AWVP

Chief hurries home as the sun goes down to write the AAR:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxIBwMcxW2E&t=18s

Saturday. Is it Saturday? That's what I wondered after too long a Friday night. So up to the Hot Gates, to see what awaits.

Pretty good attendance today--something like 3 teams of pandas eventually. AAR brought to you by the number 3. Dan brought 3 rolls, Ford got 3 straight sets for big time hits to win a play, Wilbur hit 3 players in the head--me, Kenny, Scott (2 times on the same play).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1cRGVaJF7Y

I'm told my head put the ball back in play, but I couldn't speak to that. For those who don't know already, if Wild Thing Will can get the ball in...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_wc9JvTXGc

Then he's very dangerous to players in the pool vs bystanders, and he got the ball in a lot today.

Ford had a very good day. Walrus keeps Walrusin' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egfKEpSLZak

New York's Indian name (not Shimmy Indian, the other kind) is Sets Like Lander. Prettiest hands I ever saw:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJFUiar_cjs

But my player of the day may surprise you. I think he went undefeated--shh. But if you're a student of the game, you watch what people do, especially those who play the same role as you do. I've been watching his game improve for a couple years now, and he's really got the timing and decision making together this year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlAVHzIZZvI

Uh oh! Scully gets player of the day. Don't always have to be loud or flashy to be good. I just wish we had an award besides most improved that covers consistency and all around good play for the 6ft and under crowd.

Weird how the pool keeps pulling people back in. I hadn't seen Riata Ryan in 10 years. Welcome back!

Rookie of the year competition is close this season. Looks like Shimmy is coming off injury and getting his game back, but those over on 1 placement shots are really risky. Chad continues to learn timing, and focus. Is he drinking hard liquor out there? Didn't he learn from Nate's 4 Loco experience? Ahh, to be young again...

I spent a lot of time today in what appears to be my new role, getting new players focused and playing as a team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkccqolaVGg&t=3s

To be fair, we're expecting people to learn very quickly. It takes most players about 5 years to develop, and we want your best game in 5 minutes. That's not realistic, but it is what it is.

Because we're entering 3rd quarter of the season. And that means less tolerance for lifting and slop, and more rallies and good plays. Gladiators, I salute you! We're looking good out there, and entertaining the audience. Play well and have fun doing it. It's almost like there's a tournament coming up, or something...

Rule #1, have fun--win or lose, and I lost a lot today. But it was a good day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEKNWES2_4k

And never underestimate the old veterans when it comes to an engineering dispute:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM5FTQjMYpg&t=26s

We got to have 2 hours of Scully hour on the tunes. I like that, and I love watervolleyball. Add this to the playlist, Scully!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlXtrnh-Ejo

See y'all tomorrow!

_________________
Chief

Death from above! Fire down below!