GHOST MAN ON THIRD Fall 2009, Issue 2

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2 Peninsula Division GHOST MAN ON THIRD Fall 2009, Issue 2 NEWS & NOTES Division Bar: We have a home!!!! The official bar sponsor of the Peninsula Division is the Red Rock Lounge in Newport News!!! After the games, join your fellow kickballers for $2.50 Aluminum Miller Lites and 30% off their late night food menu! In this issue Division Bar Info Week 1 Recap Week 2 Preview 2009 Peninsula Open Details Red Rock Lounge 621 Stoney Creek Ln Newport News, VA, (757)

3 WEEK 1 RECAP The Emperors Club 9, Wilfred Brimley s Mustache Ride 1 These two teams last faced each other in the Spring 2009 Division Tournament. In the 2 nd round, the #1 seed VIPs were upset by the 5 th seeded Mustache Ride. This was just the latest chapter in these two proud franchises long rivalry. The Emperors Club has had 2 months to think about that disappointing loss, and came into week 1 looking for a little bit of revenge. The Emperors Club offense came out hot and kept the pressure on the Ride. They scored in every inning of the game and were lead by Paul Devlin s 4 RBIs (RKIs?). Brent Wentworth (third person alert!) pitched 3 strong innings and George Sex-Man Kirazidis closed out the final two without allowing a run. The play of the game came in the bottom of the 5 th, when Eric Stevens was gunned out at home by VIP charger Anthony Williams while trying to stretch a single into a home run. After Wilfred Brimley pitcher Eric Taylor s rough outing, management signed free agent Joseph J.C. Cashwell to take over the pitching duties. JC is an experienced pitcher from the Shore Division and has the skills to take over games. As they incorporate J.C. into their lineup, look for WBMR to rebound from this early season setback. TailGators 2, Chubby Gangsters 1 VIPs Brent Wentworth and Lori Medford celebrate their week 1 victory at Red Rock. TailGators captain MarkAvery Claridge described their opponents as loud and obnoxious, yet surprisingly fun. This was a very close game, with good efforts from both squads. The rookie Chubby Gangsters were able to hang with the veteran squad, and may have come away with the win, had it not been for the fantastic play of new Gator Jonathan Calderon. Calderon, aka Mango, was a force on offense, and helped lead the Gators to the week 1 victory. After the game, Claridge exclaimed Oh yeah! like the kool aid man over and over again. All in all, not a bad debut for the Chubby Gangsters on the Peninsula.

4 Jagernaughts 3, Chubby Gangsters 1 Recap by Justin Littell The Jagernauts come into the season as a reinvigorated version of their former shell of a team "Spaceballs". After shedding the dead weight from last season (Kim Merritt) and drafting a host of top quality free agents, the Jagernauts expect to take the Peninsula league by force. Meet the Jagernaughts The Jagernauts have been hard at work practicing for the upcoming season. The Jagernauts have been having grueling two-a-month practices, and regularly work out by doing 12 oz. curls and stretching exercises using plastic tip darts. Coming in to the season in peak physical condition, the Jagernauts are looking to physically dominate the competition by brute force. With a host of "ringers" and players with intimidating nick-names like Will, John, Liz, and Tom, the Jagernauts will be respected (and feared) by their competition. But don't think the team is all muscle...with 2 PhD's on the team and a host of post-graduate degrees, the Jagernauts have also tackled the mental aspects of the game. In their time between kickball games, the Jagernauts work in the local aerospace and secondary education communities. Those working in the aerospace industry are studying ways to reduce drag on kicked balls by developing complex computer models simulating flight characteristics. They are cramped in small offices endlessly studying the physics behind ideal ball trajectories and ways to kick to achieve these. Still others are working in the secondary education field busy scouting local talent, analyzing post game film, and trying to look for weaknesses in opposing teams to exploit. There even is a Jagernaut who specializes in psychology and is working to develop a method to analyze and exploit the mentality of opposing players. 3B Fran Risinger reacts to a frantastic play against the Chubby Gangsters The Jagernauts came out to play in their first game, physically and mentally dominating the weakminded and far less superior "Chubby Gangsters", in a decisively lopsided 3-1 victory. Starting pitcher Justin Littell only allowed one run in four innings pitched and closer Eddie Justin "The Dizzle Lizzle" Littell (captain) Justin "I'm the other Justin" Arrington Tom "Crazy Legs" Janule Will "Not Bill" Johnston Katie "Not little" Litle John "Lil' John" Meier Dan "More More More" Moore Fran "Frantastic" Risinger Sara Ruch and Sarah McGuire "We got the Sara(h)'s covered" Eddie and Beth "Leave it to" Seavers Liz "Could be a Ringer" Sims Staten "Stand-in" Spruill Nicci "Surething" Surething Dottie "The Hottie" Wood Seavers pitched a flawless 5th for the save. Offensively, in a play worthy of SportsCenter top ten highlight, Seavers kicked an inside the park home run and timely base running by John Meier compounded by costly errors by the Chubby Gangsters allowed the Jagernauts to score two more insurance runs. The Jagernauts expect to go undefeated on the field this season and anything less than that will be less than undefeated. Oh well, there's always alcohol.

5 5 O Clockers 5, Foul Balls 2 Another rematch from last season s semi-finals: In the Spring 2009 tourney, the 5 O Clockers were beat down by Foul Balls on their way to the division title. This time, the tables were turned; as the Clockers played an outstanding overall game, offensively and defensively. SP Corey Carlyle had some nasty movement on his pitches, and he kept the Foul Balls off balance all night. And while FB threatened nearly every inning to score, the Clockers defense wouldn t bend. Catcher Adam Flowers and Charger Jeff Pauley had great games and made it difficult for base runners. According to Foul Balls catcher Roger Jackson, the defending champs came out really flat. Perhaps they have a championship hangover. But if you look at recent history, the Balls have nothing to worry about. In fact, last season, Foul Balls were beaten 6-1 by the Clockers in their season opener. Of course, we know that they recovered and went on to win the Spring title. Other notes: Since joining the Peninsula in the Fall 2008 season, the Foul Balls have only lost 4 regular season games. All 4 losses have been at the hands of the 5 O Clockers (see table to the right). Against the rest of the division, Foul Balls are 17-0 all time. These two teams play each other next on October 7 th. Foul Balls vs. 5 O Clockers History September 10 th, O Clockers 4, Foul Balls 3 October 29 th, O Clockers 3, Foul Balls 1 November 19 th, 2008 (Division Finals) 5 O Clockers 3, Foul Balls 1 April 15 th, O Clockers 6, Foul Balls 1 June 24 th, 2009 (Division Semi-Finals) Foul Balls 9, 5 O Clockers 2 August 26 th, O Clockers 5, Foul Balls 2

6 Wednesday, September 2 nd, :30 PM The Emperors Club (1-0) vs. Chubby Gangsters (0-2) Refs: Jagernaughts Last week, the Chubby Gangsters made their Peninsula Debut with close losses against the TailGators and the Jagernaughts. This week, they have a tall order ahead of them when they square off against The Emperors Club. The VIPs looked very good last week while dominating WBMR. While the Gangsters have some good athletes on their squad, it s going to be tough for them to overcome the veteran VIPs. WBMR (0-1) vs. TailGators (1-0) Refs: 5 O Clockers The TailGators are going to look to keep their share of 1 st place by beating Wilfred Brimley s Mustache Ride And this will probably be the only time I ever get to write about the TailGators fighting for their first place. The Mustache Ride will be looking to rebound from their blowout loss in week 1. 7:30 PM Jagernaughts (1-0) vs. Foul Balls (0-1) Refs: Chubby Gangsters The Jagernaughts are flying high after their win last week against the Chubby Gangsters and look to be greatly improved from last season. The Foul Balls are looking to ground them though. If the Naughts can keep it close or even come out with a W, it ll certainly be an impressive win. Are the Foul Balls vulnerable now after being choked out by the Clockers last week? Or will they be looking to make a statement with a blowout? 5 O Clockers (1-0) vs. WBMR (0-1) Refs: TailGators The Clockers looked pretty damn good in week 1. Can they keep it up for two weeks in a row? No doubt the Mustache Ride will be looking to go 2-1 with a double header sweep this week. 8:30 PM Chubby Gangsters (0-2) vs. Foul Balls (0-1) Refs: The Emperors Club Damn. The Chubby Gangsters have a tough double header this week. Welcome to the Peninsula Division. TailGators (1-0) vs. Jagernaughts (1-0) Refs: WBMR Both teams are playing in the 2 nd half of a double header, and this looks to be a very competitive game. They both enjoyed the taste of victory in week 1, and will be looking for some more. This game will probably come down to whichever team makes the least amount of mistakes. (I know. Stunning earth-shattering observation made right there.) Peninsula Division Fall 2009 Standings W L T F % RF RA RD Pts GP The Emperors Club Jagernaughts TailGators O'Clockers Foul Balls WBMR Chubby Gangsters Legend: W=Wins, L=Losses, T=Ties, F=Forfeits Win Percentage = [W + (T/2) (F*.75)] / GP RF=Runs For, RA=Runs Against, RD=Run Differential

7 2009 Peninsula Open Kickball Tournament War Memorial Stadium 1889 Pembroke Ave Hampton, VA Saturday, September 19 th Minimum Donation: $10 per player All proceeds go to benefit the Kevin Eadie foundation. Come join us for a fun day of kickball, friends, and fun all for a great cause! RSVP your team by 9/18 by contacting Brent Wentworth at krabbas@gmail.com