Tourney Talk

Charity kickball tournaments are becoming more and more popular across the United States. Kickball seems to provide the perfect combination of challenging competition and fun atmopshere that is needed for an all day event. As El Paso's appetite for kickball grows so does its demand for another kickball tourney. Sadly, El Paso currently holds only one annual kickball tournament a year. However, hopefully that won't be the case forever.

El Paso's only annual kickball tourney is the El Paso Kickball Clash, which held it's 3rd annual event, Feb. 26th. I've had the opportunity to attend all three events and although I haven't been able to attend each event in its entirety; I have been fortunate enough to speak with players and spectators who have expressed their concerns for the events declining popularity. Which is heartbreaking, considering the tournament usually features some of the best kickball talent in El Paso. El Paso's kickball community deserves an annual tourney they can be proud of. Spectators and players could provide a laundry list of deficiencies with the event, but it would be easiest to chalk up the tourney's declining success to mismanagement.

However despite the lack luster tourney, I can honesty say that during the event I was treated to the best kickball game I have ever witnessed. After a full day of questionable officiating and multiple imposed forfeits, the final game was finally slated between two all star teams, Kicking and Screaming and the Party Crashers. At first the match up seemed like it would be a one-sided battle as the Party Crashers had a decent a 3-0 lead by the 3rd inning, in what was turning out to be a defensive game. However that was until tourney MVP Albert Villegas kicked a solo shot home run right into the hearts of the Party Crashers. Followed by a dastardly sick ass ninja move at home plate by some random dude that left Drunken Monkey Reid "the Machine" Hanson embarrassed and surprised. Unfortunately that was the beginning of the end for the Party Crashers, as from that point on they just couldn't get out of their own way. Error after error gave Kicking and Screaming a chance to claw their way to a win. And in dramatic Disney fashion, kickball hot head Marco "Throw the Hat" Random was able to boot a rocket down the 3rd baseline in the bottom of the 5th inning to earn the walk off win 4-3.

Congrats to the Kicking and Screaming and the Party Crashers for an awesome game. See you Wednesday nights!