Balls Deep
Not so much that Uniballs wins as Balls Deep loses...because they hate everybody! (p.s. - loved your recap!) ~ gmot
Uniballs will win, but we may see a little more effort from the BD’s side. ~ glot
Too many drinks floweth in the Balls Deep corner these days. UniBalls. ~ strawberry
Old school matchup, but its working off of memories then production, the once talkative Balls Deep go down again. ~ Handsome Tom
Geeze, back in the day this game would have been game of the week. Rivals! Last season Uni’s were rebuilding and got blown out, this season they return the favor to a hurting balls deep team. ~ el Presidente
UniBalls ~ Zak

Hamden Mafia vs Balls of Fury
The Fury swims with the fishes. ~ gmot
Mafia have this one in the bag by a lot ~ glot
The Mafia will prevail. ~ strawberry
Can't have much of a tougher schedule then Balls of Fury, and it doesn't get any easier with the Mafia. Mafia win, but don't be surprised if Balls of Fury make a mid season comeback. ~ Handsome Tom
The Furians aren’t as bad as their record says… in fact, I’m off the Mafia bandwagon…. just kidding, Balls of Fury lose another tough game. ~ el Presidente
Hamden Mafia ~ Zak

Saved by the Balls vs Fever
You will not be Saved from this Fever. ~ gmot
I have Fever taking this one. ~ glot
The Fever is high and steadily rising—a win here for sure. ~ strawberry
I Got a Fever continues their early season form and win again. ~ Handsome Tom
One day Saved by the Balls, one day….. I have Fever. ~ el Presidente
Fever ~ Zak

Flip Cup & Bar

2010-09-09T00:15:00.003-04:00

Anna Liffey's - 17 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511
~Not an option, The Bar is mandatory

Flip-Cup Regular Season

Regular Season Standings:
1. Balls to the Wall (2-0) (+9)
2. Teabaggers (2-0) (+5)
3. Hamden Mafia (1-0) (+5)
4. Ball Busters (1-0) (+3)
5. Inglorious Ballstards (1-1) (+1)
6. Kickelback (1-1) (-3)
7. Fever (0-1) (-1)
8. Saved by the balls (0-1) (-2)
9. UniBalls (0-1) (-5)
9. Wrecking Balls (0-1) (-5)
11. Balls Deep (0-2) (-7)

12-14….. Can’t rank if you don’t play or don’t relay your scores
-STL
-Blue Ballers
-Balls of Fury

the ghost man’s “Drink of the Week” ~
So as not to be offensive, this week's drink will be nonalcoholic.

This week's recipe is:…… Water!
Ingredients:
1. Water
2. Frozen water (also referred to as ice) - optional.
3. Glass (or a bottle, jug, thermos, cup, urn, clay pot, etc.)
Instructions:
1. Place frozen water in to the vessel of your choice.
2. Pour water into vessel over the ice.
3. Drink.
4. Repeat. Remember, hydration is a very important
part of performance on and off the field.

In Closing..........

2010-09-09T00:00:00.004-04:00

A Tip for this weekend!
If you haven't already, buy some cleats for the field. When it gets slippery and muddy, you don't want to end up on your rear end........

Rules of the week:
15.02 Interference is:

b. when any runner on or off base intentionally touches a ball. This interference causes the play to end, the runner to be out, and any other runners shall return to the base from which they came, unless forced to advance (see Rule 14.02d);
c. when any kicker intentionally hits the ball with their hand or arm. This interference causes the play to end, the kicker to be out, and any other runners shall return to the base from which they came (see Rule 14.02e).
~ meaning, You are NOT allowed to swat a ball into fair or foul territory. Doing so will result in an immediate dead ball and all runners to return to base in which they came from.

Weather Report:
Sunday, September12, 2010
Showers
High of 72, Low of 64
50% chance of Rain
Source: Weather channel

Announcements:
~Mid season party September 25, 2010… Keep the date
~Founders Cup 2010 is Coming up: Columbus day weekend. Book your reservations today

Birthday Shout-Outs:

Have a birthday coming up? Let us know. Find a board member or tell your team captain and we’ll make sure we get you in here!!!!

Final Thoughts
Ladies and Gentlemen of the CT IVY division; let us, the blog team, finally address that if we have offened you in this issue, the last issue, or any other issue, we are sorry. Nothing we do has mal intent behind it and we all are just having fun. Connecticut's number 1 newsletter/blog is strictly here for entertainment. We are not here to protest, dictate, or push any political agenda. We are simply here for entertainment. Nothing is to be taken serious and/or personel. Laugh a little, it'll make your day a whole lot better.
In closing, just as with Rock & Roll, Rap, Classical, Jazz, Heavy Metal, Soccer, Tennis, Howard Stern, WWE and the cooking channel.... we "all" entertain you and just as those, with all the respect in the world, if you don't like it,... you can turn the channel and not read it. Please, just let us entertain you
Thank You

Pictures

the Ghost Man & Ghost Lady

2010-09-02T00:47:00.007-04:00

Greetings Kickballers,
What a difference a week makes, huh? From people hiding under trees to stay dry
to people hiding under trees to stay out of the blistering heat of the sun. STL, evil as they try to seem, certainly tried to earned the Most Popular Team of the Week award (along with other teams) with their field 2 oasis: a tent offering shade, some food from them and others, and a cooler full of mighty tasty "gatorade" that they so generously shared...if your shirt was the right color.
And now for a bit of news from the offices of CT Ivy Headquarters:
In an attempt to step up our efforts with our contributions to Life Haven, there are a few upcoming projects in the works. I'm not at liberty to divulge all of the information I have acquired, but I can say that we will be starting a bottle drive of sorts. Each week there will be trash bags placed at both of the fields specifically for returnable - plastic juice and water bottles, glass bottles, and cans. These bags will be collected at the end of each Sunday session and all money collected from the cash-in will be donated to Life Haven. This will help to keep our impact on the field trash to a minimum and help others at the same time. These bags will be clearly marked, or should be anyway. Please remember these bags are for returnables only, all other trash should be put in the cans or taken out with you.
Well, nobody aced their predictions this past week, but I don't know that you could say there were any major upsets. Game results being what they were, the Inglorious Maroons have sole ownership of the top spot after posting two shutouts in a row. But can they get past The Leg? We'll have to wait two weeks to find out and they'll have two weeks to prepare. I can't wait to see if this one has Kharim spouting off about body bags or if it will be The Prez carrying on about the power of his pearl necklace! This game certainly has all the makings of a classic so order your ringside seats now...this one won't be available on pay-per-view! Until next time, see you on the playing field!
~ the Ghost Man......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~WISH YOU WERE HERE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MID-SEASON PARTY
Here are a few details to tickle your fancy while you wait....

Saturday, September 25, 2010
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Kelly's - Downtown New Haven
What: 4 KEGS
Bigger, Better Food
Beer Pong Tournament

AND:
A Live Date Auction with fellow kickballers

stay tuned......................

GOW Video

2010-09-02T00:45:00.000-04:00

The President gives a pregame interview of the Game of the Week Captains.

Word up from the Captains (Captains Corner & Sunday recap)

2010-09-02T00:40:00.006-04:00

Last Week Recap
Balls of Fury - 1 Blue Ballers - 8
Game had potential to be a great one but BoF has yet to find their stride, while the Blue one’s are starting to feel the burn
Wrecking Balls - 3 Hamden Mafia - 2
“GoW”, lived up to the hype. Close & entertaining but the veterans showed these rookies how its done
Sweep the Leg - 17 Saved by the Balls - 0
It didn’t take long, but the smurfs were finally able to bring out the body bags on Saved by the balls. Too bad, Kelly, Jessie and Lisa didn’t show up, they could have distracted Kharim and co.
Balls Deep - 0 Ball Busters - 4
Not very entertaining. This match-up used to be epic, but Ball Busters just got back on track with their 1st win while Balls Deep has yet to notch a “W” before Labor Day.
Inglorious Ballstards - 4 Kickelback - 0
Tough grind em’ out game, but the Maroon Army moved to 2-0 against the new & improved Kickelback, also recording their 2nd straight shut out.
I got a Fever - 5 Teabaggers - 1
Those Feverites looked real good after their upset tie last week. Don’t look now but, Fever can be a dark horse in the West. I also heard someone got “teabagged at 1st base”
UniBalls - 0 Balls to the Wall - 2
In what some would say an upset, Balls to the Wall not only won, but Shut out the #1 ranked team in the poll. Looks like new leadership is paying dividends.

*Game of the Week Report*
brought to you by “Handsome Tom” from the CtIvy Blog Team

Wrecking Balls vs Hamden Mafia
The game had all the makings of a possible upset. Rookie team Hamden Mafia impressed everyone in the league by managing a tie with the pre-season favorites Blue Ballers. Meanwhile the Wrecking Balls had to grind out a hard fought win over the ever dangerous Balls of Fury. Lucky for everyone watching, this game did not dissapoint.

The Wrecking Balls got off the board first, scoring a run off a timely two out kick by one Jason "Cow" Blackson. The Hamden Mafia were being stymied by the dual pitching of Timmy "El Captain" Moran and Ray "Mean Streetz" Choma.
The innings blazed by the as heat poured down on all the players, the Wrecking Balls grinding out two more runs. Before you knew it was the bottom of the fifth inning. Then the Mafia decided to show the same fighting spirit that helped them almost take down the Blue Ballers. Through some timely bunts and smart running, the Mafia were able to score two runs at the expense of two outs. Man on first, two outs, game on the line. Then just like that the game was over.

The MVP for the game is going to the Wrecking Balls Rookie left fielder Mark, one for making a web gem esque sliding catch in left, but for causing chaos on the base paths as well. The LVP was the weather again, if only for the fact that mother nature can't seem to make up her freaking mind. Till then, have fun on your weekend off kids!

Captains Corner
~True stories told by the captains themselves or team reps~

UniBalls
Perhaps we were too confident. We had a lot of players, a good line up, but Balls to the Walls out did us; Lesson learned. At least we've got our good looks to fall back on.

Balls to the Wall
The hype leading up to this game virtually guaranteed it would be an instant CT IVY Division classic, and boy was it ever. Collisions, controversial calls, stellar defense and a little bit of luck all combined to create the nail biter that it was. Fresh off an opening day "upset" of Balls Deep and the crushing spring playoff loss handed to them by the very same team they were about to match up against still on their minds, Balls to the Wall fully embraced their role as "underdog" against the #1 seeded Uniballs. Following a pre-game bonding session consisting of the greatest jello concoctions the league has to offer and even a little banquet beer (just to show how classy we are), BTTW took the field and was all business. They were able to strike first with one run in top of the first and another in the 2nd. The game looked like smooth sailing from there until a controversial play at first base resulted in one of the Uniballs female players getting "accidently" lit up like a Sheldon Brown hit on Reggie Bush (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jt6kuUaYxk). The play seemed to energize the Uniballs as they continually pressured the BTTW defense for the rest of the game. However, BTTW's lock down defense would have none of that as AC Cogburn and Zac Bastin held down the outfield with some potential CT IVY Division web gem plays. BTTW capped off the game by getting out of a bases loaded, no out jam in the bottom of the 5th via a timely double play and a nice catch to seal the victory. MVPs of the game go to Katie Brown for sealing the win with a clutch catch at 2B and AC Cogburn for playing heads up defense. With the word "losing" eliminated from their vocabulary this season, BTTW looked to continue their winning ways on the flip cup tables. I wish I could say it was close, but at no time is a 5-0 victory ever considered "close". Pretty sure that's 10 straight now, look for the championship belt to come out at the next flip cup matchup with BTTW. Not only is BTTW still the team to beat on the flip cup tables, but you should probably watch out for us on the kickball fields now too. Just a friendly warning: Bring on those wannabes that call themselves the Ball Busters!

Ball Busters
After a lengthy hold-out over contract terms, all-star third baseman Gabe Johnson and catcher Mike Lyons finally returned to the field and shored up a defense that proved to have some holes in week one's close loss to bitter rivals Uniballs (who were barely recognizable without their burnt orange jerseys: we'll see you in the playoffs, wear orange). With the championship caliber defense back on the field, pitcher Mike Allard rolled a shutout with a strike out against the old/new yellow Balls Deep, with the play of the game coming from Gabe at third doubling up a player at first with a throw that I didn't think was possible with a kickball. We then got our first taste of the new flip cup situation at anna liffey's, which is a huge step up from playing on the sidewalk next to Christopher Martins (oh and Balls Deep, I didn't realize we were actually keeping scores/standings of flip cup, so we'll have to finish the best of 9 next time....) After 2 weeks I think we've shaken off the rust from taking a season off and with all our players back and some, the Ball Busters are ready to defend our fall titles. Good to be back!

Balls of Fury
On Sunday, the Balls of Fury took to the field in the early game against the Blue Ballers. The BoF team had been feeling pretty good, what with a close game the previous week, new leadership, and our own Balls of Fury facebook page. However, by all accounts it was a pretty bleak match for the BOF (we couldn't even win rock, paper, scissors). There were plenty of struggles both infield and outfield and the BOF found out that those mistakes can't happen against the talented Blue Ballers team. The shining moment of the day would be ummm, sportsmanship, since that was about all we had to offer on Sunday. The real story took place on the BOF bench. Though we are a little family, there was some definite finger pointing, grumbling, and all kinds of drama. Even JLo (you know her as Miss Kickball) was blasted for missing a fly ball. Former captain Podzi was calling for team practice sessions before the next game. And Larry (the nice captain, haha) was dropped from coaching duties after starting the season with an 0-2 record. Co Captain Amy assumes control of the lineup in the next game and she's known for a Bob Knight type coaching style and Andrew Dice Clay mouth so BOFr's better start practicing and getting their game ready as it won't be pretty if this happens again. Look for the BOF to return to our tailgate ways and Anna Liffey's partying after the Labor Day Break. That may be just what's needed to get the BOF rolling again.

Hamden Mafia
Well we have officially made the chatter of the league. The “Black Team” better known as the Hamden Mafia is here to stay. So say what you want but this Mafia isn’t scared to fight with the big guns. Week 1 was our first fight as a team and even in the bad weather we pulled together and were able to get the tie. Good defense and 1 good inning for each team ended the battle in a deadlock tie. Yes the “ONE FEMALE” player that was spoken about was the one and only Huber who gets the MVP vote for our team for week 1. It was her game tying triple that knotted things up at 1, matching the run that the Blue Ballers scored on a sac fly. But we don’t just have “ONE” female on our team, there 9 that give it 100% effort every game! We look forward to hopefully getting a rematch towards the end of the season. What will the stakes be this time? Due to the in climate weather not only was our 30 minute game stopped short from going into extra innings (Mafia really wanted to play a 6th inning but it wasn’t allowed), but there was no flip cup after the game. But we look forward to challenging the Blue Ballers to a flip cup match in the future.

Week 2 put the ”Black Team” up against the #2 seeded wrecking balls. As the game of the week it was but nothing less. Good game on both sides of the field. The curveball pitching was met by good feet of the Wrecking Balls and they put up a total of 3 runs, 2 came with 2 outs, and they added one more in the top of the 5th. The Mafia came back strong in the bottom of the 5th inning scoring 2 and leaving runners on 1st and 2nd to end the game. Defense was good on both sides of the ball and the bunting was superb by both teams (although a lot of foul balls, was that 3 or 4?). Great day and as predicted, it was a close game with not many runs scored. But then there was the Flip cup match. If the “Black Team” looked as good as they did on the flip cup table it would have been a blowout. Let’s just say that there was a lot of 5’s and one zero. It was 5 vs. 5 and ended in a 5-0 shutout by the Mafia. What can we say like most everyone in our league we may be better drinkers than kick ballers. Cheers to that!

Balls Deep
First of all I want to thank God, for giving Sweep the Leg so much, and us so little. We hate the Uniballs, We hate I've Got a Fever, We don't even know Balls of Fury and We hate their guts. The CT Ivy Division gives us an oppurtunity to hate on a diversity of markass marks, trickass marks, punk bitches, and skip skaps, skanks, and scallywags...hoes, heffers, he ha's, and hulyhoops, also known as Balls to the Wall. What can I say about the Ball Busters that hasn't already been said about Afghanistan (too much?), they look bombed out and depleted. Balls deep fell 4-0 to defending champs Ballbusters this weekend, but so what. Although we have started a franchise-worst 0-2, we’re am optimistic about our team's outlook for the rest of the season. We're some of the baddest (expletive) of all time, some of the best kickers and some of the best looking (expletive) you've ever seen! Now, if you'll excuse us, We’re gonna go and put some water in the Saved by the Balls' mommas' dishes. Hold our drinks, bitches!!! Big thanks to Jason for making over 200 Jello shots. We may be 0-2, but we definitely know how to party.

TeaBaggers(N/A)
Once again, a team thinks they are exempt from the wrath of the blog team. TeaBaggers decided that they were too cool to write a team bio for their week in the newsletter/blog. Fine, an example has to be made and we’ll just write it for them.

“We teabaggers do not like to write and tell people how awesome we’re not. We’re quite corny and we do not like to win. We also do not like to score runs and actually scoring in anything is new to us. We barely like kickball but it gives us a reason to come out of the house, otherwise we would just be zombies and couch potatoes at home. We call ourselves the ‘elm city’ teabaggers, but no one on our team has lived in the elm city for more than 2 years, hence a pending lawsuit from the city of New Haven. So we our just teabaggers; why? Because we liked to get teabagged. Last week we gave up a million runs and tried to pay off the refs in week 2 but that nor our steroid enhanced outfielder who escaped from the army could help. We will continue to try and cheat with spider man gloves to play until we are caught. If you don’t catch us, no foul. We are going for an unprecedented record of giving up 75 runs all season while scoring under 5 all season. Help us in this quest and beat the brakes off of us every single week. We TeaBaggers wanted to know what the blog would say this week; and now we know…….”

Presidential Power Poll

2010-09-02T00:30:00.002-04:00

below are standard opinions and should not be confused with actual standings
the President’s top 5 teams thru Week 2
1. (2) Wrecking Balls (2-0)
And after the events of Week 2, we have a new #1 team in the CT Ivy division. Just to think, last year fall this team hadn’t notched a win all season and look where they’re now. Rookie/Sophomore teams, anything can happen. Congrads Wreckers
2. (3) Blue Ballers (1-0-1)
The Blue Ballers come in at #2 after playing a solid game against the BoF.. usually a tough team. They look solid and as the season grows older they may become much stronger.Keep an eye out
3t. (4) Inglorious Ballstards (2-0)
Moving up 1 spot is the Maroon army after posting back to back shut out games. Through the heat, they were able to prevail and will have 2 weeks to prepare for probably the biggest game in their franchise’s history
3t. (5) Sweep the Leg (1-0-1)
After posting a 17 - nil victory the smurfs were able to bring out the body bag and do some monstrous sweeping of the leg against an inferior opponent. Looks like they have all the “kinks” worked out and are ready for an epic week 3 battle.
5. (NR) Balls to the Wall (2-0)
Wow…. Look who we have here, the sophomore team of Balls to the Wall. They come in fresh off an upset against the #1 team to chart their 1st ever top 5 poll position. In two games only allowing 1 run, this team isn’t flying under the radar any longer.
~ (pre-season rankings in italic parenthesizes)
*Just missing the top 5: UniBalls, Ball Busters