by Brent Wentworth
Alex Jackson is a quiet guy by nature and as such he has a tendency to fly under the radar... At least until recently. His play has been so spectacular that the All-Peninsula voters have noticed and recognized him with a first team spot. One of the most well rounded kickballers on the scene, AJ can kick for power, lace liners for base hits, or slap grounders up third. On the base paths, Jackson's combination of elite speed and aggressiveness causes nightmares for other teams. The man always seems to take the extra base (often times home).
by Brent Wentworth
2nd Team All-Peninsula charger Gene Efird isn't the only member of the family who excells on the kickball diamond. Big sis Courtney Efird has been dropping bombs on opponents for years. Don't bring your outfield in too much when she is up to kick. She will drop it over your head.
The 5 O'Clockers had no shortage of talent with their ladies. Jillian Simms joins her teammates Nique Williams and Courtney Efird as members of the All-Peninsula teams. And while Nique was recognized for her defense and Courtney (above) was recognized for her power, Jillian brings a different strength to the field: speed and bunting ability. This combination makes Jill one of the more difficult outs in the league. I don't recall seeing her pop up a single bunt all season, so if you're going to get her out, you're going to have to make a play. And make it quick, because "The Sparrow" will fly to first in a flash!
For years, Josh Waldrop was most known for his deadly line drives and his stunningly handsome face. One thing not usually associated with him is his bunting. However, that's starting to change. As stacked as the 5 O'Clockers were following the JFK merge, one thing they lacked was a true lead off kicker. This is where Waldrop stepped up. He took over the top spot, and immediately performed at an elite level. His bunts painted the lines and his speed put him on base consistently. Waldrop ended up being one of the top run scorers in the league as the spark plug at the top of the Clocker offense.
Ca-caw! The Condor is back in the top spot again. Daniel Shaw once again turned in a performance in the Spring which demonstrates why he is penciled into the First Team All Peninsula at the beginning of the season. His scorching bowling style pitches kept kickers second guessing themselves as he powered the 5OC to the leagues best runs against average (0.8 per game). It takes more than superb pitching to earn the top spot and Shaw is a powerful line drive kicker who regularly starts 5OC rallies in the latter half of the kicking order. On top of all of this, the Condor is the consummate teammate and defensive leader on the field. A well-deserved honor for the most well respected hurler in the Peninsula.
It’s no surprise that Amanda Doolittle quickly rose to the top of the All-Peninsula ranks in just a couple seasons. Equipped with a softball background and a fiercely competitive attitude, this Pop Pop lady turned quite a few heads this season. Not only is Doolittle defensively sound, she’s a threat on offense as well. Often kicking near the top of the order, the Pop Pop offense regularly relies on Doolittle to move runners into scoring position (or get on base when they already are), a job that she does with consistent bunts down the third or first base line. In the words of Nick Schmidt, “Pop Pop’s girls are BEAST!”
Up until recent seasons, Troy Southall had been one of the better catchers WAKA VA Peninsula. The emergence of teammate Guy Sumrell into a star catcher forced 'Springa to split time between the two players behind the plate. Now, many players in this situation would have been upset, maybe pushed for more PT, or even found a new team to be the alpha dog on. But not Southall. All he did was continue to shine when given catching innings, while becoming one of the top defensive outfielders in the league. His versatility and willingness to put the team ahead of his self, helped Rumspringa finish in the top 5 of the standings in the spring. But that's probably not even the best part of Troy's game. While he was once a pure bunter and top of the lineup guy, over the last year, he's transformed into a great kick away guy, in the 4 spot. Whether it's dropping a liner in space or booming a ball deep, he can do both. Another example of Troy's continued improvement. At this point, what can't he do?
Like any good indie kid, Brad Kirby likes to downplay his kickball abilities and play up his advancing age. One glance at a Pop Pop game and even the casual observer quickly realizes that neither could be further from the truth. Brad has boyish good looks and plays with a youthful exuberance for the game. The Bradlesnake is most often seen lurking in the Pop Pop short field position waiting to strike at enemy line drives, but his brilliance comes from his ability to move up and become a second charger or float back into the outfield. Brad has a strong arm which enables him to make jaw dropping put outs from any position on the field. On offense, once again Brad's value comes from his ability to do it all. He is deadly anywhere in the lineup and can be found leading off or kicking anywhere in the order. The Clemson grad is a tiger in the tank and has earned his first All Peninsula First Team selection through another excellent season.
Clearly the voters know a great team when they see one, as Alex Noctor is one of five Pop Pop players to make the All-Peninsula first team. Noctor is the complete package: he bunts and kicks away with precision, possesses a quickness and agility that lends him to being one of the best catchers in the league, and an overall versatility that allows him to play any position on the field and kick in any position in the lineup. Not only does Noctor have great athletic ability, he’s got a great attitude as well, captaining the young Pop Pop team to a 6-3-1 finish in an increasingly difficult VA Peninsula league. Expect to see his name on the All-Peninsula teams again and expect Pop Pop to continue competing for the prestigious Wentworth Trophy ® .
Katie Litle is a mainstay on the All-Peninsula first team dating back to the old Jagernaut days. Like a fine wine, she has only gotten better throughout the years. A great defensive outfielder, consistent bunter, and powerful kicker. Over the past year, she's been working out hard at TJH captain Geoff Morehart's Jungle Gym* to add even more strength and speed to her already impressive arsenal. Simply put, there are many, many ways that she helps her team win games and kills her opponents.
*not a paid sponsor, I swear!
In his short kickball career, Dom Smith has ascended to a perennial All Peninsula First Team selection. The only thing more impressive than a mouth which never stops moving is the league's most powerful arm which enables Dom to make any throw on the field. In addition, Dom has a unique offensive skill set which allows him the ability to both lead off and kick clean up for Pop Pop. He represents a unique talent which is nearly impossible to counter on the kickball field and is the future of WAKA VA Peninsula.
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