Flame On's Kickball Ramblings

Well, I completely forgot to keep updating this blog. Flame ON was on a roll this season. We moved off the bottom of the barrel and moved to the top. For some reason, we finally gelled this season. We had a great mix of boys, girls, and gurrlls. We ended the season first in division play. Unfortunately, though, we were knocked out of the playoffs in the quarter-finals. We ended up losing to a team we beat hands-down during the season. Oh, well, I'm so incredibly proud of where the team got to this year from the first two losing seasons. Spring may not be as easy to handle as we will be facing more intense competition, but, hey, we'll give it our best shot. We'll need to do some recruiting to make up for a few loses, but we'll get there! If anyone wants to play, email me!

Well, I missed the window to do a write up on the practice we had on 4/15. Let's just say it turned out that it has helped out fielding quite a bit. Hopefully, our practice early on Sunday will help make up for our lack of kicking skills! On to the game:

The weekend wasn't looking promising to the Flame ON! crew with the constant rain and the loss of our ever-enthusiastic captain to a wedding in Central Michigan. Nevertheless, we bit our lips and donned our less stylish gear for a game in the mud. "Let’s strive for mediocrity" stated one Flamer, aptly expressing the general sense of the players on the field this past Sunday. And mediocrity we nearly achieved. Apparently, practice helps, because our offense came together to allow only three runs. (We Flamers woefully remember the day that Sack Lunch took us for 25+ runs in one game and we didn't know about the Mercy Rule. Damn that Mercy Rule!)

There was a bit of trepidation with the field choice. Not only was first base up a gradual incline there was a grass sod line through the middle of the field. Last year Flamers were prone to follow those lines rather than the lines between bases. Though we don't think the Head Ref from Sack Lunch could fault us if we went a bit astray, since this Flamer witnessed him slide into third only to get up and run into the Pitcher in what was later told he was confused where home plate was.

A bit of reminder for those last season; Flame ON! was in 9th place and Sensations was 2nd after the regular season games in the Fall. Honestly, we believe the Flame ON! Squad gave Sensations a run for their money. With the exception of a few errors on our part, the off-scheduled practice seemed to pay off as the Flamers fielded very well. The Sensations were limited to 2 runs in the 1st and 1 run in the 3rd. That is very impressive considering the Flame ON! record and we honestly believe no couture or coiffure was harmed in the process.

The game featured numerous standout plays by one of our sister/brother duos Sarah & Peter who were, much like two angry Chihuahuas, a formidable force on the infield; an out at second base by Mini Greg, who only moments earlier had asked, "now where exactly is centerfield" (he apparently still doesn't grasp the "middle finger" explaination from Team Keg's Captain Yujin!); and a surprise catch of a popped up foul by catcher, Sh3lby, who used the moment to remind the Sensations kicker that "this is what happens when you grab for Sh3lby’s balls"!

Unfortunately for the Flamers, Sensations knows a thing or two or five about defense, and more importantly, can score runs. We did manage to get one man on base and even came 15 feet from the first Flaming Run of the season, but, alas, we were denied. Due to the well-matched teams the game flew by in what seemed like 30 minutes. Both sides wanted to keep playing, but the overwhelming urge to imbibe was too appealing. We thank them for not spanking us too badly (though it’s rumored that a few Flamers have an affinity for just that - in fact, we suspect a spanking would not have been entirely unwelcome.)

The game ended in jubilant celebration (or maybe just relief or maybe we really just wanted to drink) as we concluded that Flame ON! is, in fact, improving. Perhaps next week we’ll score a run. (We think so. Get ready Team Keg. This week, we practice "kicking" because we hear that has something to do with this whole scoring runs thing. We'll let you know what we find out.) We are working on a strategy to combat the enchanting tunes of Journey they blast to distract their opponents! One thing is for sure though: at this pace, we’ll achieve mediocrity in no time.

In the Bar:

Flame ON! - 2 Sensations - 5

With both teams barely having the minimum 6 players required for the match, it wasn’t pretty; but, it was an even match down to the wire for most of the seven rounds played. Unfortunately for Flame ON!, the usual "done-in-one" flippers seemed to revert to their rookie days for whatever reason. (Distracted by empty stomachs? Matt Allen macking on some chick again? World peace? Wondering what role exactly that wascally wabbit had in putting the holes in Elmer Fudd’s -- we mean Drew's camouflage hat?) In the end, Sensations sucked the least. Congratulations and thanks for your gracious attitudes both on and off the field! We like you almost as much as Team Keg! (BTW, we as of printing of this issue, still have no idea what Sensations Without Representation actually means... We don't think the Pink Team even knows.) [Captain's Note: Thanks to Jon C. and Meeshell for their fabulous contributions to this week's write up. Thanks to all who coordinated efforts in my drunken absence!]

AIM FOR THE HEAD and Flame ON!