Vegas Thoughts

[btaylor]

Even though I didn't attend either tournament, I still managed to lose money at the casino. I consider that to be pretty impressive. On to the kickball...

Meatballs winning CC a day after making the final 4 in FC is pretty impressive. However, judging by the scores of all the pool play games and early round elimination games, I don't think there was any real kickball played until the elite 8 of FC. Enjoy the free entry into a tournament you'll never play in again.

Very impressed by the NYSH. They rallied late to beat fully loaded to get to the finals. They couldn't compete with meatballs once they got there, but still impressed. And they had a girl making catches in the outfield with a broken arm!

Most impressed with OSC though. I know it was FC, but they still beat meatballs and Panik attack in back to back games.

[Horses and Genitals]

We were watching the FC final from Captain Seacat's living room on Saturday. That OSC team looked very impressive. The bunts were the opposite of what I do.

[btaylor]

Also, very good with the live streaming. Once I finally closed all the pop up ads (sell outs) it worked real well and was nice to watch some of the games. I know scorekeeper was worried about the sound, but it was good.

[rkjkmj13]

GREAT JOB MEATBALLS!!!

[2_easy]

The thick grass leveled the playing field. I saw zero pitching that stood out. It definitely helped the kicking teams. It also caused a ton of plays for the catcher, killing bunts hardcore.

And yes, I did foul out against Dematas, but I suck at offense

[wilson]

The thick grass leveled the playing field. I saw zero pitching that stood out. It definitely helped the kicking teams. It also caused a ton of plays for the catcher, killing bunts hardcore.

And yes, I did foul out against Dematas, but I suck at offense

definitely right, on both counts

[chipadelphia]

I had an absolute blast in Vegas. Getting to actually meet a lot of people from the boards, playing against some of the best players in the country and maybe not performing the best but doing well against some tough pitchers made the trip completely worth it.

I can't wait for the next event and hopefully putting together a solid team to rep Kansas City. Big thanks to Jelly for letting me play and great job to the whole Mo'Tussin team for pulling it together and making a run at Superdudes. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to play with.

(Lurker and MGK, I still owe you a shot)

[Justin Andrew Anderson]

I can't wait for the next event and hopefully putting together a solid team to rep Kansas City.

We'd be open to a Denver/KC combo team in 2012! Our Captain is a HUGE Royals fan having grown up in Omaha. Keep Dice. in mind should you wanna combine forces.

[Static]

I can't wait for the next event and hopefully putting together a solid team to rep Kansas City.

We'd be open to a Denver/KC combo team in 2012! Our Captain is a HUGE Royals fan having grown up in Omaha. Keep Dice. in mind should you wanna combine forces.

There's been a lot more open team talk lately with us in regards to a circuit team. I expect we'll have a captain's meeting soon to discuss FC, the Circuit, CC and the future.

Also wanted to say it was good meeting a bunch of the 365 people.

[chaz]

The thick grass leveled the playing field. I saw zero pitching that stood out. It definitely helped the kicking teams. It also caused a ton of plays for the catcher, killing bunts hardcore.

And yes, I did foul out against Dematas, but I suck at offense

Obviously you did not hang around to watch Corey pitch. I think he fouled out 12 people, struck out 2 and only gave up 1 run in the 3 games he pitched. Yes, the grass slowed the bunts down and affected the game but Corey was still throwing unbelievable heat. Ask the 3 teams that faced him.

[J Hard]

The thick grass leveled the playing field. I saw zero pitching that stood out. It definitely helped the kicking teams. It also caused a ton of plays for the catcher, killing bunts hardcore.

And yes, I did foul out against Dematas, but I suck at offense

Obviously you did not hang around to watch Corey pitch. I think he fouled out 12 people, struck out 2 and only gave up 1 run in the 3 games he pitched. Yes, the grass slowed the bunts down and affected the game but Corey was still throwing unbelievable heat. Ask the 3 teams that faced him.

Chaz is right, Corey was throwing the hardest out of anyone I saw all day. I had the most trouble kicking/bunting against Shopvac, but I think I had 9 foul balls all day, and 6 were against Corey and 2 off shop...He was really bringing it.

But in regards to everyone else, I really think the longer grass neutralized pitching.

[machinegunkelly]

FC

The tournament was well run and the signage and tents were very impressive

The walk rule is the dumbest rule Ive ever heard of

Slip n Sliding and riding down hills in shopping carts is very entertaining, but to delay a final 4 game is a joke

Fields were great.

Shuttle service gets better ever year.

Way to much waiting around between game, especially before the champ game



CC

Great Competition

Food trucks are great

Reffing was outstanding

Grass was little to high

After party was great

After playing in the FC and then to play the CC you see what a difference between the people. There is no childish behavior on Sunday that you saw on Saturday. The respect between teams and the comradely between teams is just one thing that separates the FC from the CC

[chaz]

FC

The tournament was well run and the signage and tents were very impressive

The walk rule is the dumbest rule Ive ever heard of

Slip n Sliding and riding down hills in shopping carts is very entertaining, but to delay a final 4 game is a joke

Fields were great.

Shuttle service gets better ever year.

Way to much waiting around between game, especially before the champ game



CC

Great Competition

Food trucks are great

Reffing was outstanding

Grass was little to high

After party was great

After playing in the FC and then to play the CC you see what a difference between the people. There is no childish behavior on Sunday that you saw on Saturday. The respect between teams and the comradely between teams is just one thing that separates the FC from the CC

Night and day. What happened with the Fat Sumo guy would never happen at CC. Nor would the Asshole Chants, even though I really enjoyed them!!

[chaz]

The thick grass leveled the playing field. I saw zero pitching that stood out. It definitely helped the kicking teams. It also caused a ton of plays for the catcher, killing bunts hardcore.

And yes, I did foul out against Dematas, but I suck at offense

Obviously you did not hang around to watch Corey pitch. I think he fouled out 12 people, struck out 2 and only gave up 1 run in the 3 games he pitched. Yes, the grass slowed the bunts down and affected the game but Corey was still throwing unbelievable heat. Ask the 3 teams that faced him.

Chaz is right, Corey was throwing the hardest out of anyone I saw all day. I had the most trouble kicking/bunting against Shopvac, but I think I had 9 foul balls all day, and 6 were against Corey and 2 off shop...He was really bringing it.

But in regards to everyone else, I really think the longer grass neutralized pitching.

Corey is a grunting stud!!!

[chaz]

The thick grass leveled the playing field. I saw zero pitching that stood out. It definitely helped the kicking teams. It also caused a ton of plays for the catcher, killing bunts hardcore.

And yes, I did foul out against Dematas, but I suck at offense

This is from DZL's first post ever ...

Big time congrats to Meatballs. They really were impressive against us and we were fish out of water with the perfection in the placement of their bunts and the speed of pitches coming at us. We didn't face anyone that threw a pitcher out like Corey (sp?) against us the entire tourney, so it felt like we were facing a closer all game.

[machinegunkelly]

We were watching the FC final from Captain Seacat's living room on Saturday. That OSC team looked very impressive. The bunts were the opposite of what I do.

they didnt bunt

[2_easy]

The thick grass leveled the playing field. I saw zero pitching that stood out. It definitely helped the kicking teams. It also caused a ton of plays for the catcher, killing bunts hardcore.

And yes, I did foul out against Dematas, but I suck at offense

This is from DZL's first post ever ...

Big time congrats to Meatballs. They really were impressive against us and we were fish out of water with the perfection in the placement of their bunts and the speed of pitches coming at us. We didn't face anyone that threw a pitcher out like Corey (sp?) against us the entire tourney, so it felt like we were facing a closer all game.

Wasn't impressed, but I am used to 1 bounce with a wider strike zone. (1.5' on either side of the plate and they tend to allow higher bounces). Was he the fastest pitcher that day, probably. It probably surprised people because their timing was off, due to slower pitchers all day. Like facing a knuckle ball pitcher then facing a closer.

Either way, 99.999999999999999999% of the pitching was neutralized by the grass. It might have been beneficial to have a "The Mondays" type pitcher, female that throws bouncing pitches and then you could put an extra guy in the OF.

[machinegunkelly]

I Agree w Tweasy that pitching was neutralized. We locked Corey in a cage this weekend and didnt let him out till the elite 8 on Sunday. He was GREAT.....better teammate than pitcher btw.....

[chaz]

I Agree w Tweasy that pitching was neutralized. We locked Corey in a cage this weekend and didnt let him out till the elite 8 on Sunday. He was GREAT.....better teammate than pitcher btw.....

Agreed!!

[-APBT-]

We were watching the FC final from Captain Seacat's living room on Saturday. That OSC team looked very impressive. The bunts were the opposite of what I do.

they couldn't bunt

fixed**

[2_easy]

I would definitely fix the "Wild Card" Rule for next year. The wild card team(s) already have to pay $100 extra for the tourney, plus they are the lowest ranked teams. So if it goes down to the final tie breaker, they are handicapped from the start. To not allow the team to advance in the alternative spot when they are next in line , is kinda of stupid.

I know, does any 0-4 team deserve to advance? They would have gotten their butts kicked anyways by a team that already killed them with their starters sitting. I don't care. 1 more game of experience against a quality team goes far for a team that was made up of 90% players that never participated in a kickball tourney before. Plus all it takes is one bad game by the other team to have an upset and in this format, 1 win gets you into the money. You can't have a shot of winning if you are not playing.

[JimmyB]

I would definitely fix the "Wild Card" Rule for next year. The wild card team(s) already have to pay $100 extra for the tourney, plus they are the lowest ranked teams. So if it goes down to the final tie breaker, they are handicapped from the start. To not allow the team to advance in the alternative spot when they are next in line , is kinda of stupid.

I know, does any 0-4 team deserve to advance? They would have gotten their butts kicked anyways by a team that already killed them with their starters sitting. I don't care. 1 more game of experience against a quality team goes far for a team that was made up of 90% players that never participated in a kickball tourney before. Plus all it takes is one bad game by the other team to have an upset and in this format, 1 win gets you into the money. You can't have a shot of winning if you are not playing.

Come to an event before the cup next year?

[Trey it Up]

Reffing at Cc was great.

[Typod]

Reffing at Cc was great.

CC had some of the best refs around.

And also some of the worst Ive seen.

We had some old lady talking to the crowd and laughing, an overzealous guy making safe/out (game changing calls) well before the runner or ball arrived at the base. A home plate ump who said a one bounce pitch could not be fouled off, only called a ball. We also had some other issues with a ref/field issue that I dont think belong in this thread.

Wherever they got these guys they need to go somewhere else. As for the people who clearly have kickball experience, they knew the rules, were confident and kicked ass. Perhaps the better ref should be at first as opposed to home? A missed ball or strike is a lot easier to swallow than blown calls at 1b.

[flades]

Reffing at Cc was great.

CC had some of the best refs around.

And also some of the worst Ive seen.

We had some old lady talking to the crowd and laughing, an overzealous guy making safe/out (game changing calls) well before the runner or ball arrived at the base. A home plate ump who said a one bounce pitch could not be fouled off, only called a ball. We also had some other issues with a ref/field issue that I dont think belong in this thread.

Wherever they got these guys they need to go somewhere else. As for the people who clearly have kickball experience, they knew the rules, were confident and kicked ass. Perhaps the better ref should be at first as opposed to home? A missed ball or strike is a lot easier to swallow than blown calls at 1b.

Tyler I've always said this! The most experienced ref/"head" ref should be at first as these are the calls that change games. The difference between getting your lead off guy on in an inning on and not is just huge (although not quite as huge as it used to be in WAKA). Happened in our game with OSC on Saturday where their lead off guy (Joe?) was out by at least a step to start the game but was called safe by an out of position ref...luckily it didn't hurt us that inning. Although it is getting better, way too many 1B calls still get blown because it is REALLY hard to make those calls...shit I know I suck at it. Calling balls and strikes is infinitely easier than making bang bang calls at first. I will say the ASA refs are really good at 1B as they know to be in position inside the field and look at the base/listen for the ball...

[Typod]

Maybe someone can make that happen in a future tourney. I have to give credit to Max for this too, he said it to me in the airport yesterday and It makes perfect sense after thinking about it more. Especially on grass like those fields, where pitches are barely moving, home plate is simple.

[flades]

Maybe someone can make that happen in a future tourney. I have to give credit to Max for this too, he said it to me in the airport yesterday and It makes perfect sense after thinking about it more. Especially on grass like those fields, where pitches are barely moving, home plate is simple.

Yeah its not as important when you get down to the end of the tournament because all the refs are solid at that point.

But I think that this is the way to go for pool play AND for general league games...1B calls get screwed up almost nightly in league games

[guiz23]

These are just my personal thoughts but I have to say that the CC was nothing more than just a Las Vegas Open and to call the winners "Champs" is exaggerating a bit. Here are my gripes:
1. These were not the top 20 teams in the nation. It was close, but it was missing some good teams and had teams that wasted everyone's time. The last seed in the FC could have beaten that "I'd Hit It Team". Why were they even there? I would have liked to see OSC, Pitch Please, Relax, and whatever the SF team calls themselves these days.
2. Organization: Maybe it was just our field, but it seemed very disorganized. Our first game was called for time then after 5 mins of arguing an announcement was made that 5 mins were left to finish our games. This was after the game was halted for 10 mins for a rule book challenge about a kicker picking up the ball that was pitched to him. It would seem that if the organizers want this to be the "Super Bowl" of kickball maybe they could run it as well as the BOTW tourney, that was run extremely well.
3. Refs: Some have said that they were good, I didn't see it in our games. Our first set of games were umped by people that obviously had poor knowledge of Circuit Kickball. It also makes no sense that we could get 3 umps for a pool play game but only 2 for an elimination game.
4. The Field: Wow. Now that was a bad field. It may have been mowed once in the past 10 months. Again, This is the "Championship" and it is played on the worst field in the entire Circuit Tour? Grass so high that it buries the plate so the pitcher cannot even see it is unacceptable. I know everyone has to play with the same thing, but the FC has way better fields.
5. Date: Having the Championship the day after the FC on a Sunday is just dumb. All the east coast teams whine about West Coast teams not traveling, but the East Coasters don't travel either. Make this tourney a month later and go to Vegas again. Trying to have a Championship where half the teams played 6 games the day before is stupid, that's how people get injured. And on a Sunday to boot, so everyone who doesn't get Columbus Day off has to take the day off.
6. I heard the Beer Garden closed at 6pm? Is this true? If so, wow. I understand the Circuit wants to get away from the stigma of drunken kickball that WAKA has, but come on.
7. A team that went 0-4 in pool play made it to the elimination round.
8. Last thing, It should not be allowed to have multiple players on different teams. Like I said before, the east coast teams whine about west coast teams not traveling but when there is a CA tourney, you have to assemble an "east coast availables" team to come out just to make sure that a team doesn't win another Tournament and get the points. That's not how it goes in any other sport I have ever heard of. The Tampa Bay Rays don't get to pull a bunch of players from other teams to try to knock off the Red Sox, they have to use their own players. So if you really want to have a "competitive" kickball league then that should be scraped. If you are on one Circuit team roster then that's the team you are on, period.

Again, just my observations on the day.

[machinegunkelly]

have fun playing the FC next year.....

[Typod]

have fun playing the FC next year.....

and CC.

Both are fun.

[machinegunkelly]

have fun playing the FC next year.....

and CC.

Both are fun.

the previous paragraph was all negative, why would u guys play in the CC?

[Typod]

have fun playing the FC next year.....

and CC.

Both are fun.

the previous paragraph was all negative, why would u guys play in the CC?

Because I'm assuming the refs will know the rules and the grass may get mowed. I have faith Admin will adress the issues from Sunday, and the game is a lot of fun.

[machinegunkelly]

for year 1 it was great....only gonna get better from here on out.

[Typod]

for year 1 it was great....only gonna get better from here on out.

Exactly. If year 1 was this good, year 2 will be awesome.

As for the WAKA hate, to each their own. I understand the necessity of WAKA for the circuit to survive beyond next year. I personally thin playing in WAKA divisions and encouraging up and coming players/teams to check out the circuit is mandatory.

Is florida a circuit event for sure?

[machinegunkelly]

for year 1 it was great....only gonna get better from here on out.

Exactly. If year 1 was this good, year 2 will be awesome.

As for the WAKA hate, to each their own. I understand the necessity of WAKA for the circuit to survive beyond next year. I personally thin playing in WAKA divisions and encouraging up and coming players/teams to check out the circuit is mandatory.

Is florida a circuit event for sure?

ya pretty sure it was a circuit event last year too....Feb 18 (my birfday) come on down

[Typod]

Im going to try my best. I thought I read somewhere it might not be a circuit stop.

[Zak]

Im going to try my best. I thought I read somewhere it might not be a circuit stop.

The announcement also contained an announcement for the Austin tourney, which is not yet a Circuit stop. SFKO definately will be though.

[guiz23]

have fun playing the FC next year.....

and CC.

Both are fun.

the previous paragraph was all negative, why would u guys play in the CC?

This is my opinion and not the opinion of the team. And it is my opinion that while it was a very competitive Tournament, this should not be called a "Championship" when I can list 8 things fundamentally wrong with it.

[mags]

This is my opinion and not the opinion of the team. And it is my opinion that while it was a very competitive Tournament, this should not be called a "Championship" when I can list 8 things fundamentally wrong with it.

How long have you been playing WAKA? For the first year of a tournament, this was way more competitive and had much higher quality teams than let's say WAKA FC '06 in Miami.

I will probably never stop playing WAKA but you have to give credit where credit is due and Admin, Shane and SK made great things happen on Sunday.

[machinegunkelly]

have fun playing the FC next year.....

and CC.

Both are fun.

the previous paragraph was all negative, why would u guys play in the CC?

This is my opinion and not the opinion of the team. And it is my opinion that while it was a very competitive Tournament, this should not be called a "Championship" when I can list 8 things fundamentally wrong with it.

listing the beer garden closing at 6pm isnt a valid reason why is should not be called a championship...