Third Annual FBA Kickball Tournament a Delight for All
2018 Kickball Champions: FBA Team, led to victory by Honorable Coach Anderson
The FBA-NOVA recently hosted the Third Annual FBA v. EDVA Kickball Tournament during a cool fall afternoon at Joseph Hensley Park in Alexandria. Seeking to defend their title as kickball champions, the EDVA team, coached by Judge Nachmanoff and Judge O’Grady, clashed with the FBA team, coached by Judge Anderson and Judge Buchanan (in abstentia). Judge Jones delighted the attendees with an honorary first-roll strike and autographs for the young fans.
This year’s game took place under the watchful eyes of the Honorable Home Plate Umpire Judge Trenga and Federal Defender and First Base Umpire Geremy Kamens. No calls to the replay booth or challenge flags were needed as these officials masterfully kept the game in check with ease. Former FBA President Charles “Chip” Molster charmed the crowd with color commentary for fans young and old, who have come to rely on the sage expertise of the FBA-NOVA hall of famer.
And the game did not disappoint. A year after their come-from-behind heroics, Judge Nachnanoff and Judge O’Grady commanded their EDVA team to an early lead in this year’s contest. Facing the pressure of an early deficit, Judge Anderson guided the FBA team to an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the third and a strong rally in the top of the fourth to take the lead. The EDVA and FBA teams traded the lead through the sixth inning, with both squads impressing the fans with strong kicks and defensive gems. But the FBA was not to be denied. Judge Anderson led his team to a timely string of runs in the top of the seventh, capped by FBA-NOVA’s immediate past president Tom Connally’s clutch go-ahead run. A strong defensive outing in the bottom of the inning sealed the game and delivered the coveted kickball trophy back to the FBA team for the second time in three years.
The teams and their fans celebrated another year of fun with good cheer and post-game barbecue from Rockland’s. The annual athletic contest and feast was well attended by judges and practitioners alike, with family and friends—and pets!—in tow.
Courthouse Team, coached by Judge Nachmanoff and Judge O’Grady
Many thanks to the sponsors who made this event possible: Baker Botts LLP, Ballard Spahr LLP, Blankingship & Keith P.C., Charleston Bredehoft Cohen & Brown, P.C., Covington & Burling, DiMuro Ginsberg P.C., Fish & Richardson, Harvey & Binnall PLLC, Hogan Lovells LLP, Holland & Knight LLP, Holmes Costin Marcus PLLC, McGuireWoods LLP, MolsterLaw.com, Troutman Sanders LLP, Venable LLP, Vinson & Elkins LLP, Webster Book LLP, and Wilkinson Walsh & Eskovitz.
Special thanks to the Young Lawyers Committee — Tara Zurawski, Kevin Richards (Covington & Burling), Meg Loftus, Cailyn Reilly Knapp (Baker Botts), James Holt (McGuireWoods), and Robert Farlow (Holland & Knight) — and Gul Gharbieh for organizing this wonderful event.
by Dan Wallmuth (Vinson & Elkins), YLC Member