Off Season News & Notes - 8.7.2011

Lots of movement going on this season, so let's get caught up on some news and notes from all around the Peninsula.

Battlestar Splits into two Teams; Free Ballin' and Super Best Friends Club
After coming on late in the season, and nearly pulling a first round upset against the Jagernauts, it was surprising to see the Battlestar break off into two separate squad. Jon Pilz and Mary Katherine Evans-Hogg were the catalysts to the split, deciding to go their own way and form Free Ballin'. Joining them from the Ballsacktica team is David "D-Bizzle" Baum and 1st Team All Peninsula team member Lisa Rock. Meanwhile, Andy Tapley is continuing on with the BB squad, now rebranded as the Super Best Friends Club. The majority of the team is returning to SBFC, including Nicole Plesha, Michael "The Machine" Machie, Philip Tanner, Erin Herring, Joe Stumpo, Peter Kuhr, Stephanie Wacek, Steven Sherman, and Alison Easterday. Certainly they will miss the contributions of Pilz, Baum, Evans, and Rock, but they still have a very good nucleus to rebuild on. In fact, the rebuilding has already started as SBFC has come to terms with former SbtB OF Bethany Show for the Fall 2011 season.

MKEH and Tapley are going their separate ways.

Pilz Moved to Disabled List With Torn Knee Ligaments; Out For Season
Free Ballin's Jonathan Pilz was supposed to be undergoing a minor scope of his knee last week, when doctors found major damage to the ligaments in his knee. Pilz underwent microfracture surgery to repair the knee and the doctors estimate that he will be physically unable to perform for anywhere between 4-8 months. Reports indicate that Pilz has already begun his rehab with the Free Ballin' training staff, and is working hard at being ready to go for the Spring 2012 season.

Shakin' and Bakin' 
Battlestar Ballsacktica isn't the only team that has a group branching off. Shortly after the season ended, the Chubby Gangsters' Jeffrey Scott, AJ Derr, and Tracy Colby announced plans to create a new team, named Shake N Bake. In a very short amount of time, they've been able to recruit a lot of very talented kickballers to the squad. From the now defunct Moose Knuckles team SnB has picked up Justin Blair, Nick Anderson, and Jiselle Anderson. They've also acquired the services of a trio of former VIPs; Brent Wentworth (3rd Person Alert!), and 1st Team All-Peninsula members John LaNeave and Patrick Jones. Also joining the team is Nina Richardson, who comes from Battlestar Ballsacktica, and another 1st Team AP team member, Kim Koricich. Certainly, this is a team that is going to be one to watch. Especially since reports are, they are not done making moves.

Scott and Derr. 

Chubby Gangsters Looking For Players? 
In addition to the departure of Scott, Colby, and Derr, the Gangbangers are going to be without the services of many of their longtime players in the Fall. Melissa Rarick, Emily Cook, and Erika Chacra are among those who will not be available this season due to school obligations. Their lack of proper life priorities has the CG captain Buster Patterson searching for players to fill the holes. After breaking through the glass ceiling of the league by posting a franchise high 10-2 record, and coming within a game of the finals, it's going to be a hard road to repeat that success given the challenges the Gangbangers face with staffing.

"I've got a core to hold us together," Patterson said in a recent interview, "but we're going to probably fall short of 18."

If you're interested in playing with the Chubby Gangsters for the Fall, please contact Buster.

Race for Free Agent Roger Jackson Heating Up
1st Team All-Peninsula catcher Roger Jackson is the most highly coveted player on the market this season. It's rumored that a number of teams including the VIPs, VD, Shake N Bake, and Foul Balls are in talks with the superstar two time Wentworth Trophy winner. When asked recently how it felt to be the most sought after player in the league, Jackson replied, "It sucks actually, because I don't know what I want to do yet."

Bundy would love nothing more than to welcome Jackson to VD.

Rumors of the VIPs* demise have been greatly exaggerated
Earlier this offseason, there was speculation that The Emperors Club would be disbanding, however, that has not been the case. After parting ways with Wentworth, LaNeave, Jones, and charger Anthony Williams, George Kiriazidis has hit the recruiting trail hard. He's brought on a handful of athletes to fill the gaps, while bringing back several members of the team, including Lorraine Adkins, Lori Medford, Thomas "Juice" Welch, Erin Welch, and Amy Lowe. Perhaps the biggest acquisition of the off-season has been the resigning of standout utility player Matt Martin. Martin, who played with the VIPs in 2010, is a five tool player who can play at an elite level at catcher, charger, first base, and outfield.

Certainly, the VIPs (which I will continue to call them that until they officially change their name) will continue to be a force to contend with in VA Peninsula kickball.

**Correction: The current team with the temporary name "I Dunno" has no affiliation with The Emperors Club. Despite having some similar players, in respect to their wishes, they will enter the records as a completely new "expansion" team. So, uh, I guess the rumors of the VIPs disbanding are true... 

*The club has announced that they will be changing names this season. At this point, the players are currently weighing their options and expect to come to a consensus on the new name soon.

Lowe has been very instrumental in the rebuilding process. She has
recruited several players from another kickball organization to the VIPs.

That's all the news and notes for today. If you have any ideas or tips for future additions of the column, please e-mail me at brent@kickball.com.

Only a few more weeks until we hit the fields! Can't wait for the biggest and best season yet!