If Kickball were a state, it would be Virginia ... because “Kickball is for Lovers”.

Roland Aviles and Uma Jagtiani are not only Kickball Stars (Roland is also an occasional Ref), but they are also the sport’s new “it” couple. Just last weekend, the two took their biggest step since deciding to round third for home: they got engaged!

Amidst all the joyous celebrations, Roland and Uma took a minute to answer a few questions regarding their big news.

RA: Uma and I met in August 2010 randomly at a bar called Slate, but discovered on our first date that we BOTH played Kickball for NYC Social, but on different nights. In fact, I think she felt a bit awkward upon discovering that I also reffed in the past since it was still that awkward "getting to know each other" stage and she probably didn't want to run into me at a game just yet.

UJ: I was so nervous to tell him I was playing in the Fall for fear he'd think I was stalking him! Luckily enough, Roland took the Fall off from reffing so it ended up being a non-issue. The next Spring, making a team together was actually a really big deal for us. Watching the new team hit it off during the T-Shirt party felt really amazing and reassuring. The first 2011 season will always be my favorite for that reason!

Was it love at first kick?

RA: No, but I hit it out of the park with Uma.

Was there a defining moment in the last year?

RA: While our relationship flourished, there is one particular day that we'll never forget and it was the Field Day trip you arranged to Camp Getaway. For many a reason it's still one of our favorite days.

UJ: That was the day Roland revealed one of his (many) secret talents - he knows how to sail! We had such a great day sitting and talking for ages on the water.

Did the Post-Game Parties play a role in the courting process?

RA: Yes, but at that point we felt more like it was our party that we were throwing for our friends to enjoy, if that makes sense.

Were there any teammates or Staff that were instrumental in bringing you two together?

UJ: Going to a NYC SSC event with Roland is like dating a celebrity. He knows so many people that you get stopped ten times just trying to get from one end of the bar to the other. It was fun to see him in his element.

Who’s the better Kickballer? Better Flip Cupper?

RA: Me and me (I’m sure Uma will chime in).

UJ: I’ll give him Kickball, but I’m going to say we’re neck and neck for at least Flip Cup. Unless he wants to challenge me to a rematch…

When and how did the engagement go down?

RA: Sunday Dec 4th, we went to a Christmas tree farm to cut down our tree. Long story short: I made her cut down the tree so when she turned around I'd be there on bended knee.

UJ: Before I knew what was happening I actually had the nerve to complain that he was making me be the one to sit in the dirt and struggle with the saw. I believe the words, “this sucks”, were uttered less than five minutes before we got engaged.

Are there any wedding plans yet?

RA: No plans yet, but this just gave me the idea of having Flip Cup at it (here comes her next chime...).

UJ: No. Unless you let me win the entire night and then we can talk about it. Wait – I don’t need you to let me win!

Cheers to the loving couple and to their bright future! Because as Roland says, “We are so thrilled and can't wait to get another team going again in the Spring. Hopefully in 25 years or so we'll have a kid playing in the league too!”

We know it's exciting when you make a big catch during football.  As this member of Chicks with Kicks (Cedar) shows us, it can certainly be a reason for celebration.

And as much as everyone loves a good post-catch dance, you do have to remember to throw the ball back.

Once you've done that, feel free to jump up and down, do a twirl, go for some high fives, and do the airplane dance all you'd like...

Go ahead, you've earned it!

With snow in the forecast and the days getting shorter, the last lingering moments of Summer are fading more and more from our memories.  But Kick It Up a Notch (Daisy) isn't letting them go without a fight.  While the rest of us are donning our puffy vests and sipping Pumpkin Ale (yum), these Wednesday Kickballers instead opted to channel their inner surfer-dudes and hula girls at their Hallo-week game.  I wonder if that hair is real...

But dressing up like you're straight off the plane from Hawaii circa 1972 doesn't mean you're going to play like a beach bum.  Check out how serious this Wannabe-Mark Richards looks as he works second base

Lei or no lei, that's a pretty intimidating stare down.  Heavy, bro.

While the future of the 2011/2012 NBA Season may be uncertain, we at least know one thing for sure:  NYC Social Wednesday Kickball is still as entertaining as ever!  Maybe that's why these (obviously real) NBA players decided to come out and get their workout in by kicking some balls with Kicks Are For Kids (Purple... usually).  I mean, why not?  The pure athletic prowess required to play kickball in this league is totally comparable to that required to play in the NBA, right?  Right?

Just look at that completely unstaged and fully legit slam dunk!  And check out this... umm... Sonics player staring down the competition:

Someone should probably let these Seattle superstars know that if they're waiting for the Sonics season to start, it might take a little longer than they were planning.

Good thing they'll at least have Kickball!

You can always tell when there's an NYC Social staff member around.  Not only because of those iconic Ref jerseys or the big "Staff" on the backs of their shirts, but also because of the crowd that's always clamoring around, hoping to snap a pic with them.  We know they're great at keeping order and making it fun on the field, but as these pictures show, they seem to have some sort of strange, alluring magnetism off the field too (and especially at the bar).  They're like NYC Social's own brand of celebrity.

This kickballer couldn't wait to get his picture with our Ref, Darnell

Bar champs Greencard (Kiwi) had lots of love for Darnell.  With all the fans swarming him, it's a wonder he can get anything done!