Game 2: Can You Say, “Winning Streak?”

Footloose,

Thursday at 6:30 we (hopefully) will continue our winning tradition when we take on Terroist Foot Jab.

Scouting Report:

TFJ is a new team to the division, so I have zippy scouting report data other than their name is simply retarded.  To any teammates that are offended that I used the word “retarded,” well, tough noogies.  This is a team from the 80s when the tards went flying before PC only meant “personal computer.”  You know, like a Commodore 64.  Which, by the way, I totalled kicked ass on while playing Montezuma’s Revenge in the 3rd grade. 

In summary, TFJ are tards. 

Action Item 1:  Attendance

Who’s in for Thursday’s game?  Remember to reply whether or not you can make it. 

Captain’s Tip of the Day:

Being too lazy to read what I wrote for last game, I’m just going to wing it this week:

• You don’t have to kick the crap out of the ball.  You’ll probably just pop out anyway.  Kinda like I did 2x last game.  There’s nothing wrong with a respectible kick on the ground.   
• We got a pretty cheap out last game when the girl on 1st from Legion of Doom ran to 2nd when there was a pop fly.  We through the ball back to 1st base and turned a double play.  There are a few lessons in this scenario.  First, if you are on base and there is a pop fly, don’t take off in a full sprint to the next base.  Go part way to see if the ball is caught or dropped.  If it’s caught, then you still have time to run back to your original base.  If it’s dropped, then run to the next base.  The next lesson is that the other team’s first base coach did not do his/her job in telling the runner what to do. 
• Speaking of base coaches, let’s make sure that we always have one at first and one at third.  The main job of the base coaches is to help out the runners by telling them when to run (like the scenario above), how many outs there are, etc.  The first base coach helps the kicker and runner on 1st, the third base coach helps the runners on 2nd, 3rd, and tell any subsequent runners whether to stay at third, run home, duck, dip, dive, dodge, duck, slide,  jump, or otherwise avoid a thrown ball.  When you are a base runner, listen for the instructions of your coaches.  If you’re not sure what to do, ask them.  For base coaches, I’ll look to the team (particularly the vets who know what they are doing) to help coach bases. 
• Here’s a hint on catching a big, red, rubber ball:  it’s easier to accept the ball to your bosom palms up than to catch it like you are bumping a volley ball above your head. 
• When kicking, the strike zone is 1 foot to either side of home plate and 1 foot above the plate.  You do not need to kick every pitch.  If it’s not near the plate or too bouncy, just wait for the next pitch.  You have 3 strikes and 3 (NOT 4!) fouls before you are out.  If the pitcher throws 4 balls, you get a walk (or you get to take 1st base). 
• Lastly, get the ball back to the pitcher ASAP unless you are trying to make an out–otherwise the ball is still in play and runners may continue to advance. 

Action Item 2:  Theme

This week’s theme is 80s TV characters.  When you reply to the blog, include your character (but only if you plan to attend–we don’t want you steeling any good ones if you can’t make it!).  There was one tard last game *cough…Tom…cough* who thought that 80s movies really meant 80s TV.  For your tardiness, you have to pick a new name. 

Also, remember to fill out your name tag with both your 80s name and your real name so that we all get to know each other. 

Action Item 3:  Libabtions

Who will step up and bring libations and cups this week?  Please bring enough for the entire team (so a 12 pack won’t cut it).  I supplied 2 cases and cups last week.  We have enough people on the team that we can rotate drink duties and should never have to repeat. 

Misc. Joo Joo

Thanks to everyone who dropped me some duckets for schwag.  To the others– I’m keeping a list and checking it twice. 

Actually, regarding the list, if everyone could add their cell #s, I’d appreciate it.  I’ll need them in case of rainouts. 

Is it wrong that a grown man just bought 144 jelly bracelets?  Well, methinks not.  They will be in the Bag o’ Schwag.   As with every game, HELP YOURSELVES to the purple Bag o’ Schwag. 

I see you, and you see me
But you’re blowin’ the lines
When you’re making a scene
Oh girl, you’ve got to know
What my head overlooks
The senses will show to my heart
With its watchingful eyes
You can’t escape my

Private eyes
They’re watching you
They see your every move
Private eyes
They’re watching you
Private eyes
They’re watching you watching you watching you watching you

–Private Eyes, Hall & Oates

 

A little something about Hall & Oates:

The top selling act of the 1950s:  Elvis

1960s:  The Beatles

1970s:  Elton John

1980s?  You guessed it, Philadelphia’s own Hall and Oates.  Bust that one out next time you’re playing the 80s edition of Trivial Pursuit

Post-Game Wrap-up

We had a great start to the season, defeating Legion of Doom 4-1.  If I remember correctly, Kristin scored half our runs–precisely why I made her the lead-off kicker.

The game ball for this game goes to Jed, who was like a vaccuum at 3rd base.  Jed- remember to iron on your all star badge.

There are no games this week because of Memorial weekend.  Instead, the division is sponsoring a happy hour at the Clarendon Ballroom rooftop.  I’ll probably be there around 6-6:30, but show up whenever you can.  Today should be in the high 70s–perfect for a rooftop bar.  Who’s in?  (hint:  that’s a cue to post a comment.)

Next week we play Terrorist Foot Jab, a new team in the division, at 6:30.

If I don’t see you tonight, see you next week.  If you’re around this weekend, I’m sure we’ll grab beers Saturday night.

Are You Ready for Some KICKBALL?

Action Item No. 1:

Please let me know whether (or not) you will be at Thursday’s 7:15 game against the Legion of Doom.

Scouting Report:

Don’t let the name fool you—there’s nothing scary about this team (except maybe the amount of beer that they consume over the course of a game).  For the vets, the Legion was once known as Bunt Funk (formerly Grabbasky and the K-funk Allstars, formerly Schoolhouse Rockers, formerly After School Specials…wow…that’s more team history than I think 99.9% of their actual team knows…).

We have a fun rivalry against this team.  The past few seasons we’ve traded 1-run victories.  Unfortunately, I think we’ve come out on the short end of most of those trades.  This is a game of bragging rights…and dem are some rights that I want (particularly because I’m friends with most of their team).

This will be a fun one.

Captains Tip of the Day:

Each week, I’ll give a few tips and rules to help the people who haven’t played since they were in Ms. Smith’s 4^th grade class (and tidbits for the vets to remember).  First off, nine times out of ten, the team that loses makes more mistakes than the other team.  I’ll start with basic stuff and work up to more complex things.

• The easiest out in kickball is a pop fly.  To remedy the fever of a popfly, drink two Miller Lites, KICK THE BALL ON THE GROUND, and call me in the morning.
• Positions are basically the same as baseball/softball, except that you can play 11 people in the field.  We play 5 outfielders, with one of them in “shallow center,” about 5 steps behind 2^nd base.  I’ll have a chart at the field.  Seriously.
• The rules are basically the same as baseball/softball rules, with a few execptions, such as:

1. Balls, strikes, and foul balls are each counted separately. Three fouls = an out (VETS:  note that this is different than WAKA).
2. You can throw the ball at someone to get them out, but you cannot hit them in the head.  If a runner is hit in the head, they are safe (unless they were sliding or intentionally moved to create a head shot).
3. There is no infield fly rule.  Don’t know what that is?  Don’t worry about it.
4. No leading or stealing (but tagging up is allowed…and encouraged).

• When we are on D, get the ball back to the pitcher ASAP.  Otherwise, the base runners may continue to round the bases.
• While bunting is allowed, I don’t particularly encourage it.  Girls can bunt if they want, but there most certainly will not be any munting (male bunting).  The colors don’t munt!
• Last tip for this week:  run through first base.  You do not need to stop on dime.  Instead keep running past the base (after touching it, of course), then turn to your right into foul territory.  “But why, Captain o’ Captain, would I do this?”  The advantage of running through the base is that you can keep a full head of steam and not lose any momentum trying to stop on the base.
• Ok, I lied—one more tip:  we should provide base coaches at 1^st and 3^rd, and they need to help the base runners with # of outs, when to run part way (such as pop ups), when to tag up, etc.

Squatter/Ref:

Each week, we have to supply a ref for the game the opposite time as ours.  For example, this week we have a 7:15 game, so we need to supply a ref for the 6:30 game.  I plan to get to the fields for the 6:30 game, so I’ll handle our reffing responsibility this week.

When we play at 6:30, we also need to supply a “squatter” at the fields because the NPS does not issue permits for the area of the Mall where we play.  We compete for space with softball, so it’s important that people get down there early.  Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get out of work on time to make it, so we’ll ask for volunteers each early game.

Failure to supply either may result in a forfeit.  Three or more forfeits and we are disqualified from the end-of-season tournament.  Not to sound dire—it likely won’t happen, but it could.

Refreshments:

Each week, I’ll ask for volunteers to bring liquid refreshments, cups, and ice to the game.  That way, we rotate responsibilities.  And that doesn’t mean that you can simple call “cups” to fullfill your drunkenly duties…

I have a couple of cases of Miller Lite all lined up for this week.  Aren’t I good to you?

Theme:

Each week we’ll have a different name tag theme.  We’ll have 2 costume nights (Metal Mania and Halloween in July).  This week’s theme is an easy one:  80s movie characters.  When you reply to the blog, post your character so that we don’t have any dupes.   I’ll have name tags and other goodies at the games.  Please take the initiative to fill out your name tag with both your real name and your 80s character; also, help yourself to the goodies.

Duckets:

Like I said in my first post, I ask that everyone float me a few bucks for the goodies.  Make sure that I cross your name off the list so that you get credit.  I’ll also ask you to add your cell # so that I can text you should games be cancelled (the division will e-mail by 4:30 if games are cancelled because of weather, but sometimes it changes between 4:30 and game time).

See you Thursday night!  Remember to show up early, get your shirt, socks, nametag, and goodies (and a beer).

PS- Remember to respond to the Action Items

I’m always workin slavin every day
Gotta get away from that same old same old
I need a chance just to get away
If you could hear me think this is what Id say

Don’t need nothin but a good time
How can I resist
Aint lookin for nothin but a good time
And it dont get better than this

A little something about Poison:

The band has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Bret Michaels and Rikki Rockett had a band called Spectres, in 1982 when they were still in high school. Poison started out with about 10 members and anyone was invited to join if they played an instrument. If a member failed to show for practice, they were out of the band. Eventually they had four or five members who were steady members. The Poison band was first started in 1983 and they called themselves, Paris at that time. Bret Michaels was lead vocalist, Matt Smith, guitar player, Bobby Dall, Bass player, and Rikki Rockett, was the drummer. The band moved to LA in March, 1984 and began to play the clubs. After an a mad group of parents protested that rock music was poisoning the minds of their children, the band changed their name to poison. The band had theatrical live shows and a glam image and this gained them notoriety on Sunset Strip. The filled the stage with old Harley Davidsons and car parts because they didn’t have the money to buy effects for their act. Bret, Bobby, Rikki, and DeVille, all signed with the Enigma Records label, in 1986, for about $30,000. Their debut album was released in 1986 and was called, Look What the Cat Dragged In. From the album came the singles, Cry Tough, Talk Dirty To Me, I Want Action, and I Won’t Forget You. They sold over 2 million copies of the album. In 1987, the band recorded a cover of the song, Rock and Roll All Nite, for the soundtrack to the movie, Less Than Zero.

Poison released their second album called, Open Up and Say …Ahh!. The album sold over 8 million copies worldwide. From the album came the group’s biggest hit single called, Every Rose Has It’s Thorn. Other hits from the album were, Your Mama Don’t Dance, Nothin’ But A Good Time, and Fallen Angel. By the end of 1989, Poison had become the fourth best selling hard rock band in the 1980’s.

Also,  they grew up 20 min from were I did.  And I met Bret Michaels mom at a Christmas party.  HA!

Kickball Is Here!

Footloose!

Welcome to the 2009 season!

We’ve got a full roster that’s a mix of vets and newbies.   So if you don’t know everyone, that’s fine (because neither do I!).

To get to know each other before the season starts and to see what this kickball stuff is all about, we’re going to have a pre-season pickup games and party THIS THURSDAY.  We’ll meet at the usual fields at 6:30 to have some informal games and a ref clinic for anyone interested in helping out ref this year (note: each week, we have to provide a ref for the game preceding/after our game).  Then we’ll head to our new sponsor bar, McFaddens, for FREE BEER, dinner, and flip cup. I f it is still raining come Thursday, head straight to McFaddens.

For the newbies on the team, Thursday night will be a good night to meet people and get a few practice kicks under your belt.  If you don’t know me, please find me to introduce yourself.  I’m the short, devilishly handsome man with a shaved head who likely is bouncing around talking to lots of people.  Did you see the words “FREE BEER” above?  What else do you need.  At the door, just let the wristband lady know that you’re with kickball.

Schedule/Fields

* ALL games on Thursday nights starting at either 6:30 or 7:15. I have NOT received the schedule yet. I’ll send it once I do.

* Games will start next Thursday. * We still will play on the Mall near the Vietnam memorial (20th/Constitution). The closest Metro is Foggy Bottom, and is a 10-15 min walk. Use the pick-up games this Thursday as a test run to see how long your commute will take. What are my expectations as the team captain?

* First and foremost, the only thing that I ask of each player is that they respond to the questions that I ask in the blog (http://footloose.wordpress.com) each week by posting a comment.  This will typically be something very complex such as “please let me know whether you will be at tonight’s game.”  Now let me be a snotball and give everyone a lesson in basic English.  The word “whether” expresses an alternative, as in “whether or not” (i.e., give me a yes or no answer).

* Next, read my weekly posts.  They will contain little tips of success and 80s trivia.  For example, what’s the first rule of kicking?  Just ask a veteran.  What’s the top selling album of 1983?   That should be a gimmy, as it’s also the world’s overall top selling album: Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

* If you do not respond to the blog letting me know that you are coming to a game and you show up, that’s cool, just know that you’ll be at the bottom of the kicking order.  Fair warning.

* Footloose strives to find a balance between being goofy and being competitive.  What’s that mean? Rock the wristbands, but still rock the other team.

Here are some other tidbits of info:

* Becky and Jed are again helping me organize and run things. (Hopefully I asked them…) The reality of work is that I expect to work longer hours over the summer and may have difficulty makes the early games on time.

* We will handle on-field drinks the same as last season: by rotating who supplies cups and drinks for each game.  The type of drink is up to you. A couple of 30 packs?  That’s cool. Sangria? That makes for a fun night. Jungle juice? Hells yea! Officially, drinking is not allowed on the Mall.  Officially, we do not drink on the Mall.  Just don’t ask what’s in the cups. Discretion (and cleaning up all trash) is key.

* I ask that each person give me $4 or $5 for miscellaneous expenses. And yes, I do keep note of who paid and who thinks I won’t notice when they don’t pay. * There will be a few games where we are responsible for taking an equipment bag and bringing it the following week. So I’m not stuck lugging the thing on the Metro, if anyone is driving and knows that they will be at the next game, I’d be very grateful if you step up and volunteer to take/bring it. We’ll cover that when it comes up.

* There will be at least two costume games this summer (other than our normal 80s garb, of course). Metal Mania VI and the league-sponsored “Halloween in July.” What’s Metal Mania? It’s your chance to flex a little creative muscle and use a lot of Hairnet. Basically, each team member creates their own 80s metal band personality and comes decked out and ready to rock. I have a couple ideas for Halloween in July, but more ideas are welcome. Last season we did 80s movie characters and the year before we did “Pretty in Pink” and wore bad prom dresses (even some of the dudes). Stayed tuned for future posts on both costume events. In the mean time, hit the local Goodwill and stock up on acid wash jeans and snakeskin vests.

* Shirts:  the color is picked. I’m not sure if they will arrive on time given that the order is just going out now. What’s the color? I’m not sure since I have a short list of choices, but it will be a new color this year.

LAST, but most importantly… Footloose is a team with a theme. If the name “Footloose” didn’t give it away, maybe this will: do you like jelly bracelets? Do you still wear tube socks with the stripes at the top? Do you still fall asleep with a Glow Worm tucked snuggly under your arm? Do you look Pretty in Pink? Because you know, and knowing is half the battle. Because you’re just a small town girl living in a lonely world. Because you’re Hungry Like the Wolf, you’ve joined a team that loves everything cheesy about the 80s. So get ready to do the Safety Dance, flip too many cups to count, and maybe, just maybe, play a little kickball.

That’s all from the news desk right now.

Ben

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