Thank you.

We finished in a tie for first. And by the current system of tiebreakers, and one horribly bad call by an umpire, we don't get jackets by two runs. Two...flipping...runs.

Our party is scheduled for October 23rd. Anyone who reads this, we hope you can come.

Glenn and I came up with this stupid name for a video game football team while we were in college. It was just a stupid reaction to a stupid monkey on a cereal box. It has evolved to so much more.

I'm incredibly proud of what the Crackmonkeys have become. We have friends and alumni throughout the country, and we all still stay in touch. When Glenn and I first put together a softball team, we just wanted to be competitive, but make sure enjoying each other's company was priority number one. I think we've continued to do that.

Like any other family, there have been squabbles. There have also been, and will continue to be, lifetime friendships.

I have a tattoo on my left hip of the Crackmonkeys "CM" logo. It's not because of the fact that I play softball with a bunch of people who I like. It's because the people who I like, care about, and have helped me become the person I am, also play softball. Many are no longer in Champaign-Urbana, but I think the Satkuses, Walls, Campbells, and many others know that they were a part of a really unique thing, and one that created a loving and nurturing atmosphere.

Our current team was a unique one. By the end of the year, every player on the field enjoyed the company of women. Who would have thought that would happen. Well...probably Glenn.

As the defacto captain over the last 8-9 years of both our volleyball and softball teams, I want to say thank you to all of the people who have played. It has meant the world to me. More than I can ever really articulate. It has been my constant. I could always count on this group of people to be there, week in, and week out. Not just for the game, but for friendship, for a shoulder to cry on, for support.

So I say thank you. You all have touched me in an important and lasting way. You have helped me survive. You have helped me thrive. And you have made me laugh, and live.

We have won multiple volleyball titles over the years. We won one official softball championship, tied for another, and have countless 2nd and 3rd place finishes. We have countless friends and lasting relationships. That will always be the most important.

I don't know what comes next for the Monkeys in any official capacity. If someone else wants to take the reigns, so be it. Just let me know. We will continue to function as a hellaciously fun social group.

Again, I thank all of you for your years of participation.

Mike

One down, one to go

Ok, so I just realized that I had not yet done the summary from last week. I won the spirit hat for "taking someone out". It did not look as bad ass as the picture but I can pretend.

I'm struggling to remember what even happened in the game. I know it was a high scoring game----game summary:

We had a big inning, they had a big inning, we had another big inning and then they scored a few more runs. Crackmoney victory!

I know that Glenn had a homerun as he always does. Adam played the role of Alex Voss splendidly. A game highlight was when he turned to throw the ball to Michelle at 2nd and she was no where to be found. She was so amazed by his fielding that she was frozen in her spot. Lisa made some great catches in LC despite the BLAZING sun. Stacey rocked the Captain and Polar Pop in the dugout. I prefer Captain and rum myself. Macy became a more vocal Crackmonkey and cheered for us by name!

I know we had a ton of hits and I know I'm forgetting important accolades. Let's just end on a high note tonight!

I've been very slow with these updates

and I have fined myself, don't worry.

Last weekend, the Crackmonkeys earned sole possession of first place in the regular season with an 8-5 victory over a very solid team. All 8 runs were scored in the first inning, which gave us a good start, but left some of us worried in the last couple innings.

I think just about everyone had solid hits in the first, and then we got complacent. I earned the spirit hat because I ran around a lot, and injured my knee, and then cried about it. Rick could have received it for his pitching. Michelle R for multiple solid hits. Micki did a dance at 3rd that had me excited as manager, as she caused an error AND scored, but it also turned me on in my pantaloons. And Glenn played RF. (Which he will be doing again tonight, sorry Glenn)

Combine that with an Astronutz victory, and there we are, alone in first. But we have unfinished business. Take care of things over the next two weeks, and we'll have a great party. So we start with a tough battle with the Astronutz tonight. We will be ready, and we'll be Monkeys...fighters, flinging poo.

GO MONKEYS!