capital “Cap” City Cobras: 2014 - Present

In 2014 on a beautiful May day, Cobra founder Will Thomson decided he wanted to play some baseball. In his own words, Will describes his inspiration as follows:

“I had just finished watching Ken Burns Baseball the night before, and woke up all hungover* and weepy about the nostalgia the documentary had instilled (* I was hungover as hell because hard liquor is the only way to keep Ken Burns’ siren baseball song from putting you straight to sleep). In my blurry state that morning, I decided that if those goofy bankers and firefighters in 1790 Manhattan could muster the energy to find teammates, and a field across the Hudson River in New Jersey's Elysian Fields to play a children's ball game; then I could drag my happy ass over to Play-it-Again Sports, score some catcher gear, post a selfie on Facebook inviting all comers, and go scope out the field across the Colorado River I'd had my eyes on the last couple years.”

Will bought two bats, catcher’s gear, a bucket (named Byron), a baker’s dozen of baseballs, and a couple cases of beer. The people who came out that first day did not come out for games or glory – they came out for the love of baseball (and, to be honest, the beer). At that time, the idea to form a legitimate team had not even been entertained, players met on Sundays for good times, Sunday Sandlots, and a couple beers. Will had no idea that his fondness towards baseball and willingness to get out there would eventually result in the Cap City Cobras.

Then as things happen in Austin, a member of the East Austin Jardineros’ front office walked into Will’s workplace, The Grackle, for a cocktail or two, and proceeded to inform him that Austin had two existing sandlot teams, the East Austin Jardineros and Texas Playboys. The Jardineros were gracious enough to scrimmage and have a couple mashups with our crew of misfits – denim cutoffs, chain wallets, knives, and all. It is safe to say that Cobras would not be here without the Jardineros’ help and guidance. At this time the Cobras were known as Arena Domingo (aka Sunday Sandlot), but this became confusing as the squad often played on Sundays. So the team set out to find a new name. Around the time (aka July of 2015) the search for the new name began, the Austin Cobra emerged and in his spirit the Capital “Cap” City Cobras were named.

Finally on July 10th, 2015 still under the name of Arena Domingo, the team had their first official game against the East Austin Jardineros at Govalle the Good. Playing about once a month for the remainder of the 2015 season, we did not record a win, but did secure our first beer sponsor (PRIORITIES!!). During this inaugural season, Will laid out the team’s 3-part philosophical approach: 1) Show Up; 2) Play Well; and 3) Have Fun. Our poor play, and winless record, did nothing to deter our spirits. In fact, we were more excited than ever to be Austin's third sandlot team.

As the 2016 season rolled around, the team had shed the Arena Domingo moniker, and officially became the Capital “Cap” City Cobras. With our new name, we decided to change beer sponsors and played under the banner (and influence) of Pabst Blue Ribbon. 2016 was a turning point in Cobras’ history. We recorded our first wins, named Seth Kessler the first team captain, started to develop a fan base, found a couple cornerstone players, and, with renewed dreams, began to look towards the future. While we did not have a winning record, we knew we were building an organization – one we hope will be around for many years to come.

Riding high from the 2016 season’s successes, the Cobras solidified their brand, and committed to the Cobra “C” and their beloved black and white. The team established partnerships with favorite local watering holes, Workhorse Bar and Backlot, changed our beer sponsor to the Big Bend Brewing Company, and secured our first apparel sponsor. The approaching 2017 season was looking bright and became brighter as Austin Sandlot ballooned to six teams with the Austin Grackles, Austin Outsiders, and Austin Senators joining the Sandlot Revolution.

Furthermore, the Cobras started playing much better baseball. During the 2017 season, the Cobras experienced our first legitimate win streak and finished the season with a 10-5 record. This was quite the accomplishment considering the Cobras’ history of losing. However, tragedy stuck when our founder, Will, left the team. he did not die or anything, he just moved to Denver. Upon his departure, team captain, Seth Kessler, bought the team for $37, and immediately named Thomas “TK” King to assistant manager/VP of Cobra Creativity. While Will's departure was a bitter pill, he had set the Cobras up for success, and the team answered the call. The 2017 season was, at that point, the Cobras best season – both on and off the field!

Prior to the 2018 season, the Cobras’ beloved practice field resembled a pasture more than a baseball field. Recognizing this community need, the Cobras along with some community partners, donated blood, sweat, tears, dirt, and Cobra Cash (our own funds) to build batter's boxes, a pitching mound, sliding pits, and installed bases. The team was stoked for the 2018 season, and could not wait to get in between the white lines.

AS the 2018 season approached it became clear that people were violating the first rule of Sandlot (do not talk about Sandlot) and that the Sandlot Revolution was in full swing. The Austin Sandlot scene welcomed four more teams with the Austin Roadrunners, Austin Parakeets, Austin Dukes, and Austin Yardbirds being established. There was now 10 Austin Sandlot teams!

The Cobras’ 2018 season was stellar and filled with Cobra firsts! Cobra firsts included taking their first road game and traveling to Alpine, TX to play the Los Yonke Gallos De Marfa at historic Kokernot Field. This event resulted in a slew of new friends and the Cobras being pictured in the Big Bend Sentinel — Our first official press coverage! Other firsts included launching the Cobras’ website, creating and selling our first merchandise (See the “Gear” tab above), helping other teams throughout the nation become established, and creating the first end-of-season Cobra Awards. The Cobras ended the season with a 15-5 record with Tucker Francis and Matt Hampton earning the Cy Young and MVP awards respectively. The 2018 season wholeheartedly reinforced our belief in inclusive adult baseball, and clearly demonstrated that the Sandlot Revolution was just getting started. Like the seasons before, the 2018 season was filled with fun, camaraderie, and important lessons — all of which led to the Cobras counting down the days to the 2019 season!

The offseason prior to the 2019 Season brought some challenges as the Cobras lost their wonderful beer sponsor, Big Bend Brewing Company, several key players, and Byron the Bucket. Byron, who started life as a Southern pickle bucket, had always dreamed about being a baseball bucket. After too many years in too many kitchens to count, the Cobras were happy to make his dreams come true for nearly 5 seasons as he served as the official ball carrier and practice umpire! The team was devastated when he finally succumb to time and the elements (R.I.P. Byron)! While replacing these key Cobras was difficult — the season was approaching and there was baseball to be played and beer to be consumed. The Cobras’ luck turned in a hurry with the acquisition of Byron II, the addition of several new players, and two new sponsorships: Circle Brewing Company (Circle) and Tito’s Vodka. Workhorse Bar, Backlot, and Tito’s helped the Cobras secure new uniforms, while Circle (and their beer) became instant Sandlot stars. Circle’s Taproom was the setting for a multitude of successful Cobra events including a Season Kickoff Party and Mid-Season Sandlot Social. The 2019 Season would also welcome the Austin Switch and South Austin Lovejoys to the Austin Sandlot fold — bringing the total number of Sandlot teams to 13 — that’s a 10 team increase since the Cobras were founded.

The addition of new sponsors and new players helped the Cobras make the 2019 season incredibly successful. The Cobras once again traveled to Alpine, TX to play the Los Yonke Gallos De Marfa at historic Kokernot Field, but also added trips to Denver, CO and Tulsa, OK to play the Oakland Beers (Oakland, CA) and Tulsa Rumblers respectively. The Cobras also had an opportunity to play the Mississippi Flood (Oxford, MS), and participate in the Inaugural Austin Sandlot All-Star Game versus the East Vancouver (aka East Van) All-Stars! The Cobras played lights out Baseball all season and finished the season with a 18-2 record with Thomas Slanker and Ryan Murphy winning the Cy Young and MVP awards respectively. The 2019 season further emboldened the Cobras, and the team vowed to make the 2020 season even more fun and outlandish.

The 2020 season was not what anyone wanted or expected. The COVID-19 pandemic limited to the Cobras to only one game, but gave the Cobras their first undefeated season (1-0)!! The Cobras were also extremely thankful for Circle Brewing’s, Workhorse Bar’s, and Backlot’s continued support. The Cobras were also trilled to introduce their first exclusive bat sponsor — the Winona, Minnesota-based Pillbox Bat Co. Pillbox Bat Co. perfectly aligned with the Cobras and the Sandlot Community, as Pillbox’s style and culture epitomizes Sandlot and they are warmly welcomed to the Sandlot Revolution. The Cobras, like most of the world, are excited to put 2020 behind us and are looking forward to the 2021 Season! Fangs First!