February 2nd, 2012 | 
Author: Pool Players,
The League Top 16 Individual Tournament held Wednesday night, February 1st, is in the books and caps one of the most successful seasons the League has ever seen. Between 6 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. many League players showed up at Hunters, heeding the advice that it’s always a good idea to show up because you don’t know how far down the list will get in, and on Wednesday night, the 25th ranked player got in. Because of the exhibited interest, it was too bad that anybody had to be left out. It was a fun and surprising tournament, and except for one early, ugly display of bad conduct, the evening went off without a hitch and was an entertaining night for all.
The winners were: 1st Place-Robby N.; 2nd Place-Brad H.; 3rd Place-Avi S.; and 4th Place-Dennis M. 1. Robby N. is an earnest, dedicated, and sometimes consistent player, and in this tournament he was consistent and the night belonged to him. Congratulations, Robby, good show! Coming out on top with this bunch of players is an outstanding achievement. (We hope Theo isn’t too jealous.) 2. Brad H. Well, what can you say about Brad. He is a seasoned veteran in this type event, often winning and often coming close, as his trophy case will attest. Although pool isn’t Brad’s best game, he still does pretty well when he competes. (If you know Brad, you know the sport Brad’s best at. Hint: It ain’t tennis.) Congratulations, Brad. 3. Avi S, ranked 25th and the lowest ranked player to get in. Avi plays smart. He knows his competition and he knows his limitations, and if you don’t just jump on him and beat him quick, he’ll out smart you and out play you. He is a patient, cunning competitor. We’ll call him the “Cinderella” of this event. Congratulations, Avi. And, 4. Dennis M. The Barracks Baller made good on his boasts. He can play pretty good pool. He did beat a few good players-why, whoever doubted? Playing and practicing has its rewards. Congratulations, Dennis.
The League thanks Hunters for allowing us to hold the event at their establishment. We hope it was a mutually beneficial affair. And, we all would like to thank our Prez, Dan S., for his work organizing the details of the tournament, buying the food, displaying it, formatting the bracket, calling the games, staying to the end for the pay-outs and, in general, being in charge of the whole event. It was a big success-thanks a lot, Dan.
The Organizational Meeting of the General Membership for the Spring ’12 Season will he held at Hunters, Wednesday, February 8th, STARTING AT 6:00 P.M. Previous information distributed stated a later starting time. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 6:00 P.M. Captains, or their reps, should attend with their team rosters, including players’ phone numbers and email addresses.
Other issues that will probably be discussed:
- The Format for the upcoming season, i.e., home-away, single-elimination play-off, division split, double-elimination play-off, or what have you
—> 1A) Start date for next Season - The Top 16 Tournament
- The upcoming Palm Springs Invitation Tournament. Players who have ideas for changing League activities, such as the Season Format or the Top 16 Tournament should be prepared to present their ideas in a feasible concept, not just an idea for change. For example, there are already several proposals for the format for next season. If you have a new idea, work it out as to how it would be played and how long the season would last. Regarding the Top 16 tournament, if you want to include more players, for example, present a feasible plan that would work. Don’t just say, “I think everybody should be included.” Work out a plan that will work and we’ll put the idea to the membership for a vote. The Board wants to plan and implement the season the way the players want it, but, any plan has to be realistic and within our cost constraints.
If time permits, there will be a double-elimination, 8 ball tournament following the meeting. Looking forward to seeing y’all there.
Lew G., Sec.
Posted in 
Pool Players,
The Champions of the PSPLeague for the Fall ’11/Winter ’12 Season are the Hunters Tea Baggers. Congratulations to Dan S., Captain, Avi S., Mike K., Ricky M., Ray J. (not pictured) and Benny R. on their dramatic win over a great Tool Shed Just the Tip team in the Final match of the Play-offs last Wednesday night. This was a very closely contested struggle. The Tea Baggers began the match with a slight lead that grew to 4-2, but before they knew it, the Tips had closed to 5-5 and it was obvious that the battle would go down to the wire. In the 14th game, the Tea Baggers won their 8th game and secured at least a tie in the regulation match, but the Tips would not go away, clawing and fighting in every game. With the Tips down 8-7, the final game was a thriller not unlike many of the previous games played in the contest, with the Tea Baggers pulling it out to give them the match. Their more-than-worthy opponents, the Just the Tip team, Tim B., Captain, Darian C., Brad H., Dallas K., and Brian B., played their hearts out, but lost by the closest score possible 9-7. Congratulations Hunters Tea Baggers!
There were lots of League players looking on throughout the match and it was an impressive show of camaraderie and support for the teams. Players from the Tool Shed B team were there and players from the SilverFox Hunters team were there in a show of support for their sister teams, along with many other players representing all the other teams in the League. We, the spectators, could not have been treated to a more exciting and competitive match. Throughout the competition, both teams played great pool while exhibiting the finest sportsmanship–no cross words were exchanged, no contested fouls–nothing but focused 8 Ball competition. The players on both teams competed with respect and class and set the example for how our League matches should be played. Thanks, guys, for an exciting match and for setting the bar. Although there have been a lot of complaints about the double-elimination play-offs, mainly due to the long lay-off for many players, you can’t deny the excitement that was created for the Final match. It was fun. (A team photo of the Champs, mugging for the camera, may be viewed on the League website.)
The Individual Tournament between the Top 16 ranked players in the final standings, who played at least 18 games throughout the season and who show up to play, will be played at Hunters Video Bar on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, starting at 7:00 p.m. THIS MEANS THAT YOU MUST BE THERE BEFORE 6:45 P.M. TO BE RECOGNIZED AND ENTERED INTO THE EVENT. THE CUT-OFF TIME IS 6:45 P.M. The bracket will be completed after 6:45 p.m. and the tournament will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. Prizes are awarded as follows: 1st Place, $200; 2nd Place, $150; 3rd Place, $100; and 4th Place, $75. The League will provide food of some kind for the tournament. Our Prez, Dan S. is in charge of this, and he did a pretty good job at the Top/Bottom tournament. As most of you know, Hunters holds other events on Wednesday nights and it is important to start this tournament on time so we don’t compete with the other events.
The Organizational/General Membership meeting for the Spring ’12 Season will be held on Wednesday, February 8th, starting at 7:00 p.m. at a location TBA. Captains, or their reps, should attend with a list of their team players including the players’ phone numbers and email addresses.
Lew G., Sec.
Pool Players,
Well, there are still two. Teams in contention for the PSPLeague championship, that is. Tool Shed Just the Tip and Hunters Tea Baggers, both with one loss after last night’s action, are still in contention to be our Champion. Last Wednesday night, there was tension in the air as the Tips, on the verge of elimination with one loss, met the then undefeated Tea Baggers at Hunters. There were lots of League players there, partners, curious on-lookers, and Board members there. And, even an ESPN crew there. No, wait, ESPN wasn’t there, but they should have been–it was a great match. The Tips pulled out to an early lead with the Tea Baggers nipping at their heels. That’s the way it went for a while, then the Tips jumped into the lead with 8 wins, and it looked like it was over for the Tea Baggers; but, with a couple of back-to-back wins, they were still in it, down 8-6. However, for the Tea Baggers, it wasn’t to be. In an unusual coincidence, there were two games winding down and ending simultaneously: if the Tea Baggers had won both, there would have been a tie and the 3 game tie breaker played, but the Tips were victorious in both games and decisively won the match 10-6. Congratulations to the Tips and better luck next time to the Tea Baggers. Good luck to both teams in next week’s showdown.
The Final match of the season to determine the League champ will be held at Hunters next Wednesday evening, January 25th, starting at 7:00 p.m. This is exactly the kind of duel befitting a championship match. Come on out, guys and gals, it’s going to be interesting and a lot of fun!
The League Individual Tournament will take place on Wednesday evening, February 1st, starting at 7:00 p.m., at the home bar of the League Champion. This tournament is a contest between the top 16 League players, as ranked in the final individual standings, who have played at least 18 games during the regular season, and who show up to play. The bracket holds 16 players, so the top 16 ranked players there will get it. The tournament is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., so you must be checked in by 6:45 p.m., in order for the bracket to be completed for the start of play. There will be cash prizes which will be announced nest week and food/snacks will be provided. If you think you might get in, show up and see.
The Organizational/General Membership meeting for the Spring ’12 Season will be held on Wednesday evening, February 8, 2012, starting at 7:00 p.m., at a location to be announced. Captains, or representatives of Captains, planning to enter a team in the League for the Spring season should attend with a list of their players, and their players’ email addresses and phone numbers for the record. Besides determining the number of teams we’ll have for next season, there will be several issues of interest put to the membership for a vote. All League players are invited to attend.
Lew G., Sec.
Pool Players,
And then there were two. The semi-final match in the League Play-offs took place last Wednesday night at the Tool Shed between Tool Shed Just the Tip and SilverFox Hunters. Both teams started the match short one of their regular starting players, which did not seem to be much of a problem for the Tips, as they roared out to a big early lead. After their slow start, the SilverFoxes rallied for a come back to make it a match, and for a while, it was pretty competitive. Their resurgence fell short, however, as the Tips, possibly remembering their previous match of December 21st, asserted themselves and decidedly eliminated the SilverFoxes. So, goodbye SilverFoxes.
Next week, Wednesday, January 18th, starting at 7:00 p.m., the League Play-off Final match(s) begins at Hunters. As this is a double elimination tournament, all teams eliminated must have lost two matches. Hunters Tea Baggers is undefeated going into next week’s match, and with a victory over the Tips, would claim the League Championship. Tool Shed Just the Tip has sustained a loss, therefore, should the Tips defeat the Tea Baggers, the Final play-off match between these two remaining one-loss teams will take place on January 25th. Wednesday’s match, fit for ESPN, looks to be a barn burner between two teams with very fine pool players. So, step right up, folks, it looks like a lot of fun! Good luck to the players.
The Individual Tournament, the League’s final event of the season, will be played the first Wednesday night following the determination of the PSPLeague Champion–either Hunters Tea Baggers or Tool Shed Just the Tip. So, it will be either on January 25th or February 1st at the home bar of the League Champion. The Individual Tournament is limited to the Top 16 players, decided by rank in the final standings, who played at least half, 18 games, of the 36 games available to an individual player in the season, also noted in the final standings. The membership voted to limit this event to a single tournament as stated. Prizes for the first four finishers will be announced later.
p.s. to post
Although the thrust of my previous email of this date was regarding the play-offs, I noted the upcoming event of the Individual Tournament. When I going over what it takes to be eligible to play, I forgot to note that the tournament is for the top 16 ranked, eligible players, as previously stated, who show up to play. This means that, in all likelihood, players will get in even if they are ranked lower, perhaps even way lower, than 16th in the standings. Some players in the top 16 are not eligible because they didn’t play enough games, and, sometimes higher ranked people have scheduling conflicts or they just don’t show up. So, the bracket holds 16 players and the top 16 eligible players that show up play.
Lew G., Sec.
Pool Players,
On Wednesday night, January 4th, two League play-off matches were held as the competition gets closer to naming a Champion. In the match between the last two unbeaten teams, Hunters Tea Baggers v. SilverFox Hunters, it was the Tea Baggers victorious to claim the catbird seat. After a fairly slow start, the Tea Baggers asserted themselves and played like champions for the rest of the match to send the ‘Fox Hunters over to the losers side. In the other contest, an elimination match, the Tool Shed Just the Tip team trounced DiGS Greyhounds. And, to say the ‘Hounds were merely “trounced” is kind, as the match was never close. (“Massacred” comes to mind as maybe a more accurate description of the contest.) So, goodbye Greyhounds.
All three of the remaining teams are stocked with very good pool players, so the next couple, perhaps three, weeks of matches should be very competitive. Next week’s match, Wednesday, January 11th, pairs the two remaining one-loss teams, the SilverFoxes and Just the Tips, vying for the right to meet the Tea Baggers and play for the League Championship. The ‘Foxes and Tips meet at the Tool Shed, starting at 7:00 p.m. This promises to be a very exciting match. Good luck to the players!
More news regarding the Individual Tournament and other League events to follow soon.
Lew G., Sec.
As Lew has already reported the Greyhounds and Just the Tip teams advance and will play each other at Toolshed Jan. 4th. Teabaggers and SilverFox Hunters will play each other at Hunters with Teabaggers being the home team. I am also attaching a play off bracket. Roy
Pool Players,
On Wednesday night, while the two teams in the Winners Bracket deferred their showdown until Wednesday, January 4th, two League play-off elimination matches were held, and the competition is down to four teams remaining in contention for the League Championship. At the Tool Shed, like a sleeping giant, the Tips awoke and did a little beheading of their own, as Just the Tip hammered their sibling B Team to advance to the next round. The Tips looked strong and it was goodbye to team Tool Shed B. Over at DiGS, after playing all 16 games in the match, the ‘Hounds eked out a victory, by the slimmest of margins over Delilahs, to advance. With a few play-off victories under their belt, Delilahs did not go down without a valiant struggle, but in the end, it was their Waterloo. So, goodbye to Delilahs. Just looking at the four remaining teams, Hunters Tea Baggers, SilverFox Hunters, Tool Shed Just the Tip, and DiGS Greyhounds, the final standings for the regular season was prophetic as to the final four in the play-offs.
Next League night, Wednesday, January 4th, at 7:00 p.m., the following matches are scheduled:
Playing for the catbird seat, the two undefeated teams, Hunters Tea Baggers and SilverFox Hunters vie at Hunters. (The Tea Baggers are the home team.) In the elimination match, Tool Shed Just the Tip meets DiGS Greyhounds at Tool Shed. These promise to be two exciting matches. Good Luck to the Players!
As information to all League players, the Individual Tournament, which is the final event for this season, will be held either January 25th or February 1st at the home bar of the League Champion. The date of the event is in question until the the Champion is determined, as it is unknown at this time whether the team emerging from the Loser’s Bracket will play the remaining undefeated team once or twice to decide the League Champion. More information regarding the Individual Tournament will be forthcoming as the event nears.
Happy New Year to all! DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! Have a fun, but especially, a SAFE holiday. Let’s look forward to a happy and prosperous 2012 for all of us.
Lew G., Sec.
After last nights games we are left withe six teams in the play offs. Two teams with no losses, Teabaggers and Silver Fox Hunters. They will play each other at Hunters with Teabaggers being the home team. This match may be played next week, Dec. 28th or the following week, Jan. 4th since the losing team won’t have to play until Jan. 11th and the winning team won’t play until Jan. 18th. The other two matches must be played next week, Dec. 28th. The Greyhound team will play Delilah’s at Digs and Just the Tip will play Toolshed B at Toolshed with Just the Tip being the home team. Attached is the play off bracket. Good luck all, Roy
Pool Players,
The Fourth Round of the Play-offs last night resulted in the elimination of two more teams from competition and produced a couple of interesting matches set for Round Five next Wednesday night. First, the Tool Shed B(ees) swarmed all over the Barracks Gypsies, summarily ousting them from the event. It was a little closer contest at Score, as Delilahs. aided with a 4-0 performance by Jeff S., bested the Scorekeepers to live for another Round. In the two Elimination matches, after the dust settled, it was goodbye to the Gypsies and Scorekeepers as Tool Shed B and Delilahs advance. In the match on the winners side between perennial powers Tool Shed Just the Tip and SilverFox Hunters, the Tips had their heads handed to them as the SilverFox Hunters pulled away early and never looked back. The Just the Tip team is loaded with great players but it just wasn’t their night as the SilverFoxes advance.
The results of the latest Round of play means that Hunters is assured of sponsoring the bar that ends up in the catbird seat on the winners side, as the Hunters Tea Baggers will play the SilverFox Hunters for this honor next Wednesday night at Hunters. Another match next week, December 28th, pairs two teams from the same bar, Tool Shed B and Tool Shed Just the Tip in an Elimination match at Tool Shed. The DiGS Greyhounds will play PS Lanes Delilahs, in the other Elimination match, at DiGS. All six of the remaining teams in competition will be in action next Wednesday night.
And lest we forget, Merry Christmas to all the League Christians, Happy Hanukka to the League Jews, and Happy Holidays to the League atheists, heathens, and all the rest! Have a fun and SAFE holiday. Good luck to the players next Wednesday, the 28th.
Lew G., Sec.
Pool Players,
The League Play-offs are in full swing. On Wednesday evening, December 21st, we will be in the fourth Round (considering that a “Round” is all the games played on a particular date, as the bracket is formatted for our League night). Last Wednesday evening, Round 3, saw two teams exiting the competition, as they sustained their second losses. Goodbye to Barracks Ballers and DiGS Diablos–see you next season. This week, Round 4, will also see two teams eliminated as we press forward to determine the League Champion. The road to the Championship is long and hard, fraught with lucky shots, unlucky shots, unpredictable rolls, wild caroms, and even lots of good pool playing. In the end, one team will survive to be our Champion.
Wednesday, December 21st Matches, as previously slated by our Statistician are:
Tool Shed Just the Tip v. SilverFox Hunters at 7:00 p.m. at Tool Shed
Barracks Gypsies v. Tool Shed B at 7:00 p.m. at TBA (Elimination match)
Score Keepers v. Delilahs at 7:00 p.m. at Score (Elimination match)
Good Luck to the players!
Lew G., Sec.