The Coronation

Today we crown Sun City Kickball's King of Kickball for the Fall 2012 Season. After 12 long hard weeks, it all comes down to 4 teams. These 4 teams have battled through a gauntlet of kickball foes. The increased competition this year was exciting to see. Many teams stepped up their game. The remaining teams should be very proud of making it to the Final Four, it was a true test. Now they are heading into the home stretch, who will come out victorious.

Each of the Final Four teams have a realistic chance of winning. Although some teams are more favored than others. Lets take a look at each team and what their keys to winning are.

I'd Hit It is becoming a playoff main stay, which is curious considering they have the least athletic roster of the final teams. It is no secret that they are anchored by their pitching and star player Lucas Q. I'd Hit It's success is clearly dependent on Lucas's success, which is problematic. Kickball is a team sport, you are only as strong as your weakest player. Not as strong as your strongest player. I'd Hit It is going to need all hands on deck for their match-up against KNS. They need to play flawless. Also Lucas needs to try not to do too much. My gut tells me that his competitive nature may push to make unnecessary plays and chalk up the errors. The key for I'd Hit It is to play good team ball, everyone needs to do their part, and execute when called upon.

Rookie sensation Drinkers with a Kicking Problem have been riding a cloud of buzz since the beginning of the season. They have made believers out of Kickball Nation and looks like they are here to stay. Although they are still fairly inexperienced in big time kickball games, their athleticism easily helps them close that curve. However it has been my experience that pure athleticism is not enough to be successful. Experience is worth its weight in gold. The Drinkers will need to limit the mistakes and hope that the veteran teams make mistakes of their own. They will need to take advantage of mistakes made by the veteran teams to give them the edge. The Drinkers will need to score in bunches if they want to fend off the old timers as I anticipate their defense will be tested like never before and may struggle.

Kixxx is the only other consistent championship contender aside from KNS. You will usually find them in the Final Four and inevitably in the Championship game and rightly so. They are a battle tested, experienced team. They have the talent, players and skills to win every season, but often fall short. At the risk of being misunderstood, it still has to be said, it all comes down to emotion. Kixxx is its own best friend and its own worst enemy. When morale is high and focused, they are like a freight train, unstoppable. However when morale is low and chaotic, they are like a sinking ship. They need to harness that enthusiasm, the passion and aim it straight at their opponents. If they are able to be successful in that aspect, they will be wearing the King of Kickball crown by the end of the night.

Kickin' N' Screamin' is easily the odds on favorite to win the SCK Crown again this season. Whether you agree with their methods or not, or are put off by their demeanor, they are all-around the best team in the league. They have earned that title through and through and I doubt you will find anyone in Kickball Nation that would disagree. Their play is methodical and seems almost like second nature. Simply, they make it look easy. However, their is a slight twist for tonight's final. It turns out that KNS will not be at full strength for their final playoff run. I'm sure the news of this has the other teams foaming at the mouth, but I wouldn't get too carried away. Although playing short will obviously hurt their defensive prowess, on the offensive side of the ball expect an explosion. The one silver lining when having to field players 8 players is that you have a stronger concentration of kickers. Assuming that these 8 players are the better of the bunch, expect a lot of offense from KNS. They may allow more runs than usual, but something tells me their offense will quickly make up for it.

Good luck to all the teams!!

Happy Kicking