Lines with arrows indicate actual games played, lines with no arrow mean no game was played – in those cases, I used seedings from last year to determine where to place a team. That is why Liberty Hall is in the middle of their ladder without having played anyone from their division last year; Rats are at the bottom.

There are 112 divisional games, 39 of those will be rematches from last year – tournament games included. Out of those 39 games, 14 were decided by 4 runs or less, 13 were decided by 5 to 9 runs, and 12 games were decided by 10 runs or more.

These games will be a good indicator of how teams improve or how teams implode this year.

There were 176 games, 352 wins and losses total, and 3,574 total runs scored – averaged out to 324.91 runs per week, 20.31 runs per game, 10.15 runs per team.  Ten-win teams averaged 15.23 runs per game, 9-win teams – 12. 59 runs, 8-win teams – 10.94, 7-win teams – 11.39, 6-win teams – 10.97, 5-win teams  – 9.64, 4-win teams – 9.75, 3-win teams – 7.41, 2-win teams – 6.77, 1-win teams – 7.22.

Six teams were shut out 8 times – one No. 8 seed three times (1), a No. 7 seed (2), a No. 6 seed (3), two No. 5 seeds (4 and 5), and a No. 4 seed (6). Two teams forfeited games (7 and 8), both in week one.

Two teams scored 39 runs in a game (9 and 10), one team didn’t allow more than 7 runs in any game (11), another team lost by 1 run three times (12). And every team scored 12 or more runs in a game at least two times, except for one team (13).

One team had a 9-game winning streak during the season (14), another had a 9-game losing streak (15), and another had a 4-game losing streak followed by a 7-game winning streak (16).

Teams that scored 18 runs or more in a game were 52-0 last season. Teams that scored 3 runs or less in a game were 0-56.

Only two teams won by scoring 4 runs in a game (17 and 18), and three more teams won scoring just 5 runs in a game (and one of those wins was a forfeit) (19, 20, 21). Only two teams lost scoring 17 runs in a game (22 and 23). Forty-six games were decided by 3 runs or less.

Record for teams that scored 11 runs or more in a game: 127-15. (Winning percentage – 89.4%)

Record for teams that scored 10 runs or less: 49-161. (Winning percentage – 23.3%)

What does this mean? Turn it up to 11 because 11 is one better than 10.

Note: Answers will be posted in comments later this week. Not every team is represented and some teams are used multiple times.

Double note: Any fact, spelling, grammar, and math errors are on purpose for your own amusement.

Current team: Mick and Stylesiz’ Mario Chalmersiz

Rookie year: 2007

2007: Liberty Hall

2008-2013: Range Life Records/ Mario Chalmersiz / Vibralux Marios Chalmersiz / Mick and Stylesiz’ Mario Chalmersiz

I’m super excited to contribute to the blog this season. I spend way too much time thinking about kickball, more than is healthy for a 30-year-old. I’ve read every previous blog post and listened to all the podcasts – I’m a junkie, but I’m functional so it’s okay.

Well, semi-functional really. If scores are not posted right away, I hit refresh every 15 minutes until they are up. If podcasts are later than usual, I keep an extra window open on my desktop to keep an eye out. My hands shake, my eyes twitch, it isn’t pretty. Essentially, being a co-pilot on this blog will allow me to get my fix without the pushers.

I had some ideas in the offseason about collecting more stats than just wins and losses, so I will try my darndest to include this type of information in my posts.  I am also interested in if teams are on the rise or decline this year, so I will be looking at the league through a 2012-filter. I think it will paint a more vivid picture of how particular games are played and how teams are performing through the season. I don’t want to give too much away because I don’t want you to know how much I’m winging it, so I’ll leave it at that.

Kickball stats! You are correct, I’m upping the nerd-ante.

Elizabeth Schafer

Current team: The Ghosts

Rookie year: 2008

2008-2010: Red Lyon

2011-2013:The Ghosts

I can’t wait to be half of the voice of Sundays in the Park blog this summer, bringing you kickball-lovers all that gotta have, must know information you’ve been jonesing for since the championship last season. I want to keep it upbeat and entertaining, since this is, after all, a game that has been and continues to be, best played by 3rd graders in an elementary school playground. Yeah, we got skills, but hopefully we can all agree that fun should be the name of the game.

Be prepared for some new insights. And possibly some interviews from some fellow players. No boring numbers here folks. I’m more focused on highlighting what makes our league, the teams, and individuals special and really sets us aside from any other adult kickball enthusiasts. Don’t get me wrong, statistics are what measures a successful team apart from the rest, but I’m no math wiz, let’s be honest.

Call me crazy, but I truly believe that at the end of the day, win or lose, everyone wants to enjoy their time on the field. And what makes that better than PBR cans, male short shorts, fireworks, and streakers?! Let’s celebrate those players and teams who add to the quality of the league and get away from nit-picking rules and yelling at each other. I want to showcase the lighter, fun side of this whole experience, including a compilation of “Week’s Best” as well as highlights of the Game of the Week.

“My whole philosophy is to broadcast the way a fan would broadcast.” -the immortal Harry Carey.  Yep.

1.  The Post Season KVKL Party

When: Friday, September 14th

Where: 7pm at Liberty Hall

Details:

$5 at the door.  Includes free beer. Food will not be hosted.  Food will be potluck style so please contribute and bring your favorite dish to share with all.

There will be plenty of games to play including flip cup and beer pong.  KVKL DJ’s will be spinning your favorite party jams all evening long, so bring your dancing shoes.

There will also be a raffle for prizes.

If you missed the Championship game the video recording will be shown throughout the evening followed by the presentation of the Championship Cup.

Come one, come all and party down with your favorite KVKL mates.  Don’t forget there will be new KVKL digs for purchase as well.

2. KVKL Post Season Charity Tournament

When: Sunday, September 23rd

Where: Holcom Fields, 1 PM-10 PM

Details:

The tournament will be a double elimination tourney.  The goal is to register 16 teams.  First 16 teams to register are guaranteed a spot.

Deadline to register is Wednesday, September 19th at 5 PM.  Registration is $100 per team, but extra donations are always welcome.

Money can be dropped off to Erin Adams or Jacki Becker at 912 Tennessee house or to Deron Belt at Great Harvest (807 Vermont Street).

Please make checks written to KAW VALLEY KICKBALL.

Our charity this year will be the  LYMPHOMA Research Foundation.
www.lymphoma.org/

SIDE NOTE:

I have been asked to inquire about people’s opinions for rules changes, ideas, etc.  As an interactive league it would be nice to hear what people think about certain rules or situations, how they affect the game, and what changes you think would be helpful moving forward as a league.  This does not mean that anyone is trying to rewrite the rulebook, but I think it has become evident that not all baseball rules apply to every kickball situation and clarifying some of these moving forward will be advantageous for everyone involved.  If you don’t speak up, you shouldn’t complain when things don’t go your way.

I’ll start.  For me, one rule that comes to mind is the double-kick rule.  In baseball the hitter is basically stationary while swinging, so when the ball contacts the player off the bat (in the batters box) it is a foul ball.  If the player hits the ball and then the ball contacts him in the field of play (the batters box is not in the field of play) he is out.

In kickball, I think it is nearly impossible to call the double-kick rule correctly on a consistent basis because of the nature of kicking a ball.  For one, we don’t have an actual kickers box.  The kicker can kick the ball anywhere behind the plane of the top of the plate.  If the pitch is way off to the right side of the plate it is rarely an issue because the kicker will be in foul territory when the ball strikes him the second time, resulting in a foul ball.  However, if the pitch is to the left of the plate (or directly over the plate) and the ball is kicked, the momentum of the kicker almost always carries him at least slightly into fair territory (Let’s face it, no one kicks the ball while falling over backwards).  In this scenario, the second kick (i.e., the ball striking the kicker again) typically happens at lightening speed with the kickers momentum carrying them forward into fair territory, even if only ever so slightly.  By rule this should be an out every single time this happens.  Another issue to consider is that only the plant foot has to be behind the plate when the ball is kicked, so your kicking foot can be in fair territory legally.  If the ball is kicked with the kicking foot in fair territory, the ball strikes the ground and quickly hits the kicking foot/leg again (although it was legally kicked), the result by rule should be an out.  I don’t agree with this.

I’ve seen it called both ways and we were victims of the slightly over the line double-kick called as an out in the tournament at one point.  For me personally as a ref, I’ve established that I will not call it as an out unless it is completely clear that the kicker double-kicked the ball and it touched him well into fair territory.  If not I will just call a double-kick foul.  By the book this is wrong, but since it seems to be called both ways I make it clear that I will call it consistently throughout the game.

In practice I’d rather have the rule written so that it is only an out if the player is touched by the ball with his entire body in fair territory (or enough that the contact obstructs/alters the ball in play).  A good example happened during the Championship Game.  Tyler, from Pita Pit, attempted a bunt and while running down the first base line the ball struck his leg/heel and he was correctly called out.  He was clearly in fair territory when the ball contacted him for the second time; no brainer.

The only real solution is to tell your kickers to kick the ball well behind the plane of the plate so that when the ball contacts them again with their momentum going forward they are still well out of fair territory, which seems silly to me because you are then making your run to first base even longer.

Our league is getting so competitive that inconsistency with this rule will likely only lead to more arguments and bickering, which is something I think we all want to get away from.  I’d love to hear others opinions on this rule as well as any other rules that seem to need some tweaking or clarification.

There are my two cents.  Hope to see everyone at the Post Season events.

Cheers,

KM

Congratulations to Wildman Attack Force for bringing home the championship cup this season.  You boys and girls played excellent, strategic kickball.  It was definitely quite an impressive run through the tournament.  As the overall 7 seed, they clearly demonstrate the level of parity our league has begun to achieve.  Wildman navigated through many of the top teams in the league and played championship caliber kickball for three straight weeks; exactly what it takes to bring home the hardware.

Love it or hate it, Wildman resurrected the constant use of the bunt, but if that is what it takes to win, so be it.  It’s not completely unstoppable, but when it is executed properly it can be a deadly way to get runners on base and into scoring position.  I tip my cap to them for sticking with it and playing their game.

Pita Pit came into the game as the presumed heavy favorite.  They didn’t exactly play their best game of kickball, but they were able to keep it relatively close with their overall skill and athleticism.  As it often happens in sports, one costly play can make all the difference.  Unfortunately for Pita Pit their costliest error(s) came in the first inning, allowing an error laden three run bunt-home run.  For a game that ended 5-2, it was more than enough to give Wildman all the momentum they needed.  Pita Pit didn’t run the bases particularly well either – kicking into multiple double plays – which is very uncharacteristic.

Congratulations to Red Lyon for winning the first ever Reasonably Awesome Bracket.  It had to be a fun experience and I’m sure the majority of the league was envious of the simple fact that you earned the right to play an extra week of kickball.  The Reasonably Awesome Bracket is essentially crowning the 9^th place finisher (fitting that Red Lyon finishes the as a top 10 team), but I still think that they too could have easily made a deep run through the playoffs of their own had a couple of things gone differently.  Where oh where will this new trophy be on display?

Lastly, Free State came out on top of the Less Awesome Bracket, defeating the Brewballers 10-6.  Hopefully we can all catch a glimpse of the glorious trophy while enjoying a pint down at Free State.  Congratulations to you boys and girls on the big win.

It’s hard to believe it’s all over for the summer league once again.  Time flies when you are having fun and kickball is certainly that.  I want to take a moment to thank the commissioner, Diana Garcia, for all of her hard work and dedication to making things run so smoothly all season long.  Also, everyone else on the KVKL board, thank you for everything.  Your ability to work with each other and bring everything together is definitely underappreciated.  All you boys and girls do all of the work behind the scenes to ensure that everyone is ready to play kickball all across the city throughout the summer.  You truly make all of our drunken Sundays easier and more enjoyable.

I hope to see everyone throughout the fall and winter months, so don’t be strangers.  I’m still interested in playing a full on game of snow kickball if we can gather up enough individuals.  All we need is some actual snow this year.  Imagine sliding from halfway down the baseline with (or without) a mini sled.  I might be getting ahead of myself here…but keep it in mind when you’re bored this winter.

Great season everyone and thanks for making mine another memorable season.  Best of luck in all you do.

Take care,

KM

The Fully Awesome Bracket

We are down to two teams for the crown.  Pita Pit advanced to the final after pulling out a couple of nail biters this past Sunday.  First they held off the Los Matadores, winning the game in extra innings, and them they had to turn around and win in come from behind fashion against the Chalmersiz.

I didn’t get to see any of the first game against Los Matadores, but it sounded like a tight game the whole way through.  And if an extra inning game wasn’t enough, Pita Pit was down two runs to the Chalmersiz in the bottom of the eighth before scoring three runs of their own to take a one run lead and held off the Chalmersiz for a spot in the final.

Pita enters the final again after falling in the championship in 2010.  They seem hungry to win their unprecedented third KVKL title.

The other side of the bracket was quite a surprise.  Wildman upset the #2 seeded Barracudas and then also upset the #6 seed Das Boot (who had a hell of a come from behind win to defeat #3 Love Garden), bunting their way into the championship game.

I can’t say much for the Barracuda game.  We played really flat and it didn’t help that we were forced to play with two injured players.  Give them credit though.  They took advantage and played their style of kickball; which isn’t the most pleasant or entertaining style of kickball, but hey, it worked on Sunday.  I guess there can be no complaints from me since the two teams that defeat us this season are playing for the cup.

Wildman will try to knock off the heavily favored Pita Pit this Sunday.  If they win I think they’ll be the lowest seed ever to do so.

The Resonably Awesome Bracket

In the reasonably awesome bracket Red Lyon continued to prove that they are way better than a 15 seed, dismantling their opponents on Sunday.  They will have to await the results of the #9 Hurtz Donut vs. #5 Goats game to see who they play for the first ever Reasonably Awesome crown.  The game should be a good one to watch as a warm-up for the championship game (although it’s the 5:00 PM game).

The Less Awesome Bracket

Four teams remain in the Less Awesome Bracket: #18 Free State vs. #19 Channel 6 and #20 Gang Green vs. #24 Brewballers.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe this means the Less Awesome Bracket trophy will be hoisted by a first time winner, so that’s always fun.

There’s only one week of kickball left.  The summer flew by as always.  Good luck to all the teams preparing for the final week of play.  For the rest of us, stock up those coolers and get ready to enjoy one final Sunday of kickball.

KM

Contention for the Crown

#8 LOS MATADORES @ #1 PITA PIT – LYONS EAST, 6:30 PM

I’m fairly certain that Pita Pit won’t falter in this matchup, but this is the type of game that can get overlooked pretty easily.  The Matadores have been playing quality kickball down the stretch and will certainly put up a fight.  In the end I think Pita Pit settles down and runs away with this one.

#7 WILDMAN @ #2 BARRACUDAS – LYONS WEST, 5:00 PM

This game has potential to be another great matchup, but what isn’t at this point in the season.  Both teams rely on speed to create runs.  This game should be decided on the defensive side of the ball.  Whoever can make plays and limit their mistakes should advance to the Final 4.  The Barracudas may have the advantage of having several playoff wins under the belt, but Wildman gets to play the underdog role. The Barracudas hope to make it back to the Final 4 for a second consecutive year while Wildman tries to bunt their way to a banner.

#6 DAS BOOT @ #3 LOVE GARDEN – HOLCOM GOLD, 5:00 PM

This is a very intriguing matchup because these two teams played each other just a few short weeks ago, with Love Garden coming out on top.  This time though there is much more at stake; a birth in the Final 4.  Both teams were Final 4 teams a year ago, but only one will get the banner two consecutive years.

#12 PARTY @ #4 CHALMERSIZ – HOLCOM BLUE, 6:30

The Chalmersiz are trying to get to their second Final 4 (I believe) after getting knocked out in a game that went all the way down to the wire against Pita Pit two seasons ago, and they have to be happy that they are matched up against Party!!.   Nothing against Party!!, but they’ve made it this far as the Cinderella team.  I think their journey ends here.  The Chalmersiz should get another shot at Pita Pit. They better not overlook their first game, but if they are able to save some energy to give Pita Pit a run for their money it should be a great game later this evening.

Reasonable Awesome Bracket

#16 CORKSUCKERS @ #9 HURTZ DONUTZ – LYONS WEST, 6:30 PM

The Corksuckers took their first lost in nearly two months a week ago, getting crushed by Pita Pit in the second round of the tournment.  If they hope to play on they have to beat a strong Hurtz Donut squad who were knocked out in extra innings last weekend.  I think the D-Holes put the Hurtz on the Corksuckers and  move on to the semis.

#13 SLOWRIDE @ #5 GOATS – HOLCOM GOLD, 6:30 PM

Coming off a disappointing loss a week ago, the Goats should now have their sites set on claiming the first ever Reasonably Awesome Bracket crown.  Slowride is no push over, but if the Goats have their minds right I think they run away with this game.

#15 RED LYON @ #10 SCREAMERS – LYONS EAST, 5:00 PM

This will be a good kickball game depending on the sobriety of both teams.  Well, it will likely be a good game either way, but if both teams are sucking down the suds it could go either way.  My money is on the Screamers to come out and take care of business.

#14 SHAOLIN @ #11 SACRED SWORD – HOLCOM BLUE, 5:00 PM

Sacred Sword took a tough one run loss last weekend and should be poised to make a run at the Reasonably Awesome Bracket crown.  Shaolin can step up for big games if everyone is on the same page.  I’m going with Sword in a low scoring affair.

Less Awesome Bracket

#24 BREWBALLERS @ #17 LIBERTY HALL – HOLCOM RIGHT, 5:00 PM

This game should be a good one.  These two teams met in week 3 of the regular season and the Brewballers won by a margin of 7-4.  This game could be very similar, but who will prevail?  I think the winner moves on to the championship, so no pressure folks.

#28 TELLERDACTYLS @ #20 GANG GREEN – HOLCOM LEFT, 5:00 PM

The #28 seed is still alive!!!  This game features the lowest two combined seeds left in the tournament.  Can the Tellerdactyls pull off another upset and earn a second game this evening?  We shall see.  Regardless, I have both teams packing up the cleats for the summer after the final out is made in either the early or the late game.

#23 GHOSTS @ #18 FREE STATE – HOLCOM RIGHT, 6:30 PM

Last week I incorrectly stated that Liberty Hall is the proud owner of the Princess Di trophy when in fact it belongs to the Ghosts, the 2011 Less Awesome Bracket Champion.  If they hope to keep the trophy they will have to play some good kickball to get past Free State.  Free State has been tested all year by good competition and should be up for the challenge.

#22 ASTEROID HEAD @ #19 CHANNEL 6 NEWS – HOLCOM LEFT, 6:30 PM

After 13 games I still have no idea which Asteroid Head team will show up from week to week.  With that in mind I’m going with Channel 6 to move onto the semis.  Channel 6 has a great cast of females and that could be exactly what they need to make a run at the trophy.

Happy Kickballing,

KM

The first round of the tournament went completely chalk, so no real surprises there.  The only close games (at least by score) seemed to be the #16 seeded Corksuckers holding off #17 Liberty Hall for a one run victory, and that is the closest seeded game in the tournament.  The other two close games both looked to have been two run victories: Screamers over the Ghosts 10-8 and the Shaolin Shadowboxers defeating Channel 6 News 11-9.

From there, teams were separated into the Fully Awesome Bracket and the Less Awesome Bracket.  Winner from the Less Awesome bracket will continue to play a single elimination tournament to find out who is truly the Least Awesome team.  At stake is 17^th place overall and the coveted commemorative Princess Diana plate.

As for the Fully Awesome bracket there have been a couple of changes this season.  The losers of Round two in this bracket will continue playing on for the newly formed Reasonably Awesome Bracket, and play on into the second and third weekend of the tournament (single elimination style) for the overall 9^th place trophy, which to my understanding is still yet to be decided upon.  What glorious tangible piece of merchandise is a middle ground between an aluminum rusty cup and a commemorative plate?  Only time will tell.

ROUND 2: Fully Awesome Bracket

As for the games in Round 2, the scores were definitely a lot closer.  The closest seeded game played, the #8 Los Matadores vs. the #9 Hurtz Donuts, was a rematch of the week 11 GOTW, and it went into extra innings this time before finally being decided by one run with Los Matadores coming out on top 15-14.  I wish I could have seen that game.  It sounds like it was a goodie.

#7 Wildman held off the #10 Screamers, winning 13-7 in what I heard was quite an argumentative contest.  Not totally sure what happened there, but it sounded a bit heated.

I caught the second half of the #6 Das Boot vs. #11 Sacred Sword game.  This was a rematch of a great game earlier this season where Das Boot came from behind to pull off a one run win.  When I showed up to this game on Sunday it was a two run game and I don’t think it ever got any larger than that.  For the final stages of the game it was a one run Das Boot lead and the final was the same, with Boot winning 10-9.  This game was very competitive and you could feel the intensity from both sides in the later stages of the game.

The #5 Goats were upset by #12 Party!! on Sunday as well.  I have no idea what happened in this game but I’d love to hear how Party!! pulled off the upset.  Congrats to those guys and gals for surviving opening weekend as the #12 seed.  This is probably about as close as we’ll see to a Cinderella story in kickball.

#4 Chalmersiz cruised to an easy win against #13 Slowride winning 18-7.

#3 Love Garden took down the Shaolin Shadowboxers 13-5 at Holcom.

#2 Barracudas had a very competitive matchup against #15 Red Lyon, a rematch of a second round matchup from a year ago in post season play.  I said it before and I’ll say it again, when Red Lyon holds off on the serious drinking and comes to play they are capable of beating nearly anybody.  This game was back and forth for about 6 or 7 innings before the Barracudas finally got out to a six run lead in the top of the 9^th and were able to keep the fleet-footed Red Lyon lineup at bay to close out the win.

#1 Pita Pit dismantled the #16 Corksuckers 21-2 as they continue their push through the tournament as the overall favorite.

Round 2: Less Awesome Bracket

All of the games in the less awesome bracket went according to chalk with the exception of #28 Tellerdactyls putting on a clinic against #21 West Coast Saloon.  The Tellerdactyls must have been playing some inspired kickball as they ran away with the game, winning 13-2.  What a glorious send off for Jake Wilson who is moving on to greener pastures elsewhere in the country.  You will be missed Mr. Wilson.

It looks like Spacepussy put up a good fight against Free State as well, only losing by 4 runs, 12-8.

Liberty Hall is still alive in their attempt to defend the Princess Di trophy after a 15-10 win over the Bald Beavers.

I’m sure there are plenty of other stories and interesting things I missed this week.  It’s hard to keep up with everything going on when there is so much kickball going on at some many locations all in one Sunday evening.  If you have any additional input please feel free to chime in.

If you’re at all like me I’ve been stiff as ever after playing two games this past Sunday.  With any luck I’ll get the same opportunity this coming Sunday.  I’m sure everyone else feels the same way.  Rest up and keep those muscles good and stretched out.

KM

The Late Fees start the tournament off with a rematch of a game they lost earlier this season to the Corksuckers, 12-14.  The Corksuckers have been on quite a roll and I see the outcome of this game being quite the same, and that’s okay.  If the Fees do stumble out of the gate they are my favorite to take home the Less Awesome Bracket hardward.  And, hey, if they do they will end the season with quite a run and a record above .500

18. FREE STATE

The Growlers are the only team from the top four pools to drop below half way mark in tournament seeding.  On the plus side of things they’ve won every game they should have on paper.  On the down side, they lost every game they probably should have as well.  Free State’s first game is against Red Lyon, who beat them by 15 runs only a few weeks ago.  Pencil the Growlers in as a lock for the Less Awesome Bracket Final 4.

19. CHANNEL 6

The Toe Pokes are the highest seeded team out of Pool 6 and they are also the lowest seeded team with a winning record.  They could give Shaolin a run for their money in game one, but if they falter they are a dangerous team in the Less Awesome bracket with a cast of capable males kickballers and some of the best females in the league.  Another lock for Less Awesome Bracket Final 4 (if they lose game 1 – sounds weird, right?).

20.  GANG GREEN

Gang Green is still looking for their first back-to-back wins of the season and they could be primed and ready to make that happen if Slowride doesn’t show up to play.  I’ve watched a couple games where Gang Green looked like they were turning the corner.  It’s that time of year where anything can happen.  Let’s see if they are ready to be a Cinderella story in 2012.

21. WEST COAST SALOON

The past few weeks have been unkind to West Coast Saloon, who have lost by nearly 10 runs a game over that period.  Surviving the first weekend of the tournament, on either side, should be considered a success.

22.  ASTEROID HEAD

It’s likely been a season to forget for A-Head, who have regressed a bit from the past couple of seasons.  They should be playing next Sunday if they can keep it together in their second game tonight in the Less Awesome Bracket.

23.  GHOSTS

The Ghosts have been scoring in bunches against similarly matched competition.  I don’t see them pulling off the upset against the Screamers in game 1, but they could make a splash in the Less Awesome Bracket.  Their likely match-up with Dirty Mike in their second game this Sunday should be one of the better early round match-ups in the Less Awesome Bracket.

24. BREWBALLERS

Likely a quick out in the main event, the Brewballers have played well during the second half of the season.  Another capable team in the Less Awesome Bracket.  A game 2 match-up with the Rockets should be a good one.

25. ROCKETS

The Rockets dropped several close games this season and still seem to be piecing the kickball puzzle together.  Fortunately for them, they seem be be having fun while they do it.  Their Less Awesome Bracket games look like tough match-ups.  If they can pull off a couple of upsets their season will be completely turned on it’s head.

26. DIRTY MIKE & THE BOYZ

The Boyz are riding an impressive three game winning streak coming into the tournament.  That streak will likely be snapped in game one of the tournament tonight, but they could make some Less Awesome noise if they show up and play their game.

27. BALLS DEEP

Balls Deep will be exiting stage left in round one of the tournament this year, but if they can limit their mistakes in their second game against Asteroid Head they will still be playing kickball next weekend.

28.  TELLERDACTYLS

The Tellerdactyls hope to sneak in a win this Sunday so they live to play another night next weekend.  Unfortunately, it looks like this might be their final hurrah.

29. HARPER VALLEY PTA

Harper Valley is sitting on three wins this season, an impressive mark for one of the more fun-loving teams in the league.  If they somehow manage to sneak in a fourth win it will be easily be their greatest season to date.

30.  JAZZHAUS

Jazzhaus got on the board with a win in the final week of pool play, week 10.  That’s a good thing for them, as this is likely their last week of play for the 2012 season.

31. SPACEPUSSY

Win or lose either of their games today, Spacepussy will have twice the amount of time to pull off many of their shenanigans today with two games play.  They’ve definitely entertained yet again this season.

32. BALD BEAVERS

How does the last seed go to a team with 2 wins?  That’s just messed up.  They have twice as many wins as two other teams and are tied with the Tellerdactyls in the win column, with two wins apiece.  This is likely their last weekend of kickball, so they should just relax and enjoy the glory that is kickball.

***NOTE***

The raw numbers following the division scores and pool scores are averages of the number of runs the particular team has scored per run allowed.

Example:  Game 1,  Team A wins 5-1.  Game 2, Team A loses 5-9.  Their average would be 1.000 having scored 10 runs and having allowed 10 runs.

Pita Pit boasts a strong resume coming into the 2012 tournament, which is the same old song and dance for them.  They are the favorite to hoist the cup this year and are hungry for another championship after losing in the Final 4 a year ago and the championship game a year prior to that.

They have won by 10 runs or more in all but four of their games this season.  They execute their game plan effectively and are very difficult to beat even on an off night.  Look for them to make a deep run this year with a good chance of taking it all.

2.  BARRACUDAS

The Barracudas are the reigning champions of the KVKL.  Last season they began as a new team and were relatively unknown with the exception of a few key players.  Fortunately, many of the players on the roster had a few seasons under their belts to make up for the learning curve of the new players.

The Barracudas came into the tournament a year ago as the overall 5 seed and had to rank as one of the lowest seeded teams to ever claim the cup, and boy does winning one championship change people’s opinions in a hurry.   Heavy is the head that wears the crown indeed.  This year they enter as the 2 seed and still have lofty expectations.  A tough tournament draw will definitely test their attempt at winning another championship, with possible games against Red Lyon, Wildman, and the Screamers just to get out of their field of eight teams.  Another deep run is certainly possible, but it will take smart, well executed kickball.

3. LOVE GARDEN

Love Garden has had one goal and one goal only in their minds this season: get back to the finals and bring home the hardware.  A year ago they reached the finals and fell short losing to the Barracudas.  They’ve had a whole year to dwell on that fact and expect them to step onto the field with an attitude.  They come into the tournament with only one loss and they hope to end their season that way.  Anything else will likely be a disappointment (but they have had one hell of a season).  Don’t be surprised to see them back in the finals, but as the KVKL gets stronger, reaching that goal gets tougher and tougher.

4. CHALMERSIZ

The Chalmersiz have had another successful season.  They seem to have this kickball thing figured out as they get better and better every year.  Their final obstacle is competing with the big dogs.  They are certainly capable of beating every team in the league on any given sunday, but doing it five times in a row is what it takes to win a KVKL championship.  The Chalmersiz seem to have a bit of a chip on their shoulder this year as they aim to prove that they are ready to take the final step.  If they get ahead of themselves too much they may find themselves watching the remainder of the tournament from the stands once again.  If they play their game, watch out.  They could give the overall #1 seed, Pita Pit, a run for their money if they advance that far.

5. GOATS

The Goats have had a very productive season, but they’ve also lost four out of their last six games.  Luckily for them, they wound up as the five seed and have a nice draw for the post season tournament.  If they come out and play their game they are a tough team to beat and could make a deep run in the tournament.  They will likely have their work cut out for themselves in week two of the tournament if they plan to play the final weekend of the tournament with likely matchups against Chalmersiz and Pita Pit.

6. DAS BOOT

Das Boot could easily make a deep run of their own, but they will likely face Sacred Sword again in their second game this coming Sunday, a team they defeated by the narrowest of margins earlier this season.  If they survive they likely face Love Garden and will try from some revenge for a week 11 loss.  Boot’s biggest obstacle will be playing well in consecutive games, something they’ve struggled with throughout the season.

7. WILDMAN ATTACK FORCE

Wildman assembled their current roster with the hopes of bringing home the hardware this season.  They’ve lost four of their last six contests, but all of that will be forgiven if they make a deep run in the tournament.  They will certainly prove their skill if they advance through a tough pool of eight and make a Final Four appearance.  When they play their game they are a tough team to beat.

8. LOS MATADORES

The Matadores are on quite a run winning their last seven games.  They hope to keep to their winning ways and make a push in the post season tournament.  Had they not forfeited a game earlier this season, they likely would have gotten an even better seeding.  If they can win their first two games of the tournament, which would included a likely rematch with Hurtz Donutz, who they defeated convincingly a week ago, they will most likely play Pita Pit and get a chance to prove whether or not they are a force to be reckoned with.

9. HURTZ DONUT D-HOLES

It’s been quite a season for the Hurtz Donutz.  They have fun while they play and their enthusiasm has translated to a decent number of wins this season.  It’s unlikely they survive the first weekend of the tournament, but they should be a force to be reckoned with in either the Less Awesome Bracket or the Reasonably Less Awesome Bracket.  However their season ends, I’d consider it a success.

10. SCREAMERS

The Screamers enter the tournament as the overall #10 seed, but had they not forfeited a game week one, they would only have two losses; an impressive feat.  When they come to play they can give nearly any team fits with their speed and aggressive base running.  If they don’t make a deep run they are an example of another team who could hoist the first ever Reasonably Awesome trophy.  If they’re on their game, look out.

11.  SACRED SWORD

Sacred Sword has had a less than amazing season by their own standards, but that doesn’t mean they are not a good kickball team.  They are currently enjoying their longest winning streak of the season at three games.  They’ll likely have a chance to avenge their loss to Das Boot earlier this season in their second game of the first weekend.  A win in that game could be about all it takes to consider this season a success.  Sword is a hard team to bet for or bet against due to their inconsistency, but they are a tough, tested team regardless.

12. PARTY!!

Party has been sliding a bit towards the end of the season.  It will be interesting to see if they can put it together for the post season tournament.  Surviving the first weekend doesn’t seem likely, but hey, not everyone can advance.

13. SLOWRIDE

As usual, Slowride is nearly impossible to predict at season’s end.  Just when it seemed easy to write them off, they came alive and showed everyone what they are capable of, and in week 10 against Shaolin they put on a dominating performance, winning by 11 runs.  Unfortunately, consistency is a must in post season play and getting past the Chalmersiz in round 2 seems unlikely.  It would be a huge deviation from their recent tournament history if they prove me wrong.

14. SHAOLIN SHADOWBOXERS

The Shadowboxers have struggled a bit during the second half of the season.  If it wasn’t for late game heroics against Red Lyon they would have lost six of their last seven games.  Expect Shaolin to put on a show in either of the two secondary brackets should they lose early.

15.  RED LYON

As the 15 seed, Red Lyon is one of the most dangerous teams not seeded in the top eight or so for one reason only: they don’t get absolutely shit canned during tournament play and they have very capable, veteran kickballers.  If they do fall early, they could be contenders for hoisting the Reasonably Less Awesome Bracket trophy, unless they decide to end the season with a bang and party their way to the end of their season.

16. CORKSUCKERS

What a season it has been for the Corksuckers.  Dare I say they have potential to be a difficult out in the tournament?  If they hadn’t drawn the overall #1 seed, Pita Pit, for their potential second round match-up I think it could have been a reality.  Look for the Corksuckers to make a splash in either losers bracket.  Either way, a tip of the cap for an amazing season.  Starting off with four straight losses and following it up with six consecutive wins is impressive.

***NOTE***

The raw numbers following the division scores and pool scores are averages of the number of runs the particular team has scored per run allowed.

Example:  Game 1,  Team A wins 5-1.  Game 2, Team A loses 5-9.  Their average would be 1.000 having scored 10 runs and having allowed 10 runs.