The Award Winning Official Newsletter of the MA Commonwealth Division
"E Pluribus Kickball"
WEEK FIVE: " Grab your ticket and your suitcase, thunder's rolling down this track. Well, you don't know where you're going now, but you know you won't be back. Well, darling, if you're weary, lay your head upon my chest. We'll take what we can carry, yeah, and we'll leave the rest" - Bruce Springsteen
Table of Contents:
II: Chugging Along
III: Sixteen Coaches Long
IV: Murder Free Games, Unlike The Orient Express
V: Standings and Schedule
VI: Announcements
VII: All Aboard!
PART I: "So people get ready, there's a train a comin'. You don't need no baggage, you just get on board. All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'. Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord" - Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions
Every Thursday, when I see all the teams at the field in their multi-colored glory, it reminds me of the motto on the Great Seal of the United States "E Pluribus Unum". Seeing so many people of different stripes coming together for a common purpose is a hopeful development. I'd like to believe that when the Declaration of Independence was ratified those many years ago, the Drafters of that Document were imbued with that same sense of hope for the new nation, that the different states and later different peoples that would come to our shores, would build something better. It is a hope that sometimes we forget in our cynical news cycle, but that on a day like the Fourth of July we should remember with every beer, every burger, and every rocket's red glare. So like our national mosaic, here's a mosaic of the images from this season to date.
And since I despise the blatant commercialization of the United States, especially in song (I loathe, loathe, loathe Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." I don't think even Voltaire would die to defend Greenwood's right to sing that banal drivel), this week's musical theme is a song that most captures what the American Experience means to me, Bruce Springsteen's Land of Hope and Dreams.
PART II: "I will provide for you and I'll stand by your side. You'll need a good companion now for this part of the ride. Yeah, leave behind your sorrows, let this day be the last, well, tomorrow there'll be sunshine and all this darkness past" - Bruce Springsteen
MA COMMONWEALTH MIDSEASON PARTY
When: July 13th, 2012 - 7:30pm
Where: An Tua Nua
Who: Registered Commonwealth Division Members (Free) Guests ($5)
PART III: "Well, this train carries saints and sinners. This train carries losers and winners This train carries whores and gamblers.This train carries lost souls." - Bruce Springsteen
6:30pm Games
Dirty Mike and the Boys 11 over Teleballin 0
Despite the setback at the hands of the Ninjas, Dirty Mike and the Boys returned to their winning ways, and easily took care of a fiesty Teleballin' team 11-0.
Pumped Up Kicks 8 over We Got the Runs 0
Small ball, timely hitting, defense and good pitching by Dave P and Keith won the game for the still undefeated Pumped Up Kicks. Big kicks in the middle part of the order by Vickie, Erin, and Britanny helped power the office. Erin made a timely unassisted double play to get out of a jam. Brett M had an RBI-triple, and thanks to DJ Andrew B, the walk up music helped PUMP UP THE KICKS.
After an impressive win in week 3, We've Got the Runs was looking to keep the momentum going in week 4 against the Pumped Up Kicks. The game was very close through 3 innings as both teams played good defense and the Pumped Up Kicks held a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Runs all hell broke loose in the 4th inning on a combination of well place kicks and fielding errors - the biggest being Kevin and Andrew both going for a ball kicked to center - ending in a collision and no one making the catch. Despite having Frank "The Tank" batting cleanup the Runs weren't able to get on the scoreboard and were shut out for the 3rd time this season.
Dave C played in his first game of the season for the Runs and made a good catch in left field. Jodi made custom alterations to her uniform which combined with her speed allowed her to beat out an infield single. Brad and Joe both made nice defensive plays in center field and the catching tandem of Tracy and Laura "J-Woww" was solid behind the plate.
We were able to successfully drown our sorrows at the bar with many pitchers of beer and numerous games of flip cup.
Pumped Up Kicks 8 over We Got the Runs 0
After an impressive win in week 3, We've Got the Runs was looking to keep the momentum going in week 4 against the Pumped Up Kicks. The game was very close through 3 innings as both teams played good defense and the Pumped Up Kicks held a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Runs all hell broke loose in the 4th inning on a combination of well place kicks and fielding errors - the biggest being Kevin and Andrew both going for a ball kicked to center - ending in a collision and no one making the catch. Despite having Frank "The Tank" batting cleanup the Runs weren't able to get on the scoreboard and were shut out for the 3rd time this season.
Dave C played in his first game of the season for the Runs and made a good catch in left field. Jodi made custom alterations to her uniform which combined with her speed allowed her to beat out an infield single. Brad and Joe both made nice defensive plays in center field and the catching tandem of Tracy and Laura "J-Woww" was solid behind the plate.
We were able to successfully drown our sorrows at the bar with many pitchers of beer and numerous games of flip cup.
Vickie, Andrew and Sam contributed this report.
PART IV:" I said, this train, dreams will not be thwarted. This train, faith will be rewarded. This train, hear the steel wheels singing. This train, bells of freedom ringing" - Bruce Springsteen
7:15pm Games
Ninjapocalypse Now 12 over Kickin Nuggets 0
A very fiesty and game Kickin Nuggets were able to hold the Ninjas scoreless through the first two innings. However, the Nuggest then suffered a Ninjapocalypse as all the balls bounced the Ninja's way and a three run third inning was followed by a nine run fourth inning to seal the game. Powered by Indefatigable Can of Spam winner Mike G at the plate, Sword of Honor winner Paige on the mound, Helmet of The Horror winner Megan on the basepaths, and Ninja Aeronautical Space Association Suit winner Paul, the Ninjas were able to super size their order and win.
The Nuggets are looking forward to improving our ever-evolving strategy in game 5!
Jess and David contributed this report.
Don't Come on My Base! 1 over Looking to Bust Balls 0
Despite hits from Andrea, Tara, Adam, and Justin Looking To Bust Ball's scoring drought continued as they dropped a 1-0 decision to Don't Come on my Base. Ben was the hard luck loser on the mound pitching a strong complete game, Adam and Richard provided solid defense behind him to keep things tight. Next week's goal: actually make it through the entire lineup!
Eric and Jason contributed this report
PART V:"I said, this train carries broken-hearted. This train, thieves and sweet souls departed. This train carries fools and kings thrown. This train, all aboard" - Bruce Springsteen
Standings:
Schedule:
6:30PM
Desert:
Dirty Mike and the Boys v.Looking to Bust Balls
Referee: Ninjapocalypse Now
Grass:
Kickin' Nuggets' v. Don't Come on My Base!
Referee: . Teleballin'
7:15pm
Desert:
We've Got the Runs v. Teleballin'
Referee: Dirty Mike and the Boys
Grass:
Pumped Up Kicks v. Ninjapocalypse Now
Referee: Don't Come on My Base!
PART VI: "I said, now this train, dreams will not be thwarted. This train, faith will be rewarded. This train, the steel wheels singing. This train, bells of freedom ringing" - Bruce Springsteen
Announcements, Announcements Announcements
PHOTOS: Thanks to Ilana of Don't Come on My Base! and Jess of Kickin' Nuggets for some of this week's photos. Send any photos you got to me here. Thank you
BOCA BAR: Our league bar loves us. Show them the love back and go to the Boca Bar after games.
TWITTER: For all the latest news and notes, follow the league tweets at @Macommonealth for all the latest news.
PART VII:" Well big wheels roll through fields where sunlight streams. Meet me in a land of hope and dreams." - Bruce Springsteen
A few moments ago, despite my grilled meat and bourbon infused Fourth of July stupor, I found myself reflecting on these United States, on where we as a nation have been, where we are now, and where we can go in the future. Despite the cynicism within the media, and the cheap tactic of pandering to our most base instincts for political support by candidates running for their own glorification and ego, our Nation is strong. What brings us our strength is our Freedom, our diversity and our commitment to those certain unalienable rights, and the rule of law. I'm reminded of the money shot quote of President Clinton in his Inaugural Address in 1993 "There is nothing wrong with America than cannot be cured by what is right with America." That truth is self-evident to me.
The Fourth of July is a day of hope, of celebrating where we've been and who we are, but also that there is a certain inevitability that as a people and nation we can be better. As we play our kickball games this week, keep in mind that our recreation is a product of the greatness of this nation. Our league is a microcosm of what is right about America. Men and women from all races, religions, orientations and creeds, working together for a higher purpose. It is only through working together that we as a people can get to that promised land of hope and dreams, whether that is simply Ultimate Kickball Glory, or a more perfect Union.
Good luck, happy kicking, and America FUCK YEAH!
-David, GMOT Editor
