The 2011 Kaw Valley Kickball Championship Sunday is here! We’ve seen some great games this post-season, including nine official upsets. The stage is set for two great mid-level teams to compete for the Less Awesome title, with #17 West Coast going up against the #15 Ghosts—only one team will walk away with my Princess Diana plate. On the Awesome Bracket side #5 Star Bar is looking to have a major upset against the #2 Love Garden team. I can’t wait to join everyone for one last late night of kickball under the lights at Hobbs Park.
#17 West Coast vs. #15 Ghosts – 7:00 at Hobbs Park
Last year’s Less-Awesome Championship game had the same level of ranked teams up against each other, with #17 Brew Ballers taking on the #15 Late Fees at Hobbs Park. That game went into extra innings and was decided by a 10th inning walk-off home run. One could argue that last year’s game was so competitive due to a collective fatigue from both teams after playing two games before the Championship match-up on that hot sticky August day, but I think it’s pretty safe to say this game will be equally exciting. Both the teams playing struggled during the regular season for consistency in their kickball playing, but they seem to be peaking at the right moment. I somehow have never seen West Coast play this season, but a good chunk of them stood behind me while I watched The Ghosts barely hold off the Blue Collar Rockets during the third round games, and those West Coasters looked fucking tough in their matching striped baseball pants. The average age of The Ghosts is much younger, and whether or not that’s an advantage I can’t say, both teams should be well rested and relatively sober after a week off from the KVKL. I have seen The Ghosts play several times this season, and they have some fantastic players, if they can get an early lead on the West Coast team, I see them keeping their cool and winning the Ms. Congeniality Plate. I also believe that The Ghosts home field advantage is going to play a major roll in their possible victory, as it did with their 12-inning game against The Rockets. This should be a close game, so don’t miss it.
Prediction: Ghosts > West Coast
#5 Star Bar Barracudas vs. #2 Love Garden Squids – 9:00 at Hobbs Park
We’re finally getting the Under the Sea themed championship game we’ve been dreaming of all our lives! If The Barracudas can upset the Squids, it will be the second time Love Garden has fallen to a five seat in the championship game. The first time was in 2005 when the K-Jensen’s-HK team took Love Garden down with the “Bermuda Triangle” defense: a carefully constructed triangle of athletic dudes that dismantled Love Garden’s aggressive bunting—let’s not forget that the Love Gardeners were the original bunters, before the league ever uttered the words, “Sacred Bunt.” Star Bar is a team that I wish I could have seen more of this season; they are extremely athletic and full of talent, which makes for great kickball spectating. I did watch them last Sunday when they spanked The Chalmersiz hard, and they’ve definitely hit their stride. I’m wrong about most things on this blog, but I think this is a good place to quote something right I posted during the Week 8 Preview:
“The Star Bar Barracudas might have a new name, but they are an old team with a tradition of kicking ass. The former Eastsiders are my dark horse (if they can even be considered a dark horse) to win it all this year.”
No. Big. Deal. Though, they haven’t won it all just yet. The Squids have kicked even more ass over the past ten years of Kaw Valley Kickball, including several championship appearances. They play nearly perfect kickball, and though you might not want to admit it, they do it while having a good amount of fun, too (except for when Cougar brings out their dark side). It’s tough to balance fun and competitive kickball, I imagine if they can keep their cool this Sunday and get over the fact the crowd will be rooting for the under dog, they shouldn’t have any trouble winning—unless my prediction that Captain Chris Ford’s constant tweaking of the defense mid-game will finally backfire on him. They have the defense, they have the offense, and they have the experience, it’s hard for anyone to argue that The Squids won’t get another win this post-season… that being said, I’m a big fan of upsets, and anything can happen at Hobbs Park.
Prediction: Star Bar > Love Garden; Nelson the Barracuda Dog > Team Owner Kelly Corcoran
ALL-STAR GAME – 5:00 at Hobbs Park
After a 1-year hiatus, we finally have the return of the All-Star Game!!! Girls and guys will be alternating every inning for ten innings. The William S. Burroughs and Langston Hughes divisions will take on the John Brown and Carrie A. Nation divisions. I really can’t bullshit much about this match-up, since the league is filled with all sorts of All-Stars and we can’t be sure which players are being sent to the game, and where they play best. Let’s hope the league’s captains do a good job of nominating the best players from their teams to entertain us during the first game of our last Sunday this season. I can’t say who will win, but I imagine like always the girls will put on a better show, while the guys get all cocky and kick away into an All-Star outfield.
Prediction: Willston S. Burrhughes > Jarrie A. Brotion
That’s it for this week’s predictions, hope to see you all at Hobbs Park this Sunday! If you haven’t checked it out, Nick Lerner posted an awesome 2011 KVKL Championship preview video on the KVKL fan page site, unfortunately I can’t post it here because Facebook blows.
BFFs,
Coach Billy Gay Cyrus
GET EXCITED!