The Middlesex Panthers defeated Animal Is My Homeboy 10-3 last night, entering into a three-way tie for first place in the WAKA Massachusetts Commonwealth Division.
No. 2 pitcher Eric Pierce blanked Animal Is My Homeboy in four of the game's five innings and went 2 for 3 from the top of the batting order to lead the Panthers. Brian Kraemer went 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RKI, while Yuval "Take This Job And" Shavit went 2 for 2 and Colin Steele added a 2-run double.
The win means the Panthers, Red Balls and Root Down are all tied for first with 2-1 records. Animal Is My Homeboy is in last place at 0-3.
"This game was our best yet," co-captain Steele said. "Everybody contributed, and it paid off. We still have a long road ahead of us, but if we keep clawing and scratching like this, we can keep our heads above water."
The Panthers had a small but strong contingent at the post-game celebration at league bar Joe Sent Me, where Amanda Wong staked her claim to the team's sportsmanship award with her, um, friendly gestures towards an Animal Is My Homeboy player.
When Panthers player Matt Gervais, who left the bar before said acts of sportsmanship occurred, was informed of what he missed, he replied, "Good God."
Friday, July 27, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Panthers lose 7-6 heartbreaker
The Middlesex Panthers could not hold on to an early lead, losing 7-6 to the Root Down in last night's second game of the season.
The Panthers took a 4-0 advantage in the first inning, with seven of their first eight kickers reaching base, and led 6-2 after two. But they would not score at all in the final three innings, enduring a four-run fifth inning by the Root Down en route to their first loss of the season. Both teams are now 1-1 and tied for second place in the WAKA Massachusetts Commonwealth Division.
Panthers pitcher Dave Bergeron was his usual masterful self on the mound for the first four innings, but his tired shoulder did not have enough gas in the tank to shut down the Root Down in the final frame. Co-captain Colin Steele is considering using a closer for the next game, provided that person agrees to shave his or her head like "Wild Thing" in the "Major League" movies.
"That's a great hairdo, and I think it could do wonders for our team," Steele said. "Wild thing ... da-da, da-da, da-da ... You make my heart sing ..."
Bergeron also kicked a two-run homer, his first of the season, leading an offense that also saw positive contributions by Eric Pierce (2-2, run scored) and co-captain Abbey Weintraub (1-2, run scored).
The Panthers -- who burn the nostrils, but in a good way -- fared much better at the bar after the game, drinking a league-record 18 pitchers of Miller Lite. Next week they face the 2-0 Red Balls, who are believed to have Eastern European kickball Olympians on their team in violation of league rules, in a battle for first place.
The Panthers took a 4-0 advantage in the first inning, with seven of their first eight kickers reaching base, and led 6-2 after two. But they would not score at all in the final three innings, enduring a four-run fifth inning by the Root Down en route to their first loss of the season. Both teams are now 1-1 and tied for second place in the WAKA Massachusetts Commonwealth Division.
Panthers pitcher Dave Bergeron was his usual masterful self on the mound for the first four innings, but his tired shoulder did not have enough gas in the tank to shut down the Root Down in the final frame. Co-captain Colin Steele is considering using a closer for the next game, provided that person agrees to shave his or her head like "Wild Thing" in the "Major League" movies.
"That's a great hairdo, and I think it could do wonders for our team," Steele said. "Wild thing ... da-da, da-da, da-da ... You make my heart sing ..."
Bergeron also kicked a two-run homer, his first of the season, leading an offense that also saw positive contributions by Eric Pierce (2-2, run scored) and co-captain Abbey Weintraub (1-2, run scored).
The Panthers -- who burn the nostrils, but in a good way -- fared much better at the bar after the game, drinking a league-record 18 pitchers of Miller Lite. Next week they face the 2-0 Red Balls, who are believed to have Eastern European kickball Olympians on their team in violation of league rules, in a battle for first place.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Panthers open season with 3-2 win
The Middlesex Panthers won the historic inaugural game of the WAKA Massachusetts Commonwealth Division last night, defeating Animal is My Homeboy, 3-2.
The Panthers were led by Josh Berg, who went 2-for-2 and will go down in Waltham kickball history as the man who kicked the league's first-ever home run. Pitcher Dave Bergeron was masterful on the mound, puzzling Animal is My Homeboy kickers with a mix of fastballs and curveballs -- although his change-up, which barely reached the plate, needs some work.
"I was pretty pleased with our performance today," Panthers' co-captain Colin Steele said after the game. "But it's a long season, and we have a lot of room for improvement, so we just have to take it one game at a time and keep giving 110 percent."
Disappointed by his team's poor post-game showing at league bar Joe Sent Me -- only five players attended -- Steele introduced his "Bar: Incentive To Come Hang Out" program. Under the plan, Panthers players who go to the bar after the game will be rewarded with the top spots in the kicking order the following week.
"The B.I.T.C.H. Out program should get more players out socializing, which is really what the league is all about," Steele said. "As an added bonus, our most powerful, alcohol-fueled kickers will get more chances to kick, giving the Panthers a better chance to win."
The Panthers' next game is next Thursday night against The Root Down, who wear light blue shirts. Need we say more?
The Panthers were led by Josh Berg, who went 2-for-2 and will go down in Waltham kickball history as the man who kicked the league's first-ever home run. Pitcher Dave Bergeron was masterful on the mound, puzzling Animal is My Homeboy kickers with a mix of fastballs and curveballs -- although his change-up, which barely reached the plate, needs some work.
"I was pretty pleased with our performance today," Panthers' co-captain Colin Steele said after the game. "But it's a long season, and we have a lot of room for improvement, so we just have to take it one game at a time and keep giving 110 percent."
Disappointed by his team's poor post-game showing at league bar Joe Sent Me -- only five players attended -- Steele introduced his "Bar: Incentive To Come Hang Out" program. Under the plan, Panthers players who go to the bar after the game will be rewarded with the top spots in the kicking order the following week.
"The B.I.T.C.H. Out program should get more players out socializing, which is really what the league is all about," Steele said. "As an added bonus, our most powerful, alcohol-fueled kickers will get more chances to kick, giving the Panthers a better chance to win."
The Panthers' next game is next Thursday night against The Root Down, who wear light blue shirts. Need we say more?
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Bud Lite Bears change name
The Bud Lite Bears have changed their name after the WAKA commissioner's office notified the team that no blatant alcohol references are allowed ... even though every player in the league has the logo of a local bar on the back of his or her official WAKA shirt.
Anyway, the new name of the team is the Middlesex Panthers. The other options under consideration were the London Gentlemen and Blackbeard's Delight, but Middlesex Panthers was ultimately chosen because it's illegal in nine countries and made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good.
Anyway, the new name of the team is the Middlesex Panthers. The other options under consideration were the London Gentlemen and Blackbeard's Delight, but Middlesex Panthers was ultimately chosen because it's illegal in nine countries and made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good.
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