Fall 2011 Mega Preseason Preview (Pt 1)

It's that time of year! On Wednesday the 10th season of WAKA Kickball on the Peninsula begins! This is the most popular season to date, as we have 16 teams and nearly 300 players competing and partying this Fall! Over the next few days, I'm going to do my best to preview each team in the league as we prepare for another epic season! Here is Part 1 of 4...

#16 Foul Balls
Captains: Jen Nardi, Nathaniel Johnson, Andreas Beyersdorf
Color: Irish Green
Spring 2011 Record: 2-10 (13th place)
All Time Record: 30-35-3
Wentworth Trophies: 1 (Spring 2009)

You take the core of Foul Balls and add to it the core of Off in the Corner, and what does that equal? Well given that both teams went a combined 2-22 last season, it probably doesn't equal a lot of wins. But you never know. Joining the Foulies are Wade Brock, Crystal Tanner, Dennis Gholson, Linzie Mechling, and Becca Stacey formally of OitC/TailGators. Individually they are all fine players with experience who are dedicated to the sport of kickball. Returning from the FB last season is Jen Nardi and Andreas Beyersdorf, both holdovers from the team's championship winning past. John Max and Nathaniel Johnson, who had good rookie seasons, are also returning. That's not necessarily going to be the nucleous for a Wentworth Trophy winning team, however, they definitely have the potential to upset some teams. Also joining the team are Brad Gault from Saved by the Balls and Francisca Cespedes and Will Schmierer who transferred from a WAKA league in Miami, Florida. The Foul Balls have some experience on the team.

Where this team will most likely excel though will be at Luckie's. The 2011 Foul Balls are about as carefree and fun as they come. What other team has ever decided to have their own theme week? (Pirate week towards the end of the season was a huge success. Especially with Nathaniel's cut off jorts.) Overall, this group has a great spirit, and regardless of what the score is on the field, they will be fun. Definitely glad that the Foulies are a part of our kickball community on the Peninsula.

For more detailed information on the Foul Balls upcoming season, be sure to check out Nathaniel Johnson's always hilarious "A Man With His (Foul) Balls" column on the blog.

#15 Jiminy Kick-Its
Captains: Brandon Accordino, Crissy Accordino, Anthony Thounhurst
Color: Maroon
Spring 2011 Record: 3-9 (12th Place)
All Time Record: 3-9
Wentworth Trophies: 0

Be sure to follow @RottenKandee on Twitter.

JKI had a fairly successful debut season in the Spring. Despite not having a single player with adult kickball experience, they managed to earn 3 wins and were competitive in many other close ones. That's not bad when you consider the fact that the Spring 2011 season may have been the most talented VA Peninsula season to date. Historically, the biggest asset to a kickball team is experience. With most of their Fall roster is carrying over from the Spring, it will be interesting to see how JKI progresses in their sophomore season, now that they know when to throw the ball, how to bunt, when to advance on the bases, who to play in what positions, etc.

We have Jiminy Kick-Its ranked at 15th though in our preseason poll though, because it's likely they will struggle to score some runs (JKI averaged 2.42 runs per game in the spring; 12th in VA Peninsula). As a look over their roster, there isn't a lot of speed that stands out, which will make baserunners come at a premium. Of course, there are names I'm not familiar with that may very well be studs, so we could be surprised (JKI has been very quiet in the preseason, with very few details being leaked from their training camp).

One other note for JKI, is a color change for the squad. Virginia Tech alumni Brandon & Crissy Accordino are excited to be rocking Hokie Maroon this Fall.

#14 New Kickheads on the Block
Captain: Amanda Hassell
Color: Navy Blue
Spring 2011 Record: 5-7 (10th Place)
All Time Record: 8-16
Wentworth Trophies: 0

NKotB founder Amanda Hassell.

NKotB came out hot in the spring, going 4-2 over the first 5 weeks of the season and looking as if they will be a contender. However, they faded down the stretch, losing 5 out of 6 games and being spanked by the Moose Knuckles in the first round of the playoffs. The fallout from the collapse has been an exodus of some of their best players. Jake Carel and Gene Efird have announced that they will be taking the spring off. Speedy charger Manny Anderson left to captain the expansion team, Kick Ass. NKotB founder Courtney Efird re-signed with her original team, the 5 O'Clockers once she hit free agency.

That's not to say that the cupboard is bare for the Kickheads. Head coach Amanda Hassell has several returning players including Dean Epps, Khalid Nelson, Meaghan Dorsey, Garret Davis, Michelle Hassell, Kristen Saunders, Drew Paxton, Larry Havard, and 1st Team All-Peninsula standout Jen Epps. With that foundation, they have added a handful of rookies to fill out the roster. The success or failure of the team may depend on how long it takes the rooks to get up to speed in a very deep and talented league.

#13 Burning Bridges
Captain: Phillip Baltzis
Color: Ice Grey
Spring 2011 Record: N/A
All-Time Record: N/A
Wentworth Trophies: 0

In the spring of 2010, Phillip Baltzis and Robert Allen competed in VA Peninsula with the team, Balls & Dolls. When the team was not able to come back to WAKA due to schedule conflicts on Wednesday nights, they started a new team in the minor leagues of kickball. Facing inferior competition, their team (I believe called "I'd Tap That") became a force in their league, culminating in a division championship in the spring. Now, looking for a new challenge (and a better customer experience) they have decided to come back to WAKA with the new team Burning Bridges. The word on the street is that Burning has been working hard to prepare thier team for the most competitive kickball league on the Peninsula. Baltzis and teammate Ryan Schmid were seen at the Spring End of Season Tournament on July 23rd scouting some of their future competition and making some notes.

"If the team resembles anything like their summe team," Lick It's head coach George Kiriazidis said recently, "then they have a solid catcher, but inconsistent play at the charger spot. They have a couple of options though, so they could have a tight interior defense if one of their recruits step up."

Lots of unknowns remain for this team, but from what we here, this will be a team to watch. Although we have them ranked at 13 on the preseason poll, we would not be surprised to see them ascend into the top 10.