RVA. Beggin' over here.
Machine Politics vs Beaver Boys, May 2011. Photo by Bruce Carver
Who Is Hosting ESPI 5?
December 12, 2009 - 1:14am
#2
December 12, 2009 - 10:23am
#4
you need to brolax, rYand. besides, no one cares what you think since you COMPLETELY FAILED to brow up at the Turduckenv2.0 aka the best tournament ever held on earth.
the fact is rva didn't want to do it then, and they don't appear to want to do it now. my opinion is they should stick to putting on really fun tournaments and let the too serious crowd take care of ESPI5.
i nominate South Jersey.
December 12, 2009 - 12:38pm
#5
I am too serious always!
============================
You have to go out of town to get inside jokes.
December 12, 2009 - 2:49am
#6
Chicago would like to make a bid.
MKE 05-06
CHI 07-Pres.
December 12, 2009 - 11:01am
#7
are we really gonna have to bid for the ESPI.
December 12, 2009 - 11:54am
#9
We're being nominated, how endearing. We're going to host something in Pittsburgh this spring/summer, it's just a matter of getting our ducks in a row and deciding what exactly. This has set the wheels turning.
December 13, 2009 - 10:45am
#10
What's the court situation like in Pittsburgh?
December 13, 2009 - 11:12am
#11
We have two hockey courts with wire mesh surrounds within about 3 blocks of each other in a good section of town filled with cheap places to eat and drink. Neither court is perfect, but they are both pretty good. Pavement is fine on each, with one of them having a corner that has sloped over the years but ends up not being a terrible problem. The smaller of the two is lit until 9 or 10pm depending on season. The larger main court is situated partially under a bride, providing cover to hang under if the weather turns sour. Bathroom facilities are an issue, but not a deal breaker on things. We don't really have any user conflicts and the city is more or less down with us, so I wouldn't expect any issues there.
A few of the posters from Ohio and Lexington on here who've visited for other tournaments we've had can give a better perspective on the larger main court from an outsider.
Both of our courts have map links on our club page: http://www.leagueofbikepolo.com/club/pittsburgh-bike-polo
December 13, 2009 - 12:00pm
#12
could you guys do a third court?
December 13, 2009 - 5:51pm
#13
No, I don't think so. The only other court we've really played on is a gigantic one on the other side of town that could potentially be divided into a pair with jersey barriers or wooden boards. Or hay bales even. But we don't really have a third accessible court near the current pair, nor do I think we have the local infrastructure to deal with three.
December 12, 2009 - 12:39pm
#16
We would love to do it but there are a lot of buts in the way. Asses. Bros.
============================
You have to go out of town to get inside jokes.
December 12, 2009 - 2:45pm
#17
RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA RVA BROS BROS BROS BROS BROS BROS
http://www.mkebikepolo.com/wordpress/
December 12, 2009 - 3:04pm
#18
December 12, 2009 - 4:25pm
#19
BROSEIDON
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Little Richmond Bros Of Prey
December 12, 2009 - 4:44pm
#22
NYC OR BOSTON AGAIN
December 12, 2009 - 4:52pm
#23
December 12, 2009 - 6:20pm
#24
Someone better lay claim to the ESPI's and a set a date real soon. Please.
December 12, 2009 - 9:11pm
#25
Combined effort of all the cities on the east coast. Broltimore.
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Little Richmond Bros Of Prey
December 13, 2009 - 12:52am
#27
seattle could host if ya can't figure it out.....count it!
Messmann
bikepologuru
seattlebikepolo
since 1998
December 13, 2009 - 12:55pm
#28
RVA! if not, FORT LAUDERDALE!
"ok Mr. Schwinn fucking Armstrong!"
December 13, 2009 - 10:26pm
#29
RVA should do it. Why isn't RVA doing it?
If RVA won't step up, a few New Yorkers would like to see Pittsburgh do it.
Pittsburg, get your shit together a build 3-4 courts next to each other or NYC will gladly step up a throw a kick ass tourney.
and what not.
December 14, 2009 - 12:47pm
#30
It's not really that we don't want to step up, it really boils down to the fact that the local parks and rec department here are being difficult and have been taking over a year to even consider allowing us a place to play. We've talked to a lot of people that work for the city and we simply don't have a reliable spot to host a proper tournament. The spot that turducken was held on Sunday is our hopeful permanent courts but were waiting for someone at city hall to let us have it. We want to throw a dope tournament asap, BUT we don't want to blow our load with big sponsors and people that work for the city just to have it all be a disaster. When city comes through and allows us to build some good courts, its going dowwwn, sit tight we got some things in the works!
December 14, 2009 - 2:00am
#31
and I personally would be down to see Pittsburgh do it, NY second but they already did it once
December 15, 2009 - 12:22pm
#32
thank you Sean, very concise. Portland wants to come out for Espi5 so let us know who's hostin.
Skid & Destroy
Axles of Evil
December 15, 2009 - 9:22pm
#33
Is pittsburgh interested in pulling this off? I aggree that RVA shouldn't be pressured if the city is what's stopping them from doing it. Though I would love to go to richmond there is always 2011 for them.
How much bigger of a tournament will this be than boston? They only had two courts and it seemed to be pulled off pretty easily. Especially if Pittsburgh has access to lights then why not play in the second steepest city in america?
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 16, 2009 - 2:58am
#34
I think there were about 35 teams at ESPI IV in Boston. I wouldn't be surprised if there were double the interest for ESPI V.
I fear that 2010 will be full of drama about who gets to register for tournaments. Hopefully there will be enough smaller tournaments that pressure will be taken off the big ones like ESPI, Midwests, etc.
December 16, 2009 - 9:10am
#35
Yay! The Midwests are a "Big One" now!!!
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-fun
December 15, 2009 - 10:40pm
#36
We're working on some things in Pittsburgh.
The possibility of hosting this event was not brought to our attention until Saturday afternoon. It is now Tuesday. I think we'd all agree that it takes more than 3 days to plan a tournament. Trying to gauge other local interest and determine if we have enough of a network of people to accommodate roughly 100 out of towners crashing for the weekend, amongst all the other decisions and research on permits for the two courts, insurance etc.
December 15, 2009 - 10:46pm
#37
No pressure. I certainly don't want to seem like there should be pressure on you any more than there should be pressure on RVA. My apologies if it seems that way.
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 16, 2009 - 3:43pm
#40
well, no pressure and all cuz if you're not gonna do it NYC probably will want to again.
It would be nice to do it in a place like CP, MD or another fledgling community (or even one that is established but we haven't heard much about yet), but it does take a considerable toll on resources they may not have...yet. But I'm down for it either way.
If we were going by order it woulda been philly again but they just did a big one.
I feel there should be no particular order to which city hosts what as long as its willing to host and do it well.
---------------------------
"...this is how Woadie must feel every day"
December 16, 2009 - 5:27pm
#41
frederick, MD has the two best courts in the world side by side. two full sized hockey rinks with smooth perfectly level concrete directly adjecent to each other and zero polo community
December 16, 2009 - 7:17pm
#42
Will someone organize the tournament in a city with no community? Is there a near-by city that can organize? What does this mean!!!
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 16, 2009 - 8:44pm
#43
Yes, DC/College Park, MD would. About 45 minutes away.
December 16, 2009 - 8:48pm
#44
Is DC interested in doing ESPI a second time?
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 17, 2009 - 12:54pm
#46
The logistics for a tournament in Frederick are pretty unclear at the moment. I hope to have a better idea very early in the new year. These courts have been discussed as a potential host for the Co-Ed in 2010, with camp-out accommodations, bon fire, live bands, kegs, etc. I think the idea has a ton of potential, but I'm not sure it would/could be the answer for ESPI 5. Rain-out could become epic disaster.
POTENTIALLY:
Courts here: http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=qk1r8v8jcgbc&scene=34259209...
and here: http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=qk52238jhttp&scene=34265627...
Camping 15 miles south, here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8394801@N06/sets/72157622670834919/
December 17, 2009 - 1:32pm
#47
if pittsburgh has two decent courts only three blocks apart, seems like a better choice. housing, parties, sponsors, relationship with the city, etc.
December 17, 2009 - 2:29pm
#51
Seems like a good hierarchy, I remember that there was a small rumor that NY would consider hosting again that I heard from Cecily at north americans. It did come down to wanting to see the tournament travel though. I'd love to see any of the cities listed take a whack at it, I've only been to NY and I was not a polo kid then.
What does philly have to say?
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 18, 2009 - 1:04am
#52
As a New Yorker I would LOVE to see Pittsburgh do ESPI. If they can't for what ever reason, the sense I get from players here as that we are more than willing to do it. I'm personally totally willing to donate my time to make this happen, weather it be for NYC or Pitts.
Pittsburgh, two courts 3 blocks apart is OK, but I really think you're going to need three courts, and anything you can do to get them all in the same place will make for a much better tournament. Talk to Seattle about how they built their courts for the NAs. A large paved lot is what you need.
December 18, 2009 - 2:17am
#53
Aside from a large paved lot, having a decent number of devoted polo players being carpenters is also really nice.
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 18, 2009 - 8:19am
#54
Columbia pulled off a 43 team, 2 day, swiss rounds seeding a double elimination on two courts. All things are possible, with science!
Chicago Bike Polo 2003-2008
St Louis Bike Polo 2008-fun
December 18, 2009 - 3:42pm
#55
Science, and devoted polo players willing to show up on time and only drink heavily on the last night.
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 18, 2009 - 11:58am
#56
NY is talking about it. Let us know, Pittsburgh. I'd love to see it in a new city, and would like to suggest that if Pittsburgh takes the lead, they can count on an alliance of all the East Coast cities chipping in and making it a collaborative effort in building, running and faciliating the tournament.
and um, NY is always > Philly. C'mon, you fools know this.
December 18, 2009 - 5:46pm
#58
thanks for the kind words, hater.
yes, i know how you feel about our city. ha ha. + you're the self proclaimed #1 heckler of Dougy D.
sitting here in my Yankees hat, lovin it,
p
Brad-- make it work, baby! seriously, we'll all help build/make it happen. COMO just put themselves on the map with the Midwests, and we'd love to expand the ESPI family in a similar way.
December 18, 2009 - 4:16pm
#60
I'm glad to see all of the support for Pittsburgh here... Good to see, good to see. This is an awesome town, and promises a good cheap time for everyone if this happens. 3 courts are extremely doubtful however, I just can't see that happening here right now.
December 18, 2009 - 6:46pm
#61
I, too, appreciate the encouragement. Don't know if Brad mentioned it, but we're meeting up before everyone disappears for X-mas to see if everyone here is in balls deep. I personally am dying to do it, and here's hoping that everyone else here feels the same.
December 24, 2009 - 12:00am
#62
A number of us from Pittsburgh met and talked for a couple of hours this evening and the verdict was reached that we would like to host ESPI 5 in late May 2010.
We'll get some more details written up soon for people to mull over. Basically, we're down with our two courts and are confident we can show 32 teams worth of people a good time.
December 24, 2009 - 12:38am
#63
I love it, glad to hear you made this decision. I look forward to coming to pittsburgh.
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 24, 2009 - 11:15am
#64
are the courts lit? I think that 32 teams could be expanded. The midwests just had 44 on two courts and plenty of games were played.
December 24, 2009 - 12:08pm
#65
One of the courts is lit until either 9-10pm.
One of our main concerns is housing. Housing the 120 people that 32 teams represents between players and other travelers is going to be a challenge to begin with. We are confident that we can "guarantee" (as of right now) 60 some floor spots in the immediate neighborhood of the courts, and hope to be able to account for more. We're hoping that at least some people have their own contacts in Pittsburgh or prefer hotel accommodations.
December 24, 2009 - 1:13pm
#66
I think that is always the case with housing. I wouldn't worry too much about players accommodations as long as you put effort into people will be happy. Lots of players have been staying in hotels lately because it is just easier.
Also, i once pricelined a five start hotel in Pittsburg for 39 dollars. Was awesome,
December 24, 2009 - 5:56pm
#67
Brad, hotels for the half that like hotels. Not to worry.
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
hardcourtbikepolo.com
flickr.com/photos/daytonohio
December 24, 2009 - 8:25am
#68
Sooooooo, who's looking for a team? UFA right here
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Little Richmond Bros Of Prey
December 24, 2009 - 9:49am
#69
you wanna get back togather on this one?
you play with my team, you playin with my emotions
December 24, 2009 - 10:02am
#70
play with Nick and me.
December 24, 2009 - 10:17am
#72
hey ben and alexis wanna be on a team?
December 24, 2009 - 10:46am
#73
sean we should finally get that all jersey team together for Adam Menace's tournament. whaddayathink?
December 25, 2009 - 12:20pm
#74
that sounds like a great idea, Im really into the format they're doing with that tourney. Where the rest of the jersey crew? Chombo? who else is from the motherland
December 24, 2009 - 6:42pm
#75
May I request yeungling as a sponsor?
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 26, 2009 - 1:19am
#76
I'd make the trip just for that.
December 26, 2009 - 5:03am
#77
I'm coming one way or another just for some lager!
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 24, 2009 - 9:00pm
#78
slayers on the way! bbbbbbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr oish oish glat!
"This is the way it's always gonna be"
December 25, 2009 - 8:34pm
#79
street fighter espi bitches. zangief, dalsim and blanca are currently lording over that realm. we need to make the move to their league and show em whats up
you play with my team, you playin with my emotions
December 27, 2009 - 11:48pm
#80
thank you pittsburgh
i'm stoked to come to three rivers polo
i hereby register a team
two former espi winners and the brohawk
taking any and all bets, paul
ps. ppppprrrrrrrrrrr
December 28, 2009 - 9:55am
#81
Count it!
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Little Richmond Bros Of Prey
December 28, 2009 - 12:36am
#82
I'm coming for sure. As for a team, who knows!
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
December 29, 2009 - 10:13am
#83
I'm going to need a team for this! Whats up anyone?
January 2, 2010 - 11:09am
#84
The Pittsburgh crew would prefer if this was tentatively scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. Party on the evening of the 28th, tournament 29-30, pickup on Monday the 31st for anyone sticking around a bit. Any objections? I'd like to get on the whole permitting process early and often to make sure everything is kosher.
January 2, 2010 - 12:07pm
#85
This is fantastic! I wont be able to travel much this coming year with the lil one on the way but I cusre as Hell can make to PGH! YAHH!
Cleveland Wins at Proximity to ESPI5
January 2, 2010 - 6:42pm
#86
The west side invite is memorial day weekend. Has been for ten years and will be again this year. This is trouble for portland and seattle.
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
January 3, 2010 - 12:49am
#87
Maybe then an eastern team will win again! Zing
January 3, 2010 - 1:27am
#89
oh that's too bad. you'll be missed, i'm sure.
January 3, 2010 - 1:49pm
#90
Sarcasm on the internet. Nice.
Brad, I would love to see this date moved a bit so that people from this area could come, but I understand if it's not possible. Hopefully I'll see you out here sometime.
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
January 3, 2010 - 3:26pm
#91
x2!
January 3, 2010 - 10:30pm
#92
no seriously, you all would be missed.
i would love to attend the Westside and visit Portland, but i guess those 2 regionals (East and "West) will be more regional this year. have last years winners and Balls Deep flip a coin to see which they want to attend. we don't need them both. too many pink shirts gets too confusing. and then they win, it's brutal listening to drew scream "cascadia!"
January 3, 2010 - 10:36pm
#93
My apologies, I guess I'm too quick to judge people as sarcastic. I was personally really looking forward to coming to the east coast for the ESPI this year, I have a terrible perferomance to make up for last year. I'll have to find another tournament.
Trouble with sending last years winners is that Seabass and Drew are defending their belts for the third year in a row. At least you wouldn't have to hear him yell.
____________
Hurrah for Anarchy! This is the happiest day of my life!
"So Bike polo is the other woman?"
January 5, 2010 - 12:17pm
#94
Memorial day is also the weekend after the 8th midwests in minneapolis. so travel and time off and such may be problematic for many midwesterners...juts pointing out.
www.mkebikepolo.com
January 5, 2010 - 12:26pm
#96
Well it looks like we have a good old three way cross country regional tournament stand off folks! I propose a mini round robin funsies at Mad between the winners, it could happen right after the all OneXOne exhibition match.
More fun stupid exhibition matches on the side at tourneys! First prize is a half rack of Pabst!
Skid & Destroy
Axles of Evil
January 5, 2010 - 1:08pm
#97
Wow what a clusterfuck of dates. Three out of the four biggest tournaments all planned within a ten day space. This is exactly what NA Hardcourt will be able to help prevent for 2011, either by putting together some kind of regional qualifier system (in which case it's fine if they're all the same weekend) or by packaging these major tournaments into a circuit with a planned schedule that everyone who takes polo too seriously can attend.
Cascadia types, how married are you to the polo/alleycat marriage of the West side Invite? I know it's tradition and everything, but it seems like there's been discussion in Cascadia about moving the West Side polo tourney around to other cities anyway, which could imply different dates. Maybe we need a separate thread for this.
January 5, 2010 - 2:15pm
#98
Does need a separate thread, but I think that this year it is set to not change.
____________
Hurrah for Anarchy! This is the happiest day of my life!
"So Bike polo is the other woman?"
January 5, 2010 - 1:51pm
#99
Realistically, how many people are planning to attend more than one of these May tournaments? Honest question, and one that will likely help NA Hardcourt in whatever future decisions are made about how to schedule things like this. It's absolutely impossible to make events work for everyone across the country, clearly there will always be conflicts that affect some players whether that be other polo tournaments, other bike industry events (NAHBS and Bike Polo Spring Break for example) or just personal/work shit.
There is also the case of the organizer's schedules in given cities. In this case for Pittsburgh, this tournament is being financially backed (as in floating the permit fees, getting insurance, porta-pots etc) and largely worked on by the two of us here at Urban Velo along with a number of polo players from town. We're all busy people and have pretty well marked off Memorial Day weekend as one of very few that we can all commit to make this happen. Enough so that if it is determined that the ESPIs should not be Memorial Day weekend we very well may host a more regional tournament that very same weekend and let another city step up to play ESPI host.
Based on the other dates of tournaments floating around in the above thread, it seems like all of May is no good for the ESPIs. April is far too early in the season to expect decent weather in Pittsburgh, and June simply won't allow the two of us at UV to devote much time to organizing due to our obligations to the business. July is a possibility, but something tells me that such a suggestion would be followed with a list of even more conflicting events (I know I have a few conflicts), and honestly we'd all have to meet again, re-examine our schedules and decide if Pittsburgh wants to undertake such an event at that time in all of our lives... If Memorial Day weekend 2010 is a no-no for the ESPI's in Pittsburgh due to conflicts with other events we all may need to reconsider if we're the correct host city this time around.
I'm glad that hardcourt polo is so damned popular to even have these troubles. Completely awesome even if it can make us all have a bit of a headache.
January 5, 2010 - 2:07pm
#100
This is a regional tournament, hold it whenever is best for you. Everyone will just have to pick one, and with the proliferation of regional tournaments they better get used to it.
3...2...1...GO!
Mallets Of Mayhem
Little Richmond Bros Of Prey
January 5, 2010 - 5:42pm
#101
I think memorial day weekend is great!
January 6, 2010 - 1:38pm
#102
Brad, if memorial day is what works for you guys then by all means do it to it. I think that it's starting to happen that we will need to choose as players and teams what tourneys we want to attend if these kind of date conflicts continue to arise, which I think is likely. I think the point of tourneys is to challenge our skills, meet other players, see new places, and have a great time doing it. Put on the best east side you can, and maybe I'll see you at the next one, or at NA's in Mad.
Skid & Destroy
Axles of Evil
January 21, 2010 - 10:17pm
#103
I started a new thread in the Tournaments section, but here's a repost for anyone following this thread:
I am sorry to announce that Pittsburgh will no longer be hosting ESPI 5 in 2010. We were initially optimistic about being able to provide housing/food/etc for such an event, but our issue now has become playing surface. After speaking with people at the St. Louis Lock-In, we have decided that our courts will not be sufficient for a major tournament like the ESPI. The standards are pretty high these days, and our courts are not simply not large enough or consistent enough to match those standards. I apologize for any inconvenience this causes, though I think that there is plenty of time to find a replacement host and plan the tournament. Additionally, we still intend to host some form of polo event on the proposed weekend (May 29-30) with those details to be announced as soon as they are available.
-Jonathan
January 21, 2010 - 11:55pm
#104
just call it the espis and be done with it
did you smell the haybales last year?
a discussion in st. louis derails the espis? fuck that
daddy tern or peecocque or eagle please explain what i am so poorly saying here
January 22, 2010 - 12:32am
#105
it was always a bummer that the espi's and the westside were on the same weekend, those are two of polo's premier events. i don't know what has to happen for pittsburgh to hold this thing, but change the dates people, why exclude half the country from either event.
January 22, 2010 - 1:25am
#106
is it impossible to think that the westside separate the polo tournament from the rest and make it a different date, thereby allowing pburgh to host espi?
January 22, 2010 - 2:09am
#107
i agree chris. sorry guys, but you're backing out because of this? many cities host and many have poor surfaces, and many have great surfaces. but where everyone plays isn't always great, and that's part of the beauty and charm of playing in other cities. you get to learn and grow as a player, including surface differences....
and i'm curious what the NA organizing body thinks about the regional invites being at the same time. does this seem like a good time to be introducing these as possible qualifying tournaments for others, like NAs and Worlds? thus it would be fine that they occurred at the same time? and i am aware that other regions are hosting invites at different, and possibly much later times than these three...but...that would be something the body would discuss and move around, or hope to, should it become qualifying tournaments for others that post-date may?
and this also all begs the question about the quality of hosting, and the abilities of the host city? are we going to as a group move forward into mandatory standards? it seems like pittsburgh doesn't feel they are up to par...
January 22, 2010 - 12:14am
#108
fuckit espi is one of the big 4
this will be a good venue PGH
pick a date and stick to it!
cccccrrrrrrrrrrrr!
January 22, 2010 - 10:59am
#109
Pittsburgh - If the only thing holding you back or discouraging you from hosting ESPI's is the conflicting schedule then you should hold ESPI's. It's a regional invite tournament. It's really flattering that everyone across the continent likes to come to this specific tourney but it isn't necessary.
You should hold Espi's. Richmond won't do it until they have a solid place to play. NY, Philly, Boston, DC have all done it. Florida as much as I love visiting is just too damn far for the northern teams. Ideally in regards to location it should be held in VA, WVA, MD, DE or NC. Those are the most centrally located states on the East side. 3 of them don't have any players that we know of.
If you are worried about surface or playing field size, then again, do not let this discourage you. Yes the stakes are high but in all fairness this is about having fun when it comes down to it. Sure it's not fun for you cuz organizing tournaments sucks.Essentially you are providing a different setting for people to play polo and giving them a chance to break away from the rigamarole of every day life to do something they enjoy. It also just happens to be highly competitive.
As Eastside Representative I highly implore you to revitalize your planning and host the ESPI's this year. Plus, I haven't been to Pittsburgh in years and I never had a bad time.
January 22, 2010 - 1:25pm
#111
I'm following both threads to make sure that I don't miss anything, but I'm trying to only add content to the other one for simplicity's sake.
Who's new
- mixtieme - portland oregon
- polophil - Hamburg
- axlissel - lima, Peru, Miami FL
- Deguerrilla - Landover MD
- AndrewMBP - Miami
- thecatman - fresno, ca
- kona29ermtb - eugene or
- Jamie Edwards - Sydney
- malletheadz - Florida
- KCJ - Jacksonville FL
Recently added polo bikes
rva!