Softball Diaries

This week we break down the 'cult classic', Squeeze Play! No interview, just a rollicking panel of experts who hate-watched this softball movie. How did this movie get made? We attempt to answer. Thanks to Zak Krone, Justin Siebel, Stef, and Erika for helping to understand and legitimize this haphazardly constructed battle of sexes comedy went wrong. Squeeeeze play.

Ed Ricci is an honest man who likes the simple things: a gin and diet ginger ale, sports talk radio, dressing up like Frank Sinatra. Ed remembers the golden years of Conshohocken, and knows exactly why things are no longer great (to daughter Stephanie's discomfort). Steph's parents' first date is unbelievably perfect, unlike Ed's opinion of Buco! Oh yeah! A classic Dad episode, sure to enlighten, amuse, and question why we live in the big city when Conshohocken has a bar with Ed as the bartender AND the beer-olympics. We also recap three or four games. Papa, Papa, Papa-Ricci!

From the swamps of Virginia emerges a baseball playing bass player, who you are about to get to know. Andrew Abbott came to Philadelphia during the Left and Right diaspora, but what happened next will shock you. We talk tourism, ice cream scoopin', and learn which MLB star's brother sucks. Plus a recap of another tie game! And thats Abbott it.

Reigning Buco / Gross's Beer of the Game Award Winner Rachel Sanders checks back in with the SD crew. Zack Gross, filling in for MIA Buco, seeks advice from Sanders. She happily obliges on the professional, personal, and spiritual. We recap a 'Cione Instant Classic', and premiere the new 'Whats in the box?!' segment. Always Rach for the Stars.

As spring turns into summer, the boys and girls of Philadelphia descend upon rec center fields; the ritual of the crack of the bat, the smell of Zack Gross, the sound of Bell Biv DeVoe. WE'RE BACK BABY! New year, new field, new time, same rules (more or less). Listen to Buco and Klego kick off the season and make bold predictions. Season six baby!

Time to give out awards and superlatives related to our weekly softball game. Who takes home the most prestigious award, best wigs? Everyone voted, we counted them. Listen to us mention your name, among others! DRUMROLL PLZ

This week on the SD: longtime player Jesse Carah. While in Jesse's beautiful South Philly solarium, the gang talks growing up, getting a job, and being terrified of that creaking sound downstairs...oh god it's definitely a burglar! We recap another game and talk about Halloween. Don't just be scared, listen today.

The Sultan of Sicily, the Behemoth of Bologna. Dan Martino was born to hit the long ball. Where did the power come from? Why does he play a version of baseball from 150 years ago?? Is it because he is afraid of the oncoming robot revolution? All answered this week on the Diaries. We also did three (thorough?) recaps. Hear ye, hear ye, indeed.

Two weeks ago a game ended in a tie. Three months ago Thatcher was just a guy. Thatcher was all alone. Now Thatcher knows Jon Stone. That tie was captained by these two. To commemorate everything, they have appeared, as a couple, on this week's Diaries! Put your ears on this podcast to figure out how they met, how they settled the tie, what causes Thatcher the most pain, and what celebrity Jon is NOT related to. THEN WE MADE THEM PLAY THE NEWLYWED GAME!!

Buco and Kleger are proud to have the disarmingly handsome Noah Rush on this week. Together we discuss the big issues; where Noah shops, sweet or savory, whether or not he was in a reggae band in college. Maybe you already know Noah from being featured in a famous series of books his mom wrote? Rush 2116 baby!

Bring on the closer, Cody Wren. This episode takes us to a place of redemption, crime and punishment, and the ultimate question: Does Cody prefer Sesame Street or the Muppets? We talk about Cody's creative process, his love of sport, and who gives the best tattoos in the joint. Also two game recaps, and a segment centered on hate.

Who IS Zak Krone? Will anyone ever know? Will anyone ever try? Virginian-Eastern-Shore-Mormon? Charlottesville-Episcopalian? Toledo-Jew? Fishtown-Pizzalogist? To figure out this knuckleballer is to understand how simple it is, yet miss the complexity entirely. No spoilers, Zak's journey to Philly and softball is boisterously roundabout. And remember King Krone ain't got nothing on me.

This week we have a very, very special episode! Have you ever seen Freaky Friday? Buco is Jamie Lee Curtis, Gabe is Lindsay Lohan, Zack Gross is our weird test tube baby hopped up on ADHD meds, and Kleger is an anonymous hotshot movie producer pulling the strings from Tinseltown. Listen as Zack and Gabe ask Buco... questions and shit! That Buco sure is BUCO.

We're back this week with Buco and Kleg talking to South Africa's very own Claudette Pombo. Claudette's positivity about everything brightens up the dark hell the USA has been cultivating. Listen while you work / walk / jog / do the dishes to learn about South Africa, where in Philly you will find Claudette in da club, and some variety of french fries called slap chips. Luister vandag!

Hey this episode is super late coming out, but worth the wait. Kyle puts up with all the none sense Buco and guest host Gibby can throw at him, and it's a lot of crap. He explains why he dodges boxing matches and participates in a cruelly orchestrated game show. Gibby manages to show you how far he has to come when it comes to accents or impressions, whatever. Also, keep listening for bonus material featuring kleger! Listen today?

This is 50! We made it! Lets celebrate the big L and Father's Day with Gabe's dad Steve. Steve leaves us all questioning our purpose, our past, how he made it out of Turkey, and how he can remember any of it. Just listen to the interview already. There is also a recap of the previous two games, and bonus chatter from softball's biggest stars discussing what Softball Diaries means to them! Yay-ssky!

This week on the 'cast we bring in SD all-star Erika Gallagher. Softball Diaries 49 features a recap of a blow-out, seltzer talk, Estonian banter, and a Sophie's choice between an insect and relaxation. Plus the return of the stock market. And we ruin dinosaurs. Tune in

The rainclouds cleared just long enough to play the inaugural game of 2016! To celebrate this miracle, we bring Justin Siebel into Home Base Studios. Learn about Justin's professorial job at Philly U, his comedic dreams, and livin' that convertible life. We recap an offensively strong first game, talk about the wall (the wall!), discuss the rookies, and make BOLD predictions for 2016. Dive in

Is there any better way to spend the holidays then to memorialize the 2015 Rag Tag season with Buco and Kleg? Definitely. But, why not get to this eventually? This episode of Softball Diaries features the first ever people's choice awards, voted by...YOU! Listen in to meet your MVPs, your best dancers, your best friends. Beyond that we gave pretty much everybody an award, so put the glove on and get out there one more time! 2015!

Natalie Cross joins the SD crew for one of the last Softball Diaries of 2015. Join us as we discuss DJ Natty by Nature's musical evolution, her pet rabbit, what she wants to be when she grows up, and a ton more. Game 21 recap too.