YKL News and History
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YKL President's Corner 
The Originals
As of December 2013, the following are active players that joined the YKL in its original season 2004. Our first ladies of kickball include: Amanda Marshall, Erica Poster, Mandy (Twiford) Bowman and Katie (Stoner) Verrastro. The men who have been here from the beginning are: Matt Beard, Nick Beard, Chad Deardorff, Mike Funke, Stan Gingerich, Phil Gross, Jon Hutton, Rich Monaghan, Chris Perks, Mike Poster, Kevin Schieler, Jon Bowman, and Nick Verrastro.
Matt Beard (Formal "Commish" and founder of the YKL in 2004)
President from 2004-2013
Nick Beard (El Presidente)
President 2014
Dwayne Neff (Sergeant Slider)
President from 2015- PRESENT
El Presidente and Commish- Saturday 2013
"Da Beards"
Sergeant Slider and Commish- Saturday 2016
The History of the York Kickball League
If you are reading this "About Page" then you must be wondering, "What the hell was he thinking forming a kickball league?" An idea so simple, so right in front of your face, so ridiculous, yet for those of you who play, so outrageously fun. There are many people responsible for this league. I would like to recognize the following.
The idea of kickball belongs to my buddy Eric McBride. Eric was my sophomore year roommate (and 2006 DC Kickball champion with Thick Femur). When he first told me a kickball league where played in 2003, I laughed at the absurdity of the idea. Each week, he sent me stories from his games, details from the after party at the bar, and weekly wrap-ups from Captain Ahab of the Dropkickers. I soon became very jealous of the fun he was having and felt the need to join in. With no league in York, I decided to create one for us.
With an idea of the league forming in my mind, I presented the idea to Mike Funke. Needing only a morning of in-service to discuss details, set up rules, and hash out guidelines, the YKL was formed. We were adamant from the beginning that the YKL should be based on the idea of adults having fun. Friends constantly encouraged me to create this league for everyone to enjoy. Our idea was to get as many people as possible involved as players in the early days of the league. My next job was to get teams together and find us a sponsor.
Even after all of this planning, the final push came from Lauren Anderson. The idea of the league was formed, three team captains committed, but we had no bar sponsor. Without any bars on board, the dream almost died. Several area bars turned down our offer to be the YKL's official bar. It was at this time, that I figured all this kickball was just talk. We happened to be at Emerson's Pub when Lauren, with a look of a kid asking Santa for a puppy, asked, "are we playing kickball or not?" Knowing I could not disappoint her I told her that I would check with Emerson's in a last ditch effort to form a league. Once Del said that he was interested, the league began to take shape.
Three teams formed (Kickerbockers, Highmount Rollers, and Camel Toes), uniforms were ordered, and finally a bar sponsor. York City allowed us use of the Bob Hoffman/Memorial Field complex. Everything was falling into place. During week 2, I'm with Stupid joined the mix and the race for the Lord Emerson's Cup was on. My goal during the formation of this league was to create an atmosphere where fun was the most important ingredient and competition kind of happened. With the help of everyone involved, we have made new friends, found old ones, pulled many hamstrings, laughed at each other during games, and had some great times at the bar, some we even remember. It is because of all the people involved that we have such a great league.
In the inaugural season of 2004, The Highmount Rollers captured the first Lord Emerson's Cup. At the conclusion of the In the fall of 2005, the four original teams grew to a ten team league. Brewery Products, the local Budwiser distributor, became the official beer sponsor of the YKL. In 2006 the Waterway Raw Bar and Grill became our new home, the Lord Emerson's Cup was renamed to the Super Awesome Cup, and the YKL II, a six team league, was created. A merger happened in 2007 as the YKL and YKL II became one and formed the 16 team league that plays today. In 2009 Miller Lite became to official beer sponsor of the YKL. In 2011 the Cove became our new home bar for activities after the games have ended.
In 2013 the YKL roster included the following teams: Ball Breakers, Ballz Out, Camel Toes, Field Sobriety, Freeballers, Ghostmen, Jersey Meathooks, Kick Rox, Menace to Sobriety, Milwaukee Beers, Kick Kick Boom, Kickball Mafia, Krakors, Mini Vaners, The KILF's, and Who Says...
As the league continues to grow, I know its strength comes from the adults who regress to their childhood for weekends during the fall and I look forward to seeing all of you on the kickball field.
-Matt Beard
