darin3 Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 (edited) I may have mentioned that I've been playing in a kickball league here in Austin. My wife had played one season in California, and found it to be a terrific way to meet new people, etc. So it was a foregone conclusion that we were playing once we got to Austin, seeing that we knew no one upon moving here. Our first season was pretty fun, in spots. Like it's "adult league cousins" (softball, etc.), there are some that take it wayyyyyyyyyy too seriously. [Chiefjay disclaimer: I was actually in incredible shape and a pretty decent athlete in high school and college and I am now... let's just say... not so in shape, unless you consider "round" a good shape to be in] Anyways, the competitor in me is still alive and well, so I HATED getting waxed 22-0 every Thursday night. Add to it that it was a COLD winter here in Central Texas (one night it got down to about 28 degrees... that was crazy). It's co-ed, and even a few of the guys on my team kick like chicks. I was one of a select few on our team that had any athletic skill whatsoever and heck, I'm coming off multiple surgeries over the past few years. Anyways, we had fun, as we got to know some cool people, and the after-game bar was always a fun time. Fast forward to this summer, when it comes time for our second season. Turns out that our team made such an impression on the "higher-ups" of the kickball league, that they decided to start a second league for those that really didn't take it as seriously as some (there's actually one local team that is nationally-ranked.... yes, they have a nationwide tournament every year and put out rankings). We were all about the beer (bringing it to the field early, drinking while kicking, etc.) and just having fun. So now we're kicking off the second, more "relaxed" season... and we completely wax our first opponent 11-0. It was nice to be on the other side of the beating. Fast forward yet again, after winning that first bout, we drop like 5 straight games. I have discovered that I MUST be the pitcher. I don't trust anyone else to do it. Yes, it doesn't put me in a good position to field kicked balls, but I do what I can. I never have problems kicking... I have been playing soccer for 27 years.... so when I'm up, it's a hit. So we get to the field this past Thursday night and find that our opponents only have six players (you're supposed to go out there with 11). So we're thinking this is gonna be a walk in the park. They only had 2 chicks on their team, and their 4 guys were actually semi-decent kickers.... so they were able to cycle through their lineup faster, which ended up being an advantage for them. They went up 2-0 in the first inning (error on right fielder started it off bad) and I didn't think anything of it.... with only 6 in the field, we'd be able to "kick it where they're not" and just play merry-go-round. Not so fast. I quickly find out that 11 on the field is probably overkill, as their six were plenty good to field most kicked balls. Ugh. We go down 4-0 after 2 (bad pitching by me) and carry that into the bottom of the fifth (and final) inning. My pitching got wicked... We get a run in after one out. 4-1. We get one on, and then the chick ahead of me "bunts" and is able to waddle to first. Uh-oh, 2 on, down 3. I survey the field and realize the third baseman (who was playing kind of a third base / left field hybrid with the center fielder shading towards left) was playing way close to home... I think he thought I was going to try to bunt. Mistake. I cranked that bouncy red ball way over his head down the left field line, and that bad boy just kept going. And I ran. And ran. Mind you, there are two slow chicks in front of me. One girl gets home, the second chick FALLS AT THIRD BASE as I'm getting there. I implore "get up!!!" as if I pass her, I'm out. She gets up and we run home, me right after her with a bang-bang play at the plate, both safe! 4-4 beeyotches! We ended up getting that last, winning run, which was also rather exciting (but I'm forgetting the specifics as I was high on my 3-run ding-dong). Anyhoo, sorry to get all Blitz on y'all, but it's been a long time since I've had any sort of success in a competitive athletic venue (shaddup, kickball is a competitive athletic venue, dangit....). And, wanted to recommend kickball to anyone that has moved to a new city and wants to meet new people. They have a website: http://kickball.com P.S. You haters can save it... it's my birthday in a couple days, so give me some leeway. TIA. Edit: Fixed website. Edited July 21, 2007 by darin3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duchess Jack Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 (edited) I played kick ball a couple years ago on a camping trip... there were like 10 of us... We hurt from head to toe the next morning. It was the craziest thing... we played quite a while, but its kickball we are talking about. ( I play football and volleyball pretty regulalrly) We are all very competitive though... but dang it... its kick ball. kick ball kicked our asses. sounds fun, a kickball league Edited July 21, 2007 by Duchess Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted July 21, 2007 Author Share Posted July 21, 2007 I played kick ball a couple years ago on a camping trip... there were like 10 of us... We hurt from head to toe the next morning. It was the craziest thing... we played quite a while, but its kickball we are talking about. ( I play football and volleyball pretty regulalrly) We are all very competitive though... but dang it... its kick ball. kick ball kicked our asses. sounds fun, a kickball league It's surprisingly tough on the body, especially if you pitch. My left hamstring (from planting left leg down on every pitch) and right shoulder/back area hurt every Friday morning. But it's fun. I recommend it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duchess Jack Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 hmmm.... funny you mention that because I was pitching. Strange how new things - however small - can mess you up. Is there any rules to pitching? I gunned it and put a spin on it. Thought I was going to break the legs of the people kicking. I felt kind of bad. As mentioned though - we've pretty competative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H8tank Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 let's just say... not so in shape, unless you consider "round" a good shape to be in awesome strory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted July 21, 2007 Author Share Posted July 21, 2007 hmmm.... funny you mention that because I was pitching. Strange how new things - however small - can mess you up. Is there any rules to pitching? I gunned it and put a spin on it. Thought I was going to break the legs of the people kicking. I felt kind of bad. As mentioned though - we've pretty competative It's supposedly supposed to stay somewhat close to the ground (not bouncing). You CAN put some bounce on it, but if it's any more than 1 foot off the ground as it crosses the plate, it's a ball. Funny, I prefer when pitchers gun it at me... faster it comes at me, faster it leaps off my foot and the further it goes. I pitch at a medium speed... it's all about placement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 I can still vividly remember a homerun I had in kickball when I was in first grade. Perhaps someday I will start a thread about it. :oldrazz: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted July 21, 2007 Author Share Posted July 21, 2007 I can still vividly remember a homerun I had in kickball when I was in first grade. Perhaps someday I will start a thread about it. :oldrazz: If I was pitching to you, I'd throw a bouncer. Fortunately it would still be a strike. It's supposedly supposed to stay somewhat close to the ground (not bouncing). You CAN put some bounce on it, but if it's any more than 1 foot off the ground as it crosses the plate, it's a ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 When you win a game, do you go over to their coach and say "Total facial LaFleur...TOTAL FACIAL" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted July 21, 2007 Author Share Posted July 21, 2007 (edited) When you win a game, do you go over to their coach and say "Total facial LaFleur...TOTAL FACIAL" Someone did tell me there's a movie in the works (akin to Dodgeball) about kickball. Edit: http://imdb.com/title/tt0988107/ Yup! Edited July 21, 2007 by darin3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_gop_liars Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 (edited) Do put a weight around your ankle when your in the on deck circle? Edited July 21, 2007 by evil_gop_liars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Do put a weight around your ankle when your in the on deck circle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 I can still vividly remember a homerun I had in kickball when I was in first grade. Perhaps someday I will start a thread about it. :oldrazz: especially the ones that went on the school roof.............Walk Off........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 I snagged this photo of Darin last week while he was playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 I snagged this photo of Darin last week while he was playing. .............looks like Thews on Roids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted July 21, 2007 Author Share Posted July 21, 2007 Do put a weight around your ankle when your in the on deck circle? That's a darn fine idea. I snagged this photo of Darin last week while he was playing. What the hell is that on my crotch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 That's a darn fine idea. What the hell is that on my crotch? Looks like a peener .....only smaller .........Gastineau........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 (edited) why do i picture construction vests and helmets? something like this Edited July 21, 2007 by Bier Meister Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJoTheWebToedBoy Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Wait a minute..... Kickball, is this the same schoolyard game I played with the Dinosaurs (before the ice age) back in elementary school. ? THIS GAME IS STILL PLAYED???? And there are leagues???? wow...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted July 21, 2007 Author Share Posted July 21, 2007 Wait a minute..... Kickball, is this the same schoolyard game I played with the Dinosaurs (before the ice age) back in elementary school. ? THIS GAME IS STILL PLAYED???? And there are leagues???? wow...... Yup, I was surprised too. Definitely wanted to get in on something like this when we moved here, but I've never been a softball guy. Seeing that it worked with my skills as a soccer player (and beer drinker), it was perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthorp Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Co-ed kickball---hmmmm. Doesn't sound like it's something that I can categorize as competitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted July 22, 2007 Author Share Posted July 22, 2007 Co-ed kickball---hmmmm. Doesn't sound like it's something that I can categorize as competitive. One would think, huh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted April 25, 2008 Author Share Posted April 25, 2008 Had our playoffs tonight... had a massage today (my sciatic nerve's been giving me hugh problems after all my traveling) and the therapist worked my shoulders and arms real good so my shoulder felt good and loose... so decided to "take the mound" tonight.... pitched a near-perfect game, giving up only 3 hits and no earned runs, but lost 1-0. Soupy, how you faring this season? I think you said you just started a few weeks ago. And yeah, to those of you (Sturphy?) moving to new locales and wanting a sure-fire way of meeting quality people, or for those of you that just want something fun to do, I HIGHLY recommend joining up with WAKA. http://kickball.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 Do put a weight around your ankle when your in the on deck circle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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