I know you hate bike polo but will you be around for this weekend?
The 4th Annual Ball Whackers Ball
Saturday, November 10, 2012 - Sunday, November 11, 2012
Host club:
San Francisco Bike Polo
Contact info:
eric.a.bloomquist@gmail.com Keep your heads up! SFBP will be throwing a cash-prized tourney this year for our 4th Annual Ball Whackers Ball. It will be a 32 team tournament held November 9th-11th at the SF Bike EXPO @ The Cow Palace, in the depth of The City. Open Registration is currently going on over at HardcourtBikePolo.orgThere will be no team cap; the first day will consist of Swiss Rounds play to determine the 32 teams for the double-elim on Sunday. Hope to see you all there and stay tuned for info to come…..
$25/player includes entrance to the Expo and a "Special" prize for everyone.
Email me with any inquires….
Location
Cow Palace
2600 Geneva Avenue
San Francisco, CA United States
See map: Google Maps
Signed up
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polojoel
-
Hulie
-
Tsunami
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autumnbomb
-
SammyNickels
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tine tine 916
-
Shine
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ilikemax
-
Michael Brennan
-
jeffj
- Desil24
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pedaljunkies
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jonathan.engelman
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Davey_Carfax
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donniepepper
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extrasketchy
- fraz
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Mike_T_PHX
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nptax
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apothecary_13
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Fraggle
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DutchMaster
-
Scan 6tlo
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dadanation
-
Xian
-
E_Bloomquist
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vhazels
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awesomepants
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rube
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o0schmitty0o
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messmann
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Medic.Mike
-
drizz
-
scooter
-
Mark Davis
-
schmangdon
-
EW
-
domohawk
wow, yeah I think I'm gonna have to make it to this! Great timing too, I should be off work by then :)
OK SO HERES THE DEAL!!
After a lot of deliberation this is how the invites will be broken down.
(Based on Skill & Proximity)
Eastside - 2 Teams
Midwest - 2 Teams
Northside - 2 Teams
Southcentral - 2 Teams
Southeast - 2 Teams
Cascadia - 5 Teams
Southwest - 17 Teams
**We are hoping each Region Rep will be able to delegate the spots in a fun and fair manner… possible local friendly maybe? or Knife Fights? Or Shotgun Races? Or if thats just how may teams then want to come perfect!**
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This is how Machine and I broke down our region.
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Santa Cruz - 1 Team
Las Vegas - 1 Team
Arizona - 2 Teams
Los Angeles - 2 Teams
San Diego - 1 Team
Sacramento - 1 Team
Fresno - 1 Team
Colorado - 1 Team
Utah - 1 Team
San Francisco - 6 Teams
**Open registration for the remaining unfilled spots will be Start Oct 1.**
**Teams must comprise of at least 2 players from selected region**
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Now that you guys and gals know the breakdown Region Reps look forward to more specific emails with all the essentials.
Thanks again everyone!
Eric "Bullshit" Bloomquist
Sign up please to stay tuned in with info. It is not obligatory but it helps out.
New Mexico deserves an invite. Since they are SW, they can take the spot reserved for Colorado (SC). Thanks Eric.
*****UPDATED!!!!*****
So since the term "Invite" was misinterpreted and our intention is by no mean so single anybody out the registration format has been changed.
IT IS NO LONGER AN INVITATIONAL BUT OPEN REGISTRATION TO ALL CLUBS
Registration is currently OPEN on Hardcourtbikepolo.org go ahead and sign up no one will be excluded.
Format will consist of 2 days of Swiss rounds to seed a 32 team double elim for the 3rd day.
Hope to see you there…
-Eric
I want to go to this. Anyone want to play with me?
Hi Pete, I believe we have a team out of Eugene but may have room in the car if your teaming up with others from out of town. We can plan more if your at the tourney in Eugene next month.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE..... Fresno in the house!!! Glad to be a part of this. This marks my one year anniversary of my first tourney...how things change in one year....Bring it on Ball Wackers!!!!!!!
So down
Colorado is SC, just saying.. I wont be attending this year, have fun ya'll
Yea well I guess the get a *special* spot then.. ;)
WOOH!!! What the fuck about international team invites????? I'm planning on coming all the way from China to play in this damn tournament, and China don't even have 1 fucking spot. I call Bullshit!!!!! (btw anyone from sf need a third???) Oh wait! What about Oakland??? Does Oakland have a spot that I could fill, once I dig up the old oakland polo players from what ever ditch they're sleeping in.
Haha awesome… youll be good there are plenty of spots… its not as much an invite as much as a chug your beer if you wanna come kind of thing...
So what's up with the New Mexico invite? Yes we are in the same country and yes we are in the SW region. Somehow a state out of region gets an invite and another state that's only been to 1 tournament in 4 years gets one, yet not us.
*reeeeveeeeengeeeee*
Apologies, Machine and I actually for some reason thought you were SC not SW so we will adjust for that and free up a spot or two. We hadnt sensed interest simply based on past showings so our bad. Basically every team that wants to come to this will be able to. We just wanted to try to split it up to get more out of region teams in and to spread the love. However in the end Im sure this will be mainly a Western thing...
I want to play in this tourney. But I am TEAMLESS. Anybody out there
need a Lefty on the team???
I want to play in this tourney. But I am TEAMLESS. Anybody out there
need a Lefty on the team???
Bought my airplane ticket. Vegas will be there.
got our team ready...CAN'T WAIT!
jagwolves all
FEELER!! Putting my feelers out there for a team wanna see who all is coming from out of town! Get @ ME for some Lefty Bullshit
are we allowed to register our teams on hardcourt yet? i see one team listed so far with no option to add any more...
Wierd.. I'll take a peek at it after work.
are we allowed to register our teams on hardcourt yet? i see one team listed so far with no option to add any more...
I see u got everything worked out!
I needs a team!!!! Or..something. I like long walks on the beach, screening, and passing.
hit me up, yo.
:D
Heigh... I'm still TEAMLESS.... wanna pissed-off lefty who specializes in defense and crazy shots???
I'll be the third! I use to play with lefty crazy people...
We haven't met yet... but what's yr stats and situation? if ya wanna discuss off-board, my email is
Xian@spaz.org
But interested... we both need a team 2 play, etc...
Ok, a friend from LA wants to play as well... so, we have a team! It'll be me, u, and Dejah ! Let's keep it fun and score some goals! I've registered the team as Donkeys in Space...
so A) this is happening
and B) there is a cash prize?
Currently there are only 7 teams registered.
Maybe give us an update before I drop cash on a ticket.
What are the courts dimensions and surface? Housing? Still three day tournament? Cash prize amounts?
Thinking visiting SF again.
Court size: 2x 120x70
I'm also curious about the 3 day thing. But probably coming either way.
Good questions, all.
Here are some assumptions from an uninformed out-of-touch-playa.
- Fall is some of SF's best weather.
- There's fun stuff here.*
- There will be a ton of polo.
- In the Cow Palace!
- The competition will be good, even if its only 2 days and 16 teams. (though again, I don't actually know what Eric has lined up)
Clues for housing in SF, to cover our sorry asses until someone steps up as the person in charge:
1- Rent Machine's extra room.
2- Wait until Machine is drunk and then follow him home
3- Find out who you know at the Flowershop
4- Find out about Bikefarm
5- Where the Ruck did Fuckus go? (Greencranks, this tourney really needs you. And your giant jenga. )
6- I know a bar tender at the Heart and Daggar saloon in Oakland who made some bitchin custom Freight slings happen ... (Next to the Grand Theater.) I don't know what his crash space is like though and I arleady feel a little guilty for putting this out there.
But there it is. I wish I could open my house to visitors this time but we're 3 in 400 square feet now and there's shit all over the place. City Center youth hostel advertises bike parking though.
http://sfhostels.com/city-center/
Rory - if you stay there or near there I can either get you to the Cow Palace or loan you my car for the tourney days. Beware it's the Tenderloin. It would be great to have you in SF again, and I hope we can make a better impression for your sweetheart!
Cheers!
Devin
* Almost as much as falling off of Woadie's bars on Commercial Drive. Happy belated, by the way, Robbie Boards! ... John Seagrave and I hope to take visitors to Emperor Nortons grave site, just as an example.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=766
I guess AZ will follow machine home drunk. Haha
So is this still going to be 3 days? If cutting down to 2... then Sat/Sun???
I hope 2 day.
Ok, my attempt to troll Bikeman Ben aka Ruckus aka Greencranks has not been successful. Ben is the founding cat herder behind ballwhackers. He's been very busy w Treat St. bikes of late.
While I'm talking Ballwhackers history, Id like to mention The Freewheel. Top notch shop that sponsored the tourney last year. Big props to Carlos, Dustin, Travis, Stevie, Connor and others there for supporting us.
Ok so the deal was we originally were hoping for a large turnout with $1000 in Cash Prizes plus these RAD belt buckles for every player who attends. I mean I also guess its needless to say you get to come to lovely San Francisco and play at the Bike Expo in front of an awesome crowd….
So that was the Idea behind a 3-day tournament.. If we had a large turnout. However at this rate it would be pretty ridiculous to play a 3 day tournament with the currently 8 teams that are signed up. Another reason we were looking at 3 days for the event is that the daylight in Nov is pretty short and originally we were planning on building the two courts outside the venue next to the Fixed Gear Freestyle course but after checking it out the surface we decided it would be better to sacrifice a little bit of space to be able to play indoors under the lights and on smooth concrete.
So that brings me to the topic of courts as we sit right now we have 2 plans for the courts:
Plan A: 2 courts inside on awesome smooth concrete with lights with the ability to play Friday 9-11pm, Sat 9-7, Sun 9-5
Dimensions 110x37
Plan B: 2 courts outside on smoother asphalt however again limited size. Due to sunlight we can only play Friday til 4, Sat 9-4, Sun 9-4.
Dimensions 107x40
So since these courts are going to be tight its going to be a good technical game. Money talks to the top 3 teams and there will be plenty of other prizes.
As I mentioned before if the registration stays low and we can go with Plan A this will most likely be a 2-day tournament with plenty of pickup on Friday.
Sorry to ask such a shallow question, but do you still intend to give a cash prize even if attendance is small?
I don't care if you have 8 teams or 75. Gimme one of these buckles.
Plan A.
we have one maybe two teams coming from seattle. lots of people are going to west side, and since this is so close to it they can't swing both. Ive missed this for 3 years and this sounds like the best one yet. see you in 1 month S.F. also plan a. and b. both sound good.
i'm in for any plan... but plan A sounds like the best option. more time to play, and i got to see it last year and then crowd for the Expo is awesome. excited to smash mallets!!!
PS- what's this about belt buckles? i better get one!!!!!!!! this is my anniversary tourney so it'd be awesome to go home with one of those
seattle is bringing at least 2, maybe 3 teams. count it.
Plan A for sure. Can't wait to Wack some fuoooooolz or gouls. Almen!
Word up….!!
….2-Days
alrighty....been thinking about going to this anyone want to play?
Looks like I am the only one from Vegas that can make it out,
so I will need a team too.
Us then a third perhaps?
alrighty....been thinking about going to this anyone want to play?
Looks like I am the only one from Vegas that can make it out,
so I will need a team too.
Us then a third perhaps?
Ill find out this weekend at the West Side Invite if my team is going to make it…. otherwise I would for sure play with you two..
All right fine! I'm coming!
thinkin' bout it.
Ya Im going as long as I still dont have a job.... More polo is the only answer
$20 says dillman's team wins this thing.
Haha. Better move this comment to the Turducken thread Jake.
Free agent list? I need a team and itching to slay.
I'm flying in early Friday morning and heading straight to my friends place in the Mission. I was wondering if anyone will be playing pick up at Jose Coronado Park that day?
there will be a meetup in the city (place to be to be determined) that someone will be all day friday to meet and greet. and we have open access to the courts in the cow palace all day friday for pickup and practice as well as Im sure a game or two may be played at J.co As well… as always feel free to inquire about anything!
Our consistent nites of pickup are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. But the weekend of the tournament will be special. And I suspect we can round up more than six for some Friday nite games...
Sounds good. Would be nice to play at your local. I'm in town for Monday as well if people have any polo juice left by then.
So amped for Ball Whackers!
I'm bringing my dog with me for the weekend, so I have to ask.
Does anyone have an open crash spot that's dog friendly?
I was going to bring a tent if anyone might have a little yard space.
thanks
just fyi dogs wont be allowed inside the expo! so i would love for you to bring your pooch just beware you will need to find a sitter during the time you're at the tournament!
I am still on the polo high that is the southwest block of tournaments.
Hey party peeps,
If you haven't done figured out a place to rest yo head. Holla at your girl, and I'll try to hook ya up.
SF Whackers, if you have extra room at your place, let me know.
BOOM!
Samalama
Looking for a spot for myself and two others, driving up from San Diego that Friday.
8583378407
Are you guys staying through Sunday night or leaving after the tournament? Housing emails will be sent out tonight!
yo samalama, I need a place to stay Fri/Sat/Sun night. Possibly for one other teammate as well.
thanks!
ps…. if you win at the Rodeo…. you take home The Buckle….
But we still get the regular one just for coming right?
So excited for this! Eeeeeeeeeeeee!
Anyone needs some euroflavor in their team?!
Anyone needs some euroflavor in their team?!
Also looking for a team…. shit fell thru the grates… Lefty Here
Woadies two shorts!!! Ha..
I plan to bring some Northern Standard Shafts and Gloves down to the event. If anyone is interested, let me know asap and I'll make sure to set a shaft or pair of gloves aside for you. Email me directly - sales@nsbikepolo.com
max
Hot Boiled PDX
Shane,Mehgan,Kayla
count it!
In need of housing options Sat-Sun night.
SF: Im coming in on Thursday afternoon. Who and what"s going on?? Taking the sametrain from SF airport to the mission i expect. Who wants to meet up? should be the around 4:20 ish. Friday polo for sure..count it!
We play polo Thursday nights starting at 7pm on 21st between Shotwell n Folsom. So you should come play!
Heigh Messmann, yep, get off at the 24th st. bart station... the court is at 21st and Shotwell (very close).
And if nobody is around or playing yet, my place is at 24th and Treat. Message me privately for my # and full address if needed. I can't wait to take the ball away from you and score! Ha!
Also, one of my favorite cross races of the season is Saturday night, so once you turds are done playing you should make your way to this...
http://www.bayareacx.com/page/show/220027-race-3-sierra-point-night-cross
Totally ridable from the cow palace.
Also, one of my favorite cross races of the season is Saturday night, so once you turds are done playing you should make your way to this...
http://www.bayareacx.com/page/show/220027-race-3-sierra-point-night-cross
Totally ridable from the cow palace.
Portland pink mallet heads $20 if you want.
let me know so I put enough in my bag.
Eric
Ryano
Dave
Make it happen!
( I won't back out)
Everyone who has asked for housing should have been contacted. If you haven't, then I didn't get your request for housing and you need to get at me or else you might be stuck spooning Machine all night and I hear he snores....
PLEASE COME ON OUT EVEN IF YOU STILL ARE A SINGLE OR 2 LOOKING FOR A THIRD!!
We will shuffle/pair all the extras up so everyone who wants to play still can!
SO DONT BE SHY!!! SIGN UP TODAY!!! OR EVEN JUST COME ON OUT!!
Ball Whacker Events
Friday Ride
Meetup 4:00p at 18th and Church.
Depart 4:20p SHARP.
Ride entails climb to top of Mt. Davidson, the highest point in SF. Route is mostly quiet urban streets. Top involves some singletrack. Bring lights, sun sets at 5p. Ends at Polo & Party.
Anyone staying at Machine's can meet us half way up hill at corner of Corbett and Clayton.
Friday Eve: Polo & Party
Corner of Plymouth & Montana, SF
Joel's house & courts across street
Starts when Joel gets home from ride (approx. 6p).
Saturday
AM/PM Swiss Round Brackets at Cow Palace
Start times and bracket assignments TBD.
Sunday
Double Elimination finals.
Start time TBD.
Map
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=207607141636843889959.0...
Well...I'm looking for a team. Lonesome dove over here.
We have 2 extra players coming from Eugene that are looking for a third. We'll be at Joel's Party and pickup Friday night.
Sorry bud... Vegas?
you find a team brandon..! come on up...
I'm getting in Friday around lunch and need somewhere to go (ie. play polo) as I dont think my host is home until 6 or so. Where are people going to be? Cow Palace? Elsewhere?
there is a ride going on that joel is leading leaving the mission around 4 I believe… he posted above about it, otherwise, I most likely will be at the Cow Palace all day tomorrow finishing up courts and playing some pickup..
Team, I need one!
Also registration will start tomorrow morning at 845. It will be located at the South Hall entrance to the Cow Palace just right of the main entrance.
The "Singles Mingle" will also be located at the South Hall…. meet each other and team up.. or we can do it for you!! ;)
Games will start at 930 sharp. If you are not on the court 5 min after the start of your said game you will have to forfeit it.
I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow..! Should be a rad weekend and an awesome time Whacking the Ball around!!!
See you all bright and early!
-Eric
Also parking for the Expo I believe will be charging, the earlier you get there the better, you may also be able to find Street parking around the CP in the neighborhood or try and sweet talk your way into the lot saying your an athlete. Not sure what the deal will be, but last year it was like 10bucks…
Or ride your BIKE!
We're on our way to the courts now...from Portland! We'll see you in th AM...hopefully!
Ok so EVERY TEAM must be at the Cow palace tomorrow at 800 for a 9 o'clock absolute start. Due to getting cut short today we must start at 9 no matter what to finish in time.
Play will consist of a 30team double elim ranked on their first 3 games today.
It's the only fair way to play thru tomorrow and finish on time.
I REITERATE GAMES WILL START AT 9 AND WE WILL NOT WAIT FOR MISSING TEAMS/PLAYERS...
GET THERE AT 8...!!
Thanks guys...
Eric
Its 8pm in SF on Saturday night . If yer lost Go To 21st street and Shotwell in the Mission for pickup until 10 Then Southern Pacific Brewing @ 620 Treat Street between Folsom and Harrison off 19th Street for drinks and food thereafter .Its 2 blox from the pickup courts . If yer still lost call 4 one 5 5 seven 2 four nine 14 to be connected to an operator. Gr 8 day Tomorrow u die.
BE AT COW PALACE FOR 8AM SUNDAY . READ POST ABOVE
Dear visitors : Frisco loves you.
( here's a shot of Medic I saw happen ... )
http://www.sfweekly.com/slideshow/scenes-from-the-2012-sf-bike-expo-3815...
Dear visitors : Frisco loves you.
( here's a shot of Medic I saw happen ... )
http://www.sfweekly.com/slideshow/scenes-from-the-2012-sf-bike-expo-3815...
Jacob once again made us look way better than we actually do. Check out his photos here.
http://jacobwillson.zenfolio.com/p419943987
Great freakin weekend jerks!
Found: Joel's bike and bag, sitting outside his open front door this morning. Must have been fun times after I left last night...
Rad tournament, thanks to SF and Joel in particular for being an amazing host!
Huh wha?! I wasn't drunk just drinking. Thanks Jeff, we enjoyed having the East Van crowd!
And the tourney was a huge team effort of which I was a very small part. SF Bike Polo is one hell of a good club.
Awesome weekend, thanks for everything SF!
Missing: keys. There is 2 bottle openers. 1 of which has a buffalo on it. 2 ulock, my house, work and storage keys. Please email me daveycarfax@gmail.com or text me 218.686.5873
Thanks everyone in SF
Props to Eric, Dan, Machine Shiver and Forest.
Joel thanks for the party friday night.
Lastly thanks Machine for being my polo boyfriend and letting sleep with you the whole weekend.
See you all at
Crank Gamble
Full Results and Great Photos from Jacob Wilson are up on Podium:
great weekend, sf polo club. thanks to ruckus for putting us up that night. congrats to l.a. and their long-time-coming #1 spot. hope to see/play you all in 2013.
Hey SF,,, big ups on a f-n great tourney. Nice work as a club to make this happen. Weather was awesome! Ruckus thanks much for the hospitality and late nights! Glad to play pick up every night. Joel thanks for hosting a great welcoming party at your house with pick up across the street! GO LA... nice win..lucky, lucky...thaks BERN fort the cash prizes and helments! see you next year!! Belt buckles were bass ass too!!
Machine fixed this window pro bono to keep polo good with the Cow Palace and SF Bike Expo folks. Pay it forward whenever you have a chance, compadres.
Thank you SF for throwing such an awesome tournament!!
Erick B, Mike Shiver, Machine, Creamy and all of you guys involved.
Way to come thru as a club!!
Mike S, Thank so much for letting us crash at your place.
Ruckus for some great Poker games at your awesome bike shop!!
It was also great to see all the homies from Cascadia!!
And a Big Thank You to me Team for kicking ass!! "Valleros 818"
Sac town, Fresno, SF and my club for keeping it rowdy and cheering for us. Mad Love!!
And those awesome belt buckels... They taste like GOLD! :D
congrats pistolero, bummed i missed it
Thanks Brian!! You were missed.
I think I left my sweater at the courts, it was a black zip up hoodie with a small emblem on the left breast, which reads 'small bar' with an elephant right above the lettering
Props to LA for keeping it in CALI! everyone (almost everyone) is rad as fuck and i had a great time playing hard and partying harder. thx for supporting me by purchasing my tasty home-brew. thx cadabbers for doin alright;)
hit me up should u be in LA, i have a futon in a great house full of rad people in silverlake. and unlike SOME folks houses, u don't gotta take yr shoes off before entering ;) jk pistolero. u certainly played your best this weekend
Hey I have lost my Blue SF Freight mallet bag as well as two very worn out Salmon Portland head mallets, one of them on a fixed craft with a pink stoper and the other on a look ski pole. Both had black hockey tape grips. Just sayin
COW PALACE!!!!!!!!