As for game predictions, I plan on doing it like this:

The first game will always be the game of the week (obviously the most important game every week) and I’ll make a score prediction for this weekly.  This will be followed, in order, by the games I feel are the most pivotal, best games to watch, best matchups, etc., and who I think  working my way down the list to the games that will likely be mismatches and not as interesting – if there is such a thing as a not interesting drunken kickball game.  Okay, here we go.  Please submit your picks as well if you feel so inclined.  I’m interested to know what everyone else thinks.  Kickball!!!

1. Dirty Mike > Asteroid Head 11-7

2. Das Boot > Los Matadores

3. RedLyon> Ghosts

4. Shaolin Shadowboxers > Rockets

5. Balls Deep > Tellerdactyls

6. Screamers> Rowdies

7. Liberty Hall > Space Pussy

8. Sacred Sword > Brew Ballers

9. Party > Bald Beavers

10. Slowride > Channel 6

11. Chalmersiz > West Coast

12. Goats > Harper Valley PTA

13.LoveGarden> Corksuckers

14. Pita Pit >Free State

15. Wildman > Gang Green

16. Barracudas > Jazzhaus

LONG LIVE KICKBALL!

Mascot: Nelson the Wonder Dog (He’s actually a Barracuda dressed up as a dog).

Motto: Put your shoes on

Following up a championship from a season ago, The Barracudas return a similar cast of characters.  Two key losses from a year ago are speedster Matt Riley and heady kickballer Collin Baumchen.  With those two moving on to greener pastures, we hope that our new additions can come in and contribute immediately.  Last year we brought in three new female faces who undoubtedly contributed to the success we achieved last season.  We are also happy to welcome the return of Lauren Adams (wife of co-captain Nick Adams) who was not able to compete at full strength last season as she carried a next generation KVKL all-star in her womb.  Congrats to Lauren and Nick who brought Hudson Adams into the world a champion.  I believe we were ranked 13^th in the preseason last year, so that should tell you how useful kickball predictions can be (No offense Mick – I don’t know how good we’d be).  We hope to compete and start off the season a bit smoother than last year.  It’ll take another string of well executed kickball to achieve anywhere near the success we did last year, but that’s what the KVKL is all about.

Key Games:

-         Week 5 vs. Screamers

-         Week 7 vs. Slow Ride

Final Prediction: 6-1

2. SCREAMERS

The Screamers continuously live up to their name behind Captain Aaron Swaggerty who constantly heckles the opposition.  I don’t know for certain, but from what I hear they’ve hit the recruiting trail hard this off-season and have made a few upgrades for the 2012 season.  Over the past couple of seasons the Screamers have given a few of the elite teams a lot of trouble but have come up short more often than not.  This may be the year they win a few key games and find themselves sitting pretty come post season time.  They’ll likely have to navigate their way through a difficult pool if they play as well as I think they can.

Key Games:

-         Week 5 @ Barracudas

-         Week 6 GOTW vs. Slowride

Final Prediction: 6-1

3. SLOWRIDE

Motto: Why are you yelling bro?

Tradition: One big fart joke

Slowride enters the 2012 season trying to continue their winning ways.  A season ago, they only suffered one loss in division play, and found themselves in pool #1 where they failed to win a game.  After their slide, Slowride dropped to a #7 seed for the post season tourney.  In the tournament they were not able to turn around their misfortunes and fell to the Screamers in a heated game in the second round.  Slowride has added a few new pieces for this season, but the rest of the league will have to wait and see what they have in store.  They are a totally capable team.  Whether or not they can hang with the big dogs remains to be seen.

Key Games:

-         Week 6 GOTW @ Screamers

-         Week 7 @ Barracudas

Final Prediction: 4-3

4. DIRTY MIKE AND THE BOYS

Dirty Mike and the Boys are gradually growing into men in the KVKL.  I can’t think of a better example of a team who has adapted to this league and gotten a bit better each and every season.  I believe they’ve added a couple more pieces to their already speedy and sneaky attack.  Will this be the year they move up as one of the leagues elite teams?  Only time will tell.  If so, they’ll have to find a way to win the tough, close games and hope for a couple upsets of their own.  If they finish division play with a winning record they’ll have a chance to prove themselves in pool play against stiffer competition.  But as kickball goes, confidence can be lost with a few consecutive losses.  It’ll be interesting to see if the boys can play consistent kickball all season long.

Key Games:

-         Week 1 GOTW vs. Asteroid Head

-         Week 2 @ Slowride

Final Prediction: 4-3

5. ASTEROID HEAD

Last season was a pretty impressive season for Asteroid Head.  They continuously played tight games with the top-tier teams and made their name known throughout the league.  If they can improve on last year’s success, expect big things from this group of savvy kickballers.  This team certainly likes to have a good time as well.  It’ll be interesting to see if the confidence they built last season will carry over to this season or if they come out a bit lackluster.  For a team I know little about, they are not to be overlooked.

Key Games:

-         Week 1 GOTW @ Dirty Mike

-         Week 7 vs. Rowdies

Final Prediction: 3-4

6. REPLAY ROWDIES

Fact: The Rowdies are a fertile bunch who have produced 3 rowdy babies and celebrated one rowdy marriage.

Motto:  Rowdy RowdyUSA

It’s back to the drawing board for the Rowdies.  This season they will be without a number of their key players from the past.  Captain Dover has been scouting out rec leagues, ice cream socials, and handing out flyers after church in search of a few new replacements, so don’t count these crafty vets out just yet.  This should be an interesting season for the Rowdies.  They may take a step backwards from a competitive standpoint, but they’ll definitely still be a team who has a ton of fun while they play.

Key Games:

-         Week 3 @ Dirty Mike

-         Week 7 @ Asteroid Head

Final Prediction: 3-4

7. CHANNEL 6 TOE POKES

The Toe Pokes seem to be a team who is completely capable of competing every week, but seem to play up to the tougher teams and play down to lesser opponents.  Assuming they have a similar roster to last year, they may have a bit of trouble trying to win consecutive games as the KVKL gets more and more competitive.  The Pokes are a fun bunch of kickballers who seem to enjoy game of kickball more than worrying about the outcome every week.  Cheers to that.

Key Games:

-         Week 6 vs. Replay Rowdies

-         Week 7 vs. Jazzhaus

Final Prediction: 2-5

8. JAZZHAUS

As the new kids on the block (sort of), I have no choice but to assume the Jazzhaus will struggle this season.  As I’ve repeatedly stated, the league is more competitive than ever, making it even more difficult for the newbies make any big noise.  The majority of this team is coming over after competing in the Lawrence Rec league last summer.  It may take them a bit to get used to the speed of the game, but hopefully by the end of the year they’ll be getting better and better.

Key Games:

-         Week 7 @Ch.6

Final Prediction: 0-7

Motto(s): “Squid Nasty” and “Ink ‘em”

Tactician and GM Chris Ford has been hard at work this off-season upgrading his squid squad that fell just short of winning the cup last season.  This team is a perennial contender, but hasn’t brought home the hardware for several seasons now; a task that is becoming more and more difficult as the entire league continues to improve.  Expect the Squids to dominate most of the games they play, but there looks to be a couple tough match ups on paper.  Will all the newbies be able to grasp complex playbook and motion defense that Captain Ford has compiled?  Only time will tell.  Word around the campfire is that he only recruits players who annihilate the Wonderlic Test, so I think they’ll be up to the challenge.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 5 vs. Red Lyon

Final Prediction:  7-0

2. RED LYON

I’m not sure that it will come as much of a surprise with all of the talent and upgrades Red Lyon acquired in the off-season, but Red Lyon are my sleeper team going into the season.  They return a lot of talent, new and old, from a season ago and are bringing in several seasoned players from the “free agent” market.  The key for this team will be finding a system that works and peaking at the right time.  They’ll have a few weeks to get ready for a Love Garden match up in week 5 where they can test their skill against an elite force.  Pool play will be important part of this team’s preparation for the tournament.

Key Game(s)

-         Week 4: GOTW vs. Rockets

-         Week 5 @LoveGarden

-         Week 6 @ Goats

Final Prediction:  6-1

3. GOATS

What is there to say about the Goats that they probably haven’t already said themselves?  This team wears their feelings on the sleeves and isn’t afraid to admit it.  Highly opinionated, athletic, and rambunctious, this cast of characters creates problems for opposing teams on a weekly basis.  The Goats hope to continue the success they’ve experienced for past several seasons, and are searching for the big playoff win that will catapult them into the KVKL lime light.  Defeating Love Garden or Red Lyon or both could go a long way towards building their confidence.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 6 vs. Red Lyon

-         Week 7 @ Love Garden

Final Prediction:  4-3

4. GHOSTS

Finishing last season as the Less-Awesome Champions, the Ghosts hope to build upon last year’s success.  This division should show their true colors as they face several quality kickball teams, a few of which are competing to show they belong in the upper echelon of teams.  The three toughest games of their division schedule are right out of the gate.  Week 1-3 they face Red Lyon, Goats, and Love Garden respectively.  That alone should be enough to show where they will stand in this division when it’s all said and done.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 1 @ Red Lyon

-         Week 2 @ Ghosts

-         Week 3 vs.LoveGarden

Final Prediction:  3-4

5. SHAOLIN SHADOWBOXERS

Fact: The Clan ain’t nothing to fuck wit

The Shadowboxers are a team that is literally capable of winning almost every game they play, but somehow seem to find a way to drop a few close games.  If they can find a way to string together a few timely hits and play some consistent defense, expect good things from this team of entertaining characters.  Shout out to Dan, Esco, and Brasil (Brasil: stop being a wimp, chuck the loafers, and put on your war paint.  You know you love it. Smooches). 

Key Game(s):

-         Week 1 vs. Rockets

-         Week 5 @ Goats

Final Prediction:  3-4

6. ROCKETS

Motto: Blast off! (pre-game cheer)

The Rockets hope to continue improving on the season they had last year.  In 2011, they began the season with a roster filled with greenhorns, but by the end of the year they were playing some pretty impressive kickball.  It seems the old commish, Geoff Wright, has his players believing in the plays he’s drawing up in the dirt.  Expect the Rockets to compete in a league of balanced kickball squads.  They’ll likely be the underdog in their more difficult games, but they are capable of beating the tough teams if they bring their “A” game.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 1 @ Shaolin

-         Week 4 GOTW @ Red Lyon

Final Prediction: 3-4

7. CORK SUCKERS

I don’t have much information on the Suckers for preseason, but they got thrown into a division that has some good mid-level kickball competition.  They’re season could be a good one if they can pull out a few games that they might not win on paper.  Keeping games close will be key to their success.  In the end, I think they’ll be on the short end of several close games.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 2 @ Shaolin

-         Week 5 @ Ghosts

Final Prediction: 2-5

8.  HARPER VALLEY PTA

Fact:  The KVKL now has access to a pirate ship.  Thank you PTA.

This team needs a “W” in this league.  To my knowledge, Harper Valley has yet to win a game since entering the league a season ago; and that’s probably just fine with them.  I had the honor of playing this fun loving team last season.  It was a blowout, but everyone on the field was having a great time.   I was a little concerned with the free cookies they provide at all of their games, because I wasn’t sure if the kickball would start talking to me or not, and then I realized that this is the PTA, so I had a few.  If you are lucky enough to play them this year it won’t be the toughest game you’ve ever played, but be prepared for a fun evening.  Crack a beer, kick your feet up, and enjoy kickball in the summer in Lawrence, KS.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 1-7: Let the fun begin.

Final Prediction:  0-7 (But the pirate ship is worth at least 2 wins).

Tradition: Blowing Championships.  (Andy, I understand high expectations, but that shit cray.)

Pita Pit return a core of seven players from the nine years they’ve participated in the KVKL; not too shabby.  Not to mention the trophy case full of hardware they’ve acquired.  What is there to say about this team other than no one expects a win when this team is across the diamond from you.  Even when they play a nail-biting game against a team that they would likely beat 4 times out of 5, Pita Pit usually finds a way to pull out the “W”.  If there is ever a KVKL Hall of Fame, look for a few Pita Pit jerseys and busts.  Okay, maybe I’ve taken this a bit too far, but this team has been that good year after year.  The only knock I can even fathom about Pita Pit is that they tend to be their own worst enemy.  When the ball isn’t bouncing their way there tends to be a bit of in-house implosion.  When they play methodical, cutthroat kickball, watch out; this team has the capability to go undefeated.  They’ll have to will their way through a KVKL tournament that is growing more and more competitive every year, but I don’t think anyone will be surprised to see them make another deep run.

Key Games:

Week 7 vs. Chamersiz

Final Prediction: 7-0

2. CHALMERSIZ

I would have loved nothing more than for Candy Pantalones – or another member of this colorful cast of characters – to indulge my kickball curiosity. Instead I must go it alone in explaining this kickball anomaly.  Is there a better example of a team who has mastered their own kickball craft than these guys and gals?  I think not.  The Chalmersiz beat teams by forcing them to play a different style of kickball – simple as that.  One of the more memorable games of kickball I’ve ever been a part of was against this very team one hot summer day at South Park.  If you know me at all you know that I love strategizing and love to compete.  The game I’m referencing had more than it’s share of both.  In the end we came out victorious (3-2 I think) but I earned a whole new respect for this team.  And what I love most is the fact that they’re willing to drink a beer and joke after every single game.  If you’re looking for a good team to watch for good kickball and entertainment, look no further.  I also hear they have a few upgrades of their own this year.  Will this be the year they take it all the way?  If they do they’ll likely have an entire town behind them.

Key Games:

Week 7 @ Pita Pit

Final Prediction: 6-1

3. PARTY

Motto: Party = Fun, and “Most Fun Wins”

Formerly known as Wilt Chamberlain, Party comes into the 2012 season trying to rebound from a shaky season last year, finishing the regular season at 6-4.  Party will definitely challenge the better teams in the league and should win the majority of their games on the backs of seasoned veterans and captains.  As the theme of the season seems to be going, Party also brings on a whole new host of female players.  This particular pool seems to be dominated by very capable, mid-level kickball teams.  If PARTY can fend off the some of these teams they should finish strong in this pool.  If they slip up and lose a couple of games they could have won, their season may sound like the same old song from a season ago.  I’m anxious to see if this team will return with a renewed sense of urgency or if they “party” their way to mediocrity.  A totally capable team, but kickball is the life of the KVKL party.

Key Games:

Week 2 @ Chalmersiz

Week 5 @ Pita Pit

Final Prediction: 4-3

4. WEST COAST SALOON

West Coast represent one of the many mid-level kickball teams that are capable of winning almost any game on any given Sunday, but will also lose a game or two that should have been a bit more competitive.  Sorry for my lack of knowledge on this team, but hey, it’s not like I’m Joe Lunardi getting paid to make bold yet random predictions.

Key Games:

Week 2 vs. Tellerdactyls

Week 3 GOTW @ Balls Deep

Final Prediction: 3-4

5. BALLS DEEP

Balls Deep brings a core of returning players, but also is bringing in a lot of new players for the 2012 season.  I don’t think they expect to field one of their more competitive teams, but should still have a lot of fun playing kickball if they don’t take losses to seriously.  With the loss of most of the big boot offense they’ve grown accustomed to over the past few years this team may struggle to put runs on the board – something they’ve succeeded at in prior years.  A few new speedsters may help with run production if they can get on base and execute.  I expect this team to handle lesser competition but struggle against the top flight teams.

Key Games:

Week 3 GOTW vs. West Coast

Week 1 vs. Tellerdactyls

Final Prediction: 3-4

6. TELLERDACTYLS

Fun Fact:  Claim to have the best looking females in the league, and share their booze.  Sounds like a team to jump on board with, no?

After finishing the 2011 campaign at the bottom of the pack, the Tellerdactyls hope to compete in their games this year, as they did most of last year, but also hope that the results will be a bit different.  They have a couple of key games straight out of the gate that could make or break their season as well. Being a team with quite a few new players is yet again hard to predict, but mixing drinking and learning can be a bad concoction – I think most of this league can attest to that.  The Tellerdactyls hope to have a bit of fun in the sun and to be competitive.  They must be thinking business this year.  I hear their captain has already had his first kickball dream, although sources cannot specify as to whether it was wet or dry.

Key Games:

Week 1 @ Balls Deep

Week 2 @ West Coast

Final Prediction: 3-4

7. FREE STATE GROWLERS

Free State is a reminder of yet another team that I know very little about from a playing standpoint.  On the plus side, they are definitely one of the teams that bring work to the field of play.  I’d say the majority (if not all) of their players seem to be Free State workers, a tribute to the KVKL of old. The core of this team knows how kickball is truly meant to be played; they are just lacking the raw athleticism and consistency that is farmed from outside sources throughout the rest of the league.

Key Games:

Week 2 GOTW vs. Bald Beavers

Final Prediction: 1-6

8. WEAVER’S BALD BEAVERS

The Bald Beavs are captained by some savvy kickball veterans.  Unfortunately, this team has had little success from a winning standpoint.  In a league that is growing more and more competitive every year, it’s difficult to make a name for yourself as an up and coming team.  However, let’s not look past the fact that teams like the Bald Beavers continue to play year after year, because – win or lose – kickball is ridiculously fun.

Key Games:

Week 2 GOTW @ Free State

Final Prediction: 1-6

CARRIE A. NATION

1. DAS BOOT

Fact:  Brad Everett lives by the motto, “chicks dig the long ball”.

In my opinion Das Boot has to rank as one of the top teams in the league when it comes to playing kickball and having a good time.  I’m sure some of you think I’m crazy for saying that, but these boys come to play and usually show off their drinking and dancing prowess at the Replay Lounge well after the games have concluded for the day.  Additionally, they like to make statements like promising strippers at their GOTW last season, only to let everyone down when no strippers showed face…or boob…or flapjacks.  I even brought an umbrella expecting spectators to make it rain.  Come on Boot, at least streak for us if you’re going to build us up like that.  I don’t recall exactly how The Boot fared in their the two prior seasons, but last year a lot of things clicked for this team.  They made a strong push in the playoffs reaching the Final 4, but eventually suffered a difficult loss to Love Garden.  Das Boot will have a few upgrades this season from last year’s quick and athletic team.  If these players pan out they will be a force to be reckoned with all season long; as long as the need to coach doesn’t affect the ability to calm down and play consistent, quality kickball.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 5: vs. Sacred Sword

-         Week 6: vs. Wildman Attack Force

• Back to back division contenders

Final Prediction:  6-1

2. SACRED SWORD

Motto: Play with hate

Fact: 43% of current roster are illegitimate children from the seed of Rod “Shooter” Beck.

Coming off of an impressive 10-3 season, Sacred Bunt may be spending a lot of time this year searching for a new identity.  Over the past two seasons they’ve lost a lot of the speed that allowed them to keep defenses on their toes because you just never knew when they’d lay down one of those oh so controversial bunts.  With less overall speed and the loss of two big boots, Sword will rely heavily on a part of the game they have excelled at season after season: defense.  With savvy veterans and a trimmed roster, expect the Sword to be a bit vulnerable if they get runs scored against them.  Otherwise they will likely continue to be one of the dominant, bass-thumping teams in the league.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 2 @ Das Boot. Trying to avenge last seasons 9-8 playoff loss

-         Week 7 GOTW vs. Wildman Attack Force.  Marriage Match-up meets contract dispute.

Final Prediction: 5 -2

3. WILDMAN ATTACK FORCE

Motto:  Win or lose…those are your options. Win. Or lose.

Fact: Be prepared to shotgun a beer with the team captain, its tradition.  Oh, and there will be pony keg at every game so put your drinking hats on.

Wildman finished last year with a sub .500 record, but this year they are no longer vintage, they are an attack force.  This should be one of the fun teams to watch this year due to the large number of new players trying to mesh together with the core of the past.  This is a hard team to predict preseason, but expect Wildman to be a force in the league once they all get on the same page.  Depending on how they fare in the first 7 weeks, Wildman could find themselves either struggling in ranked play or dominating a lower pool if they lose a few early games.  Luckily for them, their two toughest games will likely be in weeks 6 and 7.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 3 vs. Los Matadores

-         Week 6 @ Das Boot

-         Week 7 GOTW @ Sacred Sword.  Marriage Match-up meets contract dispute.

Final Prediction: 5-2

4. LOS MATADORES

You can’t knock the hustle.  Senor Paul Santos is up to his crafty ways once again.  I don’t know this for a fact of course, but I did find this seeing-stone down by the river and it hasn’t led me astray so far.  As for predictions?  Los will feature a lot of new faces, but a lot of familiar faces as well.  Many of the players have plenty of KVKL experience, but it will be interesting to see if all of Paul’s puppets can dance around the bulls on stage in synchronization without knotting up all the strings.  Do the Matadores have an upset up their sleeve?  They were certainly dealt a shitty hand playing my divisional top three contenders in weeks 1-3.  It will also be interesting to see if they can avoid being the victim of upset losses.  All in all expect Los Matadores to settle in and finish the season strong as a top half team in the league.  I really do love you Paul.  Blood, sweat, and tears.  You certainly photocopied a play out of the late Al Davis’ playbook.  The only problem was you ran it through the copy machine upside-down and ended up stealing Al’s famous quote “Just win baby” and the yearly off season maneuvers have echoed this motto for a few years running.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 1: vs. Das Boot

-         Week 2: @ Sacred Sword

-         Week 3: @ Wildman

Final Prediction: 4-3

5. LIBERTY HALL LATE FEES

Mottos: LATE FEES 4-LIFE, MOST FUN WINS

Tradition: Pregame lap around the field with the Late Fees Flag made out of Hawaiian booty shorts – courtesy of Mick Cottin.

After starting last season off on a positive note at 4-3, The Late Fees dropped all three of their games in Pool 3. As the overall #14 seed in the postseason tournament, they followed that up with a decent push in the playoffs falling just short of a Cinderella story when they barely lost to #3 ranked Sacred Sword 4-3 in the second round of action.  This year the Late Fees face the daunting task of replacing two of their better players from a year ago.  Adding new players to a roster that had gone virtually unchanged for three consecutive seasons (very impressive), Liberty Hall hopes that a breathe of fresh air and the taste of cold beer will be just the rejuvenating concoction to quench their kickball souls for the 2012 season.  Liberty Hall consistently plays middle of the pack kickball, but can certainly catch a sleeping giant off guard.  Regardless of the outcome this season this team knows how to have a good time and isn’t afraid to let you know about it, win or lose.  The first half of division play will be key in determining where this team ends up, and the difficulty of their final few weeks should gear them up for Pool Play wherever they land.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 3: vs. Brew Ballers

-         Week 4: vs. Los Matadores

Final Prediction: 3-4

6. BREWBALLERS

Motto: If you can kick a wrench, you can kick a ball.

Team Brewski Most Likely Found in Dugout:Hamm’s and Halcyon Wheat

The Brewballers come into this season lacking several of their players from a year ago.  Due to these defections, the Brewballers have opted to go with the theme, out with the old in with the new, as they have at least six players on their roster completely new to the KVKL.  With inexperience come growing pains and I don’t think this years team has any illusions of grandeur.  However, don’t expect the Brewballers to roll over and die either.  New players can bring new life and a new sense of confidence.  Only time will tell which portion of the Brewballer name will win out, the brew or the ball.

Key Games:

-         Week 3: @ Liberty Hall

-         Week 5: @ Los Matadores

Final Prediction: 3-4

7. SPACEPUSSY (ASTROKITTY)

Motto: Spacepussy, Spacepussy! Stank, stank, stank!

Team Tradition: Foam Weaponry, Costumes, Boom Box, and a Bullhorn

Facts: Joe Noh can kick backwards at a record land-speed of 90 mph, Joel Pfannenstiel still can’t tell you the difference between shortstop and rover, though he’s played this game for six years, and Isabel Boehms is from the future.  In fact she already knows the outcome of each game, but refuses to tell her teammates so as not to affect the space time continu

It’s no secret that Spacepussy has more fun than a majority of the teams in the KVKL and this year’s squad will be no different.  With a team large enough to sail the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria, this Intergalactic Vaginal Voyage has its sights set on funning every team it faces to kickball death, which of course means partying harder than you ever imagined possible.  The Cosmic Clam may have gone 0-fer in division play a year ago, but they tightened up and eased their way into a perfect 3-0 inpool play.  Finishing off last season on a strong note, don’t be surprised if the Solar Stank turns a few tricks and peel off a win or two more than normal.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 5: GOTW @ Gang Green

Final Prediction: 1-6

8. GANG GREEN

Unfortunately I know very little about Gang Green other than that they are one of the youngest teams in the KVKL – that and the fact that someone has to be in the cellar of division predictions.  As a member of the Barracudas, we played them last year in the first round of the playoffs and beat them pretty handily.  It’s always interesting to see if a team acquires new players and begins to learn the ways of the league: what works, what doesn’t, etc.  With a couple of seasons under their belt this season should be a year to find out whether Gang Green is making strides forward or not.  From what I remember this is a team who wants to compete and is still looking for their own identity in a league of varying styles.  I think they have some of the parts to compete, but putting it together for 9 consecutive innings has proven to be a bit challenging for Gang Green to date.  We’ll have to wait and see if the 2012 season will be any different.

Key Game(s):

-         Week 5: vs. GOTW vs. Spacepussy

Final Prediction: 1-6

And then, before you know it, we’ll be well into the dog days of summer.  KVKLers are easily recognizable.  You know, the ones with the distinct tans lines that range everywhere on the body from pieces of flare like: headbands, bandanas, tank tops, short shorts, knee high socks, dick towels and banana hammocks?  The backseats of our cars are lined with cut up plastic rings that once held a six pack of tall boys.  We wake up with a bed full of dirt, grass, and sweat requiring us to do our laundry more often than any other time of the year – some of us anyway.  Hobbs Field is our sanctuary; kickball our religion. 

Every week many of us will be breaking down match-ups and looking through the schedule picking and choosing which games are not to be missed, all leading up to the biggest show of the weekend: The Game of the Week.  And what an event it is.  The assortment of individuals could not be more beautiful.  There are the stat junkies, whose sole interest is to scout other teams.  The hipsters, who spend more time mastering their game day attire than they did getting ready for prom.  Some game goers show up simply to participate in the spectacle going on in their own neighborhood.  The social nature of the GOTW alone is enough to attract hundreds of people who enjoy random attractions including bongos, harmonicas, fireworks, streakers (where have you been?), and the frequent eye candy that can be seem strutting around the ballpark. Popping your GOTW cherry is an experience all its own.  You can be told a million times what it is like, but just like The Matrix, no one can simply be told what it is, you have to experience it for yourself.  I’ll give it a try anyway.  Remember going to a high school sock hop for the first time as a freshman?  You were so happy to get to do something social without your parents holding your hand that you didn’t care that the teachers were the chaperons. Well, it’s a lot like that, except imagine the teachers are handing out jello shots and holding the two story beer bong – rooting you along throughout the process.  Yep, it’s that awesome.

It’s back.  Once again the time has come to unleash the inner child that has been hibernating all winter long.  All off-season I’ve kept my ear to the grindstone, and from the sound of it, I can’t help but think that there will be even more badass teams than ever before.  Each year brings new challenges.  Who will have a breakout season? Which team will be the darling team this year?  Will a newly reinvented team find the right parts and possess the chemistry to make a run deep into the playoffs?  Only time will tell.  The words of the House of Stark may be “winter is coming”, but I’m here to tell you that winter is gone.  For those of us who have experienced the glory that is the KVKL, we all dance to a different tune.  Every Sunday we pay the iron price for our entertainment.  The House of KVKL knows that “summer is here bitches.  It’s kickball time.”

Depending on the number of players you have, this game can be played in a number of different ways (3 on 3 on 3 on 3, 4 on 4 on 4 on 4, 5 on 5 on 5 and everything in between).  NOTE: If you have 18 people and aren’t playing 9 on 9, simply sit down, drink a beer, reboot, and reconsider your commitment to being a human being on Planet Earth.

The ideal minimum number to start with is no less than 12 people.  This is so that each team of three has three kickers and also has nine defenders to kick against (Note that with 12 there will either be no Catcher or no Rover, your call).  Start by evenly distributing the players into four teams of three – counting off, selecting captains, etc.  Really, you can do it however you want as long as you’re cool with the squads.  If you’re not cool with the squads, arm-wrestle.

Teams are designated by names/numbers/colors etc.: Teams 1-4 or Teams A-D…you get the point.  Designate a team kicking order: Team 1, 2, 3, 4. And repeat.

All normal kickball rules apply.  Each team will kick until they get three outs.  In the event that all 3 kickers are on base (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd), a ghost runner*** may be used.

After the kicking team gets 3 outs, the next designated team will kick.  The rotation continues until the inning is complete.  In this 4 team scenario, there are 4 quarter innings as opposed to the 2 half innings in a regular game.

It’s really that simple.  The short and sweet of it is that you will essentially being playing with a high octane offense where you kick every forth time (with a team of 3).  After your team gets 3 outs you will be on defense for 9 outs (while all three of the other teams kick).

Variations:

4 on 4 on 4 on 4:

There is no need for ghost runners because it is impossible to have four players on base at the same time.  You can either play with 12 defenders or rotate with 2 of the 3 defensive teams designating a player to sit out defensively for each quarter inning.

5 on 5 on 5:

Kicking for 3 outs, then on defense for 6 outs.  5 kickers, 10 defenders.

Uneven Numbers, Teams of 3 and 4:

Teams with 4 players will designate one of their players to be the Catcher while they are kicking UNLESS there are enough defenders to field every position.  If there are enough defenders then the teams simply remain uneven.  Make sure that teams are not kicking against more defenders than other teams if you are concerned with fairness.  Some players may have to rotate and sit out on defense.

______________________________________________________________________

***Ghost Runner:

For those unfamiliar with this term, a ghost runner is an imaginary base runner who is occupying a position on base because there are not enough players to occupy the bases themselves.  Ghost runners are always the runners who are the farthest from home plate from a base running perspective.  Real players move up to occupy the most advanced bases when shifting because someone on that base has to kick.  This means that if the player on third base is up to kick, the player will go to kick as usual and all other runners will advance to the farthest occupied bases.  Imagine a team of three where everyone gets on base with a single; bases loaded, no one to kick.  In this scenario the runner at third base is now up to kick.  The runner at 2^nd base will advance to 3^rd base and the runner at 1^st base will advance to 2^nd base, leaving 1st base unoccupied where a runner should be.  The imaginary runner accounting for this runner is called a ghost runner. You are not required to use a ghost runner and can simply leave 1^st base unoccupied (meaning there would be no force outs for the runners at 2^nd and 3^rd – this should be established before play so it is uniform for everyone.  Also, ghost runners, while tricky, keep the game flow similarly from a defensive perspective; force outs stay intact, etc.)  In the event that you do use a ghost runner, the ghost runner only moves as fast as the runner behind it.  I.e., the kicker kicks an infield ground ball and is running to 1^st base with a ghost runner starting at 1^st base.  This creates a force at 2^nd base for the ghost runner.  If the ball reaches 2^nd base for the force out before the kicker reaches 1^st base, the ghost runner is out.  Unfortunately, you cannot tag a ghost runner out.  Why you might ask? Well, it’s because he is a ghost and he went through the ball and actually slimed you even if you didn’t feel anything. Trust me.  That being said, a ghost runner only runs on a force play.  You cannot assume that your ghost runner is related to Neon Deion and ran from second to home on your bunt in .6 seconds.  This is not a novel idea. Someone has tried it before you.

As for the layout and the format I don’t think much will change.  I hope to incorporate some discussion, debates, videos, statistics, and so on and so forth throughout the year.  I am, however, going to channel my inner Tom Emanski and Crime Dog Fred McGriff as I plan to periodically post installments of KM’s Coach’s Corner where I attempt to break down game scenarios and kickball situations (hopefully I’m not the only one who remembers these ridiculously cheesy videos from the 90’s).  I may even need a few volunteers and a cell phone camera crew to make some video segments.  Anyway, I digress. If there is anything that anyone is particularly interested in talking about please feel free to let me know and I will try my best to be as accommodating as possible.

As everyone likely knows by now, we have all 32 teams returning from last year – sort of…New-new Jazzhaus team?  I enjoyed the addition of new teams last year as the league expanded from 30 to 32 teams, but it is also nice to see familiar faces around the playing fields.  One of the major changes that I have noticed this off-season and something that has been dominating conversation around the water cooler is that a number of ladies are jumping ship from their prior teams to set sail on other vessels. What gives ladies?  I’m a firm believer that the female aspect of kickball is one that can take a team from good to great, but there are also so many game changing females that team chemistry may be jeopardized if playing time becomes an issue (not pointing any fingers here, just my opinion).  That being said, it will be exciting to see a new look from some of the teams out there.

On a more serious note, I’d like to take the time to pay my respects to a former teammate and KVKLer, Aimee Ziegler, who passed away just a few short weeks ago.  Aimee was a great asset to the league and the community of Lawrence.  Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.  She is survived by her husband and three young children.  There are so many wonderful things to say about Aimee and I am certainly not doing her any justice here, but I want to remind everyone how fragile life can be and that we should not take anything for granted.  We are not guaranteed another second on this earth so make sure that we take the time to appreciate the little things in life, like kickball, that we get the privilege of participating in every summer.

And with that I will conclude the first entry of the season.  All I have left for you are a few logistical notes that will surely be hammered home by your team captains.

1. All Captains Meeting – May 1^st,6PM in the Big 6 Room at the Eldridge
2. Reffing Clinic – May 6^th, time and location TBD
3. First Games – May 20^th
4. Off Week – May 27^th.  We will not hold games on Memorial Day weekend.  I know its one week of games then an off week.  I didn’t make the rules.  Think of it as a “just the tip” scenario.  Maybe not the greatest, but better than nothing right? Exactly.

Don’t sweat the petty things, just pet the sweaty things,

KM

http://obituaries.ljworld.com/obituaries/ljworld/obituary.aspx?n=aimee-elizabeth-ziegler&pid=156844657

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Aimee Ziegler Children’s Education Fund, Aimee Ziegler Scholarship Fund through Free State High School, or Headquarters Counseling
Center, and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

www.warrenmcelwain.com (search Ziegler)

First things first, a HUGE THANKS to one Mick Cottin for taking residual mojo left by Chris Ford and nearly doubling the popularity of this blog in 2011, again. Or, many of you regs simply hit refresh almost twice as much. Either way, impressive. Mick’s clever use of video brought a whole new level of creativity and entertainment to SITP. Not to mention a whole new level of jackassery as well.  From day one, Mick made the blog his own while continuing the time honored tradition of jocular inclusivity. He’ll be a tough act to follow. Thanks again Mick!

That said, SITP in 2012 will be delivered to you via Kris Marshall. Most, if not all, of you already know Kris. I have good reason to believe he’ll deliver insightful rants about kickball, life, pop-culture, false gods, Sedgwick County, real sports (ala Kenny Powers), and other ephemera. Maybe those are just my unreasonably high expectations. Like others before him, I really just expect him to make this blog an extension of his own voice. Good luck to you, Kris! I would also like to wish everyone a happy, healthy 2012 kickball season.

I’ll leave you with words to live by from a KVKL icon…………”Most fun wins!”

Cheers,

Deron