Coutndown to FC XI, Chapter 5: Revised Pool Play Analysis

[Lost_Sage]

1 Hey Whoa (NY Gotham)
28 Rubber Balls and Liquor (AZ Fire)
29 Tequila Jungle (CA Westside)
54 Wilford Brimley's Mustache Ride (VA Peninsula)

Analysis: Well, this Pool is the same, so I won’t change my analysis anyways. It'll be a difficult jaunt for the other teams staring the only Poll and tourney-traveled team amongst them in the face. Hey Whoa is a known quantity -- not much to add in the way of commentary. (And, as a rule, I don't jinx my own teams.) The last time we saw Arizona at a FC, it was a ranked team that proved to be a smidge overrated. (Okay, more than a smidge.) Whether the AZ folks have tuned up since that fall 2006 tilt in San Diego remains to be seen. Westside is where the not-as-serious play in SoCal, so again, our disclaimers about any SoCal team outside of the Hollywood-Studio-Dogtown core govern here. The Mustache Ride is easily a nominee for best team name, but they hail from one of the greener teams in the Tidewater/Hampton Roads area, and aren't really in the same breath as the known powerhouses from there.

2 Meatballs (FL West Palm, FL Beach)
27 Ballz Deep (CA Riptide)
30 High Balls (CA Golden Gate)
53 Big Ballas (AZ Sunrise)

Analysis:

No change to this analysis. Hard not seeing the Meaties advancing here. Too many weapons, especially on defense, and too much big game experience. I would not be surprised to see the Meatballs don't get scored on in pool play. Mind you, Riptide is probably the #4/#5 division, strength of schedule-wise, in SoCal, so BND won't be entirely surprised. Given the NorCal resistance to the competitive game, I can't really endorse High Balls, who will be out of their element. Ditto for the Big Ballas, who represent one of AZ's newer leagues.

3 Gonzo (VA Alexandria, VA Arlington)
26 Dillycones (NM Mesa)
31 Super Bad (CA Riptide)
52 Sin City Ballers (NV Lucky)

Analysis:

This is our first possible look at a pool of death. Gonzo has to be the prohibitive favorite, being too much of a veteran on the national stage not to be noticed. It seems like “always a bridesmaid” for the Gonzos, though ... and you wonder if time is running out for this top squad to break through. Don’t count a game Dillycones out from an underrated region in the southwest, though. And Super Bad is the classic, very dangerous super-merger of team members from SoCal’s elite divisions, playing in perhaps the #4 conference, strength-of-schedule wise, in Southern California. The host team from Vegas will have their hands full – but the experience they gain from playing this pool may, as it’s done in past year, begin to give birth to more competitive play in Sin City.

4 Screw The Team (FL Riptide)
25 Frosty Balls (VA Recess)
32 Ludicrous Speed (AZ Fire)
51 We've Got The Runs (GA Lighting)

Analysis:

Ladies and gentlemen, your pool of death. The Screws were a good part of the Tidewater Kickball Open’s winning team and a noticeable piece of last year’s FC runners-up, Fiasco United, with a few additions. Riptide is the #2 SOS conference in the toughest region of the country – Ft. Lauderdale. (Yup, you heard me right, D.C.) Good pitching and one of the country’s best chargers, combined with a crafty offense boasting South Florida’s trademark speed, will carry this favorite to take it all far. But don’t forget the Frosties, the winter incarnation of a Naughty Ball team from Virginia Beach that is national tourney-tested, who also possesses a nasty pitcher-charger combo, and who are looking to make a splash in what may be the group’s last tilt on the national stage before their all-stars reform for next year. So our friends from the desert have all they can handle, and one of Arizona’s emerging kickball dynasties will get a chance to tackle 2 of the national scene’s best, and to back up their claims that their defense, grasp of the competitive game, and speed really does break for nobody. Finally, our friends from the Dirty South are perhaps the biggest wild card of all. Has the game grown there as much as we hear rumors that it has?

5 We Kick Your Balls (AZ Valley)
24 The MOndays (NY Liberty)
33 Boose Pirates (CA Solar)
50 Dena (CA Crown)

Analysis:

So after 2 killer pools in a row, this one isn’t quite a meatgrinder. WKYB is Arizona’s highest rank team in terms of championship ranking, and they hope to prove a worthy representative of one of WAKA’s burgeoning regions after the desert’s last appearance on this stage in 2006 was a bid underwhelming. The MOndays represent the Big Apple’s 3rd addition to tournament travel ball, and while not coming out of NYC’s strongest league, has definitely honed its skills against the best this past season and hope to make waves. The Pirates represent the future of kickball in southern Silicon Valley, but asking for advancement out of this pool from a region only 2 seasons and change old will be difficult. Finally, while Dena houses some of SoCal’s founding players, they’ve been content to be in Pasadena and keep things fairly low-key, while their fellow founders have raised the bar elsewhere. But don’t underestimate their many years of experience!

6 Valley Girls (CA Studio)
23 The Future of America YG3 (FL West Palm, FL Beach)
34 Killer Walruses (CA Central)
49 Real Talk (CA Surf City)

Analysis:

Another pool headlined by two very tough teams. The Gals have built a franchise in SoCal’s second toughest league and are not the same team the Poll personally saw at Western Regionals in 2006. Power pitching and kicking anchor a team that looks to back up its lofty #6 seed. If you believe the Young Guns (and we do, for the most part), they’re the fastest team in the field. Look for a hearty helping of speed and pitching, as well as one of the strongest collection of females on any squad. The Walruses come from Irvine’s friendly confines, where league play has largely stayed immune to the competitive game. Real Talk hopes to bring some glory back to Huntington Beach in this competitive pool, after the division’s last representative took runner-up in Western Regionals but famously no-showed Nationals (and contributed directly to the development of the 3-team pool contingency!).

7 Best Coast Ballers (CA Gold Rush)
22 VEGAS BABY (FL Coconut)
35 Nad Kickers (CA Golden Gate)
48 Guy Fawkes Conservatory (CA Studio)

Analysis:

BCB is NorCal’s best shot at a crown here, with several of the region’s strongest finally combining for a Q-squad with a little national tourney experience and influence from the roster’s leadership from other parts. A good draw for them. VB, while a SoFla team, comes out one of the less prominent divisions in the region, so they have a lot to prove they’re in the same class as the formidable four from up the road in Ft. Lauderdale. Nad Kickers is more on the casual half of San Fran’s oldest division, so they may be overmatched here. Guy Fawkes took 2nd in Studio in its Q-season, so it has seen plenty of the competitive ball that has taken hold in a difficult, lively division, and they could surprise here.

8 Sofa King Good (CA Hollywood)
21 Morningwood (CA Vertigo)
36 Blue Balls El Cinco (VA Recess)
47 Truffle Shuffle All Stars (CA Action)

Analysis:

The Sofa Kings may be Cali’s best team, and they are certainly the class of a deep SoCal field. Hopefully the recent regional tourney served as a convenient test and wake up call for national competition, although many seasons of dominance in Hollywood, the region’s toughest conference, should serve the favorites in this pool well. Morningwood is a NorCal Sunday team, and while likely to be lively, may be a little behind the curve than its pool peers. Blue Balls 5 is tourney-tested (since 2006, in fact) and boasts some quality talent and speed. Certainly a hard team to count out from a very kickball-talent deep Virginia Beach-Tidewater region. Finally, the Truffles play in one of SoCal’s burgeoning homes for new teams and ensemble casts alike from other divisions, so the intensity may not be as turned up in Culver City as it is elsewhere.

9 Dumpster Fire (NY Freedom)
20 Stewies Sexy Party (MA Patriot)
37 DWAKP (FL Beach)
46 The Bootleggers (MA Independence)

Analysis:

D-Fire reaps the benefits of an unbeaten season in NYC’s marquee social conference, and hopefully, they can build on a challenging opening to the tourney season in the first half of this year that saw them win a tourney in VA Beach but struggle in two other elite fields. But with some of Gotham’s top talent, don’t count them out. This is SSP’s second long trip southwest for national ball, and we’re looking forward to seeing them again and seeing if they bring more heat this time. And yes, #37 is far too low a ranking for the returning champs – entirely the product of a Beach league that has caught up to it. Don’t tell the DWAKP they’ve been written off – they know defending champs always have Xs on their back, and look for one of Lauderdale’s longest-running teams to put middling records in conference play aside to make a run towards the knockout run. The Bootleggers have to be a little bummed they’re travelling thousands of miles to play 1 team – in its own backyard. They are one of 3 Beantown squads looking to build on last year’s showing at nationals on home turf.

10 Kung Fu Grip (CA Tinseltown)
19 Menace 2 Sobriety (DC Rock Creek, DC Memorial)
38 Rusty's Wranglers (IL Skyscraper, IL Deep Dish)
45 Killernutz (CA Golden Gate)

Analysis:

KFG is a classic ensemble squad of SoCal vets who, despite little competition in a new league, boast a solid core that looks to contend vigorously for a spot in the knockout round. M2S is one of the DC area’s oldest franchises and boasts some new additions in 2008 that make it veteran-heavy. Look for solid pitching and defense to help M2S put an uneven Rock Creek season behind them. The Wranglers are making their 3rd trip to Nationals, carrying the Windy City’s banner again with perhaps the friendliest spirit of any travel team on the fields. The Killernutz hail from the less-charged side of Golden Gate – so this could be a somewhat rude awakening to tourney competition.

11 3rd Base is Overrated (DC Lightning)
18 Kick Asphalts (VA Dominion)
39 The Playground Bullies (CA Vertigo)
44 Ridiculously Good Looking (CA Dogtown)

Analysis:

3BIO, a mainstay in DC Lightning, is hoping to bring a little more glory back to the nation’s capital – and prove that its division is more underrated than we have it. KA needs no introduction – the multiple-time champions on the national stage they are clear favorites in this pool, and in this whole tournament – and yes, folks, they are super-hungry after losing the cup last year and losing twice at the Tidewater Open this year. Look out. The Bullies are NorCal Sunday kickball’s second rep, and they may just be happy to be here. RGL is the rep out of SoCal’s #3 SOS conference, historically one of the most evenly contested and balanced in the country, with experience spread out over all the squads. This pool packs quite a punch.

12 2 Left Feet (AZ Victory)
17 Kick This (MN Twin Cities)
40 K2 (CA Crown)
43 Chuck Norris and The Roundhouse (LA Triumph)

Analysis:

This looks to be the pool with the least depth (or at least the one about which we know the least). 2LF headlines one of Arizona’s newer divisions. Kick This comes out of a historically low-key kickball region that has not seen competitive ball at this level. K2 may be bring the most inherited experience playing against other longer-standing SoCal teams. Chuck Norris marks the Crescent City’s debut to tourney kickball. This pool is a hard one to handicap, and the reward for advancing is a tough match against a very strong Pool 5 winner.

13 Straight To The Bank (AZ Scorch)
16 Champs Like It Tickled (MA Minutemen, MA Ironsides)
41 Gone Nuckin Futz (CA Pacific)

Analysis:

The Bankers usually dominate in division play in Arizona, but we’ll see how they translate that success to the Founders’ Cup stage. The Elmo lovers from Boston are probably Beantown’s strongest powerhouse, and if they can keep it together in pool play and put a tumultuous regular season behind them, they will build on last year’s semifinal performance at FC X. GNF comes out of a casual San Diego division and boasts some of Pacific’s founding talent – but the division hasn’t broken out in the same way as its SoCal compatriots a few hours up the I-5.

14 Ballers and Shot Callers (DC Capital)
15 Deez Ballz (FL Central)
42 Playground Posse (CA Riptide)

Analysis:

What is it with the DC Cap champion getting the 3-team pool 2 years straight? BSC is certainly talking a lot, and they’re hoping to recapture lost glory for WAKA’s founding division, which is second only to Dominion for most FC titles. They were able to beat several Capital dynasties on their way to their undefeated Capital Cup run and look to be favorites here to earn the 3rd-game bye. Deez Ballz out of Orlando may not quite boast the firepower of the Ft. Lauderdale core but look to build on central Florida’s 2006 debut to national ball. The Posse out of Riptide may surprise – at the very least, they should be no strangers to tough competition.

[Zak]

Nicely done Shane.

I haven't had a chance to check out the pools yet, but does the 3 team pools being shifted from the higher seeded pools to the lower ones indicate a reseeding for single elimination?

[*Angel*]

Thanks Shane! It looks like the MOndays may have lucked out into a fairly evenly matched pool here.

Can't wait to play and watch everyone else as well!

Good luck to all!

[-APBT-]

GREAT JOB SHANE! Man I am so excited after reading this, I can literally feel my blood pumping through my veins! In the words of my favorite old timer Rick Flair, WOOOOOOOOOOO!

[wilson]

2 Meatballs (FL West Palm, FL Beach)
27 Ballz Deep (CA Riptide)
30 High Balls (CA Golden Gate)
53 Big Ballas (AZ Sunrise)

Analysis:

No change to this analysis. Hard not seeing the Meaties advancing here. Too many weapons, especially on defense, and too much big game experience. I would not be surprised to see the Meatballs don't get scored on in pool play. Mind you, Riptide is probably the #4/#5 division, strength of schedule-wise, in SoCal, so BND won't be entirely surprised. Given the NorCal resistance to the competitive game, I can't really endorse High Balls, who will be out of their element. Ditto for the Big Ballas, who represent one of AZ's newer leagues.

hey shane, awesome work as usual but ballz deep is my team from CA golden gate. right on about high balls with their no male bunting policy, and they only have 9 people.

[C-meth]

hey shane, awesome work as usual but ballz deep is my team from CA golden gate. right on about high balls with their no male bunting policy, and they only have 9 people.

No male bunting? They are really going to hate this tourney.

[machinegunkelly]

haha

hey shane, awesome work as usual but ballz deep is my team from CA golden gate. right on about high balls with their no male bunting policy, and they only have 9 people.

No male bunting? They are really going to hate this tourney.

[*Angel*]

For me being only 6.9% competitive, is it strange that I printed out Shane's analysis to have on hand on Saturday? You know, for reference purposes.

[wilson]

haha

hey shane, awesome work as usual but ballz deep is my team from CA golden gate. right on about high balls with their no male bunting policy, and they only have 9 people.

No male bunting? They are really going to hate this tourney.

absolutely. oh well, good for us i hope.