VA Raptor - Season Preview: Peninsula Pounders

Peninsula Pounders
Captains: John LaNeave & Katie Litle
Color: Royal Blue

Holy s**t, this team has some talent.

Towards the end of the Fall 2011 VA Peninsula season, John LaNeave, Katie Litle, and Brent Wentworth (3rd Person Alert) came together and decided to form a new team, filled with the most talented kickballers on the Peninsula, with the goal of traveling to several tournaments across the country and competing against the best squads in the country. The call went out and the recruiting began. The Peninsula Pounders were born.

And what a job recruiting the Pounders did. Among the 20 person roster, there are 16 players who earned 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Team All-Peninsula honors by their peers in the Fall. The defense is anchored by P Daniel Shaw, Ch's Wes McClain, Scott Duncan, C Kevin Gitkos, and 1B Allen Walker, Dan Moore, and Matt "The Experience" Barcus.

Offensively, there is a great mixture of speed and power. Moore, Thomas "Juice" Welch, John LaNeave, and "Shit Kan" Tommy Zuppke should set the table for the powerful line drive kickers Kim "Silver Bush" Merritt, McClain, Duncan, Walker, Barcus, and Wentworth. With as many dangerous weapons up and down their lineup, the Pounders are going to put a lot of pressure on any defense.

Colby, Koricich, LaNeave, and Wentworth look to bring some championship
pedigree to the Pounders in the inaugural season of VA Raptor.

And I can't finish this recap without mentioning the females on the team. Nicole Plesha. Nikki LeBlanc. Katie Litle. Kim Koricich. Erin Welch. Julie Kittelson. Jillian Simms. Tracy Colby. Damn. That's a murderers row of lady kickballers.

But don't go crowning the Pounders yet. Not only are their several talented teams in the league, but you have to remember, this team is comprised of the best players from JFK, Shake N Bake, the Jagernauts, Battlestar, Lick It, VD, and the 5 O'Clockers. As superstars they are accustomed to playing the majority of the innings for their Wednesday night clubs. With 20 players, the Pounders have the biggest roster in VA Raptor. How will the team handle splitting time every Saturday? Will this lead to conflict among the team?

Unlikely. The team is focused this winter on continuing to develop their team chemistry on and off the field. They have larger goals and the team's attitude is overwhelmingly positive. Look for the Peninsula's finest to Pound some ass this season!

Team chemistry.