We've seen the 3rd Team. We've seen the 2nd Team. Now here is the elite. The cream of the crop. I present to you, the 1st Team All-Peninsula Kickball Team!
Starting Pitcher
Jimmy Wilcox
Vicious & Delicious
Vicious & Delicious
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| "Expecto Patronum!" |
Wilcox had an outstanding season for the Wentworth Trophy winners, VD. Simply put, he throws nothing but gas, and is probably the hardest throwing hurler in the league. (Just ask Rumspringa's Troy Southall, who broke his ankle trying to bunt one of Jimmy's fastballs). And it's not just that he throws hard either, but his pitches come in with some deceptive movement. Many a kicker in the league has had a ball pop up off their shin after attempting to get a hold of one of his pitches... Offensively, Wilcox had a fine season, kicking in the heart of the explosive VD lineup and driving in several runs (see video below).
First Base
Patrick Jones
The Emperors Club
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| PJ is the man. |
This is probably the easiest call of any position on the All-Peninsula team. You may call me biased (hell, a lot of people do regardless), but in my opinion, PJ Jones is the undisputed best first baseman in the league. No first baseman can stretch as far as he does, as his diving catch, while dragging his foot on the bag, has become a trademark. While most first baseman, have to come off the bag to catch those errant throws, this stretch gives the VIPs several outs a game that other teams wouldn't get. Jones' experience as a former soccer goalkeeper has given him hands that are as sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti... Offensively, PJ lays bunts down with precision and sprays line drives all over the field... Early in the season, he battled a nasty pulled hammy, but only missed a single game, played with a lot of heart, and scored one of the key runs against The Emperors Club's big 4-1 win over Just For Kicks in week 1.
Charger
Steve Midlik
Chubby Gangsters
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| With one of the strongest legs in the league, Midlik was always a home run threat at the plate. |
The Chubby Gangsters emerged as one of the league's best teams this season, and their standout charger Steve Midlik was a huge part of their success. Quick to the ball, and loaded with a gun for an arm, Midlik threw out many base runners who otherwise would have been safe with good bunts. In the Gangbangers big win over the VIPs on June 22nd, Midlik was on fire, throwing out bunters one after another (yours truly was a victim that night)... Offensively, Steve, who has a strong soccer background, is one of the most dangerous kickers on the Peninsula. When he gets a hold of a ball, he crushes it... Hard to imagine the Chubby Gangsters having anywhere near the success they had (10-2 record, final four appearance) without the outstanding contibutions of Midlik on both sides of the ball.
Catcher
Roger Jackson
The Emperors Club
Jackson was a stalwart defender for the VIPs all season. With raw speed and lightening fast quickness, no one in the league charges out on bunt coverage faster than he does.
"He's a beast." VD's Joey Smith said recently about Jackson, "He puts everything he has into every play. I have crazy respect for him."
"The guy has a motor that never stops.", Captain George Kiriazidis commented, "I mean, he even backs up the outfield on pop ups when there is no play at the plate sometimes. He's lightening in a bottle or, uh, human."
Jackson is known not only for the hustle he has on defense, but also for his great play on offense. Leading off for the VIPs, Roger had an on base percentage of .826 and scored a team high 11 runs. The Emperors Club didn't have the most prolific offense this season, so runs were at a premium.
"If I had to choose one person to name as MVP for the team," Brent Wentworth (3rd Person Alert!) said, "it'd be hard not to go with Roger. The guy did it all for us. A true stud."
Females
Lisa Rock
Battlestar Ballsacktica
Simply put, Lisa Rock was rock solid this season. Ok, I know that's a weak pun that she has probably heard all of her life, but it really fits. Rock was an on base machine (copyright NoShoes) for the Battlestar, using her well placed bunts and swiftness to get on consistently. This gave the big boppers behind her plenty of chances to drive in runs... Defensively, Rock did it all. She played outfield most of the time, but head coach Andy Tapley frequently deployed her to catcher and first base as well. And at both positions, she proved to be very competent. And I don't mean that in a 'for a girl' type of way either. She really held her own.
"[She] was consistent all year and was the reason we upset Moose Knuckles." Battlestar's Mary Katherine Evans said in a recent interview, "She made so many diving and sliding catches in the outfield."
Noelle Walsh
Vicious & Delicious
Just about every expert who offered their opinion to me on who should make All-Peninsula mentioned Noelle Walsh as someone who should be recognized. And with good reason, Walsh is a kickball maniac who can lay down perfect bunts and play solid defense. Always in the right position and aware of the situations, she was just another veteran player whom VD could rely on. Whenever a ball comes to Noelle, you can be assured that not only will she make a play, but it will be the right play... Offensively, she is more than the average girl. She has the ability and repeatedly showed it this season, to get on base against the best defenses. All in all, she is a great performer and a leader for the Wentworth Trophy winners.
Kim Koricich
Off in the Corner
OitC's lone representative is Kim Koricich. This is not the first time she has earned All-Peninsula honors. In the Spring of 2010, Koricich made the 1st Team after a stellar rookie season. After taking the Fall season off, she came back and picked up right where she left off. Formally known as "Lightening" in her TailGator days, Koricich's biggest asset is her blazing speed. You don't need to clock her in the 40 to know that she is fast. And although that's may be what stands out most about her, it also bares pointing out that she is a skilled bunter and powerful kicker. The former college soccer player is the perfect combination of athleticism and talent. And although everyone beat Off in the Corner, it's no reflection on their superstar outfielder. She brought it every game.
Jennifer Epps
New Kickheads on the Block
Jen Epps came into the Peninsula league and immediately began turning heads and raising eye brows. If Kim Koricich isn't the fastest girl in the league, than it's definitely Epps. With her strong softball background, Epps is great at using that speed in a very effective manner. She's extremely smart on the bases and knows when to go for the extra bag and can slide as good as any person in the league. She can bunt. She can kick. And when her team needed her, she seemed to always come through. Defensively, she is alert, smart, and covers a lot of ground. I'd say that it's not fair because it's like having an extra guy in the field. But that's insulting to her, only because she is better than a lot of male players in the league. Hard to believe Epps is this good in only her first season. It's scary to think that she might even get better with more experience.
Outfielders
Josh Waldrop
5 O'Clockers
Waldrop has always been one of the top outfielders in the Peninsula, and once again, he put in another great season of work for the Clockers, earning his third straight 1st Team All-Peninsula award. There were a lot of deadly weapons in the 5 O'Clocker offense this spring, but none more dangerous than the man in the yellow shoes. He's always had the power and skill to spray line drives anywhere in the field, but after playing the winter in the ultra competitive VA Recess league and Thursday nights with nationally ranked The Situation in Norfolk, Waldrop has added another dimension to his game. Now he's developed an accurate bunt that he can mix in whenever the need arises. Now he is an all around threat on offense, and definitely one of the toughest outs in the league.
John LaNeave
The Emperors Club
After breaking in during the Fall season with the TailGators as a free agent, LaNeave expressed a desire to compete at the highest levels. The Emperors Club picked him up in the winter, and he did not fail to impress. This spring specifically, LaNeave has emerged as an absolute beast at the plate. Kicking in the heart of the order, LaNeave consistently got base, posting an on base percentage of .789 and was among the leaders for the VIPs in runs scored and runs kicked in. His biggest moment came in week 3, when he came through with a walkoff single to beat Vicious & Delicious. Earlier in the post, we talked about Roger Jackson's run production. Well, Roger doesn't score that many runs if he didn't have LaNeave kicking behind him. To explain the secret behind LaNeave's success, you need to look no further than his sports background. He's a former high level soccer player, which gives him the foot skills. And he's an avid competitive softball player, which explains the base running and defensive instincts. Combine those two backgrounds together, and you have one hell of a kickballer.
Utility
JC Cashwell
Just For Kicks
Simply put, JC Cashwell is one of the best kickballers of our generation. Blessed with a cannon for a left arm, he plays excellent defense at the charger, first base, and of course, the pitcher position. On the mound, JC is one of the most dominating talents. His pitches come in hard, fast, and with a lot of movement (I know there is a sexual joke in there somewhere) and have a way of putting even the most experienced kicker off balance. Typically Head Coach Bryan Freed limits his innings (usually only pitching in big games), mostly to keep him fresh for Thursday nights where he pitches for the WAKA national champions, Panik Attack in VA Southside. But his value isn't only in pitching. JC is an excellent charger, and perhaps an even better first baseman. Cashwell has great hands and catches any throw in his general vicinity. He also uses that wicked arm strength to defend against any runner foolish enough to try going first to third against JFK. But perhaps one of the most underrated pieces of Cashwell's game is his offense. He has one of the strongest legs in the league, if not the strongest and can boom the ball over the head of all but the deepest playing right fielders. Just ask Rumspringa. In week 3, JC crushed a ball that might still be in the air as we speak.
So, there you have it! Our All-Peninsula team is complete! Later on tomorrow night, I will post another post highlighting some of the honorable mentions. In the meantime, please feel free to share your feedback in the comments or on Facebook. Do you agree with the selections? Did you think I missed anyone? Am I a complete idiot? Sound off and I will include your quotes in the blog tomorrow.
Catcher
Roger Jackson
The Emperors Club
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| Lay your bunts short at your own risk. |
"He's a beast." VD's Joey Smith said recently about Jackson, "He puts everything he has into every play. I have crazy respect for him."
"The guy has a motor that never stops.", Captain George Kiriazidis commented, "I mean, he even backs up the outfield on pop ups when there is no play at the plate sometimes. He's lightening in a bottle or, uh, human."
Jackson is known not only for the hustle he has on defense, but also for his great play on offense. Leading off for the VIPs, Roger had an on base percentage of .826 and scored a team high 11 runs. The Emperors Club didn't have the most prolific offense this season, so runs were at a premium.
"If I had to choose one person to name as MVP for the team," Brent Wentworth (3rd Person Alert!) said, "it'd be hard not to go with Roger. The guy did it all for us. A true stud."
Females
Lisa Rock
Battlestar Ballsacktica
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| Smell what the Rock is cooking? |
"[She] was consistent all year and was the reason we upset Moose Knuckles." Battlestar's Mary Katherine Evans said in a recent interview, "She made so many diving and sliding catches in the outfield."
Noelle Walsh
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| Noelle Walsh was no stranger to crossing home plate this season. |
Just about every expert who offered their opinion to me on who should make All-Peninsula mentioned Noelle Walsh as someone who should be recognized. And with good reason, Walsh is a kickball maniac who can lay down perfect bunts and play solid defense. Always in the right position and aware of the situations, she was just another veteran player whom VD could rely on. Whenever a ball comes to Noelle, you can be assured that not only will she make a play, but it will be the right play... Offensively, she is more than the average girl. She has the ability and repeatedly showed it this season, to get on base against the best defenses. All in all, she is a great performer and a leader for the Wentworth Trophy winners.
Kim Koricich
Off in the Corner
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| Koricich models the Bar Buzz belt. |
Jennifer Epps
New Kickheads on the Block
Outfielders
Josh Waldrop
5 O'Clockers
John LaNeave
The Emperors Club
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| LaNeave looks on during the End of Season Tourney. |
Utility
JC Cashwell
Just For Kicks
Simply put, JC Cashwell is one of the best kickballers of our generation. Blessed with a cannon for a left arm, he plays excellent defense at the charger, first base, and of course, the pitcher position. On the mound, JC is one of the most dominating talents. His pitches come in hard, fast, and with a lot of movement (I know there is a sexual joke in there somewhere) and have a way of putting even the most experienced kicker off balance. Typically Head Coach Bryan Freed limits his innings (usually only pitching in big games), mostly to keep him fresh for Thursday nights where he pitches for the WAKA national champions, Panik Attack in VA Southside. But his value isn't only in pitching. JC is an excellent charger, and perhaps an even better first baseman. Cashwell has great hands and catches any throw in his general vicinity. He also uses that wicked arm strength to defend against any runner foolish enough to try going first to third against JFK. But perhaps one of the most underrated pieces of Cashwell's game is his offense. He has one of the strongest legs in the league, if not the strongest and can boom the ball over the head of all but the deepest playing right fielders. Just ask Rumspringa. In week 3, JC crushed a ball that might still be in the air as we speak.
So, there you have it! Our All-Peninsula team is complete! Later on tomorrow night, I will post another post highlighting some of the honorable mentions. In the meantime, please feel free to share your feedback in the comments or on Facebook. Do you agree with the selections? Did you think I missed anyone? Am I a complete idiot? Sound off and I will include your quotes in the blog tomorrow.
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