Playoffs?

Q: Don't talk about... PLAYOFFS?
A: You kidding me - Playoffs, I just hope we can win another game.

MySister has voiced her displeasure in regards to my lack of posting.
Actually, more specifically, that I haven't posted here.
She thinks I'm spending too much time on my new Mountie Rock blog.
Which, by the way, is something you should all consider following.
It's the best musical development to come out of the Northwest Suburbs since...
Congratulations to the new American Idol...

The largest reason for my lack of posting has been a rather large work event.
Its planning, execution, and corresponding followup has been a bear.
MySister suspected it literally made me ill, for I had to leave work sick today.
Another reason is that I've been delaying the Kick Tan Laundry update:

We lost.
Brutally.
Zero to Fourteen.
The slaughter rule was enacted, and the umpire informed us that we could still keep playing.
Without hesitation, I said, "No."
The game was a total, unequivocal, trainwreck.
We showed up a girl short.
The majority of the team was mentally and physically exhausted from the before mentioned work event.
And of course, the other team was quite skilled.
The loss snapped KTL's 3-game winning streak.
Tomorrow night the playoffs begin.
We have to win the "play-in" game at 6:45 tomorrow night.
The winner plays the #1 seed at 7:40.
If we can win two games tomorrow night, we'll be in the semifinals next week.

I have decided, for the playoffs, to bring out my secret weapon.
Have you seen the Bowling Pin photo gallery?

In about ten days (June 4, 2010) this year's Taste of Des Plaines will start.
Since moving to Des Plaines in 2006, I've gone every year.
Last year my personal highlight was purchasing a bowling pin for $1.
The downtown bowling alley, Sims Bowl, was closing - hence the pin sale.
The next day (June 6, 2009) I was bored and took a picture of it in my condo.
Moments later I took a picture of it on my balcony.

And that's how it began.
I've taken more than 20 additional pictures.
Taken it to three more States.
And tomorrow night I'm taking it to the Kickball Playoffs.

The photo gallery...
Have you seen the Bowling Pin photo gallery?
...is copied into it's own folder on my iPhone.
On many occasions I've proudly flipped through the entire "photo project" to a stunned audience.
By now most people who know me (and know how crazy I am) have seen these pictures.
They aren't surprised.
But I get a kick out of showing this madness to people who don't know me as well.
The immediate questions I get are very common:

Are these photoshopped?
You must not have kids?
You must not have a girlfriend?
You don't show these on dates?
Where's it going next?
Can I be in a picture with it?

The answers are the typical: no, no, correct, I have, where ever the world takes it, no.

What is the [other] best named team in our Kickball League?

Q: Did Kick Tan Laundry win their third game in a row?
A: Yes, KTL defeated Kick in a Box 6-2.

I made the following comment to two teammates in the car ride home:
Tonight was the best we've ever played as a team.
That is a strong statement given the fact that, on paper, we had a perfect result the week prior.
Last week we won 10-0 in a five inning shortened slaughter rule contest.
The team we played last week was vastly inferior, failing to capitalize on our mistakes.
This week, we had zero defensive errors.

The other team did get a few hits, but for the most part we held them to singles.
If they hit it deep, our outfielders were able to track it down and catch them all cleanly.
One guy on the other team boomed a shot over our heads, that 2 run homer was earned.
We scored 3 runs in the top of the first.
They tried to answer in their half of the first, but only scored two.
The extra insurance runs weren't needed after all.
We have held the other team scoreless in 11 of the last 12 defensive innings.

The other Thursday Night Kickball League at Brands Park teams should be afraid.
Unpopular 13 year old boys have a better shot at getting to 2nd base than our opponents.

What's happening?

Q:What's happening now?
A: You know a lotta ins, a lotta outs, a lotta what-have-yous.

On Thursday Night Kick Tan Laundry (the second, and for the record last, kickball team I will captain) won ten to zero in a slaughter rule shortened game. The team is really coming together well. I can't wait until next season when I'll be able to enjoy just being a player and not the organizer. We've won two in a row now, and the bar we go to before and after loves us. They should: we increase their business some 400%.

Friday morning I asked my friend, who I had planned on seeing Los Campesinos! that night with at Metro, if his girlfriend wanted my ticket. He quickly told me that his other friend would like to go, but was sad that I was backing out. Truth be told, if that was a 9 PM show, I would've gone. But with it being a 7 PM start, I would have to go straight from my office to the show. The last three weeks, and these next three, is the most important time for my role at my company. It's a pressure cooker. Not only did I end up working late again on Friday, the week exhausted me.

That Friday night was spent playing video games. It was a relaxing night indeed. (If you must know, this is the game I purchased) The real story of this video game is how I bought it. I've had a VAIO laptop doing nothing but collecting dust in my closet for over three years now. I bought my iMac the day I moved into my condo and never gave it a second thought. With Earth Day the week prior, I was looking into recycling options for it. The nearby Sony Style store gave me $59 for it. Thankfully they don't know I would've been happy with $15!

Saturday was a beautiful day, but for a few reasons I didn't swing a golf club that day. It's okay, because it looks like the sun is out long enough now for after work golf! The biggest regret on Saturday involved a movie I watched. I had agreed to watch The Big Lebowski with a special lady friend. She has only seen parts [anyway]. But we decided to see what was available "instantly" on NetFlix and picked a bad movie instead. The worst part is that NetFlix gave me a "pan and scan" version to watch. If you are like me, and abhor that format, wait until you see it on a widescreen television. The "reverse letterbox" effect was the visual equivalent to nails on a chalkboard.

Earlier today (Sunday) I saw my family who had recently came back from Fort Wayne, Indiana? What's there you may ask? Two words: Vera Bradley. Need more than two words?

If you're like me, you can't explain this if given an infinite amount of words. The reason why people would drive hours to a rented out sports arena in the middle of America to buy discounted purses will forever be outside my realm of comprehension. I would understand it if the brand had a little more power. But "Vera Bradley?" What? Who?

The, correction: my, most anticipated album of 2010 is released this week. Since I pre-ordered the album off the band's website I was able to download it an hour ago (along with a second B-Sides album). I'm referring to "Forgiveness Rock Record" by Broken Social Scene. My favorite track is called Texico Bitches.

There's been a lot of chatter on Facebook about privacy invasion. I recommend the following article: http://librarianbyday.net/2010/04/protect-your-privacy-opt-out-of-facebooks-new-instant-personalization-yes-you-have-to-opt-out/. There's also a site called Spokeo that might have you on their grid. Removing your name is easy - scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Privacy." The steps to remove your listing are simple, although a bit scary. I had to give them an e-mail. Ladies and Gentleman, this is why you should have multiple e-mail addresses.

I actually need a third e-mail address. One that's gotta be super off the grid. Yes, I understand the contradiction in having an e-mail address off a grid. My two email addresses were very simple, yet my logic (like most of the time) is flawed. If you are my friend, you have my actual e-mail address. If you are a potential employer or girlfriend, you got the other. And if I was buying tickets off Craigslist - you earned as much trust as those romantic interests.

Over on the other blog I write, I penned an open letter to someone who I don't know personally. This is a fun exercise concept that I think I will make a theme for the next few weeks over there. It's an idea that I will quickly admit to being stolen from friend's classmate turned blogger turned author turned awesome Brad Listi.

That should bring you up to speed (if you care).
Hope you're doing well.

What's the dumbest thing you've said recently?

Q: Was it more of a Geek or Nerd thing to say?
A: Regardless, I instantly regretted it and laughed at the same time.

First things first: Kick Tan Laundry got a win on Thursday Night.

Down 3-7, KTL rallied for 5 runs in the bottom half of the 6th [of a 7 inning kickball game].

3 outs later the game ended with Kick Tan Laundry winning 8-7.
I took only a few pictures, the game was too late in the day. If we get an earlier game I will take more pictures.

All 12 members of the team (that were at the game) went out to celebrate the win. Usually someone has to get back to their non-kickball life, but not that night. Sure, the Bulls and Hawks playoff games that night might have been a factor for us all wanting to get to a TV sooner than later - but there was a lot of camaraderie that wasn't going to quit after six and a half innings.

GAME NOTES:
-The game winning "hit" was actually a move I'm calling "the stall" With runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs, a base hit scored the first run - but when while the kicker was caught in a run down trying to stretch it into a double, another run scored. Both runs counted, the inning was over, but that was all we needed.

-The same teammate who had the game winning RKI successfully executed the first "peg" of the season. In a crucial point of the game, he nailed a runner feet from home plate. Not only preventing another run being scored, but also getting the always elusive third out of an inning.

-Last season's Defensive MVP, due mainly to his excellent pegging skills, slipped during two flys to his post in the outfield. He might be wearing cleats next week, we'll see. He was the happiest we won because he was (wrongly) blaming himself for why we were losing.

-Yours truly had one highlight. While playing my usual position of 1st base I pulled off an unassisted inning ending double play thanks mainly to a coincidentally perfect kick path and an absent minded baserunner.

-Then there was my embarrassing moment of the evening. I had mishandled a throw to first when if I had caught it cleanly it would have been an out. Seeing as how there was another baserunner out there, I wanted to get the ball back to our pitcher quick to stop the play. I got the ball over to her, but for some reason couldn't think of the words, "time out." What did I say? I yelled, "Pause! Pause!" to the umpire. Everyone, both teams, cracked up in laughter. The only thing that's worse to say would have been, "Start button! Start button!"

By the way, did I mention that we won?!

Why is your kickball teamed named 'Kick Tan Laundry?'

Q: Are you familiar with what "Gym Tan Laundry" means?
A: Feel free to check out Urban Dictionary if you don't.

My second season of kickball started Thursday Night at Brands Park (Located near the triple intersection of Belmont, California and Elston in Chicago). We lost 9-11. It was a solid contest with a few mistakes, but an overall admirable performance to start a season.

You could not have asked for a more beautiful late Spring night in Chicago, as far as the weather was concerned. The entire KTL team was in good spirits throughout the game. Even when we gave up a 5 run inning, which at the time put us down 3-9, we didn't lose our spirit. We answered with a five run inning of our own - capped by a three run homer that yours truly kicked with two outs.

Now, it might not go into the official box score as a HR, per se...
Some who were there may only call it a mile high pop up that just barely got into right field.
But in kickball, fielding errors are a part of the game.
Kicking it purposely to weak fielders is a key strategy most employ.

Here's all I say: I kicked the ball and ran around the bases scoring a run before the next teammate stepped to the plate.

Mark it Dude.

Hopefully next week I'll remember to take pictures.
Double hopefully next week we'll win.

What do you get from a season of kickball?

Q: Is it over?
A: Yes, but hopefully we can play again in the Spring.

Well, I think a better team won,
Tonight Conflict Diamond's first season came to a close.
The consolation prize: finally receiving our T-Shirts:




I'm glad I brought my camera, for I took a few more pictures.
And it just wasn't of the photogenic women of our club:

Above is Diana and Michelle.
Below is Zach and Jeff.

And finally, a great pose from our pitcher Jessica.

Bonus Note: Jessica has the athletic accomplishment of the kickball season.
During the season, she trained and completed her first marathon in an astounding sub-5 hour time!

We'll see what happens next season when we have veterans kickin' balls and ass.

Why is everyone smiling?

Q: Is the kickball season over?
A: Nope, just the regular season... It's playoff time in kickballville!

So everyone is smiling for a very simple reason:
Conflict Diamond won it's regular season finale 11-2.

With a record of 3-4, we'll be the 5 seed in the 8 team playoff.
It turns out, having a massive roster close to 20 was the right idea.
Nearly everbody said they would be at tonight's game 8 weeks ago.
This is why I was hoping to get a good group picture tonight.
Various unforeseen events led to us with almost the bare minimum.
Which, gloriously, led to no roster stress for yours truly.
Plenty of playing time to go around.
Not to mention, when you score 11, everyone kicks more too.

A special thanks to three coworkers who chose to cheer us on tonight.
I know I've been hanging my head slightly low this last week.
A company wide e-mail announced our record of (at the time) 2-4.
Worse yet, it listed the scores (some of which weren't too flattering).
It feels double nice to have witnesses to a victory.
I told them to spread the word that our team can win.
They felt the enthusiasm too, as illustrated by their post game Hi-5.

Do you believe in moral victories?

Q: With a title like that, it must've been a loss?
A: Yup.

Earlier tonight, Conflict Diamond lost 1-6.
Falling us to 2-4 on the year.
To be perfectly honest, it was the most fun I've had all season.

The day started off crappy, as far as the weather in concerned.
Everyone wished it was warmer.
Everyone was afraid of the morning rain.
Many openly doubted that the game would still take place.
I had the weather hotline on near speed dial.

By the time 6:15 pm rolled around, the sun was out and the field was dry.
All these weather factors, among other extraneous motivators, resulted in the team's lowest turnout of players.
This made my responsibility of lineup creation the easiest it was all year.

It was also the first game in which I played the entire time.
Tonight I realized, for the first time, the level of fun my teammates were experiencing this phenomenon of kickball.
Not once did I have to tell someone to sit out an inning.
Not once did I have to move people around to balance playing time.

The feeling was beyond marvelous.
Completely devoid of worry, doubt and second guessing.

As for the game: it's a tough loss to dissect.
We only scored one run, but I feel we kicked the ball better this week (just AT the other team more).

On a personal level, I had my first extra base hit of the year (wiped out by an absent-minded idea to stretch it into a triple)! Also, I had an error free game at first base that saw a little bit of everything (including my first "peg" of a runner and a well executed double play).

Next week is our last "regular season game" before the playoffs start.
I think it's safe to say this entire idea of fielding a kickball team was a great idea.

How good is Kickin' Impossible?

Q: How did the kickball team fare tonight?
A: In a very well played game, we were just too outmatched and lost.

Conflict Diamond now has a record of 2-3.
If you take a look at the standings, you'll see that the team we played tonight, Kickin' Impossible, is undefeated.

It's very clear to see why.
If it wasn't for our Outfielders playing extremely deep, the game might have been called due to the slaughter rule after the first inning.

Never before have I seen a kickball kicked that far, by multiple people, in the same inning.

I took the loss harder than I should.
It's a fun activity, but man - it's so much more fun when you win...

Driving a couple people home after the game, I change the my car stereo playlist from "kickball" to "Best of 2009."

The first song on that playlist happens to be "Everyone is Guilty" by Akron/Family.


My teammate asked me if I was playing that song on purpose - alluding to why we just lost.
It was a comically awful coincidence.
The same teammate said that it was our best game of the season.
He's right.
Even the umpire told me of our team's improvement.
I just wonder what would've happened if we played a different team tonight and played this well.

If we play this well again, I don't see how we can lose... Unless we meet Kickin' Impossible in the playoffs.

If a ball is kicked in the park, and I'm not there to see it, does it make a sound?

Q: How sad was I to miss the third Kickball game?
A: Very, especially when you consider the result of the 4th game.

I was otherwise occupied last Tuesday.
Thankfully last week Conflict Diamond (our Kickball team) won.
Rejoining the team tonight, I was hoping to contribute to the first win streak of the season.

Sadly tonight was not to be.
We lost; our record is 2-2.
As one teammate said, "Hey, we cliched a playoff spot."
(every team, there are 8, makes the playoffs in this league)

We did come out ahead in one area tonight.
The other team complimented our team shirts.

Shirts designed by a fellow teammate to feature the following logo:


It's a pretty sharp logo if I say so myself, and downright stylish when placed on a green with blue trim ringer t-shirt.

Next week we play the top team in the league. Coming into tonight, they were undefeated.
It's time for me to kick it up a notch.

Time for me to start wearing a headband for these contests.

(Post script: I received a text shortly after the game from a teammate informing me of two hamstring injuries that occurred during the game - separate incidents. We also had an unfortunate "friendly fire" incident involving Teammate A kicking a fouling screamer directly into Teammate B. The volume on this thing just got turned up)

Who can you blame?

Q: On Tuesday September 8, did something not go entirely the way you wanted?
A: I blame Oprah, for all minor setbacks and inconveniences incurred on that day.


For the second straight week, I was involved in a slaughter-rule shortened game of kickball.
The absence of further details will help you deduce the result.

I've learned in this last week that not everybody knows what kickball is.
There seems to be a cultural gap that I've roughly identified beginning in the year 1965.
From my extremely unscientific research - if you were born before 1965 odds are you did not play kickball in gym class and have no frame of reference.

Of course, my Father does not know what kickball is... When visiting him this last weekend he told me he went to the Internet trying to figure out his son's latest venture... This process probably made my Dad more confused. There are quite the litany of kickball related websites, which can be difficult to sift through.

I'm sure he at least saw www.kickball.com, which is the official site of the WAKA (World Adult Kickball Association). The organization had a story on CNN over Labor Day Weekend. MySister saw a news tease bump on last night's WGN news and quickly called me. After watching it "live" I quickly found the same story online:

Embedded video from CNN Video

Let the record show that I'm not entirely happy with kickball's depiction in this story.
I'm glad it got publicity.
It's good for people to know that we are out there having fun.
There's also a sense of coolness I feel for maybe being just behind the cusp of this wave's popularity.
But it is not an excuse to just go out drinking.
Nobody, not in 2009 - not ever, needed an organized sporting activity to get them drinking.
People have been fueling themselves for years... Long before kickball competition...

The highlight of our game tonight is when a teammate turned to me and mentioned, "I really like kickball." in a tone that had a hint of surprise. This person, I'm sure anticipated, that this activity would be fun... But it may have been underestimated.

Sadly, I will be elsewhere for next week's game.
It is against the best named team in the league: Kick Tease

I embedded a classic track after last week's result.
In anticipation for a bounce back effort against a well named team, here's a song that references our team name (Conflict Diamond).

Is there a more menacing sounding rule than the slaughter rule?

Q: Did the kickball team win it's first game?
A: The official score was 12-1 (stopped in the bottom of the 5th).

I'm playing kickball now... or more accurately: again.
It was an activity I loved when I was a kid in gym class.
Especially back in the romantic era of gym class.

I'm referring to the time of mindless school before social caste systems formed.
Before the cafeteria morphed into a flow chart of popularity.
And, for the cases of this post, transformed gym class into a prison yard.

My kickball team is comprised of coworkers.
If work is our New School, these kickball games are an oasis of recess.

The whole process began over two years ago when a former coworker mentioned that she and her friends had formed a kickball team. Hearing that created a mental itch that eventually grew harder and harder to ignore.

I sent an e-mail to some of of my more active coworkers to gauge interest. Soon I had over twenty interested parties spanning ten different departments expressing similar enthusiasm. The short time frame worked in our team's favor - as everything had to get in order quickly. If this league's season had started three weeks from now, perhaps people might have begun second guessing why they want to schedule into their adult life as many as 9 kickball games.

We play every Tuesday Night from now until just before Halloween. Our team, "Conflict Diamond" was the last team into the league before it sold out. You may be surprised by how popular kickball is in the City of Chicago.

Our team scored 7 runs in the bottom of the first, and never looked back.
Three different people hit home runs, including a walk off that enabled the Slaughter Rule.
I didn't hear it, but someone called one of our girls an "easy out."
She heard it however, just before she kicked a two RBI (or is it RKI?) single.

But don't let the final, slaughter rule shortened, result of 12-1 fool you.
The game was won on Defense.
They might have been a bunch of soccer players who couldn't catch.
But we had multiple instances of diving catches or long runs to get to far away fly balls.
Not to mention a pitcher with dead aim accuracy (both in pitching and throwing out others).

Next week's game is a little later in the day, and will be our first game under the lights.
Are we ready for prime time?
I think A Tribe Called Quest asked it best: