Ghost Man on Third: Championship Week

GHOST MAN ON THIRD

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH DIVISION
"Kickball. Need I say more?" 

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK: "Victory Songs are rising in the night - Telling all of their undying strength and might"

Table of Contents:

I - CHAMPIONSHIP 
II - END OF SEASON PARTY 

PART I - " And it's sweet, sweet, sweet victory. And it's ours for the taking. It's ours for the fight. And it's sweet, sweet, sweet, victory."

Congratulations to Team ADPI, the 2008 League Champions! 

Last Thursday Team ADPI, authored a stirring comeback from a two run deficit in the bottom of the 5th to over take the heretofore undefeated Animal is My Homeboy to claim the title and sweet, sweet victory.

An ovation for the team members, Betsy, Jim, Maria, Duane, Michelle, Ant, Luke, Deb, Kate, Matt, Coral, Matt, Stephanie, Brian, Heather, Paul, Lauren, Brian and Dave.





PART II – "So let's get a party going (let's get a party going) Now it's time to party and we'll party hard (party hard) 
Let's get a party going (let's get a party going) When it's time to party we will always party hard, Party hard (party hard, party hard, party hard party hard, party hard, party hard party hard, party hard, party hard...)"


The End of Season Party Is THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!!!!


When: Friday, August 29th. 7-10 pm. 
Where: An Tua Nua, 835 Beacon Street, Boston MA (Map) 

Tomorrow night is the End of Season Party! A feasting banquet to celebrate the success that was this season of MA Commonwealth Kickball!

The League has been able to secure a private VIP room, free appetizers and the coup de grace, FREE BEER!

League players are free. Guests are $10 donation to our league Charity, the Cure Alzheimer's Fund!

Also, volunteers will be needed to check in players and their guests at the door. Shifts will last half an hour and the more people who volunteer, the shorter the shifts. To pick a time, please email me.

See you all there! It will be a fantastic time.



Thank you, Congrats to ADPI, and See YOU at the End of Season Party!

- David, Team ADPI

Ghost Man on Third: Playoff Preview

GHOST MAN ON THIRD

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH DIVISION
"Kickball. 7.38 out of 10 Norwegian Urologists Can't Be Wrong" 

WEEK EIGHT (For Real): ""Getting older only makes it harder to remember, we are our only saviors. We're gonna build something this summer."

Table of Contents:

I - PLAYOFFS
II – Get Your Freak On
III - Move Into The Light
IV -Perfunctory Playoff Primer
V - Game 1 Recap
VI– Game 2 Recap
VII – Standings & Schedule
VIII – Announcements
IX - Raise a Toast to Saint Joe Strummer.


PART I - "She says it hurts, but it's worth it. Tiny little text etched into her neck it said 'Jesus lived and died for all your sins.' She's got blue black ink and it's scratched into her lower back. it said "damn right I'll rise again.' Yeah damn right you'll rise again."

The moment of truth has arrived; the playoffs. Win and you play once more, and have the chance to etch your name in the rock of immortals. Lose and you are forever (or until next season) cast with the Kato Kaelins, Tom Arnolds, and William Hungs in the chum bucket of loser-dom.

Game 1. 6:30pm. (Referee: ADPI) 

Animal is My Homeboy (8-0) vs. Ball Busters (1-7) 

Game 2. 7:15pm (Referee: Animal is My Homeboy) 

BRB (4-4) vs. ADPI (3-5)




PART II – " We had some massive nights. Every song was right. All that wine was tight. Your friends were pretty cool. And my friends were acting cool."
The end of season brings with it the end of season party. While the details are not yet cemented, my sources tell me that the season end party, which will feature only the MA Commonwealth League, will be a rip-roaring, (kick) balls to the wall, high octone, synergy of food, drink, total awesomeness and bee-bop-a-lula-a-womp-bam-boom. 




PART III -"There are girls that will come to you with comfort in the night. There are nights where it all comes on a little bit too bright. There's a cross and in the center there is a hot soft light."

"It gets late early out here" once quipped former New York Yankees great and walking malapropism Yogi Berra. Fall is fast approaching and the lack of night lights at Lowell field mean that darkness will be in play. It is imperative and essential that the first game start as close to 6:30 as possible so that both playoff games can be played safely and completely. Last week the field was unplayable at approximately 8:30pm. 


Part IV - "Lost in the fog and love and faithless fear. I've had kisses that make Judas seem sincere."

My Not-So-Humble Preview of Playoffs Round 1:

Game 1: Animal is My Homeboy vs. Ball Busters 

On the face of it, this game looks like a mismatch. Animal is My Homeboy has had a 2007 New England Patriots regular season, running the table. Their first week opponent, Ball Busters had the worst win-loss record in the league (but did lead the league in outfield cartwheels and variety of "refreshing" beverages. Did I see sangria one week?). Just by wins and losses alone, this week's game should be a cakewalk for the juggernaut that is Animal is My Homeboy. In fact Lenny, the guy at the bodega across the street from Lowell Park who's a bookie on the side, set the spread at so ridiculous a margin, that well, I can't even print it here. 

However, if you probe deeper in to the Animal season there are some weaknesses. Four of their wins have come in the last at bat, so while Animal is capable of a steam rolling performance like they put on ADPI in week 7, they can be pitched too, and defended against. While this may seem a tall order for a team that only managed one win, and with a negative run differential rivaling that of the Bush Administration's 2008 budget. Still, the Ball Busters in their two regular season meetings played Animal is My Homeboy tough. Two 5-2 losses early in the season, followed by a nail biting 5-4 victory. Ball Busters is just the team of devil-may-care and skill that could pull off the first round upset. 


My Keys To Victory:
Animal is My Homeboy - Get there on time 
Ball Busters - Score runs, Play good defense, and a timely police raid arresting several Animal players for Conspirarcy in an illicit but highly comical ostrich and circus monkey smuggling ring. 


Game 2: ADPI vs. BRB 

This will be the third meeting in this battle of the Acronyms. The first two broke the way of BRB, posting a 4-0 shut out in week 3, and a decisive 6-3 victory in week 6. BRB is the Jeckyll and Hyde team of the league, and their .500 record bears it out. Sometimes they look really, really good. And sometimes they are vulnerable, especially during their 8-2 loss to Ball Busters for their lone win of the season. They lost a tough one to Animal is My Homeboy in week 8. While the loss is heartbreaking, it proved that they can play with Animal, and could be primed for the upset given the chance in the championship game (not unlike another team that wears blue in the NFL).

However they cannot look past the ADPI team. ADPI is another team that has shown bits and spurts of inspired play, and bits and spurts of inspired drinking. Some can look at this team as having the beer glass half full, (hey, who drank my beer?) with three impressive wins on their resume. Others can see the glass as half empty (time for a refill) with the three wins coming against Ball Busters, a big loss to Animal is My Homeboy, and two subpar games to BRB.History would give the edge to BRB, but this pundit is listing this game as a toss up (mainly because he's on ADPI. HA!) 


My Keys to Victory:
BRB - Bounce back like a big red ball from last week's defeat
ADPI - BRB lands on a pin and their big red ball pops. 



PART V - "Do you want me to tell it like boy meets girl and the rest is history? Or do you want it like a murder mystery? I'm gonna tell it like a comeback story."

Game 1 Recap: Animal is My Homeboy 4 vs. BRB 3 


With the perfect regular season on the line for Animal is My Homeboy, BRB was primed and ready to spoil perfection. It was almost the upset of the kickball century, but almost is only good in horseshoes and hand grenades. BRB jumped out to an early lead as they were able to load the bases in the first inning, and score two runs, lead by Marty and Adam off of Animal Pitcher Steve S. A stunning catch by Adam in the outfield in the second inning kept the game scoreless. Good defense usually leads to good offense and in the bottom of the 2nd, BRB's Dave scored with help from Amir to push the lead to 3-0.

In the third inning Animal Pitcher Jen K settled down the BRB offense and gave the Animal offense time to shake off it's sluggish start. Jen K. and Josh B. dueled with BRB pitchers Dave and Brian to keep the game at 3-0 heading into the fourth inning. In the fourth, however, Jen K led off with a bunt single to the left side, and moved to second on a single by Steve S. one out later. Both moved up on a single by Lauren B., and then scored on a base hit by captain Isaac G. After moving up on a fielder's choice, Gerofsky slid into home with the game-tying run on a double by Colleen G. 

After holding BRB scoreless in the top of the inning, the Animals sent Tom C to the plate. After he beat out a bunt single, the runner moved to second on another bunt, this one by Ed T. This was followed by one of the key plays of the game, as Ally R. sacrified movin the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Jeff F. followed a long fly to deep right center, which allowed Tom to tag up, cross the plate and cement the victory and the first perfect regular season in MA Commonwealth League history. 

Holly Monaco and Josh Bob contributed to this report. 

PART VI – "We got to start it off with a positive jam. All the sniffling kids, hold steady. all the clustered up clever kids, hold steady. I got bored wen I didn't have a band, so I started a band. we're gonna start it with a positive jam, hold steady."

Game 2 Recap: ADPI 4 vs. Ball Busters 0 



With both teams all but locked into their playoff positions, the second and final game of the regular season between Ball Busters and ADPI was a laboratory of ideas, as new techniques and strategies, some legal, some not, were tried as both teams attempted to build that precious momentum before heading into the playoffs. The game started like any game should, with cake, as Team ADPI celebrated the birthday ofDuane. Then, probably due to high sugar intake and beer, there was some confusion as to who was the home team and who was the away team. Ball Busters took the field, even though it was their turn to bat, and ADPI was momentarilly to engrossed in the aforementioned cake, brought by Maria to notice. However it was all sorted out in due time, and the game began. ADPI turned in an easy 1-2-3 top of the first. In the bottom of the first, Jim and Ant got on base and Dave drove them in with a single to right. Kate followed with a base hit and Dave and Kate were then driven home by Matt B. to push the lead to 4-0. ADPI then rolled out it's highly innovative, yet highly illegal 12 man defense in the top of the second, suffocating the Ball Buster attack, until the umps realized what they were doing was against the rules. (Like following the law matters under this President's administration.) Ball Busters, even when ADPI was fielding a proper 11 person defense, could not muster much offense. Despite Tara, Mike and Mel, getting on base. Matt B, Duane and Dave shut them down. Jim seemed to catch every ball in the infield and First baseman Brian was on fire, catching every ball thrown his way. The only highlight by the Ball Busters was the defense of Mike H. who made several tremendous plays in the outfield, including catching a ball while Becky was in mid-cartwheel.

Jennie Levangie and Betsy Birns contributed to this report

PART VII - "Charlemagne shakes in the streets. Gideon makes love to the suites. Holly's not invincible. In fact she's in the hospital, not far from the bar where we met that first night." 

Standings

1.) Animal is My Homeboy (8-0-0) 14pts, run diff +21
2.) BRB (4-4-0) 6pts, run diff + 0
3.) ADPI (3-5-0) 4pts, run diff -5
4.) Ball Busters (1-7-0) 2pts, run diff - 20

Schedule for Playoff Round 1, August 7

6:30 - Animal is My Homeboy vs. Ball Busters
(ref -ADPI, equip Jim)

7:15 - BRB vs. ADPI.
(ref - Animal is My Homeboy, equip - Jim) 


PART VIII: - "Everything was spinning and then he came into the chillout tent. They gave him oranges and cigarettes. She got really hot and then she came to in the chill out tent. They gave them oranges and cigarettes."

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements

BOCA BAR: Ladies and Gentlemen, the Boca Bar has been a wonderful partner and sponsor this year for our league. The food is excellent, service friendly and the drinks flow like water. Heck it's even a watering hole for members of the NBA Champion Boston Celtics, so you know it has to be awesome. Show them your appreciation by visiting the Boca Bar after each and every game. 11 Pine Street, Waltham. 

FALL LEAGUE: An email went out to the entire league from WAKA. There will be a fall MA Commonwealth League. Jim will be announcing information soon. Thank you for your patience. 

CHARITY: The official charity for the MA Commonwealth League is the Cure Alzheimer's Fund. Please check out their website: http://www.curealzfund.org/ League-wide fund-raising information will becoming soon to help fight this terrible disease.

WEBSITE: Check out the League site at

https://www.kickball.com/macommonwealth/index.php

Check out the photo albums from league members!

To add your photos email Steve Sweetser at ssweetser@gmail.com

GHOST: As always a copy of this newsletter can be found at the GMOT Blog, along with a ton of other useful information. Also the comments are active, so if you want to trash talk, feel free.

https://www.kickball.com/macommonwealth/gmotweek1.htm


PART IX: " We drink. We dry up. We crumble into dust. We get wet. We corrode. We get covered in rust."

I've always thought that sports was the first drama that people understand. Humans are drawn to drama like bees to honey, Celtic Glen "Big Baby" Davis to the Boca Bar, and Paris Hilton to a night vision video camera. So forgive me for being excited about the playoffs and forgetting to mention this week's band in its normal place. This week's slate of games with all the possibilites for triumph and heartbreak (and possibly more cake) has me as excited as I am about this week's band The Hold Steady.

When I first discovered the band in 2006, my friend described them as "Bruce Springsteen meets Flogging Molly and all they do is talk about Jesus and Getting High." That was an immediate hook for me, and as I've listened extensively to their catalog, they've earned a spot in my music-lovin heart. Also, they are a bunch of unsexy nerds, and seeing unsexy nerds do well, warms the heart of this unsexy nerd. Their most recent album, Stay Positive which was released early in July has been in constant rotation in my ears, filled with gripping word play, fantastic solos, and the constant struggle between hope and desperation, redemption and second chances. That and any band that name drops Joe Strummer and calls him a Saint, gets an A plus in my book. 

The themes the The Hold Steady address in their music brings up an important point that we should all remember heading into this week of games. Moments happen, but then they are followed by other moments. There are times when things may seem lost, when we are at the end, and there is no where else to go. Yet, those times are not the end. There is another moment following, and redemption and second chances are never far away. Yes, this week two teams will have their seasons ended, and all that's left to do is to drink at the Boca Bar, and get your freak on at the End of Season Party. But it's not the end, only a new beginning; a new drama. And frankly that's all anyone can ask for, a second chance.

Rock on and best of luck to all the teams this week. 
- David, Team ADPI

Ghost Man on Third: Week 8 (Sort Of)

GHOST MAN ON THIRD

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH DIVISION
"It's impossible to imagine Goethe or Beethoven being good at billiards or golf; but you know they were kick ass kickballers." - H.L. Mencken

WEEK EIGHT (Sort of): " Sitting here like uninvited company. Wallowing in my own obscenities. I share a cigarette with negativity. Sitting here like wet ashes."

Table of Contents:

I - We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat 
II – PLAYOFFS
III - Lights, Cameras, Action!
IV– Week 8 (Sort of) Recap
V – Standings & Schedule
VI – Announcements
VII - The MA Commonwealth League Presents Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore.


PART I -" Long time coming, many served the few. And long to taste the shame that bows down before you."

I spent last week exploring the geography and cuisine of the Pacific Northwest. Since Seattle is the closest "big" US city to the orient, it's long been a hub of US-Asian cross-cultural intercourse. As a gormandizer of some discerning taste, whenever I travel I tend to avoid the generic restaurant chains that fester and plague America's strip malls like acne on a teenager's face. I seek out the out-of-the way, mom and pop place, for that is where the real living and dining tends to be.
On Thursday of last week, I found myself sitting in a fusion restaurant just south of Seattle's Pioneer Square, when I noticed that fugu was on the menu. Fugu is blowfish, and if you've ever seen the Simpson's episode "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish" you know that while it's a great delicacy, if the wrong part of the fish is excised and served, it can cause great physical distress and even death. Now, since I didn't feel like tempting death that particular day, I passed on the fugu, instead choosing some mango and sticky rice.
It was shortly after lunch that I checked my email and saw the notice that the Week 8 slate of games was postponed due to rain. Here I was enjoying a post card picture perfect day in Seattle, a city whose rain-soaked reputation is well known, dry as a bone, while my home area was being innundated by rain. The irony was dripping (pun intended).
Then it struck me that irony is the fugu of human communication. It is often confused with sarcasm, but while sarcasm can be ironic, it's not always. Irony is also not simply coincidence. The coincidence must be incongruous between the understood meaning and the statement/situation. It's also extremely difficult to execute well. Kurt Vonnegut, HL Mencken, Oscar Wilde and George Carlin were savants of irony, and their works are a delicacy. The attempts of others at irony only cause pain, bloating and extreme physical discomfort. (See: Morisette, Alanis. Caliendo, Frank).

Then of course I realized that I was on vacation. So I then shut the laptop, and headed to the Experience Music Project, a museum dedicated to music and Seattle's influence on popular music as we know it. To honor Seattle, this week's band is Soundgarden. Not only is it one of the coolest names for a band, and the suggestion of Ball Buster Mike Haverty, but Chris Cornell shares my birthday, which while not ironic, is still kinda cool.

(Odd note only I'd be interested in. By naming Soundgarden this week's band, I've honored drummer Matt Cameron twice. He's also the current Pearl Jam drummer. And in the Muppet Band, Animal was the drummer. Coincidence? Maybe not.)

PART II – " I want to be king. I want to be king. So maybe now the pope will bow and kiss my ring. I want to be king."

PLAYOFFS: Today, July 31st was supposed to be the start of the playoffs. However last week's rain out has pushed the playoffs to August 7th.

Animal is My Homeboy has locked up the first seed and will play the fourth seed. Currently that team is Ball Busters, but a big Ball Busters victory over ADPI could cause those two teams to flip.

BRB is the second seed, and will face the third seed, most likely ADPI. 

The winner of the 1 vs. 4 seed will play the winner of the 2 vs. 3 seed for the League Title and the respect and admiration of their friends, family and a few dozen others.

PART III - "It's gonna be too dark to sleep again. Cutting my teeth on bars and rusty chains." 

Fall is fast approaching and as the azimuth of the sun lowers in our sky, lighting at Lowell Field will start to become an issue. Going forward for Week 8 and The Playoffs, it is imperative games start as close to 6:30 as possible, in order to allow for ample sunlight for the games to be played safely. I think we all want to avoid unexpected balls to the face, and the injury to person and pride they might cause. 

PART IV – "Black hole sun, won't you come and wash away the rain. Black hole sun, won't you come. Won't you come?"

Week 8 was rained out. You already knew this, but I felt this needed a section anyway. Enjoy some photos from previous weeks that I haven't posted. 




PART V: "Naked in the cold sun, breathing life like fire. Thought I was the only one, but that was just a lie." 

1.) Animal is My Homeboy (7-0-0) 14pts, run diff +20
2.) BRB (4-3-0) 6pts, run diff + 1
3.) ADPI (2-4-0) 4pts, run diff -9
4.) Ball Busters (1-4-0) 2pts, run diff - 16

Schedule for Week 8, July 31

6:30 - Animal is My Homeboy vs. BRB
(ref -ADPI, equip Jim)

7:15 - Ball Busters vs. ADPI.
(ref - BRB, equip - Jim) 

PART VII: - " Cause down below the truth is lying, beneath the riverbed. So quench yourself and drink the water, that flows beneath her head." 


Announcements, Announcements, Announcements

ROCK ON: Ball Buster pitcher Mike Coen is a multi-talented individual. Not only does he spin that red ball like a madman for his team, but he's also the lead singer in the band Midatlantic. On Friday August 1st, join Mike and his band at Bill's Bar in Boston, for a show that will be in the words of Wesley Wills, "ROCKIN".

Check out the band's music video!

FALL LEAGUE: An email went out to the entire league from WAKA. There will be a fall MA Commonwealth League. Jim will be announcing information soon. Thank you for your patience. 

CHARITY: The official charity for the MA Commonwealth League is the Cure Alzheimer's Fund. Please check out their website: http://www.curealzfund.org/ League-wide fund-raising information will becoming soon to help fight this terrible disease.

WEBSITE: Check out the League site at

https://www.kickball.com/macommonwealth/index.php

Check out the photo albums from league members!

To add your photos email Steve Sweetser at ssweetser@gmail.com

GHOST: As always a copy of this newsletter can be found at the GMOT Blog, along with a ton of other useful information. Also the comments are active, so if you want to trash talk, feel free.

https://www.kickball.com/macommonwealth/gmotweek1.htm

BOCA BAR: Those hot steamy nights of summer are upon us. The BOCA BAR, the official bar of the MA Commonwealth league is the perfect way to fight the muggies, celebrate a kickball victory or mute the sting of defeat. Join us every week, at 11 Pine Street, Waltham. Team shot specials, great appetizers, 15% off fantastic food influenced by Costa Rica, and free wings with a Bud Light pitcher.



PART VII: " You hide your eyes, but the ugly truth just loves to give it away."

One of the keys to successful manipulation of irony is drawing upon a common "truth". We all know that root canals are painful, so saying "As pleasant as a root canal" is obvious irony, because of the juxtaposition of spoken pleasure and understood pain is incongruous and discordant. (Unless of course you like engaging in activities that require an agreed upon safety word).

The common truth of this league is the dominance of Animal is My Homeboy. They sit today on the precipice of regular season perfection, having survived all comers, winning big, winning small, and just plain winning. Their season has been a truly remarkable display of teamwork, drinking, shoelessness and determination to achieve total victory.
Could this be their weakness? Has their play been so dominant that hubris and pride are setting in among the charges of Captain Isaac Gerofsky? Pride goeth before the fall, and do Animal is My Homeboy possess this potentially fatal flaw? I'm sure the folks at BRB would love to hang the first loss on the Crimson Tide of Animal, perhaps exposing them to defeat in the upcoming playoffs.

Could there also be a miracle in the making. ADPI and Ball Busters have been maddening, showing both flashes of kickballian brilliance (holy crap, my spell check said kickballian is a word. I thought I was pulling that one out of my ass. Behold the power of kickball in our language) and stretches of near-ineptitude. The jeckyll and hyde routines of both teams have been maddening to the kickballian (I'm getting my money's worth) pundits out there. Could they be poised to make a cinderella sprint to the title?

Will this season turn out to be a pleasing savory feast of winning for Animal is My Homeboy, resulting in a championship, or will they be left wrything in demonstrable discomfort, disembowled by an unlikely cinderella? Whatever happens, it'll be worth watching. Get your popcorn, (or Asian cuisine) ready.

- David, Team ADPI

Ghost Man on Third: Week 7

GHOST MAN ON THIRD

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH DIVISION
"The Inuit have 50 words for snow. They have one word for kickball: KICKBALL"

WEEK SIX: " I woke up alarmed. I didn't know where I was at first, just that I woke up in your arms, and almost immediately I felt sorry."

Table of Contents:

I - Grande Mocha Zebra with a Shot
II – PLAYOFFS
III – Game 1 Recap
IV – Game 2 Recap
V – Standings & Schedule
VI – Announcements
VII - Cuddle and Run



PART I -"I want all that stupid old sh*t like letters and sodas. Letters and sodas."
The history of determining winners is long and storied. Now I would normally pontificate upon this, to great lengths, however the internet connection at my hotel outside of Seattle, is being fixed and so I'm at a Starbucks (how cliched) hammering away at my lap top, frankly while hammered. The woman to the left of me smells heavily of garlic, rum, and stale urine and I'm not long for this establishment. 

So I'm going to brief, and not Castro-speaking-four-hours-at-the-United-Nations brief. Even though I'm surrounded by the epicenter of grunge music here in Seattle, since this GMOT will be so brief, this week's artist will not be from the local scene, but Indie Queen Liz Phair. In fact, because this stench is awful and the coffee is too damned expensive, and my desire to get in, get out, and get over, here is overcoming my natural verbosity, I'm only quoting one song, her paean to one-night stands from 1993's Exile in Guyville, "F*ck and Run." 

PART II – " I can feel it in my bones. I'm gonna spend another year alone."

PLAYOFFS: Playoffs, weather permitting, will be in two rounds. The semi-final round will be on July 31st. It will feature the #1 seed vs. the #4 seed, and the #2 seed vs. the #3 seed. 

The finals will be on August 7th. 

Seeding and schedule will be announced in next weeks GMOT, so stay tuned.

PART III – " Cause I didn't think this would happen again, no matter what i could do or say."

Game One Recap: ADPI – 1 vs. Animal is My Homeboy 9
The pundits may ponder, but the proof is in the pudding. 

The question: Can the juggernaut that is Animal is My Homeboy can be stopped? The latest addition to the answer: Not yet. 

In their third attempt to beat the cardinal-shirted crushers, ADPI sent their usual starter to the hill. ADPI's Dave began the game by allowing three straight hits to Scott Berenson, Ed Tang, and Tommy C, but managed to get the next three kickers out to salvage the inning, allowing just one run. New hurler Steve Sweetser took the mound, in only his second appearance as a pitcher, and proceeded to mow down the opposition with his blazing fastball and nasty hook. The second inning opened with team co-captain Josh Bob singling to the left side, bringing Sweetser to the plate. He wasted no time in blasting a rocket to center field, and the race was on - would Sweetser overtake Bob? Would one (or both of them) get thrown out at the plate? Fortunately, the answer to both was "no," and both players crossed the plate for a two-run home run. ADPI allowed a single to Kathleen Descy, and two outs later gave up two more hits to Brian Sweetser and Jeff Federico, allowing Descy to score, before recording the third out. Jen Klane pitched the bottom of the second, allowing no runs.In the third, doubles by Scott Berenson and Ed Tang, followed by singles by Tommy C, Mark "Bit" Bittelari, and Lauren Beigel, led to two more runs, and Bob pitched a solid inning, allowing just one hit. Steve Sweetser led off the fourth with another big kick that looked like it might be caught - before it hit the ground and rolled, as the Big Man chugged home with his second round-tripper of the evening. Despite three more hits, the Animals failed to score again, heading into the bottom of the fourth with a 7-0 advantage. ADPI looked like they might chip away at that lead, as Duane tripled and scored on a Dave single, but Sweetser shut the door, and the fifth inning opened with the Animals up 7-1. For the third time in the game, Scott Berenson led off the inning with a hit. He moved to second on a single by Ed Tang, and two outs later both scored on a single by Lauren Beigel. The short staffed ADPI team attempted to rally but the efforts of Maria, Deb, Kate, Brian, Coral, Jim and Besty fell short. With a 9-1 lead, Jen Klane once again took the mound, shutting down the top of ADPI's order - including big slugger Jim Jenkins - to seal the victory.


Josh Bob and Betsy Birns contributed to this report.


PART IV: "You got up out of bed. You said you had a lot of work to do. But I heard the rest in my head, and almost immediately I felt sorry."

Game 2 Recap: BRB – 2 vs. Ballbusters - 1 
In perhaps the tightest contest of the season, BRB eeked out a squeaker that left Ball Busters speechless.

So we turn to Holly for this week's recap of their week seven tilt. With our very serious pitcher Dave at the mound, it was certain to be a great game! BRB was able to hold on 2nd place with scoring by Adam and Brian. Katie made an awesome play in the 3rd inning only to be called out... we aren't sure we buy that call! :) Holly, the catcher, was able to gracefully fall over the ball to be called out in the first inning at home plate. Amir, AGAIN, made a great save in the 3rd while captain Marty made the catch that ended the game. BRB was able to win out in the end ... Amen!



Holly Monaco contributed to this report

PART V: "And I can feel it in my bones. I'm gonna spend my whole life alone."

Standings after Week 7

1.) Animal is My Homeboy (7-0-0) 14pts, run diff +20
2.) BRB (4-3-0) 6pts, run diff + 1
3.) ADPI (2-4-0) 4pts, run diff -9
4.) Ball Busters (1-4-0) 2pts, run diff - 16

Schedule for Week 8, July 24


6:30 - Animal is My Homeboy vs. BRB
(ref -ADPI, equip Jim)

7:15 - Ball Busters vs. ADPI.
(ref - BRB, equip - Jim) 

PART VI: " Just that I didn't think this would happen again. With or without my best intentions."

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements

FALL LEAGUE: An email went out to the entire league from WAKA. There will be a fall MA Commonwealth League. Jim will be announcing information soon. Stay tuned.

CHARITY: The official charity for the MA Commonwealth League is the Cure Alzheimer's Fund. Please check out their website: http://www.curealzfund.org/ League-wide fund-raising information will becoming soon to help fight this terrible disease.

WEBSITE: Check out the League site at

https://www.kickball.com/macommonwealth/index.php

Check out the photo albums from league members!

To add your photos email Steve Sweetser at ssweetser@gmail.com

GHOST: As always a copy of this newsletter can be found at the GMOT Blog, along with a ton of other useful information. Also the comments are active, so if you want to trash talk, feel free.

https://www.kickball.com/macommonwealth/gmotweek1.htm

BOCA BAR: Those hot steamy nights of summer are upon us. The BOCA BAR, the official bar of the MA Commonwealth league is the perfect way to fight the muggies, celebrate a kickball victory or mute the sting of defeat. Join us every week, at 11 Pine Street, Waltham. Team shot specials, great appetizers, 15% off fantastic food influenced by Costa Rica, and free wings with a Bud Light pitcher.



PART VII: "It's f*ck and run, f*ck and run. Even when I was seventeen. F*ck and run. F*ck and run. Even when I was twelve."

So yeah. There you go. Playoffs. Woo! Week Eight. Woo! Me being brief. Woo!

Thank you Seattle. Good night, David has left the building!

- David, Team ADPI

Ghost Man on Third: Week 6

GHOST MAN ON THIRD

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH DIVISION
"In Former Soviet Union, balls kick you."

WEEK SIX: "Welcome to the Camp. I guess you all know why we're here. My name is Tommy and I became aware this year. If you want to follow me, you've got to play pin(kick)ball. So put in your ear plugs, put on your eye shades, you know where to put the cork."

Table of Contents:

I - Hangovers
II – Mail-Bagging It
III – Game 1 Recap
IV – Game 2 Recap
V – Standings & Schedule
VI – Announcements
VII - Acts of Parliament Outlawing Windmill Strumming



PART I -"Sometimes I feel I gotta get away. Bells chime, I know I gotta get away. And I know if I don't, I'll go out of my mind. Better leave her behind with the kids, they're all right!"

Piecing together the foggy and slightly inebriated recollections of those in attendance, the Mid-Season Party was a rousing success. With nearly 300 kickballers in attendance from both the MA Commonwealth League, and those other folks in Boston, Hurricane O'Reilly's was the epicenter of awesomeness last Saturday night. $215 dollars was raised for the MA Commonwealth League's charity, The Cure Alzheimer's Fund, so everyone wins.

For those of you who missed this transcendental experience, do not fret, as the End of Season Bash is currently in the works. And as it will only be for the members of the MA Commonwealth League and their guests, it will truly be the must-attend event of the summer.

League Social Chair, and Ball Busters Team Captain Jennie Levangie has sent along the "acceptable" pictures from the evening. Since these are great pictures, one can only guess what the "unacceptable" pictures entail!



PART II – " Gather your wits and hold on fast, your mind must learn to roam. Just as the Gypsy Queen must do, you're gonna hit the road."

Since I'm two days away from a long vacation, I'm mailing this week in and simply answering some of the fan mail we've received here at the GMOT Fortress of Ineptitude.

Do you think Animal is My Homeboy will lose a game? (Josh B. Waltham,MA ) - Yes. I think that team is capable of losing a game. Whether that game is kickball is another question. I've seen that team, and honestly they seem vulnerable, especially if the game is the ever popular knifey-spoony or strip-chutes and ladders.

So what's the deal with airline peanuts? (Jerry S. Montauk, NY) - It's a conspiracy to make you pee, so that when you get up from your seat the flight attendents can raid your luggage and sell anything valuable on eBay to cover the rising fuel costs.

In the first GMOT, you mentioned that this league would have more Hugh Jackman, but he hasn't been mentioned since. What's up with that? (Hugh J., Beverly Hills, CA) - You just got mentioned. Happy?

Jim Jenkins is referred to as "League Rep." Does this mean he's union, and if so, does he know the whereabouts of the late Jimmy Hoffa? (J. Edgar, Washington, DC) - Yes. Jim is in a union, but he has no knowledge of the whereabouts of former AFL-CIO leader Jimmy Hoffa. Though he does recommend watching your step when rounding second base at Lowell Field.

Do you prefer the red solo cups or the blue ones? (Isaac G, Waltham, MA) - Until last night I would have said "red" as it is the color of my youth. But after the season 5 premier of Project Runway, seeing what one of the designers did with blue solo cups, and how hot his model looked, I'll have to go with blue.

So BRB stands for "Big Red Balls". Yet their team color is blue. What kind of God allows for that? (Richard D., London, UK) - A colorblind theistic God. Duh.


Where do you come up with all your funny comments? (Dorian G., Dublin Ireland) - Theft and snorting mustard packets.

What do you think ADPI stands for? (Besty B, Waltham, MA) - AluminumDextrous Penile Implants or Average Daily Pizza Intake.

Will we win again? (Jennie L, Waltham, MA) - You're all winners in my book.

Who is the band of the week? (Pete T, Shepard's Bush) - You are absolutely correct. (The) Who is the band of the week. They need no introduction, save for the greatest band in Rock n Roll.


PART III – "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."

Game One Recap: Ball Busters – 4 vs. Animal is My Homeboy 5

The issue of identity is important for any team. In the first game of week six, you had two teams with distinct and divergent identities clashing. One one hand you had Ball Busters, the league's cellar dwellers, who despite their poor record, are a scrappy and spunky bunch. On the other hand is the juggernaut that is Animal is My Homeboy, who've demonstrated time and time again their uncanny ability to just win baby.

Seeking to stay undefeated and clinch the best regular season record and the top seed for the playoffs, the Animals got off to a sluggish start and Ball Busters responded with an aggressive attack. Nearly batting around in the first inning, Ball Busters jumped out to a 4-0 lead, the exclamation point being Jennie PLOWING into Steve S of Animal, who was covering the plate to score the fourth run. The early lead had Becky doing cartwheels in the outfield.

In the bottom of the first a Brian S. single, Colleen G. sacrifice and Mark B. double plated one run. However, a great catch by Adam S.and a peg at the plate by Jamie D. limited the damage, and maintained a three run Ball Busters lead. The Animals, rebounded defensively in the second and third, throwing out runners at the plate in both innings to keep the deficit at three runs. In the bottom of the third, a Tom C. single, followed by a Nikki T. sacrifice, and singles by and Laura B.Scott B. plated Tom to cut the lead to 4-2.

Animals further cut the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Steve S. doubled and moved to third on a hustle double by Isaac Gerofsky. A ground out by Jeff F. scored the run to slice the lead to 4-3.

In the top of the 5th, Steve S. relieved Nikki, who despite the rough first had held the Ball Busters at bay while the Animals chipped away. Ball Busters missed some opportunities, to put runners on base and limit the damage, and the relentlessness of Animals set up a showdown in the 5th inning.

Ball Busters unable to extend the lead in the top of the 5th, wilted under the pressure in the bottom of the inning. Tom C. of animals lead off with a bunt, shocking both his teammates and the Ball Busters defense. Ed T. followed with a bunt and Nikki T's bunt loaded the bases with no one out. This seemed to fluster Ball Buster's pitcher Mike C, who then issued a base-loaded walk to Lauren B. to tie the score at four all. With the bases still loaded, Scott B. hit a fly ball that was caught, but Ed T. was able to tag up and score, sealing the comeback and keeping the perfect season in tact.

Isaac Gerofsky and Mike Haverty contributed to this report.


PART IV: "We're not pawns in any game, we're not tools of bigger men. There's only one who can really move us all. It all looks fine, to the naked eye. But it don't really happen that way at all."

Game 2 Recap: BRB – 6 vs. ADPI - 3

With the best regular season record sewn up by Animal is My Homeboy, the remaining teams must now turn their attention to jockeying for playoff position. BRB and ADPI, separated by a single run in differential, began the battle for second place in the second game.

ADPI, missing their captain, Besty, lead off but were stymied by the BRB defense, lead by their catcherHolly and pitching by the illustrious Dave. In the bottom of the first, great kicks by Kristina, Steve, and Adam kept bringing in the runs, to build a 4-0 lead. Maria and Jim combined to get the scoring started for ADPI and cut the lead to 4-2. But great defense by BRB, lead by Amir, thwarted the ADPI rally.

BRB was able to push another run on the board, but ADPI's defense held, as first baseman Brian shrugged off an injury and make a great play to end the third. Paul lead got on base to start the fourth, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Matt, beating a close play at the plate to cut the lead to 5-3.However, BRB was able to ad an insurance run in the bottom of the 4th, and spurred on by the crowd of children gathered in the stands, BRB held off the final ADPI rally in the top of the 5th for the victory.

"BRB is back. You knew it!" writes BRB scribe Holly Monaco. Whether it was the fact that the alcholic beverages were chilled, and all their stars were back, including team captain Marty, BRB was able to launch themselves back into greatness and claim a seeming strangle hold on second place.

"Who needs theme music anyway?"

Holly Monaco and David Merrill contributed to this report.


PART V: "I thought I was the body table king, but I just handed my pin(kick)ball crown to him."

Standings after Week 6

1.) Animal is My Homeboy (6-0-0) 12pts, run diff +12
2.) BRB (3-3-0) 6pts, run diff + 4
3.) ADPI (2-4-0) 4pts, run diff -1
4.)Ball Busters (1-4-0) 2pts, run diff - 15

Schedule for Week 7, July 17


6:30 - Animal is My Homeboy vs. ADPI
(ref -BRB, equip Jim)

7:15 - Ball Busters vs. BRB.
(ref - Animal is My Homeboy, equip - Jim) 

PART VI: "You talk about your woman, I wish you could see mine. Every time she starts to lovin', she brings eyesight to the blind."

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements

CHARITY: The official charity for the MA Commonwealth League is the Cure Alzheimer's Fund. Please check out their website: http://www.curealzfund.org/ League-wide fund-raising information will becoming soon to help fight this terrible disease.

WEBSITE: Check out the League site at

https://www.kickball.com/macommonwealth/index.php

Check out the photo albums from league members!

To add your photos email Steve Sweetser at ssweetser@gmail.com

GHOST: As always a copy of this newsletter can be found at the GMOT Blog, along with a ton of other useful information. Also the comments are active, so if you want to trash talk, feel free.

https://www.kickball.com/macommonwealth/gmotweek1.htm

BOCA BAR: Those hot steamy nights of summer are upon us. The BOCA BAR, the official bar of the MA Commonwealth league is the perfect way to fight the muggies, celebrate a kickball victory or mute the sting of defeat. Join us every week, at 11 Pine Street, Waltham. Team shot specials, great appetizers, 15% off fantastic food influenced by Costa Rica, and free wings with a Bud Light pitcher.



PART VII: "I call you on the telephone, my voice too rough with cigarettes. I sometimes feel I should just go home, but I'm dealing with a memory that never forgets."

Hope is an essential element to the human experience. It gives us the motivation and energy to fight through seeming impossible situations. Animal is My Homeboy has clinched the best record in the league. Yet this leaves Team Captain Isaac Gerofsky with a dilemma. Does he rest his star players for the playoffs, or does he go for the perfect season, which is so tantalizingly close? It's ADPI's turn to see if they can derail the freight train. Their last game was a rare last game loss of ace closer Jim Jenkins, and revenge is emblazoned on the minds of the ADPI like "LOVE and HATE" on Radio Rahim's knuckles in "Do the Right Thing." In the second game, Ball Busters will attempt to throw a monkey wrench into the 2nd place aspirations of BRB. While their record may not reflect their redoubtable spirit and multi-faceted attack of kicking, catching, dancing, theme songs, and outfield acrobatics, Ball Busters only win was over BRB, and team captain Jennie, may have their number. (867-5309?) With two weeks before the playoffs, teams must establish their identity. BRB, Ball Busters and ADPI must go to the mirror, boy, and ask themselves the question. Who are you? Who the F*ck are you?

- David, Team ADPI