Summer Rookie/Softcore Co-ed Kickball at Peninsula Park - TU/TH

On a wet, wet day, she was ready for action and willed her team to victory. With her team up she was brought into pitch on what might be the slowest wet grass of all time. That didn't stop her from refusing to throw fastballs or bounce it up. That's what underdog is about, commitment to the rules and having a blast. Well that and pitching lights out.

I overheard Kari Haley mention to her teammates prior to the start of the game how she hadn't played in years; laughing, she revealed she couldn't remember which foot she kicks from. By the end of the game her amnesia dissipated and she found herself on base helping her team's efforts in a late-game comeback.

Super Mario was nothing short of that: SUPER! From his dramatic catches in right field, to his man-bunting efforts at home plate, Mario was hands down this week's POW! Don't get us wrong, Mario takes the game of kickball quite seriously, and he's the first to tell us umps when we got it wrong! But his heckling is so East Coast (Philly, Chicago, or something like that) that us Portlandia'ers can't help but chuckle. Thanks to Mario for making today's close - and at times tense - game enjoyable for all.

Working her magic with her brightly colored neon-pink pants, Gypsy Tucker was a force to be reckoned with on the field. She kept her opponents distracted from the glare of her pants allowing her time to make catches in the outfield (even with her own teammates tried to call her off), and laying down some critical bunts bringing in runs.

This being Underdog and all, we don't like people getting run over, into, etc... in the name of the game. It's kickball for gosh sakes! However, accidents do happen. A sign of a real trooper was Lauren Braun, who through an accident got knocked to the ground and had to sit down a little regain her senses. Did that stop her though?...HECK NO! Ice pack on head she was still cheering from the sidelines, cracking jokes, and showing that spirit that makes Underdog so awesome and Kick Kick Boom one of our favorite teams. Well done Lauren! You're a bad a** and a lot of fun. Don't let anyone tell you different. YOU GO GIRL! See you next week.

Where do we begin? Liz made it rain more than tropical storm Andrea. She was more aggressive than a hungry cougar. She performed well under pressure and no matter how stretched out she got, she managed to keep it tight! She even ripped out the heart of one man and replaced it before he realized it. And... we can't forget the fact that she is a ball diving extraordinaire. Thanks for a great week Liz! Keep on kickin' it!

Lora, you're fun with a side of feisty. You're business with a side of pleasure. You're chips with a side of salsa... Well, the first two descriptions work at least. Lora was a firecracker this week. When kickers got to close to her catcher territory, they got shoved into place. When the opposition crossed the plate, they were told that they "better not do that again!" While all in good, playful fun, Lora brought an attitude that will not soon be forgotten!

Katie lived up to her nickname tonight. Kicking the crap out of balls, wheeling around the bases, and making diving (or sitting) catches, Katie did it all. In what was a long night - a playoff double header - wheels never lost a stride. The most important part, her infectious smile never left her face. Thanks Katie, I mean wheels, for making tonight's games top notch!