Ghost Man on Third: Week Two

GHOST MAN ON THIRD

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH DIVISION

"Kickball is the first of all pleasures" - Oscar Wilde

Week 2: "Shame is soft they say. Lose when I play your game. All fortune on the floor"

Table of Contents
I - Belly Up to the Bar Boys (And Girls)

II - O, Say Yeah, Yeah Yeah

III - 6:30 Game Recaps

IV - 7:15 Game Recaps

V - Standings and Schedule

VI - Announcements

VII - You Don't Have to Go Home (But You Can't Stay Here)

Part I: "Shake it like a ladder to the sun. Makes me feel like a madman on the run. Find me, never, never far gone. So get your leather, leather, leather on."

Since this newsletter last graced your inboxes, I've been on the road, visiting friends, eating the best BBQ in the world, and indulging in my two greatest pleasures (besides kickball); rock n roll and baseball. So I don't really have much to say as my mind is still scattered and atrophied from vacation.

However, I guess in my absence there were some shenanigans with alcohol, and drinking will not longer be tolerated on the field of our little division. A shame, but as responsible adults we must adhere to the laws of the land. So please, pay heed to the email we received from our hard-working (when not in Europe) league rep Brian Sweetser. Our little league is a good time, and we certainly don't want our permits revoked, or worse anyone having to spend not-so-quality time with the Waltham Police.

Besides, with such a fantastic league partner in the Boca Bar, why would you really want imbibe responsibly elsewhere?

Part II: Tell me we're rockers to swallow. Tell me we're knockers to bite. And out of the beats of tomorrow. Tell me what beat fills the night

Popular music today is almost as scattered as my brain on vacation. While the digital revolution in music has democratized the consumer, liberating our choices from the suits in corporate radio and record labels, (a good thing) an unintended consequence is that it is harder for bands to capture the same mass attention as previous generations. With fewer outlets from which consumers could choose, it was easier for bands like the Beatles to become almost ubiquitious in pop culture. Yes, the Beatles were ground-breaking and talented, but they were also helped because they were all the radio stations would play.

This is why I bristle whenever people lament the state of modern music.

There are still great bands out there. The problem is they are no longer given to you on a silver platter by the mass media. To find the great bands, you have to get off your duffs and look for them. People have the power, if they aren't afraid to use it.

So for this week's band, I'm picking the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They are one of the really great modern bands out there, and one I seriously hope breaks into the mass consciousness of popular culture. One, because they are really good, and two because I just got back from seeing them, and in thirty years when I'm wearing black socks with white shorts and a guayaberra somewhere in Florida I can say I saw them when they played a small bar and blew my mind.

PART III "Made off. Don't stray. My kind's your kind. I'll stay the same."

Diamond:
Last Team Standing 2 v. East Coast Animals 5

This was a win that almost wasn't for East Coast Animals. After almost having to nearly forfeit due to lack of female players, Katie "came from the heavens" for the save, and energized by

avoided the first forfeit of the year, the ECA jumped to a quick lead (despite some rough fielding by members of ECA who shall remain unnamed, like Captain Ryan C). Lead by Captain Thomann, the aforementioned Katie, and Big Baby Barry, the ECA established an early 3-0 lead. LTS appeared like they would make it a game when they pushed two runs across in the second inning thanks to RBIs by Sarah S and Mike F. Solid defensive play by "The Little General" (Mike C) and "Suit Mike" (Mike F) - who inexplicably caught the entire game while wearing a backpack - kept LTS within striking distance during the middle innings.
However, LTS was thwarted by Kevin P and the beautiful Halie G, who established themselves as one of the league's premier pitcher-catcher combos. Defensively the intelligent and loud decision by Anna S to NOT catch a ball, somehow worked, as LTS was not able to push across the tying run. Two nicely manufactured runs by ECA put it out of reach.

"We leave Lowell Playground as a very humbled team tonight" said LTS Captain Jay K in a very brief postgame press conference.

While ECA was victorious on the field, they did not make it through the night undefeated. Despite a valiant effort that included tequilia and dear friend Jim Beam, the upstart animals were outlasted at the Boca Bar by the green team.

"We salute the green team for a good showing," stated a humbled ECA captain Ryan C, "But I promise we'll be back with a vengeance this week!!"

Ryan C. and Jay. K contributed to this report.

GRASS:
Ball Busters 4 v. Alcoballics 3

In a seesaw battle in the shadow of the Lowell Field playground, it took the Ball Busters until it's last at bat to put away the pesty, yet still anonymous Alcoballics.

The Alcoballics Anonymous pushed two runs across in the second, only to be tied in the bottom of the inning on a triple by Tara D, and two subsequent singles. The Alcoballics tightened their defense and kept the game tied, allowing them to push across another run (anonymously) in the top of the 3rd. Mike C of the Ball Busters scored in the third to tie this game up worse than Gordion.

The 4th was scoreless for both sides, yet witnessed the first truly memorable blooper of this season. The always dangerous Mike H of Ball Busters, dribbled a slow roller to third. Slipping on the treacherous (some say well lubricated) grass, the undeterred Mike, scratched and clawed his way to first...only to be struck by the ball a mere moment before reaching first safely. "That would have won 10,000 on America's Funniest Videos" remarked Ball Buster captain Tom C.

In the top of the 5th the Alcoballics got two runners on, only to be thwarted by the Ball Buster defense. In the bottom of the 5th, Adam S got it started for the Ball Busters, by bunting and then moving to third on a throwing error. The Alcoballics pulled their fielders in, in an attempt to cut down the winning run at home, but Jamie D, thrust the dagger into the Alcoballic heart, by nailing a shot to center, allowing Adam S to come home with the winning run.

"We celebrated, we danced, we hugged, we drank...all in all, a good time." said Captain Tom C, while the Alcoballics again remained eerily silent.

Tom C. contributed to this report.

Part IV: "Well, it's a sharp shock to your soft sideSummer moon, catch your shut eye"

DIAMOND:

That's What She Said 1 v. EAT DRUMS 3

After a frustrating and dissapointing loss in week 1, Eat Drums came out on a cold and miserable Thursday night looking to avoid an 0-2 start, while That's What She Said was looking for it's first win of the season after a razor thin 1-0 loss in week one. Solid TWSS defense by Dan, Will and Kate in the first allowed for a double by Nicole S, followed by singles by Katie and Jocelyn to push across TWSS's first run of the year and the 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, Eat Drums did exactly what they did well in week one, which was squander some really good scoring opportunities. Rob M led off the inning with a triple, but was stranded at third. Kyla A placed a perfect bunt down the first base line that was fielded well by TWSS, keeping the runner at third. Scott B lined out for the second out of the inning. The final out was recorded at home as Rob M was cut down trying to score on a bunt by Jen K.

In the bottom of the third, Eat Drums continued their theme of leaving runners on base. Josh B led off with a double and advanced to third two kickers later on a fly out to right by Ben C. Unfortunately, Josh would be stranded at third, and the score remained 1-0.

After TWSS did not score in the top of the 4th, things turned around in a big way in the bottom half for Eat Drums. Paul L led off with a single and advanced to second on a single by Dave M. Jeff F reached on a fielder's choice, which put runners on second and third. After a pop out for the second out of the inning, Eat Drums was in danger of squandering yet another golden scoring opportunity. However, things finally turned around as Mike G booted a 3-run homerun to right center, giving Eat Drums a 3-1 lead.

Josh B pitched the 5th for the save, his second scoreless inning of the game. Bob, Paul L, and Jen K combined to give up only 1 run, as it was the pitching and defense that kept them in this one.

TWSS was frustrated with their lack of offense, but according to captain Jocelyn C. "Our goal is two this week, or more, cause THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID.

Isaac G, Jocelyn C and Holly M contributed to this report.

GRASS:

Allen Club 5 vs. Waltham United 1

Karma can be a bitch, as Waltham United found out. It also doesn't help to be facing the quietly impressive and Papa Ginos fueled Allen Club. After losing the opening toss, WU did start the game with a quick run in the top of the first. However rather than build on our first inning success, we instead switched to kicking pop-ups, watching Allen Club us with hits, and shivering in the cold for the remainder of the game. The Cluber’s D

capitalized on WU’s rain of sky-high kickballs and their offense delivered a stream of steady hits to rack up two more runs in both the second and third inning. The highlights of WU’s game were Lauren’s awesome catch on what would otherwise have been homerun deep in center field and not urinating on the field (apparently this is a problem?).

For Allen Club, lead-offer kick Andrea was back-in-action for her first game of the season with two hits and one run scored. Pitcher Timmy S also spent some time on base with two hits, one being an accidental bunt. Papa Gino’s Player of the Game Jill H added another two hits, brining her season total to 3 hits, already surpassing her last season total. Michelle C and Big Bad Barry each added a hit. Michelle M provide her first Gold Glove play of the season. Star Minnesotan Right Fielder Kyle O knocked in the first run Tim Sarro. Andrea, Jill, Flava Flav and Isaac scored the remaining runs for AC while Courtney, Christmas, Dennis and Hannah all added to the Allen Club success package.
In a shameless corporation promotion, Allen Club recognized three Papa Gino’s Players of the Game with a free pizza each. In addition, to recognize Papa Gino’s current promotion, the DOUBLE PLAY – two large cheese pizza for $16.99, Josh turned a “catch and chest pass to first” DOUBLE PLAY from the shortstop position. "Now that's a Great Deal!" said Allen Club captain Joshua A, only this reporter is not sure whether he meant the double play or the pizza.

Joshua A and Nick F contributed to this report.

PART V: Y-control, Y-control you walk, walk, walk, walk, walk my winners. out of control, out of control you walk, walk, walk, walk, walk my winners

Standings (W/L/T/Run Diff/Total Points)

East Coast Animals 2-0-0, +5 =4pts

Allen Club 2-0-0, +5 =4pts

Waltham United 1-1-0, even =2pts

Last Team Standing 1-1-0, +2 =2pts

Eat Drums!!! 1-1-0 even =2pts

Ball Busters 1-1-0 -3 =2pts

That's What She Said 0-2-0 -3 =0pts

Alcoballics 0-2-0 -5 =0pts

Schedule

Week 3 - June 4, 2009

Diamond:

6:30pm - Alcoballics v. East Coast Animals

ref: Ball Busters

7:15pm - Ball Busters v. Waltham United

ref: East Coast Animals

Grass:

6:30pm - Eat Drums!!! v. Allen Club

ref: That's What She Said

7:15 - That's What She Said v. Last Team Standing

ref: Allen Club

PART VI: Off with your head Dance 'til you're dead Heads will roll Heads will roll Heads will roll On the floor

RULES: Recently league Rep Brian Sweetser went over some rules for our conduct on Lowell Field. The official league rules can be visited here. Please adhere to these rules. Any violation will be dealt with by the League.

LEAGUE POSITIONS: Speaking of which, positions are still open on the League Board. Please contact Brian for more information. This league cannot run successful without the effort of it's members. Thank you in advance for your interest.

ALCOHOL: Just to reitierate Brian's email, alcohol is not permitted at Lowell Field. Any team caught in the possession and consumption of prohibited beverages will forfeit their game. If the alcohol is removed, they game will be allowed to be completed, but will remain a forfeit in the loss column. If the alcohol is not removed, then the game will automatically be forfeited to the compliant team. A second violation of this policy will result in the offending team from being disqualified for the league tournament at the end of the season.
Please let's be safe and be smart. Confine your league consumption to...

BOCA: Our partners at the BOCA BAR. Great food. Great atmosphere. Great drinks. There are also league discounts. Inqurie with the BOCA staff as to what they are.

PHOTOS: If anyone has photos of league or BOCA action, please email them to me at this address. Thank you!

PART VI: "Try and hit the spot. Get to know it in the dark. Get to know it whether you're

Crying, crying, crying, oh, oh. Can you climb, climb, climb higher?

The lights are coming up, and what looked great in barlight, in daylight looks desperate. Who will be the teams that step into the light of immortal Kickballian victory? Who will receed into the darkness of "oblivia" to quote Roger Clemens? Only patience and time will reveal all that is to be seen.

Good Luck in moving towards the light.

- David, That's What She Said