Spring Preview pt.2

The Second Installment of the Sports Writer Bob Landford and Jimmy "The Didgeradoo" Hogan

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WAKA Kickball...Greek Life for the post-grad?

I was discussing my kickball comittments and activities with some of my fellow hill-rats when the discussion led me to wonder...is WAKA kickball (and other kickball leagues) just a way for those of us who have left our undergraduate fraternity/sorority days behind to continue to partake in the festivities of this "Greek" tradition found in many of our American colleges and universities.

Now, I'll admit right off the bat, coming from a four-pillared Catholic college in Kansas (those four pillars being Catholic, Liberal Arts, Residential, and Benedictine), I did not experience any of the Greek traditions as Benedictine was a school small enough that the Greek life did not develop there. Therefore, posting this blog will hopefully leave both the author and the readers with a little more insight. Additionally, I would like to thank the wonderful people at Wikipedia--I need to give credit where credit is due.

First, while there are many functions that the fraternity and sorority may do, the main purpose is a social organization. Isn't that the whole point of kickball? To win, to have fun with your friends on your team, while making new friends through games, flip cup, the various social events, and of course, let's not forget the weekly newsletter (um, hello missed connections section for those who didn't socialize to their own satisfaction). Who needs keggers when you have two parties with an open bar?

Next, wikipedia tells me that most frats and sororities have a name, usually Greek symbols, that can have some sort of secret meaning or history. Can anyone think of a better example than Nancy Drews and the Pardyboyz? How many know the meaning and history of the name without being one of said group or reading an earlier post from Superfudge (suggestion to new readers of this blog--search and read Superfudge's blog, heck, read them all and then go tell your friends to read them!)

Carrying on. The Philanthropy. Most Greek organizations have a chartible organization that they work closely with. Each WAKA kickball division has a charity that the division uses social events (see first point) to benefit our charity, Bright Beginnings, a program that works with homeless children. Proceeds from events such as point-of-season parties, Trivia night, the KickBALL all help this much-needed effort.

Ahhh...and here comes a favorite point of mine. The insignia. Wikipedia says that many frats and sororities carry a symbol--something that lets people know who they are. Now, anyone who keeps in touch with the members of the Nancy Drews and the Pardyboyz will know that we've developed quite a line past the dark grey shirts that we wore in dodgeball and the lighter grey shirts we don every Saturday for WAKA. Superfudge has designed multiple hats proudly bearing the NDPB logo. And even our blog has developed into what is now the official NDPB logo.

Last, but not least, I'm going to touch on the initiation aspect of Greek life. Pledge week as it is known by many. Many great collegiate movies in cinematic history illustrate the joys brought by this week. Animal House and Old School are just to name a few. I'm not going to describe the scenes that I'm referring to. These are classic American comedic films. Go rent them--scratch that--buy them and add them to your collection. Then come back and you can nod your head in aggreement here because you'll know what I'm talking about. Pledging to the fraternity or sorority of your choice is your chance to prove loyalty. While, I'm not sure what it takes to be a part of other kickball teams or even our team--not that much--all we ask for is you sign up on the website and show up to games--but to be a part of NDPB. In just a month, it'll have been one year since I met the NDPB's. It's tough--you gotta be able to roll with the punches. But with the punches come great times, fun to be had, and friends for a lifetime--again--you can read more into this on a previous blog (HINT--CHECK OUT OUR OTHER BLOGS!).

So, ladies and gents. For those of you, like me, who missed out on the glory days of that frat life or sorority-hood, fear not. There's still another chance--we're just able to do it a little bit older and a little bit wiser.

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Nancy Drew and the Pardy Boyz Kickball Season Preview

This Saturday Nancy Drew & The Pardy Boyz will return to the kicking diamond for another Spring season of WAKA kickball. After a surprising final four finish last season that sent shockwaves through the kickball community, NB+PB looks to build on that success.

It has been a roller coaster offseason for the Pardy Boyz. A season ending injury has sidelined one of the top catchers from last year and many others announced that they would not be returning this season. However, some of the key players from last seasons final four team are returning to the club. A uniform change was also announced at a press conference over the winter and merchandise sales have been through the roof as fans look to get outfitted in their favorite replica Superfudge t-shirts.

Many young, new players will be donning the gray this season including this blogs very own Harriet the Spy. The ND+PD are going to need big production out of these new members if they hope to replicate last seasons success. It is unknown at this time which of the young rookies will stand out and which are more suited to be playing AA ball down in Richmond.

The infield looks to be solid this year as 3 of the 4 golden hands winning infielders return to duty. With the loss of last years shortstop however the Pardy Boyz will be looking for new blood to fill that very key role.

In the outfield it is a mix of key veterans and new rookies anxious to prove themselves. Anchoring the outfield this season is Superfudge who will be looking to adjust to a new position after serving as a utility player last season. Ramona Quimby returns to her familiar position in right field bringing much needed experience and wisdom to that slot.

At the mound and behind the plate the loss of workhorse Maniac McGee will put the pressure on Harold and his Purple Crayon to give big innings to the Pardy Boyz. Also with possible new catcher Harriet The Spy behind the plate, it could very well cause for some early season communication problems between pitcher and catcher.

At the flipcup table things are looking poor for Nancy Drew and the Pardy Boyz. With most of last years consistent flipcup players leaving it leaves a big question mark on the ability of ND+PB to field a competitive team at the table. We can only hope that a new star will rise from the bottom and bring honor upon the ND+PB name. Otherwise it may be an embarrassing year for the boyz in gray at the table.

All in all it looks to be an interesting and certainly unpredictable year for your Nancy Drew and the Pardy Boyz team. Will last years veteran players be able to inspire the new crop of young and hungry rookies? Will the loss of almost the entire flipcup team be too mucg to overcome? These questions and more will be answered this Saturday at the National Mall with a 1:30 first pitch time. Come see your hometown team in action!

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Opening Day

Remember back in grade school during P.E. class they taught you a version of baseball that all kids could play, and understand, but few would completely and totally master? We called it kickball. Fast forward 20 years and I find myself involved in the very same league. Competitive league adult kickball. Think "beer league" in softball. we have been waiting for this day for months now, got a full team created and now, for the first time:
Nancy Drew and the Pardyboyz Kickball team. I know what you're saying... haven't you guys been playing for two season now? the answer is yes, but never been OUR team, we were just a small group attached to some other team. So, last Saturday, on tenth anniversary of WAKA Kickball, we had our inaugural opening day.
It started out great, donning of the new team uniform. White on Spruce Green Shirts look great and match the sweet new hat I had done by Lids.com
Our fielding was pretty shut-down defense as we let no runs score for close to three of five innings. Our offense was nowhere to be seen however as anything that left the infield was quickly gobbled up by their center fielder. this reporter was disappointed to pop out to the pitcher and hit a grounder to their third baseman, downing one of our runners int he later innings. While we closely rallied in the bottom the fifth, with two runners on and two outs, a pop up to the pitcher ended our day early and sent us to the bar. All-in all, 3-0 wasn't bad for a team that last year was losing to much higher scores, even getting run-ruled a few times.
the flip cup however, was another sad situation as on of our veteran flippers refused to play and rules that I was used to from previous season were not the rules we play by now in this league.
On a best of five run, we lost five straight, and did not even compete for a win once. Being a drinker that is used to dominating others in competitive drinking games, it was depressing to not even get a chance to flip in a winning situation once. All-in all, It was a bittersweet day, for ND&TPBZ, and we retired early from the public eye to lick our salted wounds in some bitter brew. See you next week, and here's to hoping its a better one.

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