What is this Blog?

This Blog is the online home for members of the WAKA Kickball leagues in Tampa, Florida. Players can come here to view the latest information on the division, make comments and talk trash to their competitors.


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Do's and Don'ts

Hey kids,  Bayshore now has 2 weeks in the books in the season and everyone looks to be having a great time.  It is however time to do a little bit of a recap of the do's and don'ts of the league.

Reffing:
Don't:

  • Don't wonder off in the middle of the game to try to pick up members of the opposite sex. We appreciate your drive but that's what MacDinton's is for.
  • Don't talk or text on your phone. Please pay attention when you ref. The number one complaint we hear about refs is when refs are just not paying attention. You want refs to pay attention in games that you play so you should pay attention when you ref.
  • Don't congregate as a group. Besides not paying attention, when there are too many people standing around "reffing" it can make it unclear to the teams playing who the actual ref is. It happens more often than it should where 3 or more people are reffing 1st or third and on a close play there may be a couple of different calls made. If you ref 2nd base, sorry, you are on your own. Friends gathering out there just get in the way of outfielders

Do:

  • Download an app. If you have an iphone or android phone you can dowload an app that helps keep track of balls, strikes, fouls outs, innings scores and even game time. The iphone app is called iRef - Kickball and the android app is called Kickball Ref Pro. They are both 99 cents and they are both worth it. If you are on your phone during a game, it should be for using one of these apps only. 
  • Read the rulebook. Kickball rules aren't terribly complicated. What's best is that they are available for free online. WAKA's website has the Kickball Rules and a Rules FAQ and everyone should read both documents. This is especially true for anyone who has come over from another league as different leagues have slightly different rules. There is nothing more entertaining than arguing a call with someone who is quoting a rule from another league. Keep in mind that in our league, since we have the luxury of extra time on the fields we play 6 innings, not 5. 
  • Be on time for games. This one should be a no brainer but in addition to yourself being on time, its also good to try to get the game started on time and get the game pace picked up if its taking too long. Our lights automatically turn off at 9:30pm so if the early games gets delayed and pushes back the late game, its possible that the late game might have to be cut off. Be responsible and respectful. 
On Field Stuff:
Don't:
  • Don't bring glass botttles. Glass bottles are a big big no no. If your team brings them, they may be confiscated and your team could face a forfeit.
  • Don't bring exposed cases of beer or leave cans on the ground. We shouldn't see any alcoholic beverage containers on the field.
  • Don't leave cigarette butts in the grass. This is a bigger problem for some teams than others. If you must smoke while playing, don't throw your cigarettes in the grass. Remember that the fields are primarily used by the Police Athletic League program's children during the day and they try to teach the kids that smoking is bad. Don't be a bad example for the kids by littering their field. 
  • Don't go streaking. OK so maybe even bringing this up is asking for trouble but there is a good reason for mentioning it. I guess you might think its a good idea but keep in mind that sometimes the PAL building is rented out for kid's birthday parties. You don't really want to spend the rest of your life being court ordered to introduce yourself to your neighbors and warn them about yourself, do you?
  • Don't pee in the bushes. Gentleman, we know you that the good Lord has blessed you with equipment that allows you to go wherever you want, but that doesn't mean you should. The concession stand building has perfectly fine working bathrooms with real running water and we have a port-a-pottie for those of you near field B so you don't have to walk far. 
Do:
  • Pour your sports beverages into non-see-through solo cups. We realize you can work up a thirst playing kickball and most of you quench that thirst by drinking a lot of apple juice or interesting new flavors  and colors of Gatorade. Just keep it in the solo cups. We don't want to be showing off our favorite adult sports beverage brands to the neighbors. 
  • Pick up your trash. Every season we have some difficulties with this with some new teams and players. Remember that it is a privilege to be allowed to use the PAL Fields. Leave the fields at least as clean as you left them. Keep a box of trash bags in the trunk of your car, just in case. 
  • Be Respectful.  Fields in this town are hard to get and we've been very fortunate to have a great relationship with PAL. Always keep in mind that the field is used by kids everyday after school and during the day over the Summer months.
  • Pick up bases. If you team plays the late game and loses, make sure to pick up all of the bases, cones and ball and bring them back to the bleacher area. Don't forget the pitcher's strip. Many a strip have fallen victim to an undiscriminating lawn mower blade because someone forgot to pick it up the night before. 
  • Help people remember the rules. We don't need you to be a NARC but this is a community so help your other communities to remember the do's and don'ts so they don't do something stupid that gets the rest of us in trouble. 
At the Bar:
Don'ts:
  • Don't get into fights. This should be pretty self explanatory but if you were at the bar around 11:30 or midnight or so last week you saw a pretty epic battle royale between a couple of dudes(non kickballers thankfully). They were probably arguing about which one's girlfriend makes the dumbest looking duckface on her facebook profile pic but MacDinton's security is pretty professional and doesn't mess around.
  • Don't drink and drive. This is generally pretty sound advice even if not on a kickball night. Yes, kickballers do get DUIs, don't let it happen to you. Designate a driver, take a cab, stay at a friend's or move within walking distance of MacDinton's. 
Do's:
  • Tip your servers. The staff at MacDinton's does a great job. Thursday nights are pretty hectic and they are running around like crazy behind the bar. Dollar beer night makes for a cheap night of drinking so try to tip based on the service, not just a percentage of your tab. If you are smart you will develop a favorite bartender who will eventually spot you in a crowd and take care of you quickly.
  • Meet other teams. This may be the best thing you can do overall so don't just limit it to your bar experience. In some sports leagues you meet only the people on your own team. With WAKA Kickball you have an opportunity to meet a ton of people from all different teams. Don't be shy, say hello. If you want to talk trash on the field, that's ok, just follow it up by sharing a beer and some friendly conversation at MacDinton's afterwards. 

Monday, February 13, 2012

Trash is Bad, Smoking is Bad, MmKay

Well, for the most part week one went off without a hitch. We did have some trash issues though. Remember to pick up all of your trash at the field. Its usually a pretty smart idea to get a cheap box of trash bags and leave them in the trunk of your car for kickball nights. Our biggest trash issue last week was all of the cigarette butts that were left in the grass. If you are going to smoke, please make sure to dispose of your butts responsibly. Remember, the fields are utilized by kids during the day so lets make sure to leave the fields looking at least as good when we leave as they do when we show up. Thanks, everyone!


Love and WAKA Kickball

So tomorrow is Valentines Day. If you are looking for it, WAKA Kickball is a pretty good place to find someone for developing a meaningful relationship or you know... whatever. There are at least a few couples that met through kickball in our Tampa leagues. We have actually been to social events expos where dating services came up to us and loved the dating potential that kickball provided. So if you find someone special this season, congratulations and your welcome.


Of course, if you are looking for something a little bit more short term, we also have this important document.

Breaker still open for registration (but not for long)

The Thursday night Bayshore League has started play but we still have a little bit of time before Tuesday night Breaker starts up. We know that there are a lot of you procrastinators out there but we have to place our t-shirt order on Friday of this week, which means you need to be signed up by Thursday.

If you play in Bayshore and you had fun on Thursday, be sure to tell all of your friends and get them to play on Tuesdays. If you are a returning player from Tuesday and you haven't signed up yet...



Beginners Guide to Bayshore Teams

The Bayshore League is back with 16 teams this Spring and we realize that it is impossible to get to know every team after just one week. Hell its probably impossible to get to know all 16 teams in just one season. So here is our slightly less than accurate run down on each team.

The Old Guard
These teams have been with us for what seams like forever, since before the dawn of time and recorded history (or at least for 2 years or more).
  • Balls N Dolls - Black
Balls N Dolls is always an entertaining team to have in the league. When they decide to show up they can be pretty dominant but they are also the most likely to forfeit. To many of their players are too busy doing Crossfit or P90X to be bothered with kickball. Without fail, during the playoffs they will have a couple of players show up who have hardly showed all season but look like finely performance enhanced atheletes, and an opponent will ask for a roster check to verify that they are in fact signed up for the team.
  • Off Constantly - Royal Blue
This was my team for many many seasons. In the time I played for them we never had a winning season. The season after I left they went undefeated. I try not to take that personally. Last Spring they took a season off but came back soon after and are defending Playoff Champions. Their defense is solid and their offense is explosive
  • Pick Me Up - Irish Green
Some of the players on this team go as far back as the 2nd season in the Bayshore league. Back when they first started playing kickball they had't even invented the Android or iPhone yet and had to run 5 miles in between each base, uphill, in the snow, barefoot. Their experience shows on the field as they play smart.
  • Camel Toes 5.0 - Pink
The Camel Toes are easy to spot. They are loud and boisterous and usually in some sort of costume. In at least one game this season one person will be in a Gumby costume and no one will be quite sure who it is. If you are lucky enough to be on this team, we hope you have some sort of discount to a costume shop.


The Veterans
These guys have been around long enough to know the drill but not as long as the old guard.
  • 1.21 Kickawatts - Light Blue
You may better know them by their old name, I Need a Refill. Ok so its not exactly the same team as they do have a lot of new people this season, a new name and a new captain but the core of the team is the same.  In their previous form they were one of the toughest teams to beat but for some reason could never bring home the playoff championship.
  • Your Balls My Foot - Red
If history is any indicator, these guys do better when hardly anyone shows up and they just barely escape forfeit. They will try to distract you by leading off the first inning with some of the prettiest girls in kickball and then when you are too busy checking them out, Big Erik will kick the ball over everything.
  • Ballsagna - Navy
This was a brand new team last year, wearing bright orange t-shirts but this year they decided to change to Navy and hope to improve on their 4-4 record from last season.


The Converts
The players from these teams are mostly new to the Bayshore league but used to play (or in some cases also still play) in the Tuesday night Breaker League.
  • Gettin Kicky With It - Forest Green
Technically a brand new team but lots of veterans from Tuesday night's 99 Problems and Guttersnipes teams. They have a tough schedule so anything can happen but don't expect an easy victory when facing them. (at least I hope not since I'm on that team).
  • Where My Pitches At - Purple
They were new to the Breaker League last year and had a rough go at it. They started their kickball careers by losing by a combined 35-0 after 3 games. They made the switch to Thursday nights hoping that the Bayshore teams are a little easier on them.
  • We've got the Runs - White
Another team that decided that they might have better luck playing on Thursdays. Last season in Breaker they were 3-5 but rode a 2 game win streak into the end of the season.


The Rookies
Since they are new, we don't really know an awful lot about these teams other than their team names. We welcome them all to the league.
  • Don't Come on My Base - Charcoal
We will let the name speak for itself here.
  • 2 Legit to Kick - Maroon
They are clearly a bunch of hard core MC Hammer fans. We can't wait to see them dance. The music hits them so hard, makes them say "oh My Lord, Thank you for blessing me with a mind to rhyme and two hype feet" (Yes I know that's a different song but, sadly, the lyrics to 2 Legit to Quit are as forgettable as MC Hammer).
  • Balls Deep - Orange
This is one of the most popular team names around WAKA Nation but we haven't seen a Balls Deep in Tampa in a few years. Ironically enough, the last manifestation of Balls Deep almost never kicked the ball deep and in fact, had difficulty scoring.
  • I'd Hit It - Ice Gray
Another blast from the past name not related to the old team by the same name in the Breaker League.
  • Ron Burgundy and the Channel 4 News Team - Texas Orange
Love the name. We are slightly curious if the pungent aroma of Sex Panther Cologne can be an effective aphrodisiac at closing time at MacDinton's.
  • Lil' Moe With the Gimpy Leg - Gold
We are a little unsure of the name but we believe its an extremely obscure Home Alone 2 reference. If that is where they get the team name, we are slightly concerned about this team's obsession with Macaulay Culkin. 


For a look at the history of the league, be sure to check out the league archive section on the League webpage.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Back In Action

After a long hiatus, holidays, pirate fests and the rest, we are back in action and looking forward to our new seasons. If you haven't already done so, remember to like us on facebook.

We will try to keep you as up to date on what is going on in our seasons but to check the latest important dates, schedule and standings be sure to check out the webpages for our Thursday night Bayshore League or our Tuesday night Breaker League.

Now on to some exciting WAKA Kickball Fun.