Week 2 Lighthouse League Recaps/Predictions

Welcome to Week 2 Lighthousers!

What a first week. I hope you all still have your jobs and your wallets. If last week was any indication of how this season is going to be, Rivalries will be putting up four new locations by June.

Oh, we also played kickball (or something that mimicked the game closely with the gale force winds). Last week brought back some sweet sweet memories.... Tinderellas being sloppy even before their game started... the Superhero league arguing over balls and strikes and basically not having one ounce of fun... the S3XT Panthers continuing right where they left off from last season. And let us not forget about the upsets, because if you look at my expert analysis and predictions from last week, you would quickly realize that I'm not an expert analyst. On second thought, why don't you not look back at my analysis from last week.

Here's some recaps from the games. Keeping up with the consistency from last year, not one team sent in their recaps, so these are compiled from what I saw and what you all tried to tell me when you were blackout at Rivalries.

Ball Busters (4) vs Ex Panthers (1)

 - To start off week one's recaps, we have the largest upset of the week. The Ball Busters embarrassed the Ex Panthers, a team that many thought had some serious talent. Being relatively unknown in the league, the Ball Busters certainly made a statement in their first appearance. The Ex Panthers couldn't seem to make smart decisions in the field, and with an anemic offense, they struggled throughout the entire game. If the Ex Panthers continue this type of play, look for them to be in the bottom seeds come playoff time.

S3XT Panthers (1) vs Misfits (0)

- The S3XT Panthers played a solid seven innings of defense and walked away with a difficult 1-0 victory in their first week. The wind played a large factor in the game, as even Rachel couldn't muster up the strength to kick it out of the infield. The additions the Panthers made in the offseason (and cuts) proved to be the reason they walked away with the W, as the new additions immediately contributed. The only run of the game was scored by Brian and driven in by newcomer Kurt Russell, the famous Hollywood action film star. The Misfits proved they were the real deal as they played solid defense the entire game but could not crack the defense of the S3XT Panthers. Several times throughout the game the Misfits seemed as though they were making ground on the basepaths, but several key plays by second baseman Lianne stopped them short. If the Misfits can keep up this level of play, surely they will see it translate into W's.

Tinderellas (1) vs Swamp Donkeys (0)

- The Tinderellas came out strong early, as well as intoxicated, which is where they play their best. Defense was not really needed as both of these teams could not kick it out of the infield due to the 70 mph winds blowing straight into home plate. James Moore pitched his heart out for the Swamp Donkeys for seven strong innings, but due to some sloppy fielding, one run was plated. That was more than enough for the Tinderellas, as the Donkeys couldn't seem to get one player even remotely close to scoring position all game. When given enough alcohol, the Tinderellas are a serious threat to make a run at the gold ball, as well as pee in public, and if they can walk that fine line and not get arrested, expect to see them deep in the playoffs.

We've Got The Runs (11) vs We Only Come From Behind (3)

- To be completely honest, I have no idea what happened during this game, but given the score, I don't think it was much of a contest. We've Got The Runs, the team that many thought was old and washed up, proved they still have something in the tank. You have to question the endurance of the team though. After scoring 11 runs in one game, an inside source stated the team cancelled all practices until further notice, leaving most to speculate if that was due to fatigue. We Only Come From Behind stuck to their gameplan to go down early to stage a great comeback but left out the coming back part. They will need to rethink their strategy, or change their name, if they hope to make some noise this season.

Now onto the predictions for Week 2:

Ball Busters vs S3XT Panthers

Although the Ball Busters put the Ex Panthers in their place in week one, I don't see that happening to the all-star squad known as the S3XT Panthers. This team is loaded with a perfect combination of talent and alcoholics - a tried and true recipe for success in the WAKA leagues. I predict the Ball Busters to get a couple across the plate early on but the Panthers to rally late and walk away with another W. S3XT Panthers 5-2.

Tinderellas vs We Only Come From Behind

The Tinderellas looked like a team on a mission in their first week after coming so close to the championship last season. On the other hand, WOCFB, a team full of veterans, looked as bad as the Ex Panthers in their first game of the Spring season. The Tinderellas are known for their offense, and with WOCFB letting us a potentially season-high 11 runs in their first appearance, showing nothing that resembled defense, I anticipate the Tinderellas walking away with this one. Tinderellas 7-3.

Misfits vs Ex Panthers

Maybe I overestimated the talent on the Ex Panthers, mostly because I played with a handful of them last season, but they looked like a team that had never held a gold ball before last week. Getting away from their solid defense of last season, they let up a total of four runs while only managing one themselves. Critics are already worried that this team does not have the team chemistry to repeat, but maybe that is just overreactions or a lack of team-consumed alcohol. Their second week match-up will be a true test to see if last week was a fluke or the real deal. The Misfits battled for seven innings against the S3XT Panthers in week one and can make a large impression on the league if they can put the Ex Panthers in an 0-2 hole to start the season. I put big money down on the Ex Panthers in week one and lost my shirt, and the best gamblers know that you can't lose twice on the same team two weeks in a row, so I predict the Ex Panthers take this one in a close contest. Ex Panthers 2-1.

Swamp Donkeys vs We've Got The Runs

The surprise of the 2014 Spring season has to be WGTR's. Putting up 11 runs in week one, more than any team in both leagues, they look poised to be a tough matchup for any team in the Lighthouse league. The Swamp Donkeys have been around in the league for years, but have struggled to climb out of mediocrity, placing in the middle of the pack the past few seasons. I can't see the Donkeys falling two straight weeks, and James Moore has already publicly announced he will buy shots for everyone at Rivalries if they win next week, and with confidence like that, I put my vote of confidence on the Donkeys. Swamp Donkeys 3-2. 

Hope you all are prepared for another week of kickball. If you want more accurate recaps, tell your captains to send a write-up to mainegmot@gmail.com. See you all on the field and Rivalries tomorrow - looks like another perfect storm with the Bruins playing again.

You stay classy Lighthouse.

-GSPOT-