Ramrod gets its groove back

After a long winter hiatus, Team Ramrod kickball is back to the field in fine form. The weather was kind enough to cooperate, even if the power at Demetral didn't. A temporary relocation to Warner Park didn't throw the Rod off its game at all.
Notable exploits of the first game of the Spring 2008 season:

• Cory scored the first run


• Brian Z. made the first unassisted double play


• Jason wins the Jim Jonas Base Running Award


• Mark and Jason (and others that maybe I didn't see ... Kevin, perhaps?) receive special commendation for their stylish submissions to gravity

The Rod marks down another win in the record books with its 3-1 victory over Kick This, Drink That. Next week: It's us against them in the battle of the D-Bag -- er, the ShopBop Ballers.

"I'm going to play in the big leagues when I grow up, so I better get used to this."

I guess Improv showed up to a little league game and set up shop. They brought:
1) Fans (with signs)
2) Programs
3) Peanut vendors
4) Announcers (they know names and nicknames)
5) NBC jumbotron with Jim Grey and a on-field reporter
6) Mascots (a bear and chicken)

and the coup de grace.....

7) A blimp

Here's a video link: http://improveverywhere.com/2008/04/07/best-game-ever/

Maybe we can get this all set up...I'm looking at you, members of the media.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Ah....spring in Wisconsin. After a long, cold winter, what's our reward? 60 degree days? Sunshine? Cold beers in the park? Nope. Wind. Rain. More cold. And another quiet night with the cat named Steve.

The radar is clear today, but something's brewin'.

Keep your collective fingers crossed for dry day tomorrow (heck, we deserve it).

Keep checking the Weather Channel (or, better yet, madison.com)

The Return of the Rod

With the 4-3-1 record of last fall well behind us, Team Ramrod is looking to kick-start 2008 with a resounding smack.
This shouldn't be so hard, given the long, long, long winter we've had to do any one of many things to prepare, physically and mentally, for the spring season. Those things include, but are not limited to:

1. blasting quads


2. oiling down pecs


3. shagging flies


4. spinning tales of Ramrod glory

If you did other things, let us know: How did you spend the off-season? Let's hope it was enough.

This is how we Ramrod

Team Ramrod ended its fall '07 season with a tie, a keg and a feast.

With MKF as our opponent, Ramrod rallied back from a four-run deficit to lead 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth. But a questionable call at second (that guy was so out, even Sarah said so!) set up a chance for MKF to drive in another run.

By the time the bell sounded, time was gone and the scoreboard was all tied up.

Oh well. There's always next year.

Kickball game quick, bland say some

DEMETRAL PARK, Madison — Thursday's Team Ramrod kickball game may go down as one of the most forgettable* kickball games in Rod history. No home runs. No controversial calls. No huge scoring innings. No defensive meltdowns. No dick-headness. Only an easy Ramrod victory in a game that clocked out at about 30 minutes on a gorgeous August night.

Team Ramrod 4, Madison.com 2

-Reporter out.

* Forgetfulness may be a result of a non-eventful game, or the fact that this reporter (along with a few other hearty Ramrod souls) closed down Slices. . . . Damn, my head hurts.

A Ramrod Wedding

They didn't exchange vows at home plate, nor was the ceremony at Ramrod's Field of Glory.

But Jeanne Kolker, she of the the pink terry-cloth visor and the second-base put-outs, and Jason Klein, aka Chief Knock-A-Homer, made it official Saturday, July 28, 2007.

Several Ramrods, past and present, were in attendance to witness the joyous celebration: Lesley, Laura, Kristin, Brian Z., Brian D., Carrie, Kevin, Nicole, Mark, Aaron, Greg, Erik, Amethyst, Ann and Lee. No spontaneous games of kickball broke out, but there was a heated horseshoe match.

Here's to the newlywedded Ramrods; we hope you never stop at third!