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

Ghost Man on Third: Week 5

GHOST MAN ON THIRD

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH DIVISION
"Dyslexic Agnostics may or may not believe in Dog. But they believe in Llabkcik."

WEEK FIVE: "Life is a mystery. Everyone must stand alone. I hear you call my name, and it feels like home."

Table of Contents:
I – MIDSEASON PARTY THIS SATURDAY
II - Two Notes From Jim
III – Self-Promulgating Blather
IV – Game 1 Recap
V – Game 2 Recap
VI – Standings & Schedule
VII – Announcements
VIII - Kabbala Water-boarding


PART I -"Everybody spread the word. We're gonna have a celebration. All across the world and in every nation!" 

The Mid-season Party is Finally Here!

WHEN: Saturday July 12th, 7pm - 10pm
WHERE: Hurricane O'Reilly's, 150 Canal Street, Boston
WHO: League Members are FREE. Guests are $10 (Proceeds Going to Charity)
WHAT: Free Beer. Fun. Fabulousness. Freaking Awesomeness
WHY: BECAUSE


BE THERE!!!!



PART II – "This used to be my playground. This used to be my childhood dream."

A Friendly Reminder from League Representative Jim Jenkins:

In Game Hydration - While everyone has the right to be hydrated however they please during a game of kickball, everyone must understand that whole its a privilege and not a right. If you choose to hydrate with a certain drink that makes you happy and gives you a buzz just be smart about it. Cans should be hidden, cups are good (preferably ones that are not clear). Cases/boxes are bad, coolers/bags are good.
Officiating - While kickball is as intense as any other sport, please understand that our refs are not paid professionals. They are people just like all of us trying to have a good time. No one is intentionally going to make calls to favor one team or another. Without players stepping up and putting the time in to ref other games we would not be able to operate the way we do.

Thank you,
- Jim

PART III – "When you see her, say a prayer, and kiss your heart goodbye. She's trouble in a word, get closer to the fire. Run faster, her laughter burns you up inside." 

As you may have surmised from these newsletters I am a huge fan of music. The late Kurt Vonnegut once wrote "I don't want to throw away any sacred things. What is sacred? Oh, Romeo and Juliet for instance. And all music is." Music is a constant companion, comfort and topic of conversation in my life and among my friends.

Recently, in one of the ongoing email threads between my musically oriented friends, a friend put up a question. "Take every year of your life, and list your favorite album from that year." Since music is both ephemeral and timeless, a list like this is challenging because, while yeah, you probably didn't listen to The Clash when you were five months old, it doesn't mean that you can't list your favorite album from 1979 as "London Calling."

So as I was procrastinating today at work, waiting for a phone call, one that never came, I worked on my list. Some years were easy, 1997- Bob Dylan's Time Out of Mind, 1980 - AC/DC's Back in Black. 1998 - Pearl Jam's Yield. Other year's I felt like a parent trying to choose between which child they love more. 1987 - Appetite for Destruction, The Joshua Tree or Hysteria. 2006 - Sam's Town, Modern Times, Broken Boy Soldiers, Boys and Girls in America, Pearl Jam?

It was a difficult list to make, but when I stepped back and looked over my choices, realizing that I'm in my twenty-ninth year on this all encompassing trip, was a little sobering. I know twenty nine isn't old in modern times, but still it is a little intimidating to see the years of your life listed out chronologically, and with a music list, able to see trends begin, end and now start to come back. (Seriously ladies, stripes, long sweaters and tights with belts at the waist weren't hot back then and they aren't hot now.) So I was getting a bit down, when I put my list away and read the latest on the A-Rod, Madonna, Cynthia, Lenny Kravitz debacle. It dawned on me that Madonna turns 50 this year, which puts my impending birthday in perspective.

So in honor of the Material Girl, she's the artist of the week.


PART IV - "Faster than a speeding light she's flying, trying to remember, where it all began. She's got herself al ittle piece of heaven."

Game One Recap: Ball Busters – 2 vs. ADPI - 6

Momentum, it's been said, is as good as the next game's pitcher. Coming into their week Five matchup, both Ball Busters and ADPI had momentum, going in opposite directionss. After an 0-3 start, Ball Busters was coming off their first win of the season, an 8-2 thrashing of BRB in week 4. Looking to build on the stunning victory and get out of the basement, they took on an ADPI team that was coming off a crushing last at-bat defeat the week before to league leading Animal is My Homeboy.

The first to seize the 'big mo' was ADPI, as three consecutive hits by and Jim, Maria and Matt started off the game. Duane, Luke, Ant and Dave got them home establishing a three run lead in the first inning.

This quick start rattled Ball Busters. They were further rattled when ADPI's Jim laced a foul ball into the Ball Busters dugout, nearly decapitating Becky and Jennie. The ball which sent the girls and beer flying every where, was a move eerily reminiscient to the strategy of the Minutemen of nearby Lexington and Concord; who aimed for the officers of the retreating British forces in 1775 in an attempt to disorganize their ranks and cause general chaos.

Ball Busters were able to cut the lead in the third inning with Mike and Addie leading the way and plating two runs. A "sick" catch by Kristie for Ball Busters kept the game close until the 5th inning. A hustle play byCoral, who beat out a throw to first, started things for ADPI and Matt D, Duane and Betsy all scored push the score to 6-2 which proved to be insurmountable for the Ball Busters.

Betsy Birns and Jennifer Levangie contributed to this report


PART V: "I can't help falling in love, I fall deeper and deeper the further I go. Kisses sent from Heaven above, they get sweeter and sweeter the more that I know."

Game 2 Recap: BRB – 2 vs. Animal is My Homeboy – 5


In the second game the ironically named BRB (Big Red Balls) whose team colors, happen to be a light blue, squared off against Animal is My Homeboy, whose team colors are red.

The air was egg rolling, thick and heavy at Lowell Field, and the early innings reflected the quiet cloud covered field. BRB lead off hitter Paddy, attempted to get things going in the top of the first, using Matrix-like moves to get from second to third, only to fall and be tagged out by the Animal defense. This muted the early BRB momentum.

Animal wasn't able to muster much against the BRB's pitcher Brian and the defense lead by Katie their catcher, and the game proceeded scoreless into the third. Finally, with 1 out in the bottom of the 3rd, the Animals feet woke up as 7 players in a row reached base on 6 hits, scoring 5 runs. Brian S. got things started with a single, followed by singles by Colleen G. and Mark B. After Steven S. reached on a fielder's choice, Ally R., Josh Bob, andDave M. helped cap the rally with a single, double, and triple respectively. 

In the top of the 4th, chromatic con-fizzlement aside, BRB devled deep into their blue bag of tricks, pulling out blue margariats, a blue monkey mascot, and fruit (blueberries?) laced with vodka, and sparked a two run rally. However the absence of BRB team captain Marty was felt as the rally felt short and Animal was able to hold on for the victory, and keeping their record a perfect 5-0 and one game from clinching a first place regular season finish.

Issac Gerofsky and Holly Monaco contributed to this report.

PART VI: "Don't go for second best, baby, you gotta put your love to the test." 

Standings after Week 5

1.) Animal is My Homeboy (5-0-0) 10pts, run diff +11
2.) ADPI (2-3-0) 4pts, run diff +2
3.) BRB (2-3-0) 4pts, run diff + 1
4.)Ball Busters (1-4-0) 2pts, run diff - 14

Schedule for Week 6

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

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


PART VII: "There's too much confusion. It's all an illusion. There's too much confusion."
Anouncements, Announcements, Announcements

BOOZE: To reiterate Jim's comments about in-game hydration, please be smart. Lowell playground is a public playground, and I've seen a few Waltham police drive by during games. The staff at the Boca Bar informed me of Waltham's open container laws when I attempted to walk outside with a cup of Bud Light one night after a game, so I'm sure the legal ramifications are stiff, considering Waltham is a college town. I'm sure no one wants to get arrested, beer confiscated, or any other difficulties.

4th of July: Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday weekend. Just a reminder that due to the pushing back of week 6, the remaining games on the schedule are pushed back a week. I know that's self explanatory, but I need more text to wrap around a picture. HA!

CHARITY: League Charity Chair Brian Sweetser will be making a grand announcement about our league's charity. Stay tuned!

WEBSITE: Check out the League site at

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

Web Photo albums from Dave Mofford and Jocelyn Coffey are now posted. Check them out.

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: As always, wrap up an evening of sultry kickball action with a visit to the BOCA BAR, 11 Pine Street, Waltham. Team shot specials, great appetizers, 15% off food, and free wings with a Bud Light pitcher. You can't go wrong. PURE VIDA!

PART VIII: "Feels like I'm going to lose my mind. You just keep on pushing my love over the borderline." 

It's been said that change is the only constant in life, well change, death and taxes, if you're Ben Franklin. Animal is My Homeboy is certainly making a claim to add a fourth item to the list of constants in our world: An Animal is My Homeboy Kickball Victory. This week the Ball Busters will be stepping up to the plate, a feisty bunch, who just might have the guile and moxie to take down the Big Red Machine. Thanks to run differential, ADPI has moved ahead to BRB for second place, and their game should prove to be quite a battle for position, pride and aw crap, I can't think of another P word to complete the alliteration. Oh well, It's gonna be must see kick ball action. You can cherish that thought.

- David, Team ADPI