Saturday gave me a sad--we were all told to assemble at Deerfield and, when I got 3 blocks away, was advised to abort--beatdown undeliverable at this address. Apparently they were having an apt complex party.
I was on the road, so my messaging ability was limited. Would've been nice if someone had warned other inbound pandas what was up. But they didn't. See my little peccadillos about planning.
So, I did something I never do, drove all the way back up to Riata. It was Saturday, dammit, and a day without ball is like a day without sunshine. Made it by about 6, eager, sober, and ready for a crack at anything I could get.
Apparently some drinking had been going on up there... I managed to get 5 players together, strap them to my game, and carry them to one victory and another close fought defeat. This serves as a caveat to the general rule that it takes at least 2 experienced players to get a win. Cut that to one if everyone is drunk.
Sunday was far better. Lots of players and shirts. I played every game except for one today (voluntary sit out for 2 shirt all play), so I can never have a shirt up.
Here's something about teams and shirts: I was there by 3 and got things rolling. In the beginning, you play with the personnel available. However, a bit of strategizing about what teams you play on can be useful as the day goes on. As the high class play started to show up--Mikey, Wescott, Dub, Tif (best point guard in the pool--she's taking the award this year), Tbone, etc, you're starting to look at some serious mismatches in terms of challengers vs winners.
So, sometimes, it's better if you lose, in order to get picked up by the good challenge squad. But I don't know how to do that. Case in point: the early "super team" of Jared, Ronin Steve, Warren Sapp, and others who generally know what they're doing, faced off against me, Scotty, Wilson, and others who generally don't know what they're doing. No problem--you take your beating, but try to give the fans a good show (and, as they day goes on, we do have people who watch the games), then jump on the next team and really give em a good show. But that's not what happened--we freaking won! Not the most shameful loss anyone has suffered out there, but pretty damn shameful nonetheless--and you should be winners wrecked all my plans, and made me have to fight another game which was really mismatched. Shame on you for messing with Mr. Burns' plan for world domination. I had to wait a couple games before it came to fruition.
When it's a 2 against the world situation, opinions vary on how you set up your 2. One theory is you cross, one in front and one on the opposite side in back. But what has been working more regularly recently is you follow each other around the pool. Also helps if the 2 in question is a setter-hitter combo, which was exactly the case with me and attorney Scott.
When I got to sub in for Bunny, who made her season debut for one game today, things got really fun. Reunited with the old Argosy crew: Mikey, Dub, Wescott, Jared + Tiffer and other supporting cast members.
Some professionals, who shall remain nameless, wonder why I keep plugging away at Riata, where things can be kind of chaotic, there are too many people who don't know what they're doing, you have to sit out too many games, etc.
Here's why--winning hearts and minds. It's just that simple. If you get picked to be on a "bad" team, that's an honor--you have been selected because those people respect you. So make their team better and play your ass off, because that is what's expected of you.
Also, big ass talent pool up there. People with skills are showing interest in our little club. Today Ryan and the Flyin Hawaiian said they want to keep playing after Riata shuts down. They have been instructed that there is other intelligent life in the universe, and that we will keep on goin through October at least.
Ryan is a big fella with a good heart. He's going to make a strong hitter with a little more instruction. The Hawaiian is a damn good "tweener" player, like Wescott--little big man with a stinging spike and good all around skills. I thank you for your interest in our endeavors, gentleman. Welcome to the club. You have definitely proven you deserve to serve as rifleman in my beloved corps!
Pants, Nice Beth, and Dwayne showed up late, and games stayed good until the end. Pants talked me into the trap I almost always fall into--playing the "one more game" I shouldn't play. So, in the back row, I anticipated E-Dub's strike zone and sat down right in it--low, both hands up, just like you should--but he hit it so hard it went right through and into my throat. I think I'm still coughing up chunks of that ball.
If things keep up this way, I think we will be able to rebuild Panda Corps to the level where we can fight on 2 fronts at the same time.
Compared to in the past and the opinions of the detractors, there's a whole different vibe to the Riata, on a good day. May I remind you what our dual mascots symbolize--Panda = rare breed + camaraderie; Optimius = competition. The spirit of the Argosy is alive and well, even if the rebel base I maintained for 20 years has fallen. Inclusion for people who get it = improvement = involvement = the league survives, and hopefully grows.
I drove a tank and held a Chief's rank when the Blitzkrieg raged and the fighting stank, so I'm old as dirt. The "vets" I trained are now mid to late 30's. If I'm any example, that means they can keep on killing for another decade. But we gotta youthenize--new blood, younger players, who will keep the dream that is ball alive.
Sparta will need sons, and daughters. And I am excited that we have some Riata players who are willing to soldier on when the fight is done up there at the end of August. Because, people, that's when the playoffs begin!
Strength and honor
_________________ Chief
Death from above! Fire down below!
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