FALL 2007 -- First Win Brings the Blog Back!

Well, the season didnt start exactly how everyone envisioned, but Week 4 brought the first win of the season. And as promised, the 1st win brings about the 1st blog post of the fall. Center Fielder and Defensive MVP Matt Wylan provides last night's recap:

Bottom 2nd: Somebody scored on a kick from someone. Drew advanced to third with one out. I kicked a pathetic sacrifice to the first baseman to drive Drew, which put us up 2-0.

Top 4th?: They scored two runs with some lucky kicks.

Bottom 7th: Tracy kicked a solid bunt. Sulli followed with a perfect munt. Slutsky kicked a grounder to the pitcher/third baseman. An error was made, allowing Tracy to round third and score the game-winning run for our first win.

VICTORY!!!


And that's all I really have time for folks... next week brings the rivalry game against The Berg. Its a must win!

The Final Night: In Pictures

The Final Week: Playoff Hopes Crushed

A solid season ended Thursday night, with a 6-1 loss to Bud Heavy. Menace has high hopes for next season, encouraged by an all time high 3 victories.

Despite the tough loss, good times were had following the game, as the pictures above demonstrate.

Week 8: Menace Busts out for Record Third Win

Sobriety evened out their record to 3-3 last night with a rousing 10-1 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 4. The runs were flowing as well as the beers, as Team PumpTown never really had a chance in this one.

In what was probably the most complete performance of three seasons of kickball, Thursday night held witness to the following highlights:

- A dominant pitching performance from John Varnold, who allowed his fewest runs earned this season.

- First Baseman Craig Haas receiving a two handed shove and a mouthful of potty words from a disgruntled female opponent.

- Shortstop Matt Wylan and Leftfielder Steven O. fighting over flyballs all night. They are having communication problems and will undergo couples therapy.

- Erin Jiles breaking out with two sweet base hits and one sweet over-run of second base.

- All around dominant play from all involved. Next week's the big one. Do it.

Week 7: The Week that Shall no longer be Spoken of

Week 6: Miracle Rally Spoiled in 7th

After spending most of the night strugg-llll-ing offensively and defensively, Menace found themselves down 5-1 entering the top of the 7th inning. The outlook was bleak, but no one on the sidelines had given up yet. "As long as there's time left in the game and beers left in the gigantic beer-bag, we know its not over" said outfielder Alison Kinsley. "We gave it our best, but unfortunately we didn't pull it out tonight." (thats what she said)

Menace scored 4 runs in the top of the 7th to tie the game at 5, but may have gotten too excited for an impending chug-off in the bottom half of the inning. Team Henry the Dog loaded the bases with no outs, and won in walk-off fashion when Menace pitcher Christopher Sullivan pegged a runner in the head. That, my friends, is against the rules, and Menace saw their record drop to 2-2.

Not much went right for Menace throughout the first six innings; last weeks rainout seemed to leave team members a little rusty, as some sloppy outfeilding and missed opportunities at the plate would suggest. Dave Lax sent a deep drive to center in the 5th in an attempt to put some runs on the board, but he was robbed by outfielder Thirsty Dog Katie who made a spectacular catch on the play.

In other news, Friday Office Hangovers are in full effect, as the crowd at Mother's once again proved that win or lose, we still drink Coors Light.


What's up with that?? - Where Coach Cline adds her favorite aspects of the game and asks "What's up with that?":

- Lax's kick from center field to first base... What's up with that?

- Getting 2 runs walked in in the 7th... What's up with that?

- Sully's foul ball grounder that ended up being a triple... What's up with that?

-

Week 5: Rain Out

April Showers bring Boring Thursdays

Week 4: Its a Walk-off People.... Its a Walk-off

Menace improved to 2-1 on the season with a thrilling 4-3 victory last night on at Latrobe Field. Centerfielder Matt Wylan kicked a walk-off, 2-out single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th, breaking a tie and touching off a wild celebration that included a team shotgun of Red Dog, Milwaukee's Best Ice, and Natty-Boh.

The game itself was a nail-biter, as Team BlackOut jumped out to an early lead in the first. However, superb pitching from Chris Sullivan and Johnny Varney kept Menace in the game and pefectly manufactured runs in the 2nd and 5th innings led to a 2-2 tie. Traci Thompson knocked in another run in the 5th to put Menace up 3-2, but Blackout tied it up in the 6th with a sacrifice fly. That set the stage for the bottom of the 7th, an inning that won't soon be forgotten in South Baltimore.

In a positive sign of things to come, three lovely females singled to load the bases, as first baseman Craigger Haas and fill-in player Dave Lax failed to provide hits. Wylan, batting cleanup for the night, stepped to the plate with 2 outs and Coach Cline, Miss Slutsky, and Caitlin Mills on base. Wylan laid down a beautiful ground ball, and Slutsky slid in safe to third as Cline crossed the plate for the win. Menace now owns a winning record and has a huge game against the first place team (see opposing pitcher at right) next week.

Things that were supposed to be in the article but weren't, due to Friday Office Hangover:

- Menace turned 2 sweet double plays

- It was F-ING cold out

- Red Dog is the new Miller Lite

- People who don't have to work on Good Friday suck

- Web gem: Dave Lax for his sliding catch which led to a bloody knee. Awww do you have a boo-boo?

- Worst Magician Ever: Spence

Week 3: VICTORY!!!....

... As only Johnny Drama could put it. And dramatic it was, as Menace improved to 1-1 last night with a wild 7-6 victory over the arch-nemesis Bourbonators. A night that began with a debaucherous duel-team pregame at 125 West Cross ended with sweet redemption for Menace 2 Sobriety, who had been involved in some serious trash-talking all week with members of the opposing squad.


But alas, the game was held in very high spirits, as strong friendships exist between many members of both squads, some of whom actually live under the same roof. Bourbonator pitcher Brian Leland summed up this Civil War of Kickball: "It was a game of unparalleled intensity that came down to the last batter in a booze-filled showing of the 2 best teams in the league".


Booze-filled it was, as Menace jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first. The Bourbonators would soon turn the tide however, with a 4-run 3rd in which they took advantage of some control problems from pitcher Chris Sullivan (balls and strikes control problems, not like bladder control problems... thats gross). However, Menace took advantage of a controversial triple by Steve Whitman in the 5th to take a 6-4 lead. Whitman added to the lead in the top of the 7th, as he belted his first homer of the year over Nick Kelley's head in left center. Whitman was so excited as he crossed the plate, he ripped his shirt off and lept into the congratulatory arms of Matt Wylan. It was very heterosexual.... very heterosexual indeed.


That home run (picured at left) turned out to be the deciding point, as the Bourbonators scored 2 in the bottom of the last inning. Resident choke artist Steve Stern had the opportunity to tie or win the game with 2 outs, but he harmlessly popped out to left field, touching off a raucus celebration. A great end to a great night... and one final note to the Bourbonators: Keep your heads up, we will meet again.

Opening Night: Menace Loses Debut to Wily Veterans

The webmaster was not at this game, a 5-2 loss, and therefore cannot comment... but legend has it that this game featured:

- Old People

- Old, Graying Women

- Old, Balding Men

- Bosley showing off his superior arm strength

- Wylan becoming an offensive force to be reckoned with

Week 1: Rained Out

Postponement due to mother nature.

The Schedule is Out!

The Spring 2007 schedule was released today by the World Czar of Kickball, and it looks delicious. highlighted by a Week 3 game against the evil Bourbonators, all games will take place on Latrobe 1 (new field):

Date	Time	Location	Home	Visitor
3/15/2007	7:20 PM	Federal Hill - Lower Latrobe 1	Pump Town	Menace II Sobriety
3/22/2007	8:10 PM	Federal Hill - Lower Latrobe 1	Menace II Sobriety	We Come From Behind
3/29/2007	9:0 PM	Federal Hill - Lower Latrobe 1	Bourbonators**	Menace II Sobriety
4/5/2007	9:0 PM	Federal Hill - Lower Latrobe 1	Menace II Sobriety	Black Out
4/12/2007	6:30 PM	Federal Hill - Lower Latrobe 1	Menace II Sobriety	Bud Heavy
4/19/2007	7:20 PM	Federal Hill - Lower Latrobe 1	Henry the Dog	Menace II Sobriety
4/26/2007	6:30 PM	Federal Hill - Lower Latrobe 1	Menace II Sobriety	Beer Goggles

** = Rivalry Game

The Spring '07 Team Roster

Name: Christine Cline

Nicknames: Coach Cline, Momma Cline, Jerry Cline-feld, C-Squared

Personal Motto: "Save the Drama for Your Mama"
Position: 2nd base

Special Skills: Creating Excel spreadsheets, the Geography category in Trivial Pursuit, planning parties and vacations, making crab dip and fondue, parallel parking more than a foot away from the curb

Favorite 80's Song: "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. How could you NOT rock out when that comes on?
Game Show I wish I could be on: Jeopardy and GUTS

Name: Drew Cook

Nicknames: That guy who sleeps on everyone's couch

Personal Motto: "It's not worth winning if you can't win big" - The Might Ducks

Special Skills: Chugging Beer (Unfortunately that is my only skill)

Favorite 80's Song: "Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor
Favorite 80's Movie: The Secret of My Success starring Michael J Fox

Name: Brittany Fichter

Nicknames: Britt, Fichter, Brottamu

Personal Motto: "Live Every Day to the Drunkest"

Special Skills: Running slow... Believe me, it IS a skill

Favorite 80's Song: "The Locomotion" by Kylie Minogue

Name: Craig Haas

Nicknames: Craiggers

Personal Motto: "Hail To the Redskins"

Special Skills: N/A

Favorite 80's Song: "Wierd Science" by Oingo Boingo

Name: Matt Hashimoto

Nicknames: Hash, Moto, The Chosen One

Personal Motto: "Booze Like a Champion Today"

Special Skills: Starting Dance Parties, Playing the outfield while holding a beer, organizing/planning parties, drinking bourbon

Favorite 80's Song: Anything Journey-Related



Name: Alison Kinsley

Nicknames: Jalison, Raging Bull

Personal Motto: "Win or Lose I Still Booze"

Special Skills: Photohunt (#1 at FCP), Surviving Sunday Fundays, Falling down stairs, Out chugging most men

Position: Designated Girl Chugger during Tie Breakers

Favorite 80's Song: Anything I can do the "sprinkler" to

Name: Joanna Marcus

Nicknames: Jo

Personal Motto: "What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?"

Special Skills: I'm a karaoke master (in my own mind), and sometimes, I can run fast

Favorite 80's Song: "I Wear my Sunglasses at Night"... I think its by Corey Hart... not sure

Name: Caitlin Mills

Nicknames: Mills, Muffin, Most Awesome Hilarious Chic Ever

Personal Motto: "When rounding third, hold in your turd"

Special Skills: Distracting guys on the opposing teams while playing Catcher

Favorite 80's Song: "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" by Billy Ocean

Name: Erin Reilly

Nicknames: Riles

Personal Motto: "If Peeing Your pants is cool, call me Riles Davis"

Special Skills: Ohhh I dont have any

Favorite 80's Song: "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

Name: Traci Thompson

Nicknames: Tray-Dog, T-Money, Traci T

Personal Motto: "I'm pretty sure there's more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is... Thank you."

Special Skills: 1) Acting out scenes from Lord of the Rings while lighting 2 cigarettes and giving the double finger... all on a Sunday afternoon 2) Being cool enough not to F-ING KILL Steve-o for putting up this ridiculous pic of me

Favorite 80's Song: Anything I can sing karaoke to

Name: John Varney

Nicknames: Varnold, Varn Dogg, Jarnold, John Asshole Varney

Personal Motto: "Time Flies when You're Having Rum"

Special Skills: Falling asleep faster than a speeding bullet, biting beer cans, cooking meals that involve multiple sticks of butter

Favorite 80's Song: "Come Sail Away" by Styx

Name: Kendra Whaley

Nicknames: KDub

Personal Motto: "Just Say Yes"

Special Skills: Dancing Like a RockStar

Favorite 80's Song: "Like a Virgin" by Madonna

Name: Steve-O

Nickname: Steve

Personal Motto: "I wanna kiss you... I couldn't care less about the team STRUGG-LLL-IIING"

Special Skills: Drinking Smirnoff Orange from the bottle, knucklepuck, certain types of wizardry and magic

Favorite Pirate: Captain Barbosa

Favorite 80's Song: "Playin' With the Boys", by Kenny Loggins (If you haven't seen the video, you haven't lived)




NOT PICTURED:

Derek Bosley

Anne O'Dell

Paul Rosenbeck

Andrea Slutsky

Chris Sullivan

Katie Varney

Matt Wylan