Team Spotlight: The Big Lebowski's

In the first, of what I hope turns out to be many, team spotlights, I am going to take you all for a look at the inner soul of one of the House Softball Leagues yearly powerhouses, The Big Lebowksi's (previously known as the Dunder Mifflin All-Stars).

Obviously this team was destined for greatness based on their name, let alone the fact that they ACTUALLY have someone who refers to themself as The Dude, who both coaches and plays LF. The Dude keeps his competitive edge by spinning a mean game of trash talk on the League Message Board, but don't mistake his smack for empty boasting. This isn't your average bowling team that faces down Jesus every week in league play, these Lebowski's back up their trash talk with action. With 22 games played in 2007, and 27 games in 2008, this squad of Vietnam vets and smoking cowboys has consistently put their reputation on the line far more frequently than any other perennial powerhouse.

Following up strong Top 10 regular season finishes in each of the past 2 seasons, The Dude assured me they are not content to simply be "among" the best in the league.

"After a year as Dunder Mifflin and the 12 RPI, and last year's #5 RPI team, we plan to take the top spot by season's end," The Dude said in brief note.

After a heartbreaking season opener loss to the ever dangerous Texas Republic, the Lebowski's have bounced back to post a stunning 65 - 6, runs scored - runs allowed, in their last two victories. Obviously this run differential says two things:

1. The Lebowski's are this leagues equivalent to the 2007 New England Patriots and the Dude has some serious Bill Bellicheck tendencies.

2. They're damn good.

Look for the Lebowski's to finish in the Top 10 again this year, and for my two cents, the Softball Guy has them projected to end a Top 5 team.

* If you'd like to have your team spotlighted, please send a note to Softball Guy: HSSBlogger@yahoo.com