Ghost Man on Third: Season Finale

Ghost Man On Third

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE MA COMMONWEALTH DIVSION

"All the Balls Fit to Kick"

END OF THE SEASON -This is the end. You beautiful friend. This is the end. My only friend, the end. Of our elaborate plans, the end. Of everything that stands, the end. This is the end." - The Doors

Table of Contents

I - APT! APT I TELL YOU!

II - Semifinal Recap

III - Final Recap

IV - Omnibus Photo Section

V - Announcments

VI - Elvis Has Left Lowell Field

PART I - "Raise the sky. We got to fly over the land, over the sea. Fate unwinds and if we die, souls arise. God, do not seize me please, till victory." - Patti Smith

It is finished.

Our season has come to a close. Last Team Standing lived up to their billing and through teamwork, complimentary offense, defense, and the luck that comes with those, captured our Spring Division Title and now set their eyes on Las Vegas and The Founder's Cup.

Congratulations are in order not only to the members of Last Team Standing, Captain Jason and his charges of Sara, Michael, Julia, Suzanne, Ben, Mike, Arek, Casey, Nathan, Brian, Ben, Michelle, Michael, Alina, Phu, Nick, Jay, Jodi, Leah, Sarah and Brian, but to all league participants, who made this the best season ever of the MA Commonwealth Division.

Also, special thanks should be extended to WAKA League Representative Brian Sweetser. His tireless work made this year's league possible and it was his oversight that made this league run as smoothly as it did. Thank you Brian.

PART II - We are winners and losers, bed fellow choosers, Put here to pass by the times. We are space-age sailors, all had our failures, Now everybody gonna' shine. - Grand Funk Railroad

Semifinal Game 1

#1 East Coast Animals 2 v. #6 Ball Busters 1

Fresh off their upset of Allen Club in the first round, the Ball Busters were looking to hang the first loss of the season on East Coast Animals. They almost accomplished this, without even rolling a ball, as ECA was almost forced to forfiet. However a last minute arrival saved ECA and the game was on.

It was a classic pitchers duel, full of close plays, solid defense, and grind it out offenses. ECA scored in the first. Ball Busters tied it in the 3rd, and ECA pushed home the winner in the 4th. Their

defense held, and the #1 survived a scare, but accomplished part one of their goal to move onto the finals.

Congratulations for a great season goes out to Tom, John, Mike, Ant, Joan, Tara, Lindsay, Jamie, Elisabeth, Mike, Jen, Richie, Jennie, Mel, Kristy, Adria, Yasmin, Greg, Adam, Amy, and Ashley of the Ball Busters!

Tom Caddigan and Ryan Cummings contributed to this report. Thanks to Tom Caddigan for his photo contribution.

Semifinal Game #2

#2 Last Team Standing 6 v. #4 EAT DRUMS!!! 1

Last Team Standing drew first blood in the semifinals against EAT DRUMS when Manny, on time and ready to go, drove in Alina in the bottom of the first. Maryland Mike then drove in Kramer to give LTS a 2-0 lead after one frame. Leah continued her recent string of hot kicking with a clutch two out RBI in the bottom of the 2nd, plating Jay P. Three more LTS runs came home in the bottom of the third when the Manny-Maryland Mike duo struck again. Manny plated the Little General and Alina, while Maryland Mike again brought Kramer home. Solid all-around LTS defense

kept EAT DRUMS at bay until the Top of the 5th when they pushed a run across to account for

the final score of 6-1.. For the Drums, The LTS offensive attack proved too strong, and EAT DRUMS!!! made costly errors and were unable to plate any runs in the first four innings admist the stifling LTS D. In the fifth, the team managed to push across a run, but was unable to generate the base runners needed to sustain the rally.

Kudos on a great season for Isaac, Josh, Kyla, Elyssa, Lauren, Scott, Ben, Jeff, Jen, Christie, Colleen, Mike, Jen, Paige, April, Paul, Andrew, Dave, Rob, Ed, Jamie, and Nikki of EAT DRUMS!!!

Jason Kivela and Josh Bob contributed to this report.

Part III - "I stood where no man goes, and conquered demon foes. With glory and passion no longer in fashion." - Kansas

Championship Game

#2 Last Team Standing 7 v. #1 East Coast Animals 3

During their unblemished regular season ECA dispatched LTS with relative ease, winning 5-2. However, the tables were turned in the rematch. LTS got started in the top of the first when they started a two out rally. Kramer and Suit Mike kicked back to back singles. With runners at the corners Manny doubled in Kramer. Maryland Mike then came up and kicked a clutch two-run single, plating Suit Mike and Kramer and staking LTS to a 3-0 lead. East Coast Animals used their trademark aggressive base running to immediately get two runs back in the bottom of the first. The damage could have been worse were it not for a good catch at second base by LTS’s token southern belle Julia Gray. The score stayed 3-2 until the Top of the 3rd. The Little General and Alina had back to back singles to start the inning. Kramer’s deep fly ball to left, advanced the

Little General to third leaving runners at the corners with one out. Suit Mike doubled, scoring two and giving LTS a 5-2 lead. ECA would not go down without a fight though. With two men on and nobody out in the bottom of the 4th ECA booted it to right field where Suit Mike, ignoring the Little General’s “I got it!” scream, caused a collision reminiscent of Damian Jackson and Johnny Damon in the 2003 Division Series. But what initially looked like a disaster turned into a blessing for LTS when ECA’s aggressive base running got the best of them. With a run already in on the play, the kicker rounded first too widely and was pegged and then another runner was caught between third and home and pegged out for an unconventional double play. LTS expanded their two run lead to four in the Top of the 5th when Suit Mike and Manny had back to back RBI singles. Strong defense by Manny behind the plate, Kramer on the

mound, and Casey in the OF helped LTS close it out. Jubilation, awkward hugs and high-fives ensued after the last out was recorded. Thoughs immediately turned to potential Vegas debauchery and the prospect of hungover kickball on The Strip during Founders Cup.

ECA Team Captain Ryan Cummings was quoted as saying, "It was sweet to get there. A great set of games. Too bad we lost the last one but it was to a worthy advisary who played some excelent kickball. I'm very proud of our season and of every player on ECA. THanks for a great season. Of particular note - Last Team Standing proved to be excellent sportsmen and bought us a pitcher of beer - very nice of them."

A tip of the cap is in order for Brian, Michael, Adam, Ryan, Cat, Barry, Carmino, Ethan, Trisha, Jessica, Halie, James, Sarah, Sarah, Maria, Peter, Michael, Anna, and Matthew of East Coast Animals!

Jason Kivela and Ryan Cummings contributed to this report.

PART IV - "Oh, look what you've done to this rock 'n' roll clown. Oh oh, look what you've done. Photograph - I don't want your. Photograph - I don't need your. Photograph - All I've got is a photograph. But it's not enough." - Def Leppard

For anyone interested, here are the links to the complete set of this season's photos taken with my camera. Thanks to my various helpers over the season, Jeff, Arielle and Richard. If anyone wants the original files, please email me at this address.

Spring Kickball Season Part I

Spring Kickball Season Part II

PART V -"Let's go slowly, discouraged, We'll burn the pictures instead. When it's all over we can barely discuss. For one minute only. Not with the fortunate only. Thought it could have been something else

These days it comes it comes it comes it comes it comes and goes." - Phoenix

Announcements:

FALL SEASON: The Fall Season is currently open for registration. Please visithttp://www.kickball.com/season/macommonwealthfall2009 for details.

BOCA: Thanks are in order to the BOCA BAR for providing our little league a wonderful home this season. We look forward to continuing with them as we move to the Fall Season.

END OF SEASON PARTY: The End of Season Party is still waiting to have the final details

settled. League Rep Brian Sweetser will be sending out an email shortly with the details. As it will be the

last time our league is together, I know it will be awesome wherever and whenever it will be.

LEAGUE CHARITY: Remember, when the END OF SEASON PARTY occurs, please bring guests. Guests are a $10 donation to our charity Saturday's Bread/Sunday's Bread. Also, in this tough economic times please consider helping them or any other worthwhile charity to spread the love that kickball engenders to those less fortunate.

PART VI - 'Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun. Shine on you crazy diamond. Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky. Shine on you crazy diamond. You were caught in the cross fire of childhood and stardom. Blown on the steel breeze. Come on you target for faraway laughter. Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!" - Pink Floyd

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

It is time to deflate the big red balls (temporarily), renew, refresh, reflect and recharge. Time to hang up the thesaurus, put away the bad puns, and shutter the esoteric comments and rock and roll musings foranother time and another place. Many thanks to the captains and their stand-ins for their weekly tolerance of my emails haranguing them for recaps. Thanks to the all league members for posing for the camera, and most of all thank you for reading.

Until we meet again, may good fortune smile upon you, the pitcher of beer remain close to full, and the innocent joy of friends, laughter and kickball course through your veins. Shine on you crazy diamonds.

- David, That's What She Said

Congratulations to Last Team Standing - Division Champion!

Congratulations are in order for Last Team Standing, who defeated both Eat Drums!!! and East Coast Animals to claimn the Division Title.

Three Cheers for Team Captain Jason and his charges of Sara, Michael, Julia, Suzanne, Ben, Mike, Arek, Casey, Nathan, Brian, Ben, Michelle, Michael, Alina, Phu, Nick, Jay, Jodi, Leah, Sarah and Brian!

For more on their victory and the End of Season Party check out the upcoming GMOT!

Ghost Man on Third: Playoffs Round 1

Ghost Man on Third

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH DIVISION

"Things won are done. Joy's soul lies in the bouncing."

The Playoffs - "No man born with a living soul, can be working for the clampdown. Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall, how can you refuse it? Let fury have the hour, anger can be power. D'you know that you can use it?"

Table of Contents

I - Not to be confused with the synonym Contra. Which we all know is left right left right up down up down BA BA start.

II - THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FALL LEAGUE

III - 6:30 Playoff Game Recaps

IV - 7:15 Playoff Game Recaps

V - Announcements

VI - The Future is Unwritten

PART I - "That's just the beat of time-the beat that must go on. If you’ve been trying for years we already heard your song. Death or glory becomes just another story."

Tonight our season comes to a close. A champion will be crowned, and there will be much celebrating.

The pinnacle of our artificial kickball universe will be attained, and there will be much rejoicing.

Yet what is victory? Obviously, within the narrow constraints of kickball, it's simply the accumulation of more runs than the other team with in the given time frame of the game. But when put that way, it doesn't seem quite as glorious.

Victory is ephemeral, lasting but a moment. And then the moment passes, replaced by newer, more relevant moments. The true value of victory is not necessarily the moment itself, but the persistence of that moment's significance as time marches on. In the greater scheme of reality, victory in a recreational kickball league doesnt amount to much more than a hill of beans. But this is our hill, and these are our beans!

In reflecting upon this week's final games, I was reminded of the song Death or Glory, by The Clash. To me The Clash is one of the essential bands of rock n' roll, as elemental to music as water is to life. Everyone who purports to be a fan of rock, should own their entire discography, or at the very minimum their magnum opus, London Calling. But of course that's just me, and I'm certifiable. However in Death or Glory, a song which was inspired by a line in the timeless classic "As Time Goes By" there contains the refrain, "Death or Glory becomes just another story." and as I reflected upon this final week of kickball the perfection of the moment was self-evident.

PART II - "Gonna march a long way. Fight a long time. Get to travel over mountains. Got to travel over seas. We're gonna fight your brother. We're gonna fight til you lose. We're gonna raise trouble. We're gonna raise hell. "

Tonight our humble little division will crown it's Division Champion. With it all the glory and adulation that accompanies Kickballian glory, as well as a berth in the WAKA Founder's Cup in Las Vegas.

The schedule for today is all follows.

6:30 pm - Semifinals

Diamond: #1 East Coast Animals (7-0-2) v. #6 Ball Busters (2-5-2)

Referee: That's What She Said

Grass: #2 Last Team Standing (7-1-1) v. #4 Eat Drums!!! (5-4-0)

Referee: Alcoballics

The winners of the 6:30 pm games will then meet at 7:15 pm on the diamond. Referees for the Championship game will be solicited from the teams that do not advance to the Final.

All Spring/Summer MA Commonwealth League Participants are encouraged to attend tonight's championship rounds, even if your team has been eliminated, and join in the post-game festivities at the Boca Bar. As always, the more the merrier.

Please, for all participants tonight, please try and make it to Lowell Field on time. Last week's game between Eat Drums!!! and Waltham United went to extra innings and did not finish until well after sunset and almost in total darkness. The earlier we start, the earlier we finish and the sooner we can get to the bar.

And the fun doesn't stop tonight. By now we have all received the email regarding the MA Commonwealth Fall League.

League Rep Brian Sweetser has secured Lowell Field for the the Fall. We are moving to Sunday afternoons, 2-4 pm. Registration is now open for teams, groups of friends and individuals. Please visit http://www.kickball.com/season/macommonwealthfall2009 to register. Games will start on Sunday, September 13th! Be there and bring friends!

PART III - "I've been beat up, I've been thrown Out. But I'm not down, Oh I'm not down. I've been shown up, but I've grown up. And I'm not down, Oh I'm not down"

Diamond: #2 Last Team Standing 7 v. #7 Alcoballics 1

After a hard fought 2-1 battle between Last Team Standing and Alcoballics in Week 7, LTS was able to jump on the Alcoballics early in the rematch to avoid the upset bug.

Suit Mike found his new role in the cleanup spot to be agreeable as he hit a

Grand Slam in the Top of the 1st which plated the Little General, Alina, and Kramer. Suit Mike’s career day continued later when he drove in his 5th run of the day. Kramer added also added a Solo HR, while Maryland Mike and Julia pitched in with RBIs.

Collectively, the LTS females – Alina, Sara B, Julia, Jodi, & Casey – had their best day of the season, each getting on base at least once in the game.

The best moment of the day, however, belonged to the Alcoballics courtesy of the beloved Commish, Brian Sweetser. Late in the game, perhaps trying to take out a season’s worth of frustrations in one kick, the Commish popped the ball and in the process made himself a cool new hat.

Congratulations to Last Team Standing for moving on, and cheers for a great season to Johnny, Adam, Mark, Jason, Erin, Kim, Patrick, Caitlin, Michelle, Nicole, Brendan, Lily, Patrick, Natalia, Keith, Laura, Caitlin, Michael, Yohanna, Eduardo, Jon, Elizabeth, Matthew, Brian, and Twombly, the Alcoballics (anonymous) no more.

Jason K. contributed to this report.

Grass: Ball Busters 6 v. Allen Club 4

Splendor in the Grass was a 1961 film starring Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood that focused on the potency and delicate nature of sexuality. To hardcore kickball fans, the two games on the

grass field at Lowell playground in the first round, were truly spendid to behold, and the epitome of fine kickballian action.

The first game featured the Allen Club, which had gone undefeated in their first Commonwealth Division regular season, versus league veterans the Ball Busters. The Ball Busters jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, as Richie and Joanie were able to score in the top of the first. However Allen Club responded, as quickly as a Papa Gino's delivery man with your pizza, hot and fresh and full of that Papa goodness you've come to know and respect over the years, tying the game at 2.

The Ball Busters, who had had a difficult season, played like the team that had gone undefeated in the middle frames. Strong pitching from Shoeless Bleeding Gums Caddigan, who also got all the popups and bunts, solid defense from John C at first replacing the staycationing Jamie and the shut down defense of Richie in left stifled the Allen Club's offense. In the third, the Ball Busters

pushed two runs across as Tom and Kristy scored on a two-out RBI single from Greg. Allen Club was stymied agained, this time

by a great fielding kick to second for an out by Kristy, and Greg bailing out Adam and Jennie like they were AIG on a dangerous fly to left field. In the fifth, Ball Busters were able to add two insurance runs as John C and Adam scored.

However, the insurance was needed as in the bottom of the 5th with their season on the line, Allen Club responded with two runs, but a great catch by Mike C in center killed the rally and the season for Allen Club.

Cheers to Joshua, Andrew, Christmas, Michelle, Flava Flav, Jill Henrici, Dennis, Andrea, Ms. Maynard, Kyle, Hannah, Tim, Lorene, Courtney and Isaac, of the Allen for a wonderful, piping hot and delicious season.

Tom C. contributed to this report.

PART IV -"I went to the market to realise my soul. Cos what I need I just don’t have – ah! First they cursed then they pressed me ‘till I hurt. Rudie can’t fail"

Diamond - #1 East Coast Animals 10 v. #8 That's What She Said 2

In the great American mythology, much is made of the underdog. There exists for some reason

an inherent desire to root for those against whom the odds are stacked. Yet while often times emotions root for the underdog, the cold hearted reality of probablity comes crashing down. This was yet another one of those games that demonstrates the point. The favorite is favored for a reason.

The game started off well for That's What She Said, which was a rarity this season. Will started the game off with a hit, followed by Dan. A sac bunt by Katie moved them along, and a sac fly from David scored two runs in the first, for what was only the second TWSS lead of the season.

Yet the ball ended before the hors d'eourves hour were for the Cinderella TWSS, as the self-proclaimed "villians" of the Commonwealth Division, put six up on the board in the bottom of the first. With beleagured Captain Ryan unavailable, Trish F filled in, and lead the team to first round victory.

After securing the lead, the trademark ECA defense took over, and crushed any hope for TWSS. In the second, Anna S stared down a high pop fly, stepping aside at the last moment as a charging Matt T made an amazing grab. The following play, a short TWSS fly to center landed and was field cleanly by Mike B, who ruthlessly pegged the TWSS' Melissa at 2nd, killing a potential TWSS rally.

However, the fire was not completely extinguished for TWSS, as they played their strongest

defense of the season, highlighted by Will and Dan making a heroic catch to end the inning in the third. The ball arched high into the dusk sky, and Will stretched for it, keeping it in the air as he fell. Dan, who came over to support, knocked it towards Will as he fell, and the ball bounced between the two, never touching the ground, until finally Will was able to secure it.

Yet, the ECA defense was equally stingy. Peter P made two amazing catches in the third inning to prevent any TWSS runners from getting aboard, and in the fourth Mike P took control of the outfield, making a sweet catch of a TWSS shallow pop up killing any chance for some TWSS offense.

This defensive effort was matched again by TWSS, as Jocelyn made a strong catch, Coreen and Richard played tough, and Joy ended the inning stabbing a hot grounder to second, after Rusty wisely let the ball go through the picther's box.

Yet this defensive wizardry by TWSS was not matched at the plate, as the ECA defense was simpy too strong. ECA went to their closer James H with his smooth "Big Ern McCracken" pitching style, enduced two pop outs, one of which James put away himself, and then to end the game Barry D made a leaping catch at shortstop, cementing ECA's spot in the Semifinals.

For the East Coast Animals they now move on to face the fiesty perenniel upset specialist Ball Busters. For Joanne, Sarah, Jocelyn, Melissa, Daniel, Michelle, Jessica, Brian, Rusty, Joy, Anita, Bob, Meghan, David, Holly, Katie, Anthony, Nichole, Will Arielle, Sarah-Jane, Coreen and Richard it's another season in the books...cause That's What She Said.

Trisha F and Holly M contributed to this report.

Grass: Eat Drums!!! 6 v. Waltham United 5 (6 innings)

In 2008, the WAKA MA Commonwealth division consisted of just four teams, only one of which had played WAKA Kickball before as a group.

In 2009, the total number of teams doubled, and the number of experienced squads jumped from one to five, as the division saw an influx of three outside groups that came to Waltham in an attempt to win a coveted invitation to play in the Founders Cup in Las Vegas. Two of the newcomers finished 1-2 in the league, and the third, Waltham United finished fifth due to a tiebreaker, a 2-0 loss to Eat Drums while Waltham United Nick Floyd was away.

Waltham U got off to a quick start, scoring a run in each of the first two frames and preventing EAT DRUMS!!! from capitalizing on a bases-loaded situation in the first.

EAT DRUMS!!! held their opponents in the third, and in the bottom of that frame they struck for two runs. Andrew led off with a bunt single, moved to second one out later on a sacrifice by Paul, and scored on a double by Dave. Consecutive bunt singles by Ed and Paige loaded the bases for Jeff, who dropped a kick into center field for another run, tying the game.

The fourth inning was a wild one, as Waltham United pushed three runs across on a three run homer. Eat Drums got two back and threatened for more. With one out, co-captain Josh reached on a bunt single, and moved to second on a single by Mike. Co-captain Isaac then singled to load the bases, and Andrew booted a two-run base hit to bring the team within one – but that was all they would get.

After Paul held W.U. scoreless in the top of the fifth, he led off with a single but was called out at second on a fielder’s choice as Dave reached.Ed then moved Dave to second on a single, and consecutive base knocks by Jeff and Ben scored Dave to tie the ballgame and put Ed on third as the lead bases-loaded runner, with two outs. The team then called for the suicide squeeze in an attempt to win, but Kyla’s perfect bunt was just hard enough to give WU's Nick the chance to peg Ed out at home.

The game then went to extra innings, with a runner on second base to start for each team. Waltham United’s runner reached third base, but the EAT DRUMS!!! defense held and went into the bottom of the sixth – in near-darkness – still tied at five apiece. Josh led off the bottom half

with an attempted sacrifice bunt, which turned into a bunt single, moving the placed runner, Ed to third. Big slugger Mike then booted the ball into center field, and it landed as Ed raced home to score the winning run, allowing EAT DRUMS!!! to advance to the semi-finals.

Eat Drums!!! now moves on to face Last Team Standing, and congratulations go out to Nick, Lauren, Brandon, Vinay, Jason, Anne, Mary-Ellen, Andrew, Susan, Emily, Jon, Annemarie, Christine, Nathan, Kristina, Matt and Katie of Waltham United for hard fought game and a great season.

PART V - "London calling, now don't look to us. Phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust. London calling, see we ain't got no swing 'Cept for the ring of that truncheon thing"

Announcements:

LIGHT: Rain is not in the forecast for today, save for the chance of a late afternoon summer thunderstorm. It is imperative that we start our last set of games as close to 6:30 as possible in case the Championship game goes to extra innings. We want to avoid any darkness, like what happened during the Waltham United/Eat Drums game.

BOCA BAR: Tonight is our last night at the Boca Bar, at least until the Fall Season. Please thank them for their season long support of our humble little kickball league by coming out tonight to celebrate our new league champion, whomever they may be.

END OF SEASON PARTY: Details for our End of Season Party will be forthcoming as League Rep Brian is hard at work trying to settle on the best date and establishment. Stay tuned for our last chance to get together as a league.

LEAGUE CHARITY:Our charity for this season is Saturday's Bread/Sunday's Bread. Check

ourtheir website for information on how you can help, and stay tuned for the MA CommonwealthLeague's efforts to assist this noble and worthy cause.

PHOTOS: Thanks to Jeff Federico of EAT DRUMS!!! and friend of Last Team Standing Tim for their photographic contributions. If you have any photos or announcements you'd like to share please feel free to email them to me at this address.

PART VI -"Before you met your fate be sure, you did not forsake your lover, may not be around anymore."

Tonight upon the crowning of a new division champion, that team will belong to the ages. What is important to take away from tonight, and this season, is not necessarily who wins or loses, but the enjoyment we've all derived from participation in the artificial kickball universe. WAKA's mission is “provide and promote the joy of kickball tothose young at heart”. As Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford (or William Shakespeare to those who never question what they learned in school) wrote in Troilus and Cressida, "Things won are done, joy's soul lies in the doing." We are all, already winners, for having we have all experienced this past season, the highs and lows, seeing old friends, and making new ones.

Good luck to those who clash for the title tonight and see you all at the Boca Bar to celebrate.

- David, That's What She Said