Sweet Revenge as EnvironMentals Sour the Cider

The Green Team handed division rivals Gettin' Cider a satisfying thumping in a darkness-shortened game on Thursday.

It was a quick turnaround from the Wednesday night victory over Blue Steel, and some wondered if they would have the energy to put in a strong showing against the hardened Gettin' Cider side.

However, the EnvironMentals fed off of the frustration from their last game against the Cider and came on strong with offense in every inning and equal defense throughout the match.

The teams played hurry-up kickball as they sought to get in the required three innings before it became too dark to play safely. Seven runs through the first three innings with key RBIs by BK, Kellen, Erin and Will gave the Green Team a comfortable lead as they took field on defense.

As it became difficult to see in the fourth inning, Gettin' Cider put runners on base that had the Green Team feeling déjà vous after the previous night’s late game breakdown.

However, a key catch by first baseman Colin in the twilight put the final nail in the coffin.

As satisfying as this victory was for the Green Team, the focus has quickly turned to the post season as the EnvironMentals find themselves in first place at the end of the regular season.

“We’re pumped,” said Captain Eric, pumping his fist for emphasis. “We’re gonna ride this crazy train all the way to the end!”

Green Team Holds Off Upstart Blue Steel

The Green Team had a strong showing on Wednesday at the alternate Somerville field as the EnvironMentals turned up to play under the lights.

The team adapted quickly to the new location jumping out to an early 3-0 lead as eventual game MVP BK managed another of his signature multi-RBI dink kicks.

The game quieted down, then, as both teams buckled down, showing their defensive strengths, Blue Steel’s first baseman even sacrificing the elasticity of his groin on one play that had everybody wincing.

Things heated up in the latter half, however, as both teams finally broke through. It started in the top of the fourth with an RBI single by B-Nuts followed by a grand slam by Big. Leigh helped tack on another run in the top of the fifth and the Green Team had what they thought was a comfortable lead going into the bottom of the final inning.

The EnvironMentals’ defense was sorely tested however, as the Blue Steel Abidigionals staged a spirited rally that brought the lead within two before the Green Team’s defense finally made the third out.

“It was a bit nerve-wracking there for a while,” said Co-Captain Amanda. “But we held on strong and managed to put the game to bed before they could upset us. Four in a row, baby!”

The Green Team is looking to carry the momentum of this win into tomorrow night when they get their second shot at Getting' Cider, one of only two teams this season to hand them a loss.

EnvironMentals Paddle Spanking Machine

The Green Team went into Thursday’s game against the Purple-shirted Spanking Machine with one thought in mind: “Please, please let us play all five innings tonight… and where are Lisa’s socks??”

With fan section numbering in the one-and-a-halfs (Leigh’s Mom and Ian’s baby), the EnvironMentals took the field with resolve, confidence and a slight burning sensation.

Things started off well as they scored four runs in the first inning with RBIs by Eric, Amanda and Brennan.

Things got a bit frantic in the bottom of the inning as the Spankers managed to answer with four runs of their own, though the Green Team’s defense walked off the field at the end of the inning happy to kept their opponents from taking a lead.

The final three innings saw the Green Team manage to plate four more runs while holding the Machine to only one. Big RBIs by Will, Seamus, Karen and Amanda (again) allowed the Green Team to walk away from this game with their heads held high (along with the infant).

Newly minted American Citizen Yuval was awarded Game MVP for a stellar performance on the base paths and his ability to remember ALL of the Pledge of Allegiance.

For the second week in a row, however, the EnvironMentals are sad to see the last of some players as third base phenom Jen and utility veteran Elaine as they go back to school and take on Needham’s musical theater (respectively). The Green Team was also sad to learn that Meghan has tendered her resignation due to a tender leg which “just hasn’t been right” since last season.

Green Team sends Summer School Warriors back to class

The venue for Thursday’s game was changed at the last minute due to the sudden appearance of Lake Okeechobee over Field 1’s home plate. The game was, instead, played on the mythical “Field 3a”. As a result, your humble author, Munter S. Bombson (“S” is for “Skadoosh!”), didn’t make it to the game… but here is what he HEARD.

The game started out slow as both pitchers adjusted to the new field. EnvironMental’s pitcher Eric even walked a better, drawing out pitching coach/third baseman BK, who was overheard imploring: “Please stop SUCKING!”

The Green Team’s offense, while a bit slow out of the gate, managed to put up five runs over four innings, with key RBIs by Jen, Pete, and Erin.

Five was enough, however as, despite the pitcher’s struggles, the Green Team’s defense managed to stymie (yes, stymie) the Warriors’ offense.

Game MVP Zack had two spectacular snags to his left at second base which saved more than one run. First basemen Jen managed to catch a ball, then drop it, then slip in the mud and land on her nose… which isn’t really “good”, per say, but was funny enough to watch that it was definitely worth mentioning.

All in all, it was a satisfying win for the up and coming Green Team. Looking forward to next week! They’re sad, however, to be seeing the last of star shortstop Shoukie, who is leaving the team for Cape Cod.

EnvironMentals Victorious

After an extremely tough outing last week, the Green Team came back strong on Thursday with an 11-5 victory over the infamous Gym Class Heroes.

“It felt good to get up to the plate again,” said second baseman Amanda, who was out of the country last week. “Sometimes it’s just good to be able get out there and put your foot on some balls.” Amanda went 2 for 2 with a pair of runs in the game.

Offensively, the EnvironMentals had a big day. Game MVP Beastwood uncorked a moonshot homerun in the first inning that brought in three runs, then smacked a two run double in the third.

Captain Big won’t shut up about his kick in the third inning which found a hole in the Heroes’ outfield but bounced off the back of the other game’s centerfielder, taking away a homerun and leaving Big with a 2 run double. He would like every one to know that “This is the second time this’s happn’d t’me![sic] The kickball fairy hates me!”

Other players who knocked in RBIs were Jen (“The Roman”), Catie (“FBJ”) and Ray (“The Ray” or “Scooter”).

On the other side of the plate, the Green Team held tough and helped their pitcher get out of a few jams, which was nice, since he put himself in most of them. (e.g. Throwing away an easy force out at first by aiming his toss at the first base COACH instead of the first baseMAN… WHY???)

Colin muscled through an ankle dismemberment he suffered in warmups when he stepped in a gofer hole whilst being inexplicably railroaded by Amanda to hold down the fort in center field.

Winner of the “Most-spectacular-running-diving-tumbling-catch-that-didn’t-count-‘cuz-it-was-a-dead-ball-off-the-tree” award goes to left fielder Will who showed he’s not afraid to get his uniform dirty.

Things got a bit hairy in the fourth inning when the Heroes’ first kicker booted a double that put a hole in the ball. The Heroes’ next kicker reached on a smartly placed bunt. Pitcher Eric then left a meatball over the plate (“It was the new ball! It was too big! – that’s what she said -- AND it was wet – that’s what she sa- aw forget it…”) for the Heroes’ pitcher/kicker/all-star who deposited the ball in the other field’s (now vacant) center field and was able to touch ‘em all. The team looked to their mascot/baby for inspiration and held on through the rest of the inning and was able to eventually close out the win.

As the light waned, the two teams agreed to call the game after the fourth inning in order to give the subsequent game a fighting chance at playing.

Both teams then made their way to the bar and, after some post game munchies, faced off across the flip cup table where, again, the Green Team dominated early, before dropping a few games in a row. Again, however, they finished strong with a win to maintain their beer drinking and cup flipping egos.

The Green Team’s current mood is exuberant.

Gettin' Cider Leaves the Green Team Seeing Red

The Green Team suffered only their second loss of the season Thursday in a tough loss against the vocal and rainbow-draped Gettin' Cider squad.

“They got in our heads,” sagged interim captain Brow. “We let them get to us and it hurt us.”

Some creative protests by the Rainbow Brites and some adventurous reffing by the game officials left the EnvironMentals miffed.

But a game that most of the Green Team might prefer to forget was not without its bright points.

Game MVP Jen showed some spark on the mound. Everybody got a foot on the ball as well, with a high percentage of baserunners.

Gettin' Cider are the Green Team’s double dip this season, so the EnvironMentals will be looking forward to their second chance on August 28th.