B.I.A. Shares Another Title

Balls In Action would split their final two games, losing to Kickballas 5-4, then defeating Brews On First 3-1, to clinch their third championship, however sharing it in a three way tie with both opponents.

Even Mother Nature wanted to see these two games, as rain had been predicted throughout the day, but in the end, games were on and B.I.A. tried to extend their 8-0 record.  Kickballas, having one the game before against Houston Taggers, would finish their season 9-1 as they would defeat B.I.A. in a game that saw two crucial lead changes.  Scott would pinpoint where the team went wrong.

"What killed us was the errors.  We committed to many and they definitely capitalized on it."

With the loss, and a Brews On First victory later that night, Balls In Action, at best, would split the championship three ways with a victory over Brews On First.  With that being aware to B.I.A., their wasn't anything that could have stopped them from redeeming themselves in their final game of the season.  Two triples by Chance, who would finish the season as the team's kicking champion (.882), would be more than enough as Balls In Action finished their season with a team best 9-1 record with a 3-1 victory over Brews On First. 

"Better to be tri-champions then no champions," pointed out Scott.  "We bounced back against a tough team and claimed a share of what we worked so hard for."

A pattern seems to loom over Balls In Action.  Their first championship was won solely during the 2009 Fall season, a co-championship with Balls N' Dolls during the 2010 Spring II season, and now a tri-championship to end the 2010 Summer season.

B.I.A. Awaits An Epic Battle

Tonight, Balls In Action will face their toughest night of kickball since the team's inception back in the winter of 2007.  To stand on top of the mountain, victorious, they will have to go through two tough opponents. 

Both games are must wins for B.I.A., who will take on Kickballas first.  Their 7-1 record demands two victories tonight, just to keep their chances alive.  The two teams have never played each other before, so this game (7:30pm, Field #2) will be interesting.  The final game of the season for B.I.A. and Brews on First will be at 9:30pm, and will likely determine the championship.  Both teams begin tonight undefeated at 8-0 and both will most likely face off undefeated.  This game (9:30pm, Field #2) will pit two tough defenses and two power kicking teams, which will make it anyone's championship.  B.I.A. has a 2-0 lead all-time against Brews on First, an 11-4 extra inning victory, as well as a 9-5 victory, both during the 2010 Spring II season.

Happy Belated Birthday to Roy and Ashley!!!

From all current and former players of Balls In Action, we would like to wish Roy and Ashley a very happy birthday!  Roy turned 25 on August 1st and Ashley turned 23 on August 9th.

B.I.A.'s Undefeated Streak Reaches Eight Wins

Despite the slow start in both of B.I.A.'s games, their record now stands at a franchise best 8-0, after two victories over BHP Billiton and One Kick Wonders. 

The third meeting ever between Balls In Action and BHP Billiton would start off in dueling fashion.  First kicker for BHP Billiton drove a monster shot over Roy in centerfield, resulting in the team's first home run for the season.  B.I.A., however, would bounce back in the bottom of the first inning with Ashley kicking in Jacob home from third on a sacrifice bunt, tying the game at 1-1.  Following two straight scoreless innings, BHP would open up the top of the fourth inning with another run, as Jacob would try to peg the runner heading to third but missing his target, allowing the runner to score easily and taking a 2-1 lead for BHP Billiton.  Bottom of the fourth saw an awakening by Balls In Action as the first 8 kickers would get on base.  JT and Roy would both drive in 2 runs a piece, with Claire driving in an additional runner, and B.I.A. would complete a 5 run fifth inning and a 6-2 lead.  After holding their opponents scoreless in the top of the sixth, B.I.A. would score four more runs, a two run homerun by Jacob and a 2 run double by Claire, and sealing the deal with a 10-2 lead.  Top of the seventh saw BHP Billiton score another run with a homerun over right center field.  The homerun was scored by the same guy for BHP, who hit a homerun to begin the game.  The final score would be 10-3 in favor of Balls In Action.

Balls In Action would next play One Kick Wonders, a first-time meeting for both teams.  The first three innings would be scoreless, but One Kick Wonders would make things very difficult for B.I.A., as they loaded the bases with no outs.  Luckily, B.I.A. would get out of the jam and keep their opponents from scoring.  Bottom of the fourth would see the first runs of the game as JT's 2 run triple drove in Ashley and sub Brad, breaking the scoreless streak for the game and a 2-0 lead.  Jeff's RKI double in the bottom of the fifth increased B.I.A.'s lead to 3-0.  The remainder of the game saw B.I.A.'s defense remain solid overall and preserve the 3-0 lead and their 8th victory of the season.  The shutout over One Kick Wonders was the fift shutout of the season, and 19th in team history.

Jim Kempers, former long-time B.I.A. player, would come from Phoenix, Arizona to sub in for B.I.A., who was without Chance and Doug.  Jim would go 1-for-3 total, but provided great defense and communication from the catcher position.

"It was fun.  If anyone decides to come out to Phoenix, I'll put them to work."

The night was also the debut of B.I.A.'s newest female player, Kelsey.  Kelsey would kick 3-for-7 total, scoring a run against BHP Billiton.  Her defense in right center field was solid, catching a fly ball during the team's first game.

"I had a lot of fun."

Although the wins were widely celebrated, coach Scott sees the team's performance on Wednesday night as a sign of disaster ahead.

"Our kicking was below our standards.  We didn't take advantage of early run opportunities and we were popping up too many for easy outs.  This may still result in wins over weaker teams, but not against our final two opponents.  We need to focus on consistent kicking and fielding."

Balls In Action will wrap up their tenth season with games against Kickballas (7-1) at 7:30pm and Brews On First (8-0) at 9:30pm, which will determine the 2010 Summer championship.  Both games are at Memorial Park Field #2.

McDonald's McGangBang Player of the Game:

vs. BHP Billiton:  Claire (2-for-4, 2B, R, 3RKI)

vs. One Kick Wonders:  JT (1-for-2, 3B, 2RKI)

KFC DoubleDown Play of the Game:
vs. BHP Billiton:  Jacob's double play at first base

vs. One Kick Wonders:  Roy backing up Claire's pop-fly catch in shallow left center field

Subway Sub of the Night:

Brad and Emily

Freebird's Fan of the Night:

Norma (Jim's girlfriend)

Coach Scott mimics Stone Cold Steve Austin in his "beer salute" upon retiring salgal after her last week of games with the team.

B.I.A. Delivers on Stephanie Louie Day

This past Wednesday, Balls In Action continued their winning streak with two shutouts.  The winning streak, now at an all-time high of six, would be accomplished with each game ending in a 5th inning mercy rule.  The night would also see, the team record its first home run, as well as first strikeout, of the season.

SportClips would be up first, and the heckling from B.I.A.'s opponent was intense and comical.  Although there was a lot of words being shouted out at numerous players, it was not enough to stray Balls In Action from their focus on winning.  The first inning would be scoreless, but B.I.A. would break the game open in the second with a three-run showing, with JT, Claire and sub Amy driving in a run a piece.  The fourth inning proved the same as JT would drive in two with a triple, his first, and Claire with a sacrifice RKI.  The game would end during the fifth inning as Jeff's triple would drive in three runners, and cap a four run inning, aiding in the 10-0 victory. 

Now with One Legged Hobos next on B.I.A.'s list, the streak would continue in dominating fashion, beginning with an game-opening home run by Jacob in the first.  The second would see JT drive in Jeff, and B.I.A. now led 2-0 after two innings.  The third inning proved too much for One Legged Hobos, as Scott would strike out his first kicker of the season on a called third strike.  Offensively, Balls In Action would go hysterical with the run production, as Chance would highlight the eight run inning with a monster three-run homerun.  An additonal run in both the fourth and fifth inning would seal the deal as B.I.A. would defeat One Legged Hobos 12-0.  B.I.A. had defeated One Legged Hobos in the first game of the season, 11-1. 

Stephanie Louie would be honored after the game, as she had played her last two games of the night.  It was an emotional night as Steven and Amy subbed for the team in honor of their teammate.  Justin and Lynda, past B.I.A. players, watched both game and stayed for the ceremony.  Stephanie was presented with a signed base from both past and present players, a nod to an inside joke between coach Scott and Stephanie.  Pictures with players and friends were taken, and the night was finished with a beer-bashing display by coach Scott.  

McDonald's McGangBang Players of the Game:
vs. SportClips:  Roy (3-for-3, RKI, R)
vs. One Legged Hobos:  Jacob (3-for-3, HR, 3 RKI, 2 R)

KFC DoubleDown Play of the Game:
vs. SportClips:  Jeff's 3 run triple
vs. One Legged Hobos:  Chance's 3 run homerun

Subway Subs of the Night:
Steven and Amy

Freebirds Fans of the Night:
Justin and Lynda