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