Bench Minor Tournament

Kev tu squat à la maison? J'aimerais bien te voir un peu en dehors du @%#&* de Pit...

And is Marlo coming for this?

I sure hope I get my face bashed in again.

i dont see anyone from the west coast up there

is anyone driving thru ohio going to this event. i wanna hitch a ride. and won't register till i know i can get there.

Paul, with at least 64 people wanting to play and Adam saying he is busy with something during the time of the draft (he wants it later in the day) and the point someone made about lead time to buy flights. I want to see if you think its good to bump the draft a week earlier?

Also, I was thinking about how maybe some of those wanting to play might say something about themselves so the captains have more info when choosing. I know all the captains and they all know me but I'll give an example of what I'd want to see from players I'm not super familiar with. Or refresh me for the players I have not seen since who knows when.

Name: Doug D
City: NYC
Travel/Arrival: no travel to attend, will be around early
Bike: freewheel. no problems, works fine
R/L: Righty
Years Playing: 5
In the last 3 months, Days per week played: 1
Strong position: all around player
Past teammates: Paul, Zach, Chombo, Adam, Coach, Kremin, Ben S, Lefty Joe,
Notes: went 3 months w/o playing then went to philly cold and got 3rd. I can only take 1/3 the credit for that, at best. Teammates P&Z were on point the whole time but I did score 3 points on that bitch who sits-in-goal-and-people-love-him-for-it from seattle, in our 3-5 lose in the semi.
p.s. I'm an asshole. And, do you want to play against me?

....something like that. Man, if all 60+ people did a mini bio like that I'd feel super .

Name: Tommy/Oriole
City: Broltimore
Travel/Arrival: Chinatown/Bolt Bus
Bike: Leftside drive freewheel/ Fisher Kaitai/ 26" rear.700c front
Right handed
Years Playing: Started with the Eagle in 07. Stopped winter 08 until starting again Spring 09
In the last 3 months, Days per week played: Not often enough.
Strong position: Joust/Forward/Assists
Past teammates: the dirt merchant! hahaha tucker from savannah and several from the Lock-in.
Notes: Since moving back to Baltimore from Savannah I'm the only player while I've been getting people here interested in playing ("i'll wait till it warms up"). Great team player, lots of potential to be a stronger player than I am considering my playing status. Monthly pick-up shall fix that! I am super stoked that this event is happening and even if I don't get drafted I'm gonna try to get up for it anyway!

copied from midwest thread. if you've never seen me play ask somebody from around there.

name: Chris Williams
location: Columbia, MO
playing since: Feb. 2008, 3x a week
tournaments you may have seen me at: 2008 NACCC, Midwest Champeenships 5-7, New Year's Championships in Madison, MMI 8 (2v2) in Milwaukee, Denver Bike Polo Open, Worlds, St. Louis Polo Lock-In.

I consider myself a well-rounded mid. My goaltending is fair, I'm a good ballhandler, and I'm fast. I can whip my bike around on a dime and sprint like a champ, I transition quickly. I have a large wingspan, long arms and a 41" mallet; I like to steal balls. I employ what Jarred FtL calls the "360 defense:" using my long reach to cross-over and making my mallet a threat on all sides of my bike. Good at man-on-man, I look forward to forcing turnovers for your team!

I'm comfortable playing "360 offense" as well, shooting with decent accuracy from just about any awkward position that presents a goal opportunity, and I've got a decent slapshot up my sleeve too.

I'm used to playing against St. Louis, so I'm hard to foot-down. I can take the physical play all day long, but it's not my style; I'm a clean player by nature.

I'm not an emotional player; I keep my cool on the court, but I am hungry to win this one,

I'm a pisces, I love quiet nights at home with a good book and I have a cat. Looking for a short-term open relationship with a group of 11 slayers.

Tucker
23 Years Old
6 foot 2 inches, 195 lbs.
Chicago, IL

Time Played: Since 05 with a 6 month Hiatus in 06.
Cuttin Crew Classic 07 (Grass), NSPI 2007, 2009
Midwest 3, ESPI 3, NACCC 2008, Worlds 2008 Toronto 2009 Philly, NYC MAD, Los Marcos Melee, MMI a few years back. . .My mom DQ'd from COG for having an ugly grill.

Former Chicago A team player current B side slayer.

I can play pretty much anything I need to.
I like to play aggressive and fast while maintaining my cool. I pedal like a crack head chasing a hooker in their sleep, and generally get up from every crash with a smile on my face. I make smart sacrifices and will play my heart out. When I'm on a strong team I play tight, pass a lot and score frequently. If I'm on a weak team, I'll play back and score on fast breaks.

My drug of choice is the look on your face after I score under your bb. A Pint and someTron will do after our showdown.

My weaknesses are pumpkin cheesecake and rainy days.

Tobi
Age 32
5’10 – 170lbs
From: Isle of Wight UK, Christchurch NZ
Live: Boston (Since Jan08) Playing polo 2 years.
Bike: Check the Rockhopper – it’s a beast.
Tournaments: BBQNYC08,Southie08,ESPI409
Played against a lot of the ‘faces’ on this forum with mostly little success. Mostly played with Nick, Javier and others in Boston pickup play. Probably scored the most goals in Boston pick up in 2009 (Javier and Nick may argue or confirm) I score lots of goals because I shoot a lot and hard from anywhere, plenty of goals are scored from my missed rebounds. Can pass well and link up once I connect with my teammates. Played rugby, soccer and field hockey as a kid so have a strong team ethic and good communication skills. Probably the best part of my game is fucking people’s shit up, and knocking the ball from you, taking it and scoring. The Rockhopper is fast - I wish I could keep up with it. A lot of my goals come from breakaways where I hover back and wait to intercept a pass or steal the ball. Weakness’s: Inexperience, sometimes reckless but never dangerous.

References: At the Boston Southie Tournie after a game against a team from RVA, Alexis said to me "nice shootin"

Lee Todorovich
28 years old
6 foot 4, 185lbs
St. Louis MO
Tall loud and handsome

I've been playing polo since the summer of 08. In that time I have been to the NACCC in Chicago and all the Midwest Championships. You may also have seen me put Ben Hunter on his ass in super slow motion.

Here is why you should draft me:

I play fast, hard and smart. I'm big and physical. I score lots of goals but pride myself on doing what needs to be done to make the team I am on better. If my team needs somebody to dig the ball out of the corners and make passes, I do that. If my team needs somebody to shut down the other teams star, I do that. If my team needs me to play goal, I do that. If my team needs me to score five goals, I do that.

No one hustles more than me. I'd say I'm all heart, but I think that is selling myself short. I'm all heart, and fast, and physical with good ball control and a good shot. I see the court well and am not afraid talk loud and often.

I want desperately to be on the winning team in this tournament. I will gladly play whatever role I'm assigned in order to help my team bring home the cup/trophy/bragging rights

And I don't think anybody outside of the Midwest has any idea who I am.

And I thrive in party situations.

And I could go on.

why are there so many nyc poloers i would potentially draft missing from the registration list above?

Rob Glatfelter
22
6', 175 lbs
Chicago, IL
Played in; Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, St Louis, Columbia.
Rum or whiskey straight.
Bringing more handsome from Chicago, as if it was necessary.

Been watching/photographing since winter of '07/'08 and playing since fall of 08.
First tournament experience was watching the NACCC here in Chicago, and then a 2v2 in Milwaukee. Played at CoMo in the 7th Midwests and at the STL Lock In. Picked up a new Joust that carries me a little better since then too.

Strongest on offense, best with the ball in hand, especially with a strong shot for a teammate.
I am fast but patient when I need to be. I have a great shot and wont screw with it by trying any fancy crap. I play with Chicago so I can take a hit and deal it back when it's needed, but I wont go around putting people to the boards and forsaking the ball.

I'm real good on the joust, but real bad at moving the ball up after a goal, and not great at being in goal. I don't talk on the court as much as I should and need to work some on my positioning for defense.

I've been improving in huge strides and think I can hold up against most of the better players out there now, I just want a chance to do that with a good team behind me.

Lee
33 (when the event happens) years old
5ft 7
city columbus ohio, but used to live in nyc and play at the pit when things were just getting going there.

tourneys espi(nyc) teammates paul and wang, midwest in ohio teammates joe and karl, bluegrass 2 guys in lex i forget

bike old track frame-fixed with brakes but may have a new frame by then.

strong position: asst man, and i like to attack on defense (working on my shooting more with the 1.5-2 years off playing due to living on an island)

NAME: Brendan Graham
AGE: 23
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5 10 ish / 150
CITY: Philadelphia PA
TRAVEL/ARRIVAL: I will come there
BIKE: Single speed Puegeot
HANDED: Right
YEARS PLAYING: 2.5
STRONG POSITION: Primarily goalie but competent and comfortable all around - passing, shooting, anticipating
PAST TEAMMATES: Peter, Brendan M, Kevin M all from philly

Where I've played: Philadelphia, DC, NY, MD, Richmond

Strengths: Goal tending, smart passes, hard shots

Weakness: Poke-checking

Play on a regular basis with great offensive (Mark Cap+Montana) and defensive (Peter+Alex) players in Phila

Sean from Richmond (JERSEY SON.)
-27 years old 6' 220lbs right handed
-play on a nice Joust build
-Playing since 2006/7
-Tournaments: Espi in DC, NYCBBQ, Summer Southie Tournie, Put Up or Shut Up, Turducken, NACCC's Chicago, Los Marcos (mvp!), Travelled to France to play in a Tourney, Worlds in Philly, SESPI maybe a couple Im forgetting podiumed in a couple, never taken first place

-Past tourney Teammates: Nick RVA, Ben RVA, Ian RVA, Erin, Kaycie RVA, Aaron Seattle, Chris Roberts, Jason DC, Jonny Midwest, Messman, Meg PDX and others

-PROS: fast, ballsy, fast shots, great defender, aggressive, difficult to knock me off the bike, good passer, love to create plays and pay close attention to positioning

-CONS: crashy, been known to crack under pressure and make stupid mistakes, injury prone, inadvertent ball hog, destroys mallets, inconsistent shooting

NAME: Zachary Lee Rueter
AGE: 24
WEIGHT: 4 Tons
HEIGHT: 11' 4"
PLAYS: Left
DOC: Four Loco - Blue
CITY: Milwaukee
POSITION: All Over
YEARS PLAYING: 2.5
SIGN: Libra
B.O.P.: Thunderbird
ARRESTED FOR POLO: Yes
HONORS: MVP at I Polo N.Y. and "Most Improved Team" at Cog

PLAYING STYLE: I am a Lefty.I like to yell a lot. Also I lived in NYC and stole all of their secrets. I like to communicate plays through Star Wars and Indiana Jones quotes. Clean playing with a rough edge, nothing that will get called. Due to being a lefty, I can play right field well. Lots of passing and ball handling. Good at shots close and perpendicular to the goal. Full court shots and shots off the walls are my weak points. I keep a positive mentality, and will not lose my cool.

SPECIALTIES:
Backhand shots
BB Shots
"Newborns"
Throwing the ball AKA Airplane

*REFERECES:
Jake thanked Paul (NYC) for turning me into a good player when he found out I was moving back to Milwaukee.

Joe (MKE) told my parents in Ottowa that he hoped my team would lose the game he was watching (that I was playing) so he wouldn't have to play us.

Ben Schicago in Seattle - "You get into my head more than most people and I still can't understand it"

Yorgo voted me for one his dream team in the 'dream teams' thread (all lefty team btw)

Chombo - "The force is strong with this one"

*Those quoted - feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

you know you want this body

for what its worth:

Name: Mike S
City: DC
Travel/Arrival: I'm in NJ/NYC so often, doesn't matter when it is
Bike: freewheel - Redline Monocog - rear brake
R/L: Righty
Height: 6'
Weight: 210lbs

Years Playing: 1.5 - Off and on in 2008, playing consistently the past year.

In the last 3 months. Days per week played: 2 plus w/ foolin round by myself occasionally

Strong position: power forward w/ speed. Dribbling w/ a short, light mallet head.

Cities where I've played: DC, Philly, Boston, NYC, Richmond, LA, Sarasota

Notes: I usually don't take polo 100% serious, but if I do and am on my game and actually paying attention and not laughing (lot of ifs there), I think I'm halfway decent, and surprise myself sometimes. I also like to play rough with those that do too.

I'm curious how the gameplay will work. I think there are some good matchups in bike polo and so i think this tourney is a good concept, but what is gonna keep this from turning into an unorganized shit show? So many good players and so many egos.. no one will want to be warming the bench. If i was gm, i would simply put in the three best all-around players. Or i'd put myself in the entire time, ya know?

NAME: Kev J Walsh
AGE: 32
WEIGHT: 75kg, 165lb
HEIGHT: 180cm, 5'11"
PLAYS: Right
RIDES: steamroller
TRAVEL: i'll probably be in NYC for a few days leading up to the tournament.
DOC: Whiskey if i'm my nerves are shot
CITY: Toronto, formerly Madison and Paris
POSITION: All over
YEARS PLAYING: 2 years of hardcourt + 3 years of midwest-style hardcourt & grass
TOURNAMENTS: 1st place at MWBPC I,II & III, 3rd place ESPI 2008, tied for 3rd at CMWC 2008, & 4th place way too often, including NACCC 2008, ESPI 2009, NSPI 2009, Midwest 7 2009, EHBPC 2009.
STRENGTHS: Fast, stickhandling, shot blocking, 10'+ wingspan, setting up plays, communicative, and I always seem bring my A game to the pit; its awesome girth fits my style.
WEAKNESSES: I'm probably not going to win any slapshot competition, I have my off days, I've lost my cool with teammates in the past, my 4th place curse might be really bad in this tournament.

Name: Clément
City: Geneva
Age: 24
Hand: right
Job: Student, bar tender, Polo association secretary
Perf: Organizing EHBPC 2010.
I won the EHBPC 2009 in london with Manu and Lukas from "l'équipe". (so im a kind of European Champion indeed).
Good place in the BFF paris tournament, with the "iron ponies" team.
Overall player, good goalkeaping.

Choose me because:
I can bring cheese and chocolate from switzerland for the whole team.
A lil' touch of "exotisme" in a concrete jungle.
Im playing european style of polo-> make your tournament an international one.

these bios are great, but lefty zach had the right idea by posting references.

i know y'all think you're great passers, shooters, ball handlers, defenders, but does anyone else?

and there are still a bunch of people registered who are a complete mystery to me due to their cryptic usernames and lack of an identifiable profile pic. if you want to improve your chances of getting picked(by me or another GM), please tell us who you are.

NAME: Jesse Gordon French
AGE: 24
WEIGHT: 165 lbs / 75 kg
HEIGHT: 6' 1" / 185 cm
PLAYS: left
RIDES: freewheel / rear brake
TRAVEL: coming from 3 hours north of the city, train or automobile
DOC: beer
POSITION: not goalie
YEARS PLAYING: one and a half, once a week pickup
TOURNAMENTS: ESPI IV in Boston, NAHBPC Seattle, minimal pickup at Worlds '09
STYLE OF PLAY: I like to play forward, although I'm not used to big-court play and tend to ride & shoot slower than most NYC players. I have an accurate pass, and will sometimes set a nice screen. Basically still a rookie outside of Troy. I generally keep a positive attitude although I'm pretty quiet on the bench. I'll be playing in the Pit when I can before the tourney.

2 questions: where is cascadia? and when is the resgistration deadline?

Dave Currence
AGE: 34
HEIGHT: 5’8”
WEIGHT: 150-158 (depends on the week)
PLAYS: RIGHTY
WHERE I’M FROM: NYC
YEARS PLAYING: 4, but it doesn’t show…
PLAYING STYLE: I spend a lot of time yelling at myself, and if I get tired of yelling at me, I might start yelling at you. I have spent the better part of the last few years playing on teams that included myself, Adam Menace, and someone else. The best tourney finish I’ve had was Northside in ’08. Pieter, Adam and I finished second to Doug, Paul, and Zach. I, however, was relegated to playing goalie the entire tournament and was given some sort of second-thought, last-minute prize for my effort. I enjoy playing defense but I like to be mobile as well. I played soccer through college, so that tends to be the way that I look at polo. If I’m having a good day, I might actually score every once in a while.

NOTES:
I come with FREE BURRITOS. And I like Pop-Tarts.

CALL FOR BLURBS:
please submit your comments about my game
thank you

I wanna see the profiles for whoever is reffing this mess. Rule set written test scores, video revue acumen, hand signals for all these penalties, whistle blowing decibel count...

Name: Atwell (Jon)
Homeclub: Midwest Tricity (Madison, MKE, Chi)
Weight: 185
Height: 6'5"
Hand: Right
Bike: The slickest Joust you've never seen

I have been playing for a little more than 2 years. I have a wingspan of a dreamliner. I have been lifting weights in preparation for this tournament. I take this shit seriously. I took 4th at worlds. I will slay for you. I will become better at varying sentence structures before this tournament as well.

Draft on the 14th or is it being changed?

NAME: Ben Schultz
CITY: Schicago
WEIGHT: 165 lbs / 74.8 kg
HEIGHT: 5'10/177.8 cm
DOC: endorphins and adrenaline. With just a touch of bourbon.
POSITION: All. Righty.
EXPERIENCE: four years total, three Hardcourt.
BIKE: Double Barrell. Loaded. Ready.
TOURNAMENT TEAMMATES: Coach, Terra, Tucker, Lefty Joe, Doug D., Krem de la Krem, Capt. Jake, Ohio, Truck, IanRVA, Fiona. Coming soon: Alexis
CITIES TRAVELED: Milwaukee, Madison, Dayton, CoMo, STL, Sarasota, D.C., NYC, Boston, Toronto, Ottawa, Seattle, Portland, Philly. Coming soon: Pensacola, Berlin, MPLS.

BACKGROUND: The Pit is where I first played Hardcourt and have returned many times. Love the Pit. Midwest-raised so a physical game is fine but to me, there's nothing more satisfying than a precision team win. Organize the mayhem chess-style, always thinking ahead. My game is mid-forward but I'm always watching the field. I can provide strong mid-court defense, steer the opposition, force turnovers and capitalize. On offense, I love to draw out the defense and deliver the assist. But I'll put a shot on with the opportunity. In general, I talk it up, both for communication and support and can chase down a ball with fastest of them.

My weakness is the tendency to become frustrated with myself. That said, I haven't succumbed to that at a tournament in a long time. To paraphrase Paul, I'm 95% good.

That was fun.

Name: Hugo Laquerbe
City: Paris
Years Playing: 2
In the last 3 months, Days per week played: 2/3
POSITION: All over
Past teammates: Kevin J Walsh,Guthrie Neumann, Pierre Emm, Edouard J. Team: DTGP (Dans Ta Gueule, Puceau.)
BIKE:fixe, Gorilla
WEIGHT: 70 kg
HEIGHT: 185 cm
Tournaments: 1st place Rouen Epiphanie 2010, 3rd place GreifMASTER 2010,Worlds '09, 4th EHBPC 2009, 2nd BFFparis2008...
next tournament Pensacola springbreak
Hand:right
STRENGTHS: Fast, blocking, fast shots, good passer

Can't wait !

NAME: Messmann aka Matt Messenger
AGE: 39 soon.
WEIGHT: 165 on game day
HEIGHT: 5'-11.75"
PLAYS: Right
DOC: Maryjane
CITY: 2ohsickness Seattle
POSITION: All Over and then some
Weeklies: 1-2 x/wk
YEARS PLAYING: 12+
SIGN: Pieces
B.O.G: Bluebird
ARRESTED FOR POLO: No---SKateboarding: Yes

WIN a few, lose a few.

PLAYING STYLE: I've seen it all. I can read you like a 5th grade novel. I Like speed, can sprint like hell and don't play to physical of a game unless some chumps are bringing it. you know who you are! I play fair and by the rules, unless those same chumps want a taste of there own meds. I might look like i'm gonna crash right into you, then at the last minute pull back cuz your dabbing anyways. I never take my eyes off the ball and love stealing the pass. I play a decent goalie, mostly a foward, passing, set up man on the screen or man to man playing 3 in the key. I will talk hella shit to you during the game, but not off the court. When peeps talk shit to me, it only puts me on a higher plain, so bring it. I have bunch of wicked fake shots. I go for the long shots too. currently have 6 polo bikes ready to go.!

SPECIALTIES:
Backhand crossover shots
Delayed BB Shots
.05 degree shot.
Balljoint to anywhere on the court.
wheelie shot, behind, under and head-on.
through your spokes shot.
mallet on mallet

*REFERECES:
a few.

Weaknesses: the smell of Maryjane of the sidelines during play. unless your shittalking me, then that helps.

Tourneys: 2009: NSPI, NA's, Worlds, almost all WSI, EVC 2007 and some others...12yrs of polo.

Favorite polo game is to 11 win by two. a Seattle last game ritual. AVerage playing time is 5-7hrs straight.

BOOM!BOOMBOOM! and COUNT IT! and all that shit.
polifer!

Just want to remind the captains that I'm registered for this tournament. Mess, if I'm on the same team as you, will you pass to me?

Right, I would be down. Busy working on the WORLDS. Sorry.
Stats:
6 feet long laying on my side.
Played in more coutries then most people have played in other cities.
I can drink 7 beers in 15 minutes.
Pictures of me are not safe for work.
I've recently learnt to use a brake.
I ride a bike and can hop like a bunny.

That about it. Give me the job, I work for cheap.

Be my valentine

SO EXCITED! And that's just for the draft, never mind the actual tournament itself.

Public chat room is open: http://leagueofbikepolo.com/bench-minor/draft/everyone

It's kind of untested, and i'm not sure how well it will handle a lot of users. If it fails, we'll just use this here forum thread.

Send bug reports to me using the contact form. Also, if you're having issues, you might try restarting your browser or using different one.

PICK ME!!! PICK ME!!!!!!!

last minute bio

Name: Nate Mumford
nicknames: natred, natenatenate, naterade, weirdo beardo

City: NYC

Stats: 5'11, 150lbs, all beard
Position: winger and mid/defense

Bike: FW right handed

Playing since: March 2009

Style: I was born in the Pit. I like setting up fast passes and plays from the wings and have a pretty accurate shot. I talk a lot and am conscious of where my team mates are. I really like fast games and leave it all on the court. Ive improved a whole lot since I started and try to play every chance I get.

Cities Played In: NYC, Boston, Philly, Ottawa

Awards: Most Spirited (Ottawa)

People say:
Doug D: Nate stop getting so good or Ill have to hurt you.
Ian RVA: Whoa Nice shot!
Fiona: I like playing with you nate!
Jas: nate mumford ladies and gentlemen!

Name: tommy, golden child, t-pain, (other stupid stuff i'm sure)
Age: 24(16)
Height: 6'
Weight: 165...putting on 25lbs of muscle by game day

D.o.C.: something vegan
City: born in dirty detroit, residing in brooklyn
Travel/Arrival: bridge

Bike: freewheel rear break white
R/L: right right right

Years Playing: a good year
In the last 3 months, Days per week played: 3 days or more a week including shoveling the pit
Strong position: i'll be bringing it with that ol' dirty insulin...i got them sprints, passing on the dime, chip shots, half court defense,

Past teammates: who gives a shit!
Past tournaments: who gives a shit?

ask anyone from nyc they'll let you know what's really good.
1 hour before draft...i'm someone you'd be happy to have on your bench

Biggest day of the year. Captains, make the best choices so that we can have/see some of the best games possible. SHYEA!

NAME: Nicolai Egnell
CITY: Fort Lauderdale, FL
WEIGHT: 180
HEIGHT: 6'4"
DOC: Miller High Life, chased with Krypto
HANDED: Right
STREGNTHS: Goal, Defense, Steals.
EXPERIENCE: a lifetime of 20" freestyle - 1.5 yrs on hardcourt polo
BIKE: Leader 61cm... specifically built by me, for me, for Polo
VENUES PLAYED: Holiday Park, The Pit, NoHo, Burbank, Pensacola Beach
PICK-UP WITH: Dave, Dave, Alex, Alex, Jared, Jason, Christian, Mikee, Ben, Kelli, Sam, Sam, Tim, Guy, Alexis,
BACKGROUND: Started playing twice a week at Holiday Park, where the weather is always nice. did that for about a year.
Went on the road to promote BikePolo and learn from others about 2 months ago, made it to the 818 and came back for more east coast action. I love the game and I play hard (but nicely)

"PUT ME IN COACH, I'M READY TO PLAY!"

well it looks like it will bee entertaining!

Nice work to the coaches. Thanks for picking some of us European players.

Now to sort out flights.

It will be awesome! Thanks !
can't wait to see you

Flights booked. See you all there.

Jav seems to be going with a few of his tried and tested stalwart hustlers. If todays pick-up at Allston is anything to go by he' may have more in hospital than on the bench.

can i get some pay pal action?