Urban Tribe Comes Out Kicking

The Urban Tribe showed the New Kicks on the Block what a veteran kickball team looks like.

John Kelly led off the game with a hit and quickly scored when bad girl Shannon ‘Mayday’ McKenzie legged out an infield squibber.  Powered by some sharp fielding and crafty kicking, the UT went on to win their first game of the season 4-3.

The Joggler (1-0) & Kelly combined for 12 strikeouts limiting the Kicks to just 3 runs.

“I was a little rusty, but it was breaking pretty good tonight,” Joggler said.  “I was lucky, they just weren’t getting any good leg on the ball.”

The UT’s victory came on a night made cooler by the cloud cover of a dying hurricane.  The gusts of Gustav made any ball hit into the air a real challenge.  Unfortunately, a couple of shots that would normally be caught, bounced just off the finger tips of our fielders.  Another one was lost by Chris ‘the Brewmaster’ Boone when he was distracted by a UT latecomer.

“We make those catches and this one’s a blow-out,” said GM Mark ‘Denim’ Schauerte.

There were some defensive gems however.  Tom ‘the Architect’ Szurgot had some sparkling catches at third, as did rookie sensation Ryan Robertson in the outfield.  Kelly made an amazing recovery to erase a runner at first.  But he came up limping on the play and should’ve had it looked at by team trainer Wild Thang.

When asked about his sore leg Kelly said, “There’s a reason this game is played by kids.”

Too old for the bar?

The offense was decent considering how many players were no doubt distracted by the historic and significant speech being made at the time by the most qualified Vice Presidential candidate to come along since Dan Quayle.  Kelly and the Joggler both had shoddy-defense aided home runs.

Veteran players Jim Gould and Karyn had multiple hits, as did Robertson.  Adult kickball newbie, Gabby Shilkaitis, also had a hit but confessed, “I don’t remember it being this hard in grade school.”

Indeed last year’s offensive powerhouses Mayday, Wild Thang, Tom ‘Ditka’ Kikta and Christy all struggled at the plate.  “I really think we should’ve had that practice,” Mayday was heard saying.

But in the end, the UT is off to a great start.  The management will definitely get better at showing up on time and calling out the girl’s positions between innings.  We’ll also have some great spectators as we did this week.  Finally, there’s no doubt that the rest of the season the UT will dominate better than a Russian birgade over foes in Ossetia.

What did you think of the game?  Was there anything you remember that wasn’t mentioned?  Leave a comment below.

Urban Tribe is Brining Thursdays Back

For all you planners, here is the schedule for the next two weeks of New Bar Thursdays (NBT).

5/17 Last training session – Mystic Celt @ 8 pm
(South of Southport & Addison)

5/24 Official kickoff – The Gage @ 8 pm
(24 S Michigan @ Monroe — come after the JP Corporate Challenge run)

Training highlights:

* Chris White has perfect attendance
* Small Bar barely charged us for our drinks last week
* Even the marrieds like to come out once in a while (Sorry, Chris S, couldn’t help it!)
* Beaker brought new chicks to new bar Thursday

A refresher for those that did not attend last week and still don’t know why they are getting this email…

What is the idea behind “bringing Thursdays back” aka New Bar Thursday?

Go out every Thursday, but not necessarily at a “new place,” (as in just got a liquor license and new bars stools delivered) but rather “new” in that it is not the same place as last Thursday. For some, we may be going to an old favorite, a new neighborhood (I do leave Lakeview, on occasion) it may have drink specials, it may be a celeb hangout — whatever — it’s Thursday and that’s the only reason you need to show up!

Stay tuned for more info on the New Bar Thursday blog and your participation in bringing Thursdays back!

Lastly, for those of you on this list that don’t know me all that well and for those that do, I will never actually be there at 8 pm so don’t arrive, look for me and then think you’ve been blown off. Instead, get a beer, grab a chair and ask the person next to you if he or she is there for New Bar Thursday!

See you Thursday!

Pink

Pancaking our way through the play-offs

It was a cold and rainy night.  The muddy field held water like a gorged centipede holds blood.  Only 7 of our players were there to start the game.  It was a mess.

But this was playoffs and the game must go on.  At least that’s what those blockheads over at Player’s Sports club said.  The weather and other circumstances has made scheduling games this season tough, but to make us play in such conditions was ridiculous.  Not as ridiculous as Britney leaking her own sex tape so K-Fed doesn’t make any money off it, but close.

No matter.  Most of the Urban Tribe was there, and we kicked some butt!

On offense we were clicking on all cylinders.  We bounced back from last week’s poor showing to overwhelm Mrs. Butterworth’s Ballas 11-2.  Wild Thang woke up, blasting three hits in three at bats.  She also plated 3 RBIs in the process.  Denim continued his excellent hitting as did nearly everyone else on the team.  Yours truly booted a couple of round trippers out to right field that were just out of reach.  Porn Star has got some work to do to regain the home run title.

The sloppy field made for a couple of amusing moments on the basepaths.  In the first inning, John Kelly was standing on first when I kicked a liner to right. He took off for second but unfortunately his gym shoes were smoother than a ken doll’s pelvis and he started slippin’ and slidin’.  He made it to second easily enough but my Flash-like speed got the better of me and I didn’t stop at first.  When John Kelly saw me streaking towards second he made his move towards third.  But the path to third was even slicker and he started slippin’ again.  He looked a bit like he was rollerskating for the first time in 20 years.  He made it about half-way when the short stop got the ball.  JK was a sitting duck.  Sorry man, my bad.

To make matters worse, I was thrown out at home after Wild Thang made a great hit over the third baseman’s head.  Two outs were on me and at least one of my teammates let me know it.  But after a brief marital verbal duel and a quick apology by me, harmony was restored in the universe.

On the defensive side we were solid.  For 4 innings we smothered Butterworth like a pad of butter atop a pancake stack.  They could do nothing against outfield.  It was only after being shaken down by a rogue member of Chicago’s finest that our opponents found any energy.  A couple of lucky placed shots gave them their runs.  But they weren’t enough.  The game was called after 5 innings and we advanced to round 2 of the playoffs.

Tonight marks the return of the Pilot!  Hopefully, he will provide a much needed offensive lift.  I’m so sorry Mayday and I won’t be able to attend.  But John Kelly has some skills on the mound.  The Architect is an animal is third.  On the offensive side Porn Star will try to regain the home run title.  You guys can do it.  Now get out there Urban Tribe and bring home the title!

The Joggler

PS.  Check out the Stats page for updated numbers

Stumbling to the finish line

For this week’s chronicle, I wanted to write a dramatic piece about how the Urban Tribe came out strong, fell behind, and then in glorious fashion thumped Move, Pitch Get Out the Way to finish with a perfect 6-0 record. I wanted to write that, but it didn’t happen. What did happen was a tough loss featuring the worst kickball play I’ve seen since 1985 when little Bobby Vinatari donned the blue and gold gym shorts for the first time in months and proceeded to pick up the red ball any chance he got and throw it at the closest person. Evidently, he couldn’t figure out that kickball is different than dodge ball.

On the defensive side we had more drops than a white haired clown in a pink tutu. It was as if we all dipped our hands in Vaseline before going out in the field. Now I understand that Vaseline can spice up a weekend, but this is kickball people! For the playoffs, let’s try to keep that stuff at home.

On the offensive side we were quite at best. Sure, Mayday & Denim got a few hits and most everyone else got one hit. Unfortunately, these turned into a paltry 2 runs. This would’ve been fine if we were playing a team that scored like the Oakland Raiders but this was Move, Pitch, Get Out the Way. Despite the fact that they are grammatically challenged, they can definitely boot that ball. And catch it too. They snagged nearly every ball that was even close to them. It was like we were playing the Urban Tribe.

But it’s over. Let’s put it behind us. We’ve got a lot to be proud of this season. We bested our record from last year and nearly had a perfect season. The playoffs start tonight and we’ve got to get our A game back. We need to play smooth and relaxed like Emmit Smith in his Ultraflex Jazz Oxfords. We need to catch, and kick, and keep that music spinning.

We have the talent to win the league championship for the first time in the Urban Tribe’s fabled history. Now let’s get out there and win it!

The Joggler

Bringing sexy back for a big win

It shouldn’t be possible for one October kick to change a game, change the course of a season and quite possibly the fate of so many lives.

It shouldn’t be possible, but it happens. Ask Kirk Gibson. Ask Scott Podsednik. Ask Derek Jeter. And now, if The Urban Tribe goes on to have an undefeated season and win the World Series of Kickball, you can ask another. Our towering outfielder, Ditka.

For a few moments on that cold, Halloween night it looked like The Urban Tribe was in danger of seeing their magical season tumble off an October cliff. Mayday, the scrappy lead-off hitter, began the game with one of her patented leggy singles. But fly-outs by the next three kickers foiled a promising start.

When the Lincoln Cougars stepped up to bat the night felt ominous. Would this be the night of The Urban Tribe’s first loss? The lead-off kicker smashed a booming shot to right but the wind a gravity were with us. It landed just out of play. A pop out came next as did subsequent fly outs by the next two batters. The Tribe survived the inning.

In the next inning, the Brewmaster, Joggler, John Kelly and Silky D all hit safely and scratched across a couple of runs. That left two ducks on the pond when Ditka came up. His anthem blared…”bump bump..bump bump…I’m bringing sexy back..yeah!” and the Cougars shuttered. Their rookie pitcher sent a toe-high, two-seamer heading his way. Ditka lifted the back of his front foot, planted, uncoiled and upperbooted the yellow sphere through the ionized Union Park sky.

It sailed to the outfield. Their leftfielder took off as did their centerfielder. And then it began to dawn on them, what this was. The ball kept going and going until it finally landed on the solid Chicago mud. By the time they reached it, the action was over. Ditka was trotting around third and heading for home. That kick propelled this resilient Urban Tribe team to their biggest single inning offensive output of the season. 5 runs when it was all over.

“He is bringing sexy back,” said the Architect about Ditka, “Them other boys don’t know how to act.”

But what Ditka started, others had to finish. In the fifth inning, Porn Star whacked his team leading 3rd home run of the season sparking an 8-run offense explosion. Nearly every Tribe member scored at some point during the game. Even Wild Thang (no doubt inspired by her new anthem) put on an offensive show this night.

“She really makes my heart sing,” said team GM Denim.

On the defensive side, the Tribe would bend but not break. A couple of missed balls gave the Cougars a spark of hope, and when they loaded the bases with no outs, even Adler stood frozen by the tension. But the Urban Tribe snapped out of it. A line shot to short was caught by DJ master Meatball and the inning was finished off with a nifty double play. In the end, the game was called early due to the slaughter rule and the Urban Tribe won 14-4. The Cougars quit and the Urban Tribe kept its unbeaten record intact.

Tonight, we go for the full season, clean sweep. We play the only other undefeated team so we’ll need everyone to bring their A game. One kick can change the course of history. And that kick can come from you.

Remember, remember the seventh of November.

Our chance for an undefeated season

UT,

It’s a battle of the unbeatens on Tuesday, November 7 at 9:30 p.m. at
Union Park on Kickball Night in Chicago. To remain on top of the Chicago
kickball world and finish the regular season without a loss, we must
defeat Move Pitch, Get out the Way!

That’s not a typo. Apparently, that’s their lame team name. (Yes, you
have read this text before … before the October 17 game against this
same team)

Remember to don your orange UT shirts and get ready for some kickball on
Tuesday.

Please let me know if you are in or out for the Game of the Season.
Chris Boone and John Kelly are up for Gatorade.

Batter Up!

–Denim

Notes about our next game

UT,

Rainout? check
Water logged fields? Check
Fire? Check

Well, gang. I figure we are due for a blizzard on Tuesday or too much
wind. Or fill in the blank for why the game will be cancelled.

As for the schedule, it’s on for Halloween night at 7:30 pm. We face a
3-1 team, the Lincoln Elementary Cougars. Sounds like they have been
playing together for quite a while.

Your Halloween costume? A UT kickball player in orange. Put the orange
on at least for trick or treating since wearing it to play kickball
seems like make believe these days.

Please let me know if you will be at the game on Tuesday. Wild Thang and
I are up for Gatorade.

–Denim

A note from the front office

Here was an email received from the folks at Players Sports.  It looks like we will not make-up all of the games we missed.  On the plus side, we’ll get a refund for a portion of the season.

Tuesday Union Softball and Kickball Teams,

My apologies again for the problem with Tuesday night’s games. We did get the “ok” to play from the park until they changed their minds after we already started playing. For those of you who I left voicemail messages with, I hope you received the message in time to let your teammates know.

Games from Tuesday will not be made up at the end of the season as we normally do with rainouts. Playoffs will begin on 11/14 whether there are any more rainouts or not. After the season is over I will process refunds for each team to give credit for any games that were not played. Refunds will be credited to the person who paid for the league. I will not do these refunds now because if we rainout again before November 14th, those games will not be made up as well and will add to the amount that you will get back.

Please check the updated schedule. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Updated Schedule: http://www.playerssports.net/schedules/fall/kickball/kic_coe_tu_up_00_fa_06.shtml

Thanks,

Eric Strung
Sports Director
Players Sports Group
3617 N. Ashland
Chicago, IL 60613
773-528-1999 tel
773-528-1863 fax
playerssports.net

Important info for tonights game

Attention Urban Tribe!

Games are cancelled tonight on account of toxic fumes clouding the playing field.  Player’s Sports assures me that they will make this up to us but no games tonight.  I’ll call everyone I can and let you know.

The Joggler

Some blue jean inspiration from our GM

UT,

We play in prime time once again as the nightcap at 9:30 p.m. at Union
Park on Tuesday, October 24, a.k.a. Kickball Night in America. To remain
undefeated, we must beat Mrs. Butterworth’s Ballas, a 1-3 team.

Don your orange UT shirts (and sweatpants or jeans, as applicable) on
Tuesday and get ready for some kickball. The Weather Channel website
predicts a mostly sunny day Tuesday with a high of 48 and low of 37, so
gloves and stocking caps may be in order too. Finally, since the Union
Park grounds crew is particular about its diamond conditions, no rain is
predicted for Monday, so the game will hopefully be played.

Please let me know if you are in or out for Kickball Night in America.
Denim and Wild Thing are on Gatorade duty.

Batter Up!

–Denim