In what some are arguing was the most highly anticipated matchup in NY Kickball ever, Dumpster Fire took the field against Lock It Up last night to do battle in the NY Star Fall Classic.
What followed was a battle of Star proportions. Our man Coach Chris submitted his write-up early this morning. Have at it!!
This week featured the regular season match up of the season, Dumpster Fire (“DF”) versus Lock it Up (“LIU”). The game was being dubbed by many as “The NY Star Fall Classic.” The game was so big that Michael Buffer contacted the league on Monday night to perform his “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble” before the start of the game. Unfortunately, on such short notice the league was unable to get the appropriate permits and sound system.
This game reminded some people of game 7 of the 2003 America League Championship Series between the Yankees and the Red Sox. For one hour on Tuesday night, the Lower East Side was transformed into the South Bronx. Leading up to the game DF was wondering who would take the mound for LIU. As the visiting team, DF found out real quick that their old teammate Steve Skalockitup would be starting on the mound for LIU. Steve mowed down DF in order in the top of the 1st. In the bottom of the inning, ace pitcher Karl Pawlewicz had a relatively easy time posting three outs. In the second, Steve got two quick outs before the Hoboken duo of Chris Rabidou and Marquis Scott reached base for the first two hits of the night. With two on and two out, Steve squashed any DF hope of scoring a run in the second. In the bottom of the second, LIU threatened but came away empty. In the third, both pitchers got out of the inning unscaved.
In the top of the fourth, Steve was starting to look a little tired on the mound and DF was finally starting to get their bunts down. Chris Ruiz and Nate Poeschl both reached base to start the inning. After recording the first out of the inning, J-Hard had a huge sacrifice that went unnoticed by the casual kickball fan. With two on and two outs, the LIU brain trust made a Grady Little type trip to the mound. Were they going to make a pitching change or were they discussing what to do with Duane Pena? In the end, they kept Steve in and chose to walk Duane. Now bases were loaded, with 2 outs and Allison “Aaron Boone” Willis coming to the plate. On Monday, there was talk on the Kickbal365 message board as to who would be the MVP of this game. It should be noted that Allison did not receive a single vote. With ice water running through her veins, she kicked a line drive that scored two runs giving DF the lead. Duane and Nate both made great heads up base running decisions on that play.
In the bottom of the inning, LIU showed fight. With one out, LIU executed two perfect bunts before DF recorded the second out of the inning. With two on and two outs, it appeared that this was going to be a mirror image of the top of the inning. DF chose to walk their lead off kicker bringing up a very interesting at bat.
Bases loaded, two outs, and now you have the face of DF versus the face of LIU. Two players that generate the most revenue for the NY Star league in t-shirt sales were facing off with the game on the line. Jared proceeded to ground out to third ending the threat.
In the top of the 5th, Karl and Rabidou would both reach base and later score – Karl off a perfect sac bunt from Amy BonFire; Rabidou off a laser of a kick to LF from Pancakes – to put the final nail in the LIU coffin. It was final, DF 4 LIU 0. Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! The game featured great defense by J-Hard, Dematas, Brian Piechowicz, and Marquis.
