Archive for September, 2007
Thursday, September 27th, 2007
Grassies soothe Fred Savage beasts 12-3
Monday was a record-breaking night that would see The Grassholes topple their previous runs-total high (10-0, against The Ponies of Death in season 3) in come-from-behind fashion against skilled league-newcomers, The Fred Savages. The Savages came out of the gate strong, lighting A-Train up for 3 in the bottom of the 1st and holding the newly formed Grassy Offensive Behemoth to only 1 run through the 1st two. But the Grassies would rally in the third, led by a 3 run homer from Corey “The Lieutenant” Harris. Corey would later tack on another two RKIs in a dominant performance (his first as a Grassy and it was his birthday!). Only four girls could make it to the game, but they were all en fuego; Jackie Chu exhibited serious speed and scored on a heads-up play. Pamther scored on a suicide squeeze as did Gianni; their plays would avenge the pitfalls suffered by HazMatt and A-Train in similar situations.
Gianni also recorded a save and a foulout after pitching 4 scoreless innings. The funny thing is that he had just pitched 5 shutout innings hours before in a different league!!! Sammy “Sosa” Levassar also made Grassy history going 3-3 with 3 runs scored!
The strong play of our new free agents has not gone unnoticed as all three of them are league-leaders in all the important statistics. Levassar has 4 runs, the most in the league through two games. Corey has 1 HR, tied for the lead with 4 other players but in only half the games! Corey also has 5 RKI, one shy of the highmark set by Lebowski’s Todd Harty. Gianni trails only Chuck Norris’s ace, Brandon Paialii in pitching stats though he has spent less time on the mound and has a better RAA.
Big play also came from the usual suspects and notably from Rob “Astroclyde” Clyde who has double his production from last season.
Thursday, September 20th, 2007
Grassies take Season Opener 4-2 against The Awesome Awesomes
Offense came from many different players throughout the lineup, whereas our opponents had to rely on their exceptionally fast lead-off guy for their only scores. Errors sprung up on both sides of the ball, but The Grassies were able to take better advantage of the Game 1 rust by plating just a couple more than the opponent. The freshman class looked particularly strong. It didn’t get mentioned in the game recap I submitted to the newsletter, but Alissa (The Grassy Knoll) made the defensive play of the game, saving what looked like a surefire run with a smart play. As the comraderie develops, I think we can expect bigger and better things from G-Town. Viva Los Grassies!
Saturday, September 15th, 2007
Grassy Pre-Season Warm-Up
Alright folks, let’s see twelve by Monday.
Friday, September 7th, 2007
The Grassy Tradewire (Pt 2: Free-Agency Adds and Rookie Signings)
Now the Additions:
Key Offense and Defense will be provided by newly signed and one-time member of This Is My Bubba (a former powerhouse of the Hollywood division). Corey is one of Southern California’s best kickball kickers. With a soccer past and a few top-finishing kickball seasons under his belt, this guy can pound the ball and with his speed he is a constant home run threat to opposing teams. Most notably was his solo shot in the Hollywood/Studio Allstar Showdown. On the defensive side Corey brings a cannon-arm and bunt-stopping speed and accuracy to the shortstop position. The only drawback of the signing is Corey’s distance from the kickball field; he will likely have to miss a few games to his lengthy commute.
A similar player and free-agency pickup is the roster addition of CA Studio’s, The Rhino Stampede, Gianni Arone. Gianni is starting pitcher for the Stampede and will come in to perform a similar role for The Grassies. His wicked breaking ball is reminiscent of Hollywood’s John Barry (2-Time Cy Young winner of the division) and is nearly impossible to get a good bunt off of — this will be a key weapon against the bunt-led offenses of our divisional rivals the Little Lebowski Urban Achievers and the Chuck Norris Delta Force.
The final free-agency signing comes in the form of Sam Levassar, a championship-winning former captain of CA Studio’s Wonderballz team. Our scouting reports tell us that Sam is a utility infielder with an exceptional arm. His versatility will be key as he can play the important positions of Shortstop, Pitcher and 1st Base all very well and will be able to fill in any of those spots greatly. Sam is also an able bunter and kicker and can ad a definite spark to our offense. His previous experience and championship title will also add veteran wisdom to a team that has been close many times but never crossed the threshold.
On the rookie side we have some promising new additions in the form of WAKA newcomers, John Nixon, Kevin Linehan, Emily Popper and Chris Perkel. All four come from athletic backgrounds and look to have very promising careers in the field of nostalgia-based sporting.
John Nixon, aside from having a deep understanding of the game of baseball and the principles of manufacturing runs, also plays on The Grassy Best houseband, Spacemuseum. Nixon, provides the band’s backbeat with his exceptional drumming and will likely add that solid foundation and rhythm to the Grassy organization. His quickness and saavy will be key assets.
Kevin Linehan comes to us from our chief talent scout – his wife Kathlene. Kathlene, a former Grassy herself, is one of thequickest women to play the game but her true talent lies in recruiting. Her firm of Kiernan and Linehan Kickball Scouting Associates has been responsible for the acquisition of Grassy alltime runs-leader, Dave”The Cuddler” Lewis and former Dodgeball sensation Rob “Astroclyde” Clyde (a forec to be reckoned with in his one performance last season). Kathleen also provided two breakout finds for The Grassies’ farmteam, The Warner Pros but enough about Kathleen, we’re here to discuss her Husband Kevin. Kevin adds depth at the position of guy-named Kevin to the team since we will be losing two Kevins this season. But more importantly, he is a phenomenal softball talent and was a key standout at Wide Reciever in last year’s Poinsettia Turkey Bowl.
Rookie Emily Popper also has a softball background and comes highly recommended by OG and Bullpen Closer, John “The Commuter” LeBlanc.
Lastly will be Columbia graduate and former roommate to Quinn “The Professor” Saunders (AKA: Clemens, Kurt Gibson, The Bus, Colonel Saunders and Mighty Quinn), Chris Perkel. Perkel is a noted baseball scholar along the lines of fellow rookie John Nixon (but since both are Yankees fans, how scholarly can they be?!?!?) but his athletic prowess comes from his past experiences as a standout member of the Ultimate Frisbee community. Perkel is no stranger to silly games with unnecessarily high levels of competitiveness and thus will be unphased by the sheer douschitude of some of our Hollywood Kickballing opponents. Not to mention quickness and great hands, “The Perkelator” aims to be an exceptionally promising Grassy newcomer.
Lastly, and this is unconfirmed info mind you, there is a chance that OG Grassy and two-time All-Star, Kristle “The Pistle” Baillargeon MAY be coming out of retirement to join her fellow Grassies for another season of Kickball Mayhem. This could be HUGE as Kristle is an offensive force to be reckoned with considering her OBP is in the 90 percent range and her ball-placement is stellar. On defense she has great hands and has a keen sixth sense for covering bases and making plays. Cross your fingers for this one Grassies but don’t count on anything until the ink is dry on that contract extension.
Friday, September 7th, 2007
The Grassy Tradewire (Pt 1: Free-Agency Losses and Retirements)
Lots of off-season roster movement for The Grassy Best.
First the losses:
The hardest felt losses by far are the losses of the dual Kevin-core of Meanwald and Lap’n. Both are OG’s from the way beginning, Meanwald actually being the key driving force in the creation of the team and Lap’n a certified allstar from last season’s squad. Both are undeniably key members of the team and I’m sure they will continue have a presence on the field and DEFINITELY a presence on the bar. Meanwald has even signed on as an Independet Consultant in the fields of Nicknaming and Lineup Wizardry.
Another key loss comes in the form of Craig “Smidty” Smidt (also inked to stay on in a contractor capacity). Smidty was put on waivers earlier last week and his league status is indefinite. A super-veteran of the league and a key motivational force; not to mention one of the quickest fastball pitchers in the league, Smidty will be missed.
The biggest defensive loss though comes with the departure of Eric “Shellman” Shellman (the gold-glove winner of the previous season). We will also sorely miss his iguana from our sidelines.
Matt “HazMatt” Haslett is also moving on to greener pastures. His rocket arm and quick speed will be missed for sure. As will his award-winning facial hair.
On the female side we are losing fielding/motorboating sensation Leah Alejo to free agency. Leah has apparently inked a deal with CA Studio’s, Nuts And Honeys, a strong team that she will add a lot to.
Also after four seasons of near complete grassy anonymity, Jessica “The Grassy Jess” Morrill will not be paying $65 this season to not play kickball. Her sometime presence will be greatly missed along with her occasional jello-shots…mmmmm…
Contract negotiations have been dicey with Meagan “Quma” O’Connell and it is unlikely that she will be back in Irish Green this season though still not confirmed.