edit: never mind, staying out of this lest i get accused of having no morals again.
Throwing mallets
Last night we had yet another extensive, ridiculous debate about initial mallet tossing before a pickup game.
You see, there is this one tall fellow who might like to go out into the court, pick up the thrown mallets, put them behind his back, checks to make sure everyone is busy with cigs and beer, then he pulls the mallets in front of him, arranges them as he sees fit, puts them back behind his back, then tosses them as he chose. This has been going on for years. Now a few times people have called him out on this and yelled at him. Mean things often get said to this fellow, however he is completely unnerved by the insults and will debate that his way is better.
While he was debating the entire club, I finally got a word in, I suggested "hey, lets just toss mallets randomly behind our back like normal, and if its just totally skewed, we'll just kinda figure it out with the players on the court" (thats normal right?")
Everyone agreed in Tulsa. EVERYONE…besides the inzo (correct me if im wrong).
But, Steven, here is your chance to state your case. No hate, just trying to get shit squared out. Rotsaruck.
Whats are other peoples thoughts on random pick-up tossing?
If all players are experienced I throw the mallets and let them fall where they may. If we have new players I make sure they are divided between the two teams. That is the extent of my stacking. The guy that has an issue with it is an asshole. He gets off winning games 5-0. I've done a lot to bring these new players into our club and I feel a responsibility to do my best to create fun games for them. I think it is demoralizing for new players to go out and get slaughtered so I try not to let that happen. The guy that throws these tantrums is just about ready to blow up at any moment, he has broken more mallets then anyone, and is such an angry player that it often times feels unsafe to be playing against him. He doesn't realize that these fits almost every night over-shadow the fun time everyone else is having.
this might be the dumbest thread yet.
this might be the dumbest thread yet.
you are probably right. we argue about this stupid shit all the time, its getting out of hand. just was looking for a advice, but thanks for your opinion. i bet your super awesome at bike polo.
If all players are experienced I throw the mallets and let them fall where they may. If we have new players I make sure they are divided between the two teams. That is the extent of my stacking. The guy that has an issue with it is an asshole. He gets off winning games 5-0. I've done a lot to bring these new players into our club and I feel a responsibility to do my best to create fun games for them. I think it is demoralizing for new players to go out and get slaughtered so I try not to let that happen. The guy that throws these tantrums is just about ready to blow up at any moment, he has broken more mallets then anyone, and is such an angry player that it often times feels unsafe to be playing against him. He doesn't realize that these fits almost every night over-shadow the fun time everyone else is having.
so the difference in what everyone else wanted to do (throw mallets, then adjust need-be) - your system is better because… you do all sneaky while no one is looking, the deny it, then argue if someone bitches about it?
storm has FAR less issues than you steven. I wouldn't go around calling people assholes, jus sayin. I love you both.
No, I am pretty open about it. I just don't make a big deal of it. Every game doesn't need a group vote. Stop being silly and support my intentions for good games.
If we have new players I make sure they are divided between the two teams.
Thats fine, that is not the issue. Its that you need to let other people throw mallets besides you. Lets switch it up.
You mean like the one just previous that I didn't throw where Storm won 5-1 without ever passing to either of his teammates? That shit is just stupid. Anyone that went to the first Little Rock tournament might remember this guy. I pretty much hate playing against the guy but every game I 'throw' I play against him. I do it to keep things balanced. For me a 4-5 game is more fun win or loose. When I hear rooks walking off the court talking about how intense the game was it makes me happy. For me, right now, it's all about getting new players excited about polo. I think this is what we need to revitalize our club. You and Storm are already hooked and are going to be back regardless. These new players need a good first experience so they will get stoked about it. That's what I am trying to achieve. It baffles me that you don't see that.
[edit] perhaps i didnt need to scream, but the concept of trying to 'overwrite' our clubs vote, seems to be okay with you. thats why i got pissed. a fair mallet toss will suffice
Now I think there are some threads getting a really high volume of stupid. This is likely to be low volume and isn't really that stupid. Figure out how to be nice on the playground. Apply to NAH for funding of the Facebook Pickup Team Selection app. Whatever works in Tulsa.
If it's lopsided I say make the slaughter fast and pretty. Get on to the next game.
Now I think there are some threads getting a really high volume of stupid. This is likely to be low volume and isn't really that stupid. Figure out how to be nice on the playground. Apply to NAH for funding of the Facebook Pickup Team Selection app. Whatever works in Tulsa.
If it's lopsided I say make the slaughter fast and pretty. Get on to the next game.
says the guy who had like, 4 mallets on the fence tonight.
goddam cheater
Either make the throw in games completely random and deal with the outcomes,
or organize every week like a tournament and have designated beginner days that focus more on skill building than ball hogging.
and also, either go with the consensus of the group or start your own, competition increases skills, and abilities,
and starting a new club is actually pretty easy.
yeah, LA tosses random games, but in the event we get two rooks on one side against 3 A players... then well..
we adjust accordingly.
who knows, maybe your tosser just doesnt like playing with other people. so he keeps the drama quiet and does it behind your back instead of bitching about it when you're on the court.. fuuuck why do i have to play with you? you dont pass, or you dont listen and you suck at goal.... blah blah fuckidy blah.
just be happy you get to play and it aint the same game over and over again.
yeah, LA tosses random games, but in the event we get two rooks on one side against 3 A players... then well..
we adjust accordingly.
who knows, maybe your tosser just doesnt like playing with other people. so he keeps the drama quiet and does it behind your back instead of bitching about it when you're on the court.. fuuuck why do i have to play with you? you dont pass, or you dont listen and you suck at goal.... blah blah fuckidy blah.
just be happy you get to play and it aint the same game over and over again.
tru true - think you would have to know steven to really understand tho…
By 'EVERYONE' you mean You, Storm, and his girlfriend? Most people aren't saying anything.
A little backstory here: our club was on the ropes a few months back. Week after week we were lucky to get enough for 2 on 2 and we hadn't had a single good pick-up game in months. We were in pretty sad shape. The game had moved to our 6th or 7th unsanctioned court and I felt bad even inviting anyone out to play with us. I took action and got the city to give us two unused tennis courts, fix the lights, and make it official that it was our court where we could leave stuff set up. I also started advertising on craiglist and as a result half of the people there last night and most recent nights were new. It looks like we now have a chance to rebuild our club and we're on the ground floor. I realize it's different now and that is scary to some but all of these changes are good. Phill, I'm not trying to take your job as club rep, I am just trying to have somewhere to play and people to play with. Making fun of me and calling me 'coach' when I work with the new players and this drama about stacking games when there are three or four new players in each game is super silly.
This thread is a way to get another dig in at me because I'm different. When you guys take votes it's always just you, Storm and his girlfriend (who doesn't even play). No one else even cares they just want to play polo. My friend, just be happy that people are showing up now and we have a place to play. Lay off the votes and hey would it kill you to back your brother up once and a while?
Polo community, sorry about this drama bleeding over to the world-wide scene. Hopefully it is helpful if any of you guys are going through anything similar. I've put a lot of energy into turning our club around and hopefully by next year we will be a completive club and not just three or four guys hanging around tennis courts wishing we had enough for a real game.
Here in Oly we have a similar issue with getting noobs excited sometimes. It's simple. We randomly toss mallets, then line up. If the lineup looks stupidly lopsided, we switch around accordingly. Bam. We've never had an issue with it. I agree with you Steven that it's important to get a fair game for newbies so they can enjoy the excitement of bike polo. I also think that you should be open and transparent about it. Newbies are already aware that they aren't the best player on the court, so when you say "hey, I'll switch with _____ on the other side," then that might be a better way than to make an executive decision before the mallets are even on the ground. After all, it is helpful to have a little bit of a slant sometimes in order to make people play harder against a harder team.
yes stretch, that is how its done!
Seven, the voters who voted on submitting my propsal over yours (some done by phone or text):
+ pDillo
+ Steven Monroe
+ Aaron
+Jon
+ Arial
+ Laura
+ Jeremy
+ KC
+ CJ
+ Jon (at the hub)
+ Sam
- couple more
Vote was all to one. Stevenzo voted nah
--
Steven, sorry to do this, but I cant work with the you and city unless it represented our overall club (main players anyways).
I'm glad you have done what you done, I am very 'proud' you - so to speak. You are not afraid to get on the phone and you are homies with sue.
--
Here is the dividinng line - you can work on a proposal with us and this ill totally not cause fights, however if you wont listen, you do what you want and oder people around, that will not work.
--
*
in Boston, if you're gonna stack a game it is good etiquette to move it to the last spot in the rotation.