Total Depravity Loses, Game Stopped at 11-1

Despite the cool night things got heated as Total Depravity sustained the worst loss in the team's short history losing 11-1 to the Sparkly $2 Bills.

The 8 pm game began just as any other game might have. Teams taking practice, stretching and making the line-up but as soon as Total Depravity came up to kick in the top of the 1st inning normal flew right out the window as Total Depravity team members were treated with tag-outs that some saw as poor sportsmanship. Given the relaxed nature of Kickball our hard throwing opponents are something of an anomaly in the Grandview Kickball League - tagging opposing players out where touching the base would be sufficient - and without surprise the antics were not appreciated. Sadly it took an unfortunate series of events where a Total Depravity team member tripped and was scrapped up as a result of the hard throw before the game took a more recreational feel and despite the final score most players had fun.

As the score shows there was little to report in the way of offense for Total Depravity. Kicks were met with a stout defense that made few mistakes thus illustrating why the Sparkly $2 Bills are undefeated. The lone offensive score came by way of a series of walks issued by a new Pitcher which ultimately resulted in Paula Frank being walked with the bases loaded bringing in Bethany Staggemeir.

When all was said and done Total Depravity made a few errors and a few great catches. Included in the defensive highlights was the play of our outfield which included great defense on the part of Bethany Staggemeir who strung together a fine collection of caught drives to the outfield.

Team Notes:
Total Depravity was featured in the article Kickball league lets adults act like kids again from Wednesday, August 26th edition of This Week In Grandivew. Click on the links to read the article

Total Depravity will not be playing Sunday, September 6th in observance of Labor Day. Games will resume Sunday, September 13th at 7pm.

Remembering Seminary

Thank you to the Columbus Dispatch for running this photo and reminding me of seminary. I cannot speak for all my classmates but I had a blast in seminary. I met great friends, I had lots of fun playing football like my Catholic friend here, and it was at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary that I met my wonderful wife Kate.

But this weekend I am remembering a part of seminary that is difficult for most: PCUSA Ordination Exams. Like Doctors taking B0ards, and Lawyers trying to pass the bar, would be Pastors must pass for Ordination Exams that are administered by the denomination. There are 4 exams each dealing with a specific area of study or knowledge that is deemed necessary to be a successful Pastor. The four categories are Theology, Worship, Polity (aka PCUSA Church Governance) and Exegesis (in depth study of the Bible and use/knowledge of Greek or Hebrew). With the exception of Exegesis, which is a take home exam, the tests are 3 hours long and each are divided up into 3 parts. Tests are administered over two days with Theology and Worship being given on Friday and Polity given on Saturday. When you complete your Polity exam you are given the Exegesis Ordination Exam as well as a very firm due date and time. Woe to anyone who doesn't adhere to the due date and time.

All in all Ords can be a frightening and stressful experience. For some they are a breeze but for others (I am not ashamed to say that I had to take more than one twice) they can truly be time of doubt and worry. I would like to invite you to join with me in praying for those individuals who will be taking Ordination Exams this weekend and will be working on their Exegesis exams next week.

Total Depravity Earns 1st Victory 9-1

With near perfect Kickball weather and fans in attendance Total Depravity took the field of C. Ray Buck Sports Park for a 6:00pm affair against The 3 B's (0-3). Total Depravity scored early and never looked back, tallying 9 runs before The 3 B's were able to score their first in the bottom of the final inning thus earning Total Depravity's first victory (1-2)

Before Total Depravity took the field a last minute change in the defensive alignment saw Dave Culbertson take over the pitching duties from Travis Williamson who had pitched the previous two games. With Culbertson on the mound, Williamson on third, and Short Stop mainstay Jon Stephens holding down the left side of the diamond it would appear that a defensive harmony was achieved as Williamson became the first member of Total Depravity to throw out a runner from third base and many pop-ups were caught. Other defensive highlights include James Sledge's first base play which included a spinning tag-out after a boggled catch and Bethany Staggemeir's play subbing in at Second Base. With the defensive alignment that produced a near perfect record in catching infield pop-ups, Total Depravity turned its attention to scoring runs.

Total Depravity tallied a team record 9 runs over the span of the 55 minute game time. With most players making it on to base the runs came early and often yet it was discovered that Total Depravity has a propensity to kick to the left side of the diamond which produced many outs at third base. A post-game strategy session addressed this issue with the hopes of finding a remedy for our next game on August 30th at 8 pm.

TEAM NOTES:
James Sledge, who came into the game as a sub at 1st base, recorded the first triple and home run in Total Depravity history. With no home run fence Sledge earned his first round-tripper on the speed of his legs as he easily scored. Included in Sledge's home run was Mary Clifton who was on first when the ball was kicked and herself showed impressive base running skills scoring all the way from first.

Alan Froman & the photographer from This Week in Grandview covered the game and conducted a number of interviews with members of Total Depravity. Look for print coverage of our game and victory in this weeks edition. Don't get This Week in Grandview? Copies will be posted on the bulletin board.

INJURY NOTES:
There were no injuries to report. A few players subbed themselves out with pulled muscles or sore legs but nothing substantial to report.

Join us next week as we take on the Sparkly $2 Bills (aka the Pink team) at C. Ray Buck Sports Park at 8:oo PM.

Total Depravity falls to 0-2

Total Depravity jumped out to an early lead but it wasn't enough as The Buckeyes rallied late and claimed victory 6-5.

The evening started with a pre-game Tailgate that brought together our passionate fan base and a casual meet and eat with the finely tuned athletes of Total Depravity. While no autographs were collected the team was able to answer fan questions and model the new team uniforms for those interested in showing their team spirit at home and in the office. With 7 pm game time fast approaching the rosters were set & it was time to play.

Total Depravity began the game by collecting a quick 3 outs and then was able to record an equally quick three runs behind the experienced kicking of the front of the lineup. Yet 3 runs was not enough to hold off the rally of the Buckeyes (1-1) who waited until the middle innings to score their first run and later 3 more runs on a peculiar call by the home plate umpire who awarded the runner home despite not yet being on 3rd thus bringing the score to 4-3. From there it was a back and forth game with each team scoring points and having them answered almost immediately in the next inning. When it was all said and done Total Depravity managed to leave the winning run on base with a two out pop-up that ended the game and secured The Buckeyes first win 6-5.

TEAM NOTES:
Improved defense resulted in virtually all infield pop-ups being recorded as outs as well as some line drives. Jon Stephens who spent much of the game as Short Stop caught two consecutive line drives in the 1st inning. Travis Williamson who pitched the entire game also show off improved defense robbing more than one kicker of a hit.

Amy Creighton recorded Total Depravity's first walk in Kickball history.

INJURY NOTES:
Based off of the first game's slew of injuries ranging from skinned knees to broken fingers, week 2 was a success. While in-game soreness and strained muscles were a common complaint we did not have any reports of broken bones. We did have a skinned leg when Micheal Schmidt slid back into 1st to avoid the tag. He was treated after the game.

Join us next week for Week 3 as Total Depravity takes on The 3 B's (0-2) at 6pm.

Total Depravity to debut Uniforms at Aug 16th Game

Total Depravity (TD), the Kickball team of Boulevard Presbyterian Church will debut their uniforms for the August 16th 7pm game against The Buckeyes (0-10).

Fans of TD are encouraged to come out early and help us tailgate the pregame. Hot Dogs, Burgers, Family Friendly drinks, and more will be had as we get ready for TDs 2nd game of the season. Tailgating starts at 6pm at C. Ray Buck park. Bring a friend and stay for the game!

Total Depravity drops 1st game 13-6

In the first game of the inaugural season of Grandview Heights Recreation Kickball Total Depravity, the house kickball team of Boulevard Presbyterian Church, fell 13-6 in a 9 inning affair.

With an 8pm start time Total Depravity filled the visitors dugout with 18 game day players each hungry for the victory that ultimately alluded them. The game began with Total Depravity (TD) kicking and three quick outs later the first inning of the first year was in the books. From there things quickly got out of hand as The Bird is the Word handed TD a handful of quick runs and never really looked back.

Highlights for TD were found mostly on the defensive side of the ball with Greg Smith, Mary Clifton, James Sledge, Jon Stephens and Travis Williamson making great outs that kept TD in the high scoring affair until the later innings. But the show belonged to Smith whose Left Center heroics caught the attention of passing by Baseball Hall of Fame Center Fielder Willie Mays. When asked "do you think you could play Left Center any better than Smith?" Mays looked out at Smith and replied "I don't think so...but then again I am 78 years old."

Total Depravity will take the field again Sunday, August 16th at 7pm with the hopes of securing their first win. Pregame festivities include a Kickball Tailgate sponsored by the Boulevard Young Adults. Tailgate begins at 6pm. Remember family friendly beverages only please.

How I Spent my Summer Vacation

I am on vacation so I am not going to do the work of this blog aka. inserting links to the things that I am talking about...lo siento. By the way, most of what I got to say is found here at www.montreat.org. Enjoy!

I am currently on vacation. It really is more of a Sabbath than a vacation. When I think of vacation I think of our upcoming trip to the Caymans. The sabbath I am taking is a little more in line with the idea of Sabbath I wrote about here in May. I am working and not resting. Since Saturday I have been what they call the Community Life Coordinator for the 6th and final week of the Montreat Youth Conference. My job entails doing the behind-the-scenes things for the conference that allow the participants to stay safe and within the bounds of the contract (aka. Covenant) that both youth and adult singed before arriving here this day.

One of the more well known aspects of my job is something called Covenant Patrol. Covenant Patrol sounds to me like something that happened in Puritan times when folks would make surprise visits to make sure folks were well behaved. To be honest, it isn't a whole lot different. Myself and my band of merry men and women walk around during the time right after curfew (11pm) and in the event we find something un-"covenantal" we escort them back to their housing. To be honest, finding someone or groups of folks really ruins a great walk in the cool evening. The air here in the mountains is cool and clean and aside for the numerous hills it truly is a wonderful time. I enjoy the walk and I am hoping that the 500 plus kids and adults who are here with us this week don't ruin it.