2011 WSL Champions Spike Hill!

With the threat of another rain-out hanging in the air the final four teams packed up their gear, said a little prayer and headed to McCarren Park for the last Sunday of the 2011 season!!

The Turkey’s Nest and Spike Hill met in the Northside Division Championship on Field One. The Turk’s had a spectacular year and entered into the title match on an 8 game winning streak which included a one run victory over their opponent Spike Hill and were also the proud owners of the first ever T-shirted WSL Home Run Champion Mike Kornhauser! Spike Hill fell short as rookies in the 2010 playoffs, but made it back this season and defeated 3 Kings in their first ever play-off victory to be here this day.

2011 WSL HR Champ Mike Kornhauser receiving his t-shirt from Carly!

The Turkeys put up two runs and Zac shut Spike down in order in the 1st inning as us spectators slowly started wandering into the park to show our support. Spike’s short stop Eric Lebron blasted a homer in the bottom of the 2nd to tie it up, and then CF Mike Powell followed suit in the 4th to put Spike Hill up 4 to 2.  Still holding The Nest scoreless O’Malley’s crew batted in 4 more in the 6th to take an 8-3 lead. Turkey’s finally was able to string some hits together to tack on 3 runs in the 7th, but Spike Hill was not to be denied their shot at the title this year and eked out the win 8-6 Final. The Nest showed great sportsmanship and headed right over to Field Two, Turkey John Louis sporting the “new guy” Spike Hill Jersey, to root on the final two teams in the 2011 Showdown!

The Turks!

Here’s a little something from Turkey’s pitcher Zac who was bursting with pride for his flock: “The Turkey’s Nest ended another great season with a disappointing outcome, losing to Spike Hill 8-6 in the North Division Finals.  Despite great effort from all involved, the Turkey’s have now lost to the eventual champion 3 of the last 4 years despite overwhelming fan support (which is much appreciated, thanks to those who showed up).  We’re feeling a Boston Red Sox pre-2004 vibe here with the Turks (much loved but tough losses abound, Louis=Ortiz, Shafer=Manny) the question is: How many years are we going to wait?  All in all, it was a terrific year, highlighted by a 7 game winning streak to end the regular season and a 1st round Playoff win versus always tough R2R.  Mike Kornhauser topped the 1st annual HR leader Board and led the Turks in Hits, Runs, HR, RBI and Avg.  That sounds like a League MVP Season to us.  We’re not as old as you think we are, and we’ll be back for another run at that trophy and world peace next year.  Congrats to Spike Hill for an amazing team effort on Sunday, and to Betty for their 5 year run.”

'Doza

Meanwhile it was Mendoza Line vs. Black Betty in the Southside Division Championship on Field 2. Mendoza was looking to get back into the Final for the first time since 2006 before they have more kids out there than teammates! Christian would like to provide the recap:
“Black Betty brilliantly exposed our true weakness in the conference championships.  They know Mendoza Line pretty well after all these years.  And they know we’re a team chock full of douchebag music snobs.  Everyone’s a musician, or dates a musician, or is a music journalist, and we all dismiss any popular music as total crap.  True to their form as fierce competitors, Black Betty created a morale-destroying playlist for our game.  How were we supposed to concentrate while they’re blasting shit from their bench like this:

I’m not even joking.  Adding insult to injury, Shab, JB, and Jen Cooper were all in the dugout doing Rockettes-style leg kicks in unison!  This was quite a breakthrough strategy for the WSL.  I felt like I was watching an episode of “So You Think You Can Field A Ball While We Dance?” There was nowhere for us to run, and no earplugs in sight.

JB$ as John Cussak in "Say Anything"

But suddenly, late in the game there was a glimmer of hope.  We were coming up to bat and there was some Rihanna or whatever playing and the boom box just shut down.  I insisted this was because the boom box simply refused to play that song, and we were all quietly hoping that it was going on the DL for the rest of the season.  However Black Betty quickly regrouped and got the shitty music playing again and crushed any chance we had for a comeback.

Hats off to them for a great win!  There was simply no way we could compete.

But the secret’s out now.  You can forget about recruiting jocks through the internet in the offseason.  Next year some crafty team will get the WSL title by cranking up the smooth jazz.  Maybe even fire up some scented candles.  It’s gonna be an awesome lavender & sage scented 2012 season!”

The Last Betty Pre-Game Huddle of 2011!

Betty ran away late on Mendoza line beating them 11 to 4 for the Southside crown.

So we all excitedly, Big Bud’s in hand, crowded around Field Two, muttering under our breaths in envy, to watch Black Bettydefend their title against 2nd year Spike Hill.  Mike Camarra huddled up his champs for their last 2011 line-up chant as O’Malley and his club took over their bench and prepared themselves for their first ever shot at the legendary WSL Trophy!

Here’s the recap straight from the 2011 WSL Champion Captain Mike O’Malley!!

“This was a defensive battle that either team could have won.  We scored one in the bottom of the first on an RBI by Lebron.  Betty answered in the top of the second on a single by Mike Camarra, who drew a throw at 3rd on a single and then scored on an errant throw.  Betty went up 2 to 1 in the fourth, but that was all they would get.  We pushed across 3 in the 6th and one more in the 8th to take the game.  Key plays – 3 double plays and a ridiculous back hand grab by Lebron in an inning that started with 2 singles leading off.  JB was great mixing it up, but

Champs!

Kevin and our defense prevailed in the end.  From Morgan’s double play, to Matt’s diving grab at 3rd, to Jake’s splits at first to convert a double play in the 8th, it was a team effort.  Hard to pick out an MVP.  Mulcahy was clutch, Powell and Lebron were clutch at the plate and Morgan started both our rallies in the 6th and the 8th to put us up for good.   And, Kane was great as always – it was only right that he fielded the come-backer and tossed it over to first for the final out.  I can’t pick an MVP – it was a team effort and everyone contributed – despite the jokes and the rumors that I pay players (just heard that one – that was a good one, but please don’t give anyone ideas – ha) – this was a team, we pulled together, we care about eachother and we won together, each of us playing our part in winning this championship.  Betty was very classy in defeat and this game, like the Nest game, could have gone either way… There were great teams this year in this league and up and comers, and we are happy to have one and look forward to next season where I’m sure that the league will continue to be more competitive and more fun, and where we still won’t go to Spike Hill after the game.  Gibson baby, Gibson!”

The Umps: Locke, Buttah & Deitz Doppelganger

So there you have it! After a half of a decade long dynasty the Great and All Powerful Black Betty is shockingly outscored 5-2 in a fantastic match-up that had us all on the edge of our lawn chairs for the extent of the game! Congrats to Spike Hill who rallied together and showed real team chemistry to put an end to the Black Era. All four of the teams played like real champions out there on Sunday and showed nothing but class all around! Also, a special shout-out to Umps- Locke, AlButtah & DeitzDoppelganger for a hell of job!

Let’s get some good old fashioned fun games going in the park in the final sun-filled weekends!! Thanks for all the website support!!!

-Carly

Spike Hill Wins It All!

Congratulations to Spike Hill for winning the 2011 WSL Championship.

Recaps, updates, pics and all sorts of fun stuff to follow!!

JB$

For the WSL Championship Preview, we are very fortunate to have Christian Ver Halen of Mendoza Line and JB$ of Black Betty contribute to the site and put to together their very own preview.  Take it away fellas!!

CVH: Yo Monet, so Carly asked (demanded) me to ask you to do some sort of point/counterpoint preview for the WSL playoffs.  Your answer is “yes.” Go!

JB:  Well, I was trying to get out of that line of work…I feel like Mel Gibson explaining myself to Michelle Pfeiffer.  Yeah I just called you Michelle Pfeiffer.  Good luck and God bless America.

CVH: Do you have any idea how much cooler it is to be Michelle Pfeiffer than Mel Gibson??  Think about it.  If you’re Mel then you have to walk around knowing everyone thinks you’re an ass bag. But if you’re Michelle Pfeiffer you can just get naked and stand in front of a mirror all day.

JB: Michelle Pfeiffer back in the 80’s or Michelle Pfeiffer today?

CVH: C’mon man.  80’s.  Although she’s still a GILF today.

CVH!

JB: Agreed.

CVH: Which team do you think she would like in the North?  Turkey’s Nest or Spike Hill?

JB: I don’t think she’d waste her time on either of them.  I’m pretty sure she prefers men.

CVH: Wow.  Ok. What happens if at some point during the 1^st games Godsy and John Louis hit bombs at the exact same time and they collide midair?  Will it create some sort of space-time vortex?  And if so, could we work it out so that we arrive in the late 80’s so we can have Ms. Pfeiffer decide which team she would want to win?

JB: That’s not physically possible!  Godsy can’t hit my pitching.

CVH: I don’t know about that.  He told us he’s dropping mad bombs on 9/11.  And Derek promised to take down the Twin Towers of Black Betty and Spike Hill.  But knowing Derek he was probably referencing Lord Of The Rings.

JB: With 5 straight championships I AM THE LORD OF THE RINGS.

CVH: Whatever, back to the North.  I’m definitely rooting for the ol’ school.  But after witnessing Turkey’s collapse against Betty a couple years ago I’m just not sure.  They do have a pretty incredible lineup.  I don’t really know the players on Spike Hill because I don’t hang out at that bar.   Turns out they don’t either.  I guess it’s a long way from Connecticut or wherever they’re coming from to play at McCarren.  But I did go to one of those  “what if they did it” websites and created a lovechild between Spike (Lee) and Hillary (Clinton):

JB: You can’t beat that.

CVH: That’s what I’m sayin’. Spike Hill in the North. 

JB: Damn right.  I’d tap that, by the way.

CVH: Yikes!  What about the South?  Everyone knows that the Evil Empire has won 5 straight.  But Mendoza Line has always had great games against Betty.

JB: Not in the playoffs.

CVH: Whatever, jerk.  In the last 7 years we’ve won 1 Championship, been to the Finals 2 more times, and been to the Conference Finals 3 more times.  Not bad for a bunch of nice, patient people.

JB: Depends on your definition of “not bad.”

CVH: You’re right.  That attitude gets us nowhere.  Betty in the South.  What about the Finals?

JB: You can call me the new “Craigslist Killer,” because I’m going to no-hit Spike Hill.

CVH:  OK, there you have it folks.  Black Betty is our pick to win their 6^th straight WSL championship!  Thanks for another great season. 

DISCLAIMER: Some characters appearing in this article are fictitious.  Any resemblance to a real person named “JB”, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The Hurricane Is Coming!!

Rain-out.

Okay, fine! Let’s just pretend that we are not 100% going to get hit by the rainiest, hurricaniest, weekend ever.

FIELD ONE THE NORTHSIDE DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP:

Spike Hill: They made it! I wonder what O’Malley’s going rate is per RBI during the play-offs? Don’t be surprised if Silverman is sportin’ a new pair of cleats this Sunday! So, they got The Turkey’s Nest and from the poll, this is the team we all want to win it all! The Nest is on an 8 game winning streak heading into the Northside Championship and they’ve already beaten Spike Hill… But only in their second meeting. If The Nest pulls it off rumor has it they have a secret weapon for the WSL Championship game: John & Chirstie Louis have a new little gobbler, Jack Louis (CONGRATS!!!), that apparently has his eyes set on Little Miss Violet already. These guys will stop at nothing to bring the trophy to The Nest!

FIELD TWO THE SOUTHSIDE DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP:

Black Betty vs Mendoza Line. Mendoza is back in the Final Four! They’ve beat Rbar, finally, and they don’t know what that means but they’re going to roll with it anyway!! Mendoza got their hands on Clem’s Black Betty playbook, so this could get interesting, indeed! In case you haven’t heard, The Black is back to make their Sixth Run for the Title, and amazingly Sunday playoffs are STILL more exciting then Saturday!

I’m not going to predict where it’s going to go from here. We got four great teams vying for a shot in the final and they’ve all got what it takes. Let’s just be safe and hope that Battleship Clemerica doesn’t sweep in on Irene to pillage the WSL trophy!

This is it! (Until 9/11 when these games will actually be played!)

- Carly

Reel 2 Reel and Black Betty faced off for a rematch of the 2007 Championship. After both R2R and BB posted semi-mediocre regular seasons, they together roared into the playoffs. R2R bested the Loggers, their newly minted nemises Spike Hill and Phantom to make it to the championship game. Black Betty defeated Union Pool and the resurgent Rbar to make it to the dance. The championship game was close, but Black Betty ended up pulling it out in the end, beating R2R and securing their 5th championship in a row.

Black Betty WSL Champs... again! The Betty takes its 4th straight title.

After besting the RBar in their semi-final game, the Turkey’s Nest would have the opportunity to challenge Black Betty for the Championship.

Following a decisive win over UP in the semis, Black Betty falls behind to the Turkey’s Nest but battles back from a 5 run deficit in the 8th to win the game in the bottom of the 9th inning. In an exciting finale, with the league rooting against them, Black Betty wins their 4th straight title.

Can they win one for the thumb in ‘10? Or will there be a team to step up to take away the trophy and bring the league out of the Blackness?

BLACK BETTY BEATS ENID’S to win the WSL Championship for the 3rd year in a row. In a best of 3 series, BB took the first game 16-12 and the second, 12-6. Last year, the first year the championship was decided in a series, they beat Reel 2 Reel in 3 games and Mendoza Line in 2006 for their first title.

Click here for more of Jude Domski’s photos of the 2008 Championship.