VA Raptor - Season Preview: JFK

by Bryan "NoShoes" Moore

Just For Kicks

Team color: Charcoal Grey
Captains: Bryan Freed and Bryan Moore (NoShoes)

The Kickball Bros.

During the Fall season, old friends Bryan and Bryan felt the need to bring back that kickball lovin' feeling, specifically, the feeling of "family". To understand this particular "family", one has to go back to JFK's roots.

Freed, James Wilcox, JC Cashwell, Eric Stevens, Mikey Buckman, Noelle Walsh, and Moore have been a close knit group of friends and teammates since their days together on the south side team of the 3rd String All Stars. The 3rd String All Stars was a team formed to travel to kickball tournaments across the country, much like our own Peninsula Pounders. Captained by Moore and Wilcox, 3rd String played on the more competitive WAKA south side against the likes of Panik Attack, The Situation, and The Core.


JFK began as a team in another league on the Southside, playing on Ft. Story, in a less competitive atmosphere than WAKA. Stevens chose the name, stud talent Joey Smith was added, and goof off fun was to be had for all. Two seasons later, JFK migrated to the Peninsula and the franchise was born. Under the guidance of Freed, JFK quickly grew into one of the best (and beloved) teams the Peninsula had ever seen, only ever in the shadow of The Emperor's Club (VIPs).

JFK from the VA Peninsula Spring 2010 season. Great shirts!

This winter, JFK lost quite a few of its most talented players to the Peninsula Pounders. Stalwarts Cashwell and Buckman preferred to take the season off due to their dislike for the cold. How would Freed "fill those holes" and get back that "family feeling"? Freed, Wilcox, Walsh, Moore, and Stevens began heavily recruiting in the off season, formed what might be one of the most impressive JFK rosters to date.

Let's list the boys: From previous JFK seasons, 1st team catcher Stevens, veteran Freed, speedster Cregan Brady and powerhouse Will Monroe join the winter roster.  Moore, Wilcox, and Smith return to the fold after their stint with Vicious and Delicious. Rumspringa stud player Ricky Holmes was brought on. Veteran Southside player Bobby Pace joins the fun, and Jager's Alden Lawrence brings his line drives to the party. The icing on the cake? Randy Devlin of (VIP and 5OC fame) brings his astounding skill set to the table.

Many opponents will seek to exploit the girls of JFK and will leave disappointed. This is a VERY talented group of women. Rumspringa's standout in Kecia Warner will be out there picking off your pop ups. 5oClocker Courtney Efird will tag you out when you attempt that 1st to 3rd play, and she'll kick a liner with bases loaded for multiple RKIs. Noelle Walsh, a lead off kicker in her own right, will consistently get on base and make her trademark miraculous snags on defense. April Moore might be the best bunter on the team. Newcomers Rachel White and Jackie Togno will surprise you with their speed and preternatural understanding of the game.

So, what might you expect to see in the field when you face JFK? JFK has 4 experienced right handed pitchers in Moore, Smith, Wilcox, and Monroe. Catching duties are anchored by Stevens, Devlin, and Smith. Chargers include Holmes, Wilcox, Devlin, Moore, and Smith. 1st base has the sure hands and 1st to 3rd throw of Monroe, Wilcox, Moore, and Holmes. The deep outfield has the speed of Pace, Lawrence, Freed, and Brady. The girls are ready for anything you kick at them. Plenty of mixing and matching on defense will occur during regular season play to give everyone fair playing time. How can this defense be overcome? Look for errors, execute at the plate, and keep your base running smart.

JFK will topple you with speed. Every man on the roster, with the exception of Monroe and Lawrence, has been a lead off for their team. Every girl has excellent foot skills and will surprise all but the most experienced teams. How can you stop this offense? You better have a good bunt defense, because this team will use their mastery of the small ball game to get runners on, set them up in scoring position, and kick a liner to score runs. How potent is the JFK offense? JFK scored 8 runs by the 3rd inning on the league favorite, the Peninsula Pounders, to start off the season!

At the bar, JFK will do their best to be merry and spread the love to all. There comes a time when it's best to drop the competitiveness and party like it's 1999! The team loves the Peninsula division and enjoys a few brews after the games. It's just kickball, right?

JFK looks forward to spending time with the new "family", on and off the field. Remaining supportive of one another, even in the face of adversity, is very important to team morale and one of the reasons that JFK remains a strong franchise on the VA Peninsula.

-NoShoes

Side note: Many of the JFK members, new and old, will be on hand in Chesapeake this Saturday to wish NoShoes a happy birthday at Mike Buckman's party house.