The Gentleman's Pitch

Kickball seems to be an extremely simplistic game, requiring very little skill. Kickball spectators often say to themselves,"that looks easy, too easy"; however looks can be deceiving. For most rookie kickballers its been a long time since they have played this grade school recess game. It takes awhile to reboot the timing and coordination that is required to kick that sneaky little red rubber ball. In order to help some of our players with the "kickball learning curve", Sun City Kickball has developed The Gentleman's Pitch. The GP or " Number 4" which it has been nicknamed, states that:

Female players have the option of requesting the opposing team’s pitcher to pitch the ball in a fashion that is “kickable”. The umpire will use his discretion to determine if the pitch is “kickable”. This pitch is only an option and NOT required, female players MUST request the Gentleman’s pitch. It will not be automatic. This rule will be suspended during the playoffs.

Some have accused this rule of being a tad bit sexist but it truly isn't. The rule is to only be used as a form of kickball training wheels. It is the ladies' choice whether or now to apply this rule. If a lady kickballer decides she wants a Number 4, all she needs to do is hold up 4 fingers to the pitcher. This indicates to the pitcher and umpire that the pitches must be "kickable". However this rule is only applicable during the regular season. Once the playoffs starts this rule is no longer applies.

For more info. on this rule and other rules go to www.suncitykickball.com

Is It Just Kickball ?

Its just kickball... Now I have said this phrase numerous times. I have often told myself these words in reassurance after a hard defeat. I have exchanged these words with teammates, in attempt to calm them down. Sometimes I have even spitefully muttered these words in front of a boasting opponent. However I got to thinking, is it just kickball?

After really thinking about it, it is more than just kickball. However I'm not delusional enough to think there is some lasting glory to be won in kickball. Its not about winning a King of Kickball Championship or skunking a team 23-0. Although those things are nice and a lot of fun. I honestly feel the greatest thing to win is friendships. Now wait! I can already hear your sighs and see the eyes rolling. Yes...I know, cheesy, super cheesy actually. But really think about it. There is something to be said about the people who play kickball.

Many of the kickball naysayers often criticize lovable child-like kickballers. "Kickball is for little kids," I can hear their taunts in my head. However in a modern busy grown up world, full of bills, work, deadlines, paperwork, bosses, traffic, meetings, kids, shopping, etc, whats wrong with taking an hour out of the week to feel like a kid again. Kickball allows you to surround yourself with other people of like minds. People who are truly kids at heart, just like you. You are able to build lasting life long relationships. Idealistic ? Maybe. Cheese ball? Very! True? You tell me.

The point is ( yes there is one) it is more than "just" kickball. A lot more.

Letter to the Sun City Kickballers

Attention Sun City Kickballers,

Let me start by thanking everyone for our great success last season. I feel our inaugural season was a memorable one and it as all thanks to you. However there is no time for rest. We are already preparing for the Fall 09 season.

As many of you know we have moved from Roger Brown Ball field to E.L. Williams Field. The fields are located on Lafayette right off of Yarbrough. Go south on Yarbrough until you get to Lafayette then make a left. The fields ARE NOT AT YUCA PARK. Some people got a little confused this past Wed. It is a little further journey for you westsiders but it is worth the drive. We will be using two fields that are well maintained and manicured. There is PLENTY of room for parking. Tons of room for hanging out and tailgating. RESTROOMS!

The season will start Sept. 2nd and is projected to finish mid-November. The plan is too wrap up before the holiday season starts. We should have about 8 teams this season. Games times will be 7pm and 8pm.

Remember regular registration ends Aug. 14th. We will have another in-person registration Wed. August 12th. If you cannot make that day please get with your coaches/captains. I will be willing to meet up with anyone to pick up player forms and fees. Best things to do is have someone round up all the forms and money, then turn them in. Remember cash only, I know its a little inconvenient but I'm sure we can all manage. Hopefully.

In the coming weeks we will send out the new rulebook. We are also currently working on a new website but of course you can always go to www.itsjustkickball.blogspot.com to get nearly daily updates. Thanks everyone and hope to see everyone on the K-Ball diamond!

All-Star Events !

Congratulations to the combined teams of the Shockers, Los Totally Awesomes, and Multiple Scoregasms for their All-Star win. They downed the combined teams of the Drunken Monkeyz, Balls & Dolls, and the Family Jewels. The game was a close 5-6 score going into the final inning until Carlos Lopez of Los Totally Awesomes kicked a Grand Slam to put the Los Multiple Shockers ahead 10-6, which was also the final score. Congratulations to all the All-Stars, who were nominated by their teammates to participate in the final game of the Summer 2009 Season.

Additional congratulations goes out to :

Sun City Kickball's 1st Women's Kickball Derby Champion

Elizabeth Uhl

Sun City Kickball's 1st Men's Kickball Derby Champion

Anthony Tuialuuluu

The King of Kickball !

Congratulations to the 1st Sun City Kickball League Champions - The Shockers! Great Job! They beat the #1 Drunken Monkeyz 1-0. Special recognition goes to the man the call "Domino" for scoring the game winning run. However don't forget the season isn't over just yet. We will have our All-Star Game and Skills Challenge Wed. 29th at 7pm. Hope to see everyone out there!

Registration Now Open !!!

Registration for the Fall 2009 season is now open!!! We will begin registration on Wed. July 22nd at our Championship Game. Regular registration will continue until August 14th. Late registration will start August 15th until the playoff cut-off. The player fee will be $30.00 for the season, which includes uniform. The late registration fee will be $35.00 (cash only, sorry =( Here is a list of times and places to register:

Wed. July 22nd 7pm-9pm @ Roger Brown Field ( 1100 Alabama St

Wed. July 29th 7pm-9pm @ Roger Brown Field ( 1100 Alabama St

Wed. August 5th 7pm-9pm @ E.L. Williams Field 721 Lafayette

Wed. August 12th 7pm-9pm @ E.L. Williams Field 721 Lafayette

Championship Game !

Sun City Kickball's first King of Kickball will be crowned Wed. July 22nd. 8pm @ Roger Brown. The #1 Drunken Monkeyz will be taking on the #2 Shockers. Come see two kickball juggernauts collide this WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY!!!!!

Sun City Kickball Fall Season

The Summer Season isn't even over and preparations have already started for the new Fall Season. We will begin registration on Wed. July 22nd at our Championship Game. Regular registration will continue until August 14th. Late registration will start August 15th until the playoff cut-off. The player fee will be $30.00 for the season, which includes uniform. The late registration fee will be $35.00. We will post a list of specific registration times & dates in the near future. If you are looking to start a new team or you are player looking for a team, email us at SunCityKickball@yahoo.com.

Fall Season is a Green Light!

We have received the green light for the Fall Season; however there are a couple of issues we need some player feedback on.

#1 There have been discussions about moving game days for the Fall Season from Wednesday nights to Friday nights from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. The summer is almost over. Things tend to get busy with the new school year, a new college semester, and working folk seem to get more occupied before the holiday season. There are many things to consider but we want to know what everyone thinks. Some "party people" have pointed out that is their party night, but I would contest that we finish our game relatively early. There should still be plenty of time to get ready and go out. That is just my opinion but we need to have a general consensus. We can keep Wednesday. We just need some feedback.

#2 We have been offered a new home (field) on the corner of Lafayette & Yermoland off of Yarbrough. Conveniently close to the freeway. The optimist club that was located there has given the fields back to the city so those fields would be exclusively for our league. There is tons of parking around the field. There are two fields available so we wouldn't have to go to a two different night schedule. We would be able to accommodate all teams on one night. However we will lose out central location. As much as we all love Roger Brown we have to consider the parking is horrendous, the field is a sand pit, and its impossible to find. However it does have this nice sandlot charm. It has grown on me. Either way we need some feedback....

Lets us know what you think. You can email SunCityKickball@yahoo.com, post a message on the Facebook Wall, or simply comment here.

Kickball Fans Make the Difference

If crowd noise is any indication of how great a game is, then it is safe to say one of the best games of the season was played during Round 1 of the playoffs between the #3 Los Totally Awesomes and #4 Balls & Dolls. The fans were out in force Wed. night. Noise makers, cheering, and yelling; they brought it all. However according to a Sun City Kickball Player Poll, LTA was picked to win in all. Although it seems the fans have their own favorite team in the Balls & Dolls.

The 8-3 final score does not depict how close this game really was. LTA drew first blood with 2 runs in the 1st inning. In addition they shut out the Bs & Ds for the first two innings. However once the Bs & Ds warmed up they took off like a rocket. They blasted LTA with 4 runs in the 3rd inning and then 2 more in the 4th inning. This gave the Bs & Ds a 6-3 advantage heading into the 5th. LTA would try to muster a rally but unfortunately the Bs & Ds mid-game offensive bombardment would be too much to come back from. Picked to go far and hoping to win it all LTA fell short but the team still seemed in high spirits. Especially when they tried to get in one the Balls & Dolls game winning team portrait. Hilarious!

To Bunt or Not to Bunt

Shakespeare had it all wrong...To bunt or not to bunt, THAT is the question. Some kickballers will argue that bunting is unsporting, to put it mildly. While others will be quick to point out that bunting is a key strategy and ridiculously effective. Obviously bunting favors only the speedy players, leaving slower players to do what the Kickball Gods intended; which is kick the red rubber off every ball. Some players would go as far as to say that bunting is for "weenies". Others feel that not bunting is an "unspoken rule" that everyone should abide by. Maybe...maybe not. However lucky for us we write our rules on paper and not in stone. To bunt or not to bunt....the answer? You tell me.

David almost beats Goliath...kind of

During the 1st round of the playoffs, the win-less #5 Multiple Scoregasms were looking to get their first win of the season against the very tough #2 Shockers. On paper this game seemed to be predictable. The assumption was the solid Shockers would demolish the inexperienced Scoregasms. However during the game there was a sense of upset wafting through the air. . Playing short handed with only 8 players, the 'Gasms were able to hold the Shocks to only 3 runs by the fourth inning. The underdog Scoregasms were showing they could go toe-to-toe against the juggernaut Shockers. Unfortunately after time the gaping holes in the Scoregasm's defense were ultimately exposed. The Shockers then proceeded to crush the Scoregasm's hopes of an upset win. The Shockers would win 9-1 and will advance to Round 2.

Final
Multiple Scoregasms 1

Shockers 9

Clean Baby Bottoms

Sun City Kickball would like to thank all teams, players, and fans for their generous diaper donations. We were able to collect a total of 1,572 diapers for the Center Against Family Violence. Thanks again to everyone! Stay tuned to the facebook page for pictures of our special diaper delivery!

Most Generous Team of the Season

The Most Generous Team of the Summer 2009 Season goes to the Family Jewels. Every member of the Family Jewels brought a pack of diapers for the Diaper Drive. The Diaper Drive was for the Center Against Family Violence. After diaper point calculations, the Jewels also earned themselves a 1st round bye-week for the playoffs. Congratulations!

Defensive Team of The Season

The Defensive Team of the Summer 2009 Season goes to the Shockers. They were able to stone-wall opponents through the entire season. They allowed only 18 runs during the entire regular season, an average of 2.5 runs a game. You know what the say...defense wins Championships.

Offensive Team of The Season

The Offensive Team of the Summer 2009 Season goes to the Drunken Monkeyz. They scored a staggering 54 points during the regular season. Will the Monkeyz dominating offense be enough to take them to the top? We will soon see.

Diaper Drive

Sun City Kickball will be having a Diaper Drive for the Center Against Family Violence on Wed. July 1st 6:30pm at Roger Brown Ballfield. Players and fans are encouraged to donate brand new packs of diapers to help their favorite team earn a first round bye week for the playoffs. Lets bring in those diapers!

Dark Horses

With two weeks left in the season, the league record displays an obvious gap between teams. Two teams still looking for their first win are the Multiple Scoregasms and the Family Jewels. Interestingly these teams are almost identical in their somber situation. The Scoregasms have scored 16 runs and have allowed 26 runs. Amazingly La Familia almost mirrors them with 17 runs scored and have allowed 28 runs. Even stranger, when these two teams met in Week 3 their game ended in a 4-4 tie. Both teams have been on the cusp of a win but seem to run out of gas in the final innings. However these teams should not be over looked going into the playoffs. If history has taught us anything its never over look a kickball underdog.

Almost two years ago a courageous little kickball team called the Redchamacalits did the unthinkable and unimaginable. They participated in the first kickball league and season in El Paso. They went through the regular season with a horrendous 0-8 record. However this did not discourage them. Something magical happened in the post-season, something out of a straight to DVD Disney movie. They somehow won all their playoffs games and ended up slated to play the undefeated and monstrous All-Stars. Yes that was their actual team name. The All-Stars literally destroyed teams, in one game they beat the Redchamacalits 23-0. However the Championship game between these two teams was anything but a blow out. The game was a closely contested battle with the entire league waiting to see the downfall of the dreaded All-Stars. The Redchamacalits where either very lucky or blessed by the Kickball Gods but they were able win nonetheless. The first ever Kickball Champions in El Paso were about the biggest underdogs you could ever imagine.

The moral of the story? Never count ANY team out! Hang in there!

Moving On Up !!!

Sun City Kickball is now two weeks away from the playoffs. Teams are starting to get down to business in anticipation of a championship run. The kickball jitters and the inexperience is starting to fade away from the rookie teams. One of the most improved rookie teams is Los Totally Awesomes. After a sluggish start, LTA now finds themselves with a 3-1-1 record. Their offensive has not been explosive, but its decent. They have put up a total of 19 runs on the season and have allowed 14 runs total. They are a very balanced team and seem to play to their opponents level. They may not blow out teams but they keep putting up wins and that's what counts. They are ranked 2nd in the league and look like they might make a strong play-off run. What has been LTA's key to success? Coach Gabriel Acuna says, "Strategic plays. I know it doesn't seem like it. Ever. But, yes, strategic plays." Los Totally Awesomes look sharp. Expect to see them deep in the post-season.

The Family Jewels Start to Look More Polished

The second game was also a tie but unlike the horrible red headed step-children of the first game, the angelic children of the Family Jewels and Multiple Scoregasms were able to produce some dramatic action. After losing their first two games the Family Jewels have been looking for their much anticipated first win. This goal seemed in reach after the Jewels put together 2 quick unanswered runs in the 1st inning. However the excitement was short lived after the Scoregasms were able to roar back with 4 runs by the 4th inning. It seemed that the Jewels were about to lose their third game and give the Scoregasms their first win. But like a typical man the Jewels were determined to leave the Scoregasms unsatisfied. The Jewels were able to scrape together two runs by the end of the game, leaving the game tied. The Jewels rolled out of bed with a big smile on their faces, leaving the scoregams looking confused,upset,and down right disgusted.

Family Jewels - 4
Multiple Scoaregams - 4

The Monkeyz Get a Scare

The Drunken Monkeyz are the veterans of the league and being the veterans definitely has some perks. Their team work,comfort,and knowledge far exceed the less experienced rookie teams. However these perks can quickly and often turn into complacency. Los Totally Awesomes' lack of kickball experience have not kept his team from improving each week. During the Drunken Monkeyz V. Los Totally Awesomes game the score was surprisingly close. After four innings of play the score was 2-1 with the Monkeyz on top but left them wondering if they had finally met their match in LTA. During the 5th inning the Monkeyz were able to wake themselves from their drunken stupor and pull away by tacking on 5 more runs. This will be the last time the Drunken Monkeyz look past an opponent.

Los Totally Awesomes - 2
Drunken Monkeyz - 7

Father's Day Comes Early for SCK

This past Wednesday Fathers Day came early for Sun City Kickball. The kickball kiddos were giving out what every dad hates to get on Father's Day, TIES! Red ties, blue ties,and sometimes weird ties with drunk chihuahuas wearing sombreros.

The game between the Balls & Dolls versus the Shockers was a snooze fest. Throughout the stands all you could see were fans strewn about in a bored induced coma. The most exciting part of the game was trying to navigate through the pools of drool left by the sleepy fans. Instead of the slap of red rubber balls coming off shoes all you could hear were the harmonizing snores of multiple spectators. I would break down the game but I also fell victim to the hypnotic lack of action.

Balls & Dolls - 1
Shockers - 1

New Player Polls !!!!

New player polls are posted! Enjoy! Let your voice be heard! Also the Sun City League Record has been updated!

There is a New Sheriff in Town!

The biggest story of the 7:30pm game between the Drunken Monkeyz and the Family Jewels was not the 9 runs in three innings. The most important element of the game was the introduction of a new umpire, known as Mando. He is the best and possibly the only professional kickball umpire in El Paso. He has been a kickball official for 5 seasons with multiple leagues. Decisive and fair, he will be the official for the playoff games and the Championship Match! A great addition to the Sun City Kickball family

Drunken Monkeyz - 9
Family Jewels - 2

Where Are You Coach?!

Wednesday's 6:30pm game between the Shockers and the Multiple Scoregasms was lacking an important element. The Multiple Scoregasms' fearless leader, Coach Evil Aldo, was no where to be found. Where was he? He was off relaxing on the sandy beaches of Puerto Rico while his team was trying to grind out a win against the Shockers. This task would prove to be difficult. The Shockers came out with a shock-and-awe offensive barrage that would leave the Scoregasms well pretty much....shoc...no wait, stunned. The shocks would put up 7 runs in the 1st and 2nd innings. The Scoregasms put up two runs but their feelings of abandonment would prove to be too much to overcome. This loss rests of the shoulders of Coach Evil Aldo.

Shockers - 7
Multiple Scoregasms - 2

A Game of Inches

The winner of Wednesday's 8:30pm game between Los Totally Awesomes and the Balls & Dolls was decided by less than a foot. Both teams offensive units were plagued by dirt filled gusty winds. Players would practically kick the red rubber off every ball and launch them into the night sky. However the wind would gently parachute each ball into the arms of a waiting defender. Both teams fought the wind for 6 straight innings. In the top of the 7th inning LTA was presented with a golden opportunity. The bases loaded were loaded and all LTA needed was a good strong kick to bring one run home. Instead the kicker was only able to produce a short bouncing kick straight to the pitcher, but this kick was enough to get in a run. A close play at home was decided by less than a foot, literally inches. During the bottom of the 7th the Balls & Dolls were unable to get in a run or pull ahead. Los Totally Awesomes would walk away victorious.

Los Totally Awesome - 1
Balls & Dolls - 0

Multiple Scoregasms Limited to Three

The Multiple Scoregasms and the Drunken Monkeyz aren't strangers to the world of kickball. Both these teams have Championship Titles and regular championship appearances. They also aren't strangers to each other. These teams have met numerous times on the k-ball diamond. If memory serves me correctly, the overall head-to-head record between these two k-ball juggernauts is about dead even. Their game last Wed. is a testament to how close, skill wise, these two teams really are. After the 4th inning the game was a close 4-3 score, the Drunken Monkeyz on top. However going into the 5th inning the scoregasms sadly ran dry. The Drunken Monkeyz then continued to consistently put up runs for the rest of the game.

Final Score
Multiple Scoregasms - 3
Drunken Monkeyz - 7

Los Totally Awesome barely escape being Shocked

The Shockers are an experienced group of volleyball players trying kickball for the first time. They played their first adult co-ed kickball game with zero practice and only relying on the experience from their grade school years. They were slated to play the small but scrappy Los Totally Awesomes. LTA already has their eye on a kickball championship. Even in these early stages they are showing they have the skill and potential to go all the way. The battle between to these two teams was a tightly contested game. The Shockers went into the 7th inning with a 3-2 lead. However Los Totally Awesomes were able to show they are turly awesome by scoring a single run in the 7th to tie the game 3-3. With the game clock expired and down to thier last out, The Shockers were unable to put up a game winning run. The game ended in a tie, 3-3.

Final Score
Los Totally Awesomes - 3
The Shockers - 3

Balls & Dolls kicked the Family Jewels

Two rookie teams competed in their first official kickball game ever. The Balls & Dolls and The Family Jewels were excited, eager, and ready for their kickball bout. The Family Jewels drew first blood with (1) one run in the top of the 1st inning. B & D answered back in the 3rd inning with a run on their own to tie the game at (1) one run a piece. In the 4th inning B & D pulled ahead by scoring another run to make the score 2-1, B&D on top. However the Family Jewels came right back and tied the game at 2-2 after the 5th inning. This game was a close, back and forth battle between two great teams. In the 7th inning, Family Jewels had a three run explosion that seemed to put the game out of reach for the Balls & Dolls. However in the 8th and final inning the Family Jewels were unable to defensively close out the game. The Balls & Dolls made an astonishing come back and roared back with (4) four runs to win the game.

Final Score
Family Jewels - 5
Balls & Dolls - 6

Sun City Kickball starts its Inaugural Season !!!

After a long wait Sun City Kickball has begun its inaugural season. This season's team include:

The Shockers: A rookie team in their first season of kickball

The Balls & Dolls: Another rookie team in their first season of kickball

The Multiple Scoregasms: Formerly known as the Ball Knockers. They are three season kickball veterans heading into their fourth season. They have one Kickball Championship Title and multiple championship appearances.

The Drunken Monkeyz: Formerly known as the Red Fever. They are four season kickball veterans heading into their fifth season. The have two Back-to-Back Kickball Championship Titles.

Los Totally Awesomes: A rookie team in their first season of kickball and are already starting to show Kickball Championship potential.

The Family Jewels: Another rookie team who are closing the kickball learning curve quickly.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE TEAMS !