1. PITA PIT

Pita Pit boasts a strong resume coming into the 2012 tournament, which is the same old song and dance for them.  They are the favorite to hoist the cup this year and are hungry for another championship after losing in the Final 4 a year ago and the championship game a year prior to that.

They have won by 10 runs or more in all but four of their games this season.  They execute their game plan effectively and are very difficult to beat even on an off night.  Look for them to make a deep run this year with a good chance of taking it all.

2.  BARRACUDAS

The Barracudas are the reigning champions of the KVKL.  Last season they began as a new team and were relatively unknown with the exception of a few key players.  Fortunately, many of the players on the roster had a few seasons under their belts to make up for the learning curve of the new players.

The Barracudas came into the tournament a year ago as the overall 5 seed and had to rank as one of the lowest seeded teams to ever claim the cup, and boy does winning one championship change people’s opinions in a hurry.   Heavy is the head that wears the crown indeed.  This year they enter as the 2 seed and still have lofty expectations.  A tough tournament draw will definitely test their attempt at winning another championship, with possible games against Red Lyon, Wildman, and the Screamers just to get out of their field of eight teams.  Another deep run is certainly possible, but it will take smart, well executed kickball.

3. LOVE GARDEN

Love Garden has had one goal and one goal only in their minds this season: get back to the finals and bring home the hardware.  A year ago they reached the finals and fell short losing to the Barracudas.  They’ve had a whole year to dwell on that fact and expect them to step onto the field with an attitude.  They come into the tournament with only one loss and they hope to end their season that way.  Anything else will likely be a disappointment (but they have had one hell of a season).  Don’t be surprised to see them back in the finals, but as the KVKL gets stronger, reaching that goal gets tougher and tougher.

4. CHALMERSIZ

The Chalmersiz have had another successful season.  They seem to have this kickball thing figured out as they get better and better every year.  Their final obstacle is competing with the big dogs.  They are certainly capable of beating every team in the league on any given sunday, but doing it five times in a row is what it takes to win a KVKL championship.  The Chalmersiz seem to have a bit of a chip on their shoulder this year as they aim to prove that they are ready to take the final step.  If they get ahead of themselves too much they may find themselves watching the remainder of the tournament from the stands once again.  If they play their game, watch out.  They could give the overall #1 seed, Pita Pit, a run for their money if they advance that far.

5. GOATS

The Goats have had a very productive season, but they’ve also lost four out of their last six games.  Luckily for them, they wound up as the five seed and have a nice draw for the post season tournament.  If they come out and play their game they are a tough team to beat and could make a deep run in the tournament.  They will likely have their work cut out for themselves in week two of the tournament if they plan to play the final weekend of the tournament with likely matchups against Chalmersiz and Pita Pit.

6. DAS BOOT

Das Boot could easily make a deep run of their own, but they will likely face Sacred Sword again in their second game this coming Sunday, a team they defeated by the narrowest of margins earlier this season.  If they survive they likely face Love Garden and will try from some revenge for a week 11 loss.  Boot’s biggest obstacle will be playing well in consecutive games, something they’ve struggled with throughout the season.

7. WILDMAN ATTACK FORCE

Wildman assembled their current roster with the hopes of bringing home the hardware this season.  They’ve lost four of their last six contests, but all of that will be forgiven if they make a deep run in the tournament.  They will certainly prove their skill if they advance through a tough pool of eight and make a Final Four appearance.  When they play their game they are a tough team to beat.

8. LOS MATADORES

The Matadores are on quite a run winning their last seven games.  They hope to keep to their winning ways and make a push in the post season tournament.  Had they not forfeited a game earlier this season, they likely would have gotten an even better seeding.  If they can win their first two games of the tournament, which would included a likely rematch with Hurtz Donutz, who they defeated convincingly a week ago, they will most likely play Pita Pit and get a chance to prove whether or not they are a force to be reckoned with.

9. HURTZ DONUT D-HOLES

It’s been quite a season for the Hurtz Donutz.  They have fun while they play and their enthusiasm has translated to a decent number of wins this season.  It’s unlikely they survive the first weekend of the tournament, but they should be a force to be reckoned with in either the Less Awesome Bracket or the Reasonably Less Awesome Bracket.  However their season ends, I’d consider it a success.

10. SCREAMERS

The Screamers enter the tournament as the overall #10 seed, but had they not forfeited a game week one, they would only have two losses; an impressive feat.  When they come to play they can give nearly any team fits with their speed and aggressive base running.  If they don’t make a deep run they are an example of another team who could hoist the first ever Reasonably Awesome trophy.  If they’re on their game, look out.

11.  SACRED SWORD

Sacred Sword has had a less than amazing season by their own standards, but that doesn’t mean they are not a good kickball team.  They are currently enjoying their longest winning streak of the season at three games.  They’ll likely have a chance to avenge their loss to Das Boot earlier this season in their second game of the first weekend.  A win in that game could be about all it takes to consider this season a success.  Sword is a hard team to bet for or bet against due to their inconsistency, but they are a tough, tested team regardless.

12. PARTY!!

Party has been sliding a bit towards the end of the season.  It will be interesting to see if they can put it together for the post season tournament.  Surviving the first weekend doesn’t seem likely, but hey, not everyone can advance.

13. SLOWRIDE

As usual, Slowride is nearly impossible to predict at season’s end.  Just when it seemed easy to write them off, they came alive and showed everyone what they are capable of, and in week 10 against Shaolin they put on a dominating performance, winning by 11 runs.  Unfortunately, consistency is a must in post season play and getting past the Chalmersiz in round 2 seems unlikely.  It would be a huge deviation from their recent tournament history if they prove me wrong.

14. SHAOLIN SHADOWBOXERS

The Shadowboxers have struggled a bit during the second half of the season.  If it wasn’t for late game heroics against Red Lyon they would have lost six of their last seven games.  Expect Shaolin to put on a show in either of the two secondary brackets should they lose early.

15.  RED LYON

As the 15 seed, Red Lyon is one of the most dangerous teams not seeded in the top eight or so for one reason only: they don’t get absolutely shit canned during tournament play and they have very capable, veteran kickballers.  If they do fall early, they could be contenders for hoisting the Reasonably Less Awesome Bracket trophy, unless they decide to end the season with a bang and party their way to the end of their season.

16. CORKSUCKERS

What a season it has been for the Corksuckers.  Dare I say they have potential to be a difficult out in the tournament?  If they hadn’t drawn the overall #1 seed, Pita Pit, for their potential second round match-up I think it could have been a reality.  Look for the Corksuckers to make a splash in either losers bracket.  Either way, a tip of the cap for an amazing season.  Starting off with four straight losses and following it up with six consecutive wins is impressive.

***NOTE***

The raw numbers following the division scores and pool scores are averages of the number of runs the particular team has scored per run allowed.

Example:  Game 1,  Team A wins 5-1.  Game 2, Team A loses 5-9.  Their average would be 1.000 having scored 10 runs and having allowed 10 runs.