Summer Midcore Kickball at U-Dist Playfield T/Th

SUM[09] Midcore Kickball at U-Dist Playfield T/Th

Champs

 

  Kick and Jiggle

Back To Back Jigglin'!

Current RRS Champions Kick and Jiggle Prevail in a Nail Biter over Kicks Are For Kids

The final four were the right four; smart, veteran teams who kept their cool and played the game right. There were no meltdowns, mental mistakes, or emperors with no clothes. Each team played their best game in their quest for glory... and they did it all in 90 degree heat.

The day started off with a good game between Thunder Thighs and Kick and Jiggle. Kick and Jiggle, fresh off their Red Rubber Showdown championship came out cool and confident. Thunder Thighs kept it close till the end, but Kick and Jiggle had just a little more in every department- a little more kicking and a little better fielding- and they were able to pull out the win 6-3.

Turner and Hoochies kept their game with Kicks are For Kids close in early innings, but while the two teams were on par with their fielding, it was the Kicks superior firepower that made the difference. A well placed grand slam by the Kicks in middle innings was the real difference maker, and while the Hoochies made some waves with what could have been an improbable rally at the top of the 7th inning, they ultimately fell short, losing 9-5.

The stage was set- the two best teams all season were to meet in the championship, both teams with championship experience.
And the game did not disappoint.
Defense was key throughout in a low scoring affair. Defense defense defense. Both teams played each other well and had to manufacture runs out of thin air, getting base runners with bunts or infield singles, and then only scoring them on tag ups from outfield flies.
Kick and Jiggle was able to jump out 2-0 early on, but the lead never seemed a sure thing, and as the game went on, and Kicks are for Kids narrowed it to 2-1 and then tied it at 2 late, the question became: who would crack first?

The turning point came late in the game. After finally tying it up, Kicks are For Kids looked like the had all the momentum and were poised to take their first lead, when Kick and Jiggle pitcher Matt Otten single-handedly changed the game. With a runner on first, a short pop-bunt to the left infield looked as if it might bounce out foul... until Matt made a diving catch on his back and then from his knees doubled up the runner at one, who was sure (as just about everyone else was) that there was no way he was going to catch it.
Now, going into the top of the 7th after an unbelievable play, Kick and Jiggle had all the momentum back, and they were able to capitalize by tacking on two runs. In the bottom of the 7th, it was desperation, do-or-die time for Kicks are For Kids. Down two, the bases were juiced with two outs as their captain came up to kick. It looked like Kick and Jiggle could break out the champagne as the kicker booted a high pop up to the infield, but then... DROP. TWO RUNS SCORE. EXTRA INNINGS.

While that could have been the mental death blow for Kick and Jiggle, they kept their composure in the top of the 8th, scoring their extra base runner to pull ahead by 1. Again, Kicks are for Kids were up against it in their half. A great catch in the outfield by Courtney Thorne held Kicks' extra runner at second and got the first out. Two more consecutive infield pop-ups and this time, there were no drops; Kick and Jiggle had sealed their victory for another championship.

Congratulations on a well earned victory, Jigglers!