The second week of the 2012 KVKL tournament is hours away from kicking off. This weekend will be a new experience for a lot of kickballers with the addition of the Reasonably Awesome Bracket, adding extra games to the schedule this year. All of the games look to be great match-ups and it’ll be interesting to see how things play out this evening. The weather should be gorgeous once again, but the season ends today for all but six teams. Let’s get straight to it.
Contention for the Crown
#8 LOS MATADORES @ #1 PITA PIT – LYONS EAST, 6:30 PM
I’m fairly certain that Pita Pit won’t falter in this matchup, but this is the type of game that can get overlooked pretty easily. The Matadores have been playing quality kickball down the stretch and will certainly put up a fight. In the end I think Pita Pit settles down and runs away with this one.
#7 WILDMAN @ #2 BARRACUDAS – LYONS WEST, 5:00 PM
This game has potential to be another great matchup, but what isn’t at this point in the season. Both teams rely on speed to create runs. This game should be decided on the defensive side of the ball. Whoever can make plays and limit their mistakes should advance to the Final 4. The Barracudas may have the advantage of having several playoff wins under the belt, but Wildman gets to play the underdog role. The Barracudas hope to make it back to the Final 4 for a second consecutive year while Wildman tries to bunt their way to a banner.
#6 DAS BOOT @ #3 LOVE GARDEN – HOLCOM GOLD, 5:00 PM
This is a very intriguing matchup because these two teams played each other just a few short weeks ago, with Love Garden coming out on top. This time though there is much more at stake; a birth in the Final 4. Both teams were Final 4 teams a year ago, but only one will get the banner two consecutive years.
#12 PARTY @ #4 CHALMERSIZ – HOLCOM BLUE, 6:30
The Chalmersiz are trying to get to their second Final 4 (I believe) after getting knocked out in a game that went all the way down to the wire against Pita Pit two seasons ago, and they have to be happy that they are matched up against Party!!. Nothing against Party!!, but they’ve made it this far as the Cinderella team. I think their journey ends here. The Chalmersiz should get another shot at Pita Pit. They better not overlook their first game, but if they are able to save some energy to give Pita Pit a run for their money it should be a great game later this evening.
Reasonable Awesome Bracket
#16 CORKSUCKERS @ #9 HURTZ DONUTZ – LYONS WEST, 6:30 PM
The Corksuckers took their first lost in nearly two months a week ago, getting crushed by Pita Pit in the second round of the tournment. If they hope to play on they have to beat a strong Hurtz Donut squad who were knocked out in extra innings last weekend. I think the D-Holes put the Hurtz on the Corksuckers and move on to the semis.
#13 SLOWRIDE @ #5 GOATS – HOLCOM GOLD, 6:30 PM
Coming off a disappointing loss a week ago, the Goats should now have their sites set on claiming the first ever Reasonably Awesome Bracket crown. Slowride is no push over, but if the Goats have their minds right I think they run away with this game.
#15 RED LYON @ #10 SCREAMERS – LYONS EAST, 5:00 PM
This will be a good kickball game depending on the sobriety of both teams. Well, it will likely be a good game either way, but if both teams are sucking down the suds it could go either way. My money is on the Screamers to come out and take care of business.
#14 SHAOLIN @ #11 SACRED SWORD – HOLCOM BLUE, 5:00 PM
Sacred Sword took a tough one run loss last weekend and should be poised to make a run at the Reasonably Awesome Bracket crown. Shaolin can step up for big games if everyone is on the same page. I’m going with Sword in a low scoring affair.
Less Awesome Bracket
#24 BREWBALLERS @ #17 LIBERTY HALL – HOLCOM RIGHT, 5:00 PM
This game should be a good one. These two teams met in week 3 of the regular season and the Brewballers won by a margin of 7-4. This game could be very similar, but who will prevail? I think the winner moves on to the championship, so no pressure folks.
#28 TELLERDACTYLS @ #20 GANG GREEN – HOLCOM LEFT, 5:00 PM
The #28 seed is still alive!!! This game features the lowest two combined seeds left in the tournament. Can the Tellerdactyls pull off another upset and earn a second game this evening? We shall see. Regardless, I have both teams packing up the cleats for the summer after the final out is made in either the early or the late game.
#23 GHOSTS @ #18 FREE STATE – HOLCOM RIGHT, 6:30 PM
Last week I incorrectly stated that Liberty Hall is the proud owner of the Princess Di trophy when in fact it belongs to the Ghosts, the 2011 Less Awesome Bracket Champion. If they hope to keep the trophy they will have to play some good kickball to get past Free State. Free State has been tested all year by good competition and should be up for the challenge.
#22 ASTEROID HEAD @ #19 CHANNEL 6 NEWS – HOLCOM LEFT, 6:30 PM
After 13 games I still have no idea which Asteroid Head team will show up from week to week. With that in mind I’m going with Channel 6 to move onto the semis. Channel 6 has a great cast of females and that could be exactly what they need to make a run at the trophy.
Happy Kickballing,
KM