AWVP

Todays AAR. Truncated, like the games, unlike the breaks, which were numerous and long.

It is better to play than not to play. That was the motto of an older generation of ballers, and it usually is true.

So I’m not afraid to play with less than 6. Even 3s can be done. In one panda’s opinion, it’s good practice. Just serve to somebody, which is also more difficult than it seems (for some pandas more than others).

Another bit of advice. When playing less than 6, you need to adjust your spacing. I see too many people playing on the front line near the wall as if there was someone in the middle. Gotta step off and pinch in when there isn’t.

Another piece of advice (coming from a former drunkest panda) we have spent years mastering the art of alcoholic indulgence and the art of watervolleyball.

The 2 new guys today have not mastered that art.

We did eventually get to 6. And a dynasty was achieved*

Perhaps because Dan got beat by a child (true story), boy howdy was that team stacked. Photo will show what I’m talking about.

I had Jarrod, Nate, Angel, Ram, and the aforementioned child. So not entirely surprising we went down 14-1. What was surprising was that game ended 15-10. Ain’t over til it’s over.

Now we get to rules. Omar showed up. He’s dry, so someone has to sit. You’ll never guess who that was.

Ok. Now we’re on a dynasty busting mission, and since I sat, and there was another dry player, so rules allow me to pull 2 players from the losing team. But wait, just as we’re lining up to play, Reno shows up. So now we have 7 players for 6 slots.

It’s amazing how quickly players on a dynasty hunt notice these things and are suddenly very interested in the rules.

I’m out again. Because them’s the rules.

No problem. It’s not even 6. A couple people just showed up. There will be more games. But wait, dynasty photo taken and that’s the end of the day?

This is not a rant. More of a reminder that following the rules doesn’t mean you always get to do what you want.

Could the power of Princess Sparkle Chief have turned back the stacked team dynasty? I was having a pretty good day heretofore. But we will never know. Because new people need their trigger time, and totally dry beats single or even double dry. It may not be fair in terms of a particular game, but it’s the fairest way overall.

*this dynasty was protested when the super team formed. As required, I have filed in triplicate with the league office, thusly: protest, protest, protest.

Doesn’t mean you didn’t play well.

Moving on to tomorrow, 2 means 2. Mikey came all the way for Australia to ball, so let’s not disappoint. Maximum attendance, maximum effort, total coverage.