Spring 2012 All-Peninsula 3rd Team

With the Spring 2012 campaign in the rear view mirror, it’s time to look back at the players who stood out as being the best of the best. Over 290 players competed this season, and only 33 of them will have the honor of being selected by their peers to the 3 All-Peninsula teams! Let’s take a look at the 3^rd team first!

Few lady kickballers can match the all around natural talents of Jiselle Anderson. The Moose Knuckler has exceptional speed, awareness, and foot skills. She can do it all! No surprise that a former D-1 soccer player (University of Alabama) would go on to have as much success as Anderson has on the kickball field.

When longtime Clocker catcher Adam Flowers announced his retirement in the offseason, this lead to a big hole for Clocker’s captain Britney Travis to fill. The 5OC had assembled perhaps their most talented team to date, but without a reliable catcher, they’re goal of once again hoisting The Wentworth Trophy® would be hard to achieve. However, Britney and some of her teammates were aware of the situation they faced (get it?) and reached out to a longtime southside standout, Curtis Faubion, inviting him to join their team. While this was Curtis’ first season in VA Peninsula, he was by no means a rookie. He’s been playing for years in the leagues down in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake and is a member of the nationally ranked Situation travel team. What Curtis brought was a solid defensive presence behind the plate, precision bunting, and speed on the base paths. He not only filled the gap at the catcher spot, but proved to be the missing piece of the puzzle, leading the Clockers to their 2nd ever VA Peninsula championship.

Josh Joyner patrols the outfield, covering lots of ground and making it difficult to kick away against the Bridges. But his D isn't the only area that Joyner stands out with. His captain Phillip Baltzis said, "Oh, his defense is always superb, but his kicking has improved so much that we used him in the 3 slot of the kicking order." Joyner produced there, using nice bunts, good speed, and accurate line drives to move runners and reach base. "He has really grown this year," Baltzis added. 

Very few players can match Wes McClain’s skills on either side of the ball. He is the total package. Like a fine wine, he just keeps getting better with age. Everyone knows that he is a threat anytime he’s up at the players that strike fear into every opposing defense. But in addition to the lasers he kicks all around the field, McClain has developed into an elite charger with an A+ arm. Many would be safe bunters have been shocked after one of Wes’ patented soccer style slingshots beat them to first. 

Kim Morgan has really made a name for herself over the past two seasons for the Burning Bridges. A veteran kickballer from other organizations, Morgan shows a strong knowledge and passion for the sport. She's adept at moving runners around the bases and has perhaps one of the best consistent line drive punches in the league. But what turns heads around the league is what she does out in right field for the Bridges. "Kim is a defensive stud," captain Phillip Baltzis said recently, "I've never seen her drop a ball that she can get her hands on."

The story of the 2012 Clockers and their ascension to the top can't be told without talking about Jeff Pauley. He's probably the truest definition of the term 'Utility Player' as he excelled at several positions this season. Pauley saw innings in the outfield, charger, pitcher, and catcher (reports are he's working on 1st base this summer to completely round out his skillset). Jeff's versatility was crucial to the Clockers success, as they would always be prepared to fill any gap left by unavailable players due to travel or injury. A quick athlete with good bunting skills and a solid kicker. Pauley also gave the Clockers some speed on the base paths throughout the spring. 

The Clockers had one of the most dominant defenses in the league, only allowing 1.8 runs allowed per game (if you exclude the 5 run penalty for their forfeit, it was 1.44 rapg). One of the main reasons for the impressive performance was the consistency of pitcher Dan Reyes. Reyes mixes his speed and movement on his pitches very well, keeping opposing kickers off balance. This leads to many pop ups and off target bunts that leave kickers frustrated. Perhaps Reyes’ biggest strength though is his ability to field his position. With his quickness and agility off the mound, it’s like having a 2nd charger out there. Reyes brought his A game each week, and pitched an overwhelming majority of the innings for the Clockers, including just about all of the innings during the four games they played in the tourney. The end result was a Wentworth Trophy® for the 5 O’Clockers!

Allen Walker is one of the most dangerous kickers in the game. Especially when the game is on the line. On more than one occasion, Walker has come up big in the clutch, driving in runs. The Clockers went the entire season without losing a game on the field, and many of those games were close ones. Allen is a difference maker in the clean up spot, producing runs. Walker is one of the most tenured kickballers in VA Peninsula, having played continuously since the Fall of 2007. In his 10th season, it turned out to be a memorable one. He earned another All-Peninsula spot, his first Wentworth Trophy®, while celebrating the birth of his first child! I'd say Mr. Walker is enjoying a hot streak! 

Kecia Warner is more than just an asset to Rumspringa's Bar Buzz aspirations (although, she does pretty well in that regards). She's developed into a very well rounded player. Don't take my word for it though. I recently caught up with 3 Up 3 Down commentator and 'Springa teammate, Matt Wellbrock. "Kecia is one of those players you love to have on the team. I'm always confident in her abilities offensively and defensively when the ball comes her way to make a play when needed. She's a true asset to Rumspringa, and one of their main keys to their success" Wellbrock continued, "Anytime I rifle the ball at her at 3rd base I have no doubt she's going to catch it, unless I mess up and throw it 4 feet over her head."

Shake N Bake's Erin Welch has worked very hard over the past 2 years to improve her game. Finally, the league has taken notice as they voted her into one of the All-Peninsula teams. Offensively, Erin lays down crisp bunts consistently down the 3rd base line, that give chargers a challenge. Many players, myself included, wish they had her foot skills. But don't make the mistake of thinking she's a one trick pony at the plate. Late in the season, she added a deadly line drive kick to her arsenal. All in all, she's a great player who is deserving of the recognition. We'll miss her next season as she transfers to the Northern Virginia WAKA scene in the Fall. 

The Juice was on the loose all Spring. Thomas Welch joins his wife on the 3rd Team All-Peninsula team. The sure handed outfielder has some of the best instincts in the field, tracking balls effortlessly off the foot of the kicker. On offense, Thomas Welch was one of the catalysts of the high powered SnB attack. Kicking either leadoff or 2nd, Juice held it down. Getting on base and scoring very consistently. He scored the most runs for a team that lead the league in runs scored. 


There you have it! The 3rd Team All-Peninsula team! Stay tuned for the 2nd Team announcement on Monday!