Wednesday, April 2, 2008

3.5 Spring Preview

Flight A
Fall Winner Wild Card: Garland: lost Oberto and Cocoran which will hurt but Delira is still around. New addition Delarosa I am sure will help a little at singles. Fun fact: last time Garland was the wild card (2005) they finished 3rd out of 5 teams at the DCC.

Favorite:
HP/Jameson: stacked with talent should come out on top (Jameson, Wiley, Jauregi, Parekh, Chan, Harrison, Atlas, Zhao and new addition Garudadri) I like this team to finish on top

Contender:
Westlake reformed with some additions should be pretty solid for the regular season

Need some help:
Lakes and Springpark. Might do OK but top three teams are just too good.

Flight B
Favorites:
CC/Jolly w/ or w/o Reitzer. They have been so close of late and I think this season they will break through to the playoffs
Stonebridge: still looking good, no losses from the fall team but don’t see any new blood

Contenders
GH/Kayser: Like these guys, have Sims back but no Fraser, that will hurt unless they have a good replacement
LB Houston: borderline team couple of strong players like Zach and Roger should help them stay alive in a deep flight

Need some help:
Stonebriar could surprise if they play well and have some help from new players
Gleneagles-will be on the playoff edge yet again

Flight C
Favorites
Lifetime: I like this group a lot with a deep and steady roster, no Eddie Hill but Blackburn has stepped up his singles game and they will need it because their singles play will be their weakness much like the fall season but they will be tough to beat in doubles. New addition Jonathan Marcus might just change the top seed in this flight
Oakridge: Oops missed out on Jonathan Marcus but they will still be good but they could use a big gun at singles to help out Molina because they seem to be flexible as a team playing singles and doubles but when Prather or Radcliffe have to move up and win singles their doubles teams suffer

Contenders
CC/Bender: pretty solid team, not going to crush anyone but will not get crushed either
Oak Creek: I like this core group but they did lost their line 1 doubles from the Fall which was always good for a win even when separated.

Need some help
Brookhaven: always steady but not breaking new ground with this roster, maybe some late additions could boost them back up to the top where they used to be all the time.

111 comments:

  1. Cary,
    Please tell me what is so great about Lifetime?
    I just don't see it.

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  2. I am not saying they are headed to Nats or anything but they are extremely deep. Richardson, Ferrell, Blackburn, Lipsie, Marcus, Weinstein, Barron, Morrison, Hamaty. Also some new names including Watkins who is also playing up on Hill's 4.0 team. Choi is pretty good as well. The core of this group did got to sectionals two years ago so they have some good experience. Last year they were very close in the DCC and it will hurt they lost Hill and Asako. They kind of remind me of your Oak Creek team of a couple of seasons ago that had 5 good doubles teams, granted they are missing a ringer singles player but who knows about Watkins.

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  3. Cary,
    The time you spend in one evening researching people is more than I've done in a year. In fact to date, you and Vinnie DelaRosa are the only two I've looked up this year. By the way, I'm glad I encouraged him to join my team. Bottom line is to try and beat the guy on the other side of the net, regardless of record. You should spend less time behind your computer researching player history, and more time on the court improving your weak record and justifying your rating. I've heard of your 40 mph serve. And now, I'm reading about it. IS THIS WHY YOU'VE BEEN AVOIDING COREY AND ME? We're still waiting on the match!You bring that weak serve to me, and I'll give you a Penn 3 or Wilson 3 tattoo for free! Instead of forcing your team to win 3 of 4 matches with you in the lineup, carry the clipboard and whistle more!

    John Sisk

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  4. For you I will just use my 20 mph serve because I don't think you can handle my regular serve, remember I have seen you play a little.

    I forget do 3.5s have to play first ball in when you start the match.

    I just found out Corey and I will be on the same mixed doubles team and we need a good female 3.5 to partner with him, I've seen your backhand so I think we can pass you off as a chick. :)

    Hope Vinnie works out for you...

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  5. When does the 3.5 League start?

    Is there a practice match?

    Thanks,

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  6. Big John,

    7-5 the last three 3.5 regular seasons with 9 of those matches at line 3.

    2-6 in 3.5 play-off matches.

    Stellar!

    Clipboard or whistle?

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  7. Cary and Big John stop the insanity play a match and kiss and make up. There is absolutely no way John could pass wearing a tennis skirt...I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit...

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. Marc....are those some of your mixed doubles partners on your profile pic? If so...need another player? Ha Ha Ha

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  10. I'm checking my calendar and once you all get your 3.5 schedule and Corey's 4.5 schedule I am sure there will be a date or two we can work out. Jeromi is interested and he leaves in late May so hopefully we can get it done before then.

    Jacques,

    "threw up in my mouth" very funny

    and by the way don't know who anonymous is but thanks for the supporting stats on Big John.

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  11. If this doubles match ever takes place you should post the time and place. It should be fun to watch.

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  12. That would be fun, even better once we know the date we can set up some other grudge matches to happen at the same time.

    And there must be BEER so maybe we have to invite Springpark they seem to be the beer enthusiasts.

    Mcgowan v. Mckinney???

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  13. Just a few words for those who like to get people the wrong way: Ventura Delarosa or De La Rosa was the same guy and the Texas Section has removed him from the Garland Sisk team. He may be able to do an appeal and become a true 3.5, but the way it was done at first was totally wrong. It would be great if captains would just be honest!

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  14. wow so our Dallas area has equaled Austin in DQ's already and we haven't even played a match yet.

    Not good.

    He knows when you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake!!

    :(

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  15. I would be surprised if they let Delarosa appeal down after this. He looks like he would have been very solid. That was waaaay to easy to catch. One would think they would have been more clever than that.

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  16. Wow!!!!
    Can I get some props on that,
    I called that two whole days ago,
    am I good or what,
    Jacques, that's a picture of my wife and her lesbian lover, and they are all mine. but they are only rated 3.0

    "Late signing self rater for Garland VENTURA E DELAROSA, I don't know any thing about him except Garland has a ringer singles player every year and generally guys with foreign names are good tennis players.

    April 1, 2008 6:59 PM"

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  17. After the bl()w me remark, it figures that's the kind of picture that oc bl would put up, whoever he is. Enjoy your perversity.

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  18. We found one sandbagger! Who are the other sandbaggers in the 3.5 League this year?

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  19. Just curious, what happened with this De La Rosa guy? I looked him up on TennisLink and he has not played since 2004. That would mean his prior rating had expired and he could self-rate even though he played some 4.0 in the past. What happened to cuase him to get pulled?

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  20. good call Marc. Nothing perverse about giant breasts. I am just sad the pic isn't bigger.

    Delarosa played in04 but his last computer rating was dated 12/31/05 so he cannot re-rate to my understanding until 09. Trust there is a guy I know who has the same rating but listed at 4.5 but I knew it wasn't an option.

    Marc,
    Don't know if any others out there but but watch for some early results at line 1 singles from the big teams.

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  21. To All Team Captains, Every team wants to win to bad we cant do it the right way. Whoever caught Garland trying to sneak a ringer in should be commended keep up the good work. Its too bad a championship team from last year would stoop so low.I dont know John Sisk but from some of his stuff on this site I guess I am not suprised. Good Luck to all the legit teams out there.

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  22. Don't hate the player,
    Hate the game,
    I'm not mad at John,
    His Oberto in the playoffs last year, beat Our guy(who is playing 4.0 this year and capable of beating me!) 6-0, 6-0, that's just ridiculous, but it's just one line and one match, one ringer can't carry a team,
    I would rather have some slip through than have Big brother watching every player and disqualifying people in the middle of a match,
    As for my perversion and Vulgarity, I forgot the all the senior leaguers have such delicate sensibilities, I'll tone it down if Cary wants me to,
    Or we can get a USTA Viagra sponsorship for the seniors league if you don't have any use for giant breasts.

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  23. I know John personally and he is a stand up guy. You have to look at the big picture and fact is when you get to sectionals and above, 85% of anyone playing the line 1 or line 2 slots at both Singles and Doubles would be very competetive at 4.0 and probably 5% if not more would hang at 4.5. The difference between a top 3.5player and a mid range 4.0 player isnt much - and the top 3.5 player may have the advantage. It's just the way it is.

    The system seems to be working. Oberto was moved up (he attempted to appeal back down for spring and was denied for obvious reasons). If you look at me in the 4.0 division, the system bumped me up to 4.5 because of scores considered to be non-competetive, but when you look at it overall - who did I really beat? I appealed and it was granted, probably for that reason. I rarely play tournaments, but when I have I have never gone past the quarters, so to me I am a strong 4.0 player. Forcing my old fat ass to 4.5 didn't quite seem right after just one season. I am going to play sparingly on a 4.5 team this year and we shall see how that works out.

    Enough rambling - my point of this whole long jumble of mess is Sisk is a good guy and I would go to bat for him anyday.

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  24. unfortunately the system can't catch people who intentionally
    tank their matches to get bumped down....

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  25. No use for those huge out of the normal boobs. Use to be a perve, now the norm is good enough for me. Also, if I wanted to look at stuff like that, I could go to the local strip joint. Those places are not for the normal wife loving kind of guy that I am, so if you're that type, please just keep it to yourself. Thanks
    By the way, if a person was rated 4.0 and he wanted to change, all he had to do was contact the USTA and if the time had been long enough and if there were no other results that could hinder him, then he could have gotten his rating changed the legal way.

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  26. Thanks for the insight Captain Morality !

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  27. I agree from what I know of John he is a pretty good guy. In fact when I moved from CA I was going to call them to see if I could play for that group but my apt was a few blocks for High Point so that just seemed easy.

    I understand the pressure but that was a little shady as a previous poster stated on how it was done because I think if he would have signed up normally it would have prompted him to re-rate if he would have liked.

    Trey as much as I would love it if you would have been left at 4.5 I think you assessment of yourself is probably right on I think many of your big wins were against lesser competition although you beat Ruben pretty bad and he is pretty solid and Lynn and Kyle aren't that bad but your previous seasons probably backed up your appeal.

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  28. Just because players are actually playing out of level on one team doesn't mean we should all do it just to win at sectionals. That's the problem with USTA leagues on the whole, most everyone sees what the other teams are doing, so to compete they do whatever they can, even if they're bending their moral
    beliefs. It's easy to justify something when we see others doing something just to get ahead. If enough captains and teams would get serious and do whatever it would take to clean things up, it would begin to get cleaned up, but it must be easier to just try to hide a few out of level players and feel good about making it to the top. As for me, what's it all really worth? Our society accepted a President who lied and said, " I didn't have sex with that woman " or " I didn't inhale ", so for the whole now it's OK to bend any rule that suites us. That's the problem with the so called "men" in our society today, most are just a little to easily persuaded to be sneaky and laugh and joke about things that have literally torn down the moral fabric of our society. I see it every year on too many of the teams, if most everyone else is doing it, why don't we? WE CAN GO TO SECTIONALS AND MAYBE WIN. Wouldn't it be better to have a regular team at level and have the fight and gumption to just somehow make it? Well, we'll see what we do>

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  29. don't worry Marc, keep it up with the good pics. Marc was our original poster/commenter so he has carte blanche on what he posts.

    For me as noted by the other poster I am more offended by people tanking matches and messing with not only their own computer rating but in turn messing with other people and raising their level in the wrong direction.

    Bringing a self rated player in at the very top tier of a level to me isn't that bad of thing (it better not be because I make my league tennis living off it) because in my eyes why should a brand new player have to lose for a while before they can win a match? As long as they know they may not last long at that level to me it isn't a big issue.

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  30. I won't address the moral part of that last post (inhaling, etc) that is a whole other conversation but as it relates to our leagues it is easy to say let's just all be equal, etc but I really don't think our leagues are in that bad of shape as far as teams with out of category players.

    There is always going to be teams that are better than others and there is no way to equal that out and where everyone has a fighting chance. Take Walter's Springpark team they will most likely wipe the courts with most every team out there this season but it is just a collection of good experienced players (save for one ringer) but take him out and they will still win. Is it their fault they have improved over the years?

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  31. I think the score against Rueben is what got me bumped. The thing that doesnt show up on the scoreboard is Rueben twisted his ankle in the 2nd game of the 2nd set and basically refused to retire, thus the bagel in the 2nd set which hurt me.

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  32. I do not know John and know almost nothing about this De La Rosa guy.

    I do know that John's players all say he is a good guy and they enjoy playing for him. LET'S GIVE JOHN THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

    Fisrt, just because the guy played 4.0 three years ago does not mean he is out of level today. He is probably no better than Prather, Blackburn, Delira, and some of the other legit top 3.5 players. Unless you have seen the guy play I don't think we should be calling him a ringer.

    Second, perhaps John was not aware of the guy's background nor the attempt to change the name.

    JOHN, WHY NOT SHARE WITH US WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

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  33. probably true, his results from back then were good but nothing amazing, he played 3.5 tourneys and had losses to players who are still 3.5's today. Unless he went off to the Bolletieri academy in prepration for this one big spring season in Dallas I doubt he is an out of level player but we will find out when he plays some 4.0 mathces.

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  34. I do not agree with poster 1:38pm.

    I think 99% of all USTA players are playing at the correct level. Most of the ones that are truly out of level _ are DQed along the way. Those very few that slip through are pushed up at year-end.

    The USTA defines what is acceptable play for each level. WE do not do that. The NTRP categories are by design very broad. If you check our the USTA National website FAQ #30 it tells us: "A typical match between a 3.01 player and a 3.49 player (both rated 3.5) would be 6-0, 6-0 in favor of the higher rated player".

    So when someone gets beat badly they yell "ringer" _ but they usually just do not know what they are talking about.

    Also many below average 3.5 players think they are average. And average 3.5 players think they are above average. That just compunds the PERCEPTION problem.

    So I do NOT see an issue with out of level players and yes I do get "smoked" sometimes playing level 3.5.

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  35. I think anyone not winning 95% of there matches is playing at the right level. If you can't win 50% you should be moved down. There is a huge difference in the top players and the bottom players in every level. It's the guys playing at a level higher than they should(usually a senior player) that are always crying ringer.

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  36. Well if any ringers want to join my team, keep an eye out for me,
    I'll be the guy smoking joints and getting BJ's

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  37. Make sure not to shake his hands either

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  38. Big John is a good guy. I am sure this was an accident. He would not do anything to cheat.

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  39. Dear oc/bl -Marc Klamecki,You must be the blog comedian with all your nasty comments.Please tell me why you keep ragging on SENIORS???. I played Ben Oberto in last years playoffs and granted he was very good and would have been rated a 4.0 at that time.Thats old news now.I am glad someone is trying to keep players from self rating too low.After looking at your record from last year you are good 4.0 material.Some of your previous comments were uncalled for.Have respect for yourself along with other players. I look forward to playing you before I pass away which could be any minute now since I am a super senior. Hope to see you on the courts since your team is in our division.I sure wish all these ANONYMOUS GUYS would publish their names!!!!

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  40. I will defend John's character by saying that there is nobody on the planet I would rather play doubles with than John Sisk; and there's nobody on the planet whose team I would rather be on. John did know that Vinnie was rated 4.0 in the past but the guy has not played competitive tennis for four years. I'm not sure why he didn't try to renew his old membership but I'm sure he had his reasons. Either way, one player is not going to make or break his team. John has nobody on his team I would call a sandbagger this season. Every captain is out trying to recruit players that are at the top of or above their level, and if they're not, they're not winning.
    Also, in reference to the anonymous poster who pointed out John's record, I will defend that by saying that, unlike most captains, John will often put himself with a lower caliber player instead of putting someone else with them. In the playoffs, he will often put himself at line 1to give his other teammates a better chance to win.
    John is a true team player and I would trust him over almost anybody.

    Cary, maybe we could do the doubles challenge match before mixed practice on a monday?

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  41. Ed,
    Yes I consider myself Funny,
    and do not take myself too seriously,
    and I don't judge other people or tell them how to behave,
    And I don't hide my comments behind an Anonymous mask,
    I think we should make everybody, here register if they want to post,

    Ed, I was going to play in the Oak Creek tournament, but when I saw our match vs the "Oak Ridge Boys" was on that day, I had to make sure I was there,
    I will be playing Singles #1 if you want a piece of me,

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  42. My money is on Ed. He is old but very tricky.

    Good luck Marc

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  43. To Bloggers and Bloggettes (anonymous)

    Thanks for the positive and negative. If anyone looked up Vinnie, I played with him in 2003.He has not played since spring '04, and has been practicing with us for the last two months. He is a standup guy and did not do anything to intentionally cheat, nor did I. Vinnie has had singles matches and has lost to three of my stronger players. He would be a great asset to our doubles lines. We'll be competitive this spring, and I am looking for a strong singles guy. Inquire within! My record is what it is....no excuses. I have bad days, but more good than bad. I lost with Pete Howk in the fall, but it was all me. I lost in the spring with David Smith, and it was all me. I lost with Art Gray in sectionals. We got outplayed. It would have taken Corey and me everything we had to beat that team. Trey and Corey, thanks for the positive comments. Since Vinnie had not played since '04, and the rules read "three consecutive years," I thought we were okay. Any anonymous player that would like to play singles or doubles is welcome to call me. I am far from the best 3.5 out there. I have a big serve, big forehand, and big return. That's it! Hope we all have a good season.
    John Sisk

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  44. John,

    I can play some singles for ya!

    I've always wanted to change me name. We could go with Cary de la Mancha or my porn name "Buster Lottatang". Or my female stripper name Chi Chi Rodriguez or my male stripper name: Lucky Thunder!!!!

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  45. I feel like Dallas is relatively mild from a league cheating standpoint. San Antonio and Austin are much worse at the higher levels and Corpus Christi and NETX are much worse at the lower levels. Houston and Dallas have so many street smart captains that they tend to catch each others transgretions and hold each other accountable. The smaller sections can get away with more.

    I'm amazed that in 2008, after 8 years of Bush Presidency, that someone would actually use a Clinton refrence to highlight morality issues???

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  46. Cary,

    Regarding Brookhaven 3.5 you say that "maybe a few late additons could boost them back to the top where they always used to be".

    Specifically WHEN was "always used to be"? Was that before or after the last ice age? Or maybe Lincoln was a teenager at that time?

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  47. thoughts on dallas as a section are probably right on I have seen some of the early results in NETX and Austin and there is some shady players out there for sure.

    As far as this de la rosa/delarosa thing goes I think we can just about lay it to rest except for one thing. There seems to be a part of the story missing from the Garland group. At what point in the registration process did you decide once the initial registration didn't work out to create a new USTA# and new person? Who paid for this new membership? The story makes total sense and it is what most of us figured but that is the missing piece and if there is some good explaination I would love to hear it otherwise you all did "intentionally" cheat. We will forgive you in time so feel free to confess.

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  48. Ouch! I guess we have picked on Oakridge and Garland why not Brookhaven. They have had some finshes near or at the top but have yet to push thru to sectionals even though they have had some good teams. I believe Spring 2006 they finished 3rd and missed out on going to sectionals. I did see Milke is back on the team again I know he had been injured so maybe that will help out a little bit.

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  49. Brookhaven 3.5 is not going to be "back on top" (in our life time)and neither are any of the teams from private clubs. We are all at a disadvantage vs teams which play at public facilities.

    At private clubs we have to take any club memeber that wants to play _ and many have an inflated view of their ability. Hell, half the guys on my 3.5 team should really be playing 3.0. At public facilites, captains can recruit players from all over the metroplex. You never see ringers on the private club teams.

    Sure, we have younger & prettier wives, bigger houses, faster cars, smarter children, sexier girl friends and take much better vacations. But public facility teams are going to finish the league on top. (And Life Time Fitness is NOT a REAL club _ no golf, no booze)

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  50. funny you mention the Public v. Country Club argument. I was discussing with my team this weekend. my experience in California was that the country club teams dominated over the public teams most of the time. It was a big deal when we beat them. I did notice upon arriving here that is was more level of a playing ground if not skewed towards the public teams. Maybe you all could offer membership discounts, there was one club that waived fees to bring in top tier 4.0 and 4.5 players. Crazy but true.

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  51. I never understood why non-club members could not just show up on match day a play?

    Say for instance I wanted to play for T Bar,
    Why would a capt not just let me show up 30 minutes before the match and play, and then after the match I could go back to Crusty old Oak Creek and practice and play my leagues and such?
    If you wanted to recruit, this would be the only way.
    May be at some point you could actually convert someone into a club member.

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  52. Here is my worthless 2 cents on the whole Vinnie Delarosa/ Del A Rosa issue. Bottom line is Big John did no wrong! He is the most upstanding, honest and morally sound man I have ever met. The mistake was made in that Vinnie's record extended into 05 when John thought it stopped in 04. Vinnie, yes is a solid player. Would I consider him a 4.0 hmmmm maybe like I could consider myself a 4.0player and who has not won a match in a 4.0 tournament to date. Get my drift? He was once a 4.0 but really he has not played since 04-05. Bottom line is anyone who calls someone a "cheat" had better take a look at the big picture and as for the name issue I sometimes spell my name De Lira as opposed to Delira or DeLira it is a mexican thing for all you pinche jundgemental gringos! I am joking of course for those of you who read more into peoples sarcasm.
    The Garland team bringing in Delarosa is not going to make or break the team. You guys should be worried about Oscar who by the way is a benchmark or computer rated guy who I think beat Vinnie. So, for who ever was bragging about busting the Garland team and making a mountain out of a mohill (sp?) I want to thank you! Because you have motivated our team to beat our last season win loss ratio. No one likes being MESSED with especially us low life public court beer drinkin mexicans and white trash tennis players.

    If anyone else wants to trash Big John Sisk you are going to have to come thru me at line one singles. I am pissed and ready to kick some ass and chew some bubble gum and we are fresh out a bubble gum!

    Bring it on haters!

    P.S. I dig the humor on this blog...all you guys kill me! You are the main reason I play tennis. 99.9% of you make it fun.

    Ed...you had better call me before you croke..I wanna play you again because you are the human backboard!

    Good luck to everyone this season and remember play smart and most of all be happy and have fun!

    Regards,

    Jacques

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  53. Is this the same Delira that partnered with Prather and lost to Bazan? Eweeewwww! I am shaking in my KSwiss.

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  54. yeah you tell'em. Wait a minute?!

    I think Jacques would take me in singles rather easily so I think it will be tough to beat him this year.

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  55. If you private club teams weren't such snobs you could have non members play on your teams. I had a guy ask me to play on his team, but said I could only play away matches. I declined. I now enjoy beating his team every year in the playoffs. I hate to lump all the guys on private teams together, because alot of you are nice guys. It's the jerks on your teams that will keep you losing every year.

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  56. If you could play for/had to play for a County Club which would it be?

    For me
    1) T Bar - for amenities
    2) Glen Eagles - for location

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  57. TBar is a good choice nice place close to my work and I like the clay courts, I can actually win at singles if I play on clay.

    I would pick the Lakes for location and it is actually a nice place as well.

    So I will sit back and wait for those two clubs to call with a great membership offer.

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  58. That was beautiful Jacques! Some funny stuff.

    As for private clubs, I will tell you as a former Brookhaven player there is quite a misconception out there. I was really shocked once I moved what people thought about Brookhaven and there dues. Some people just assumed it was very expensive to be a member there without doing the research themselves. I can tell you if you just wanted a tennis membership and not the full golf membership its the top facilities in the metroplex at a bargain price. The problem at the public facilities is getting found and getting into a regular group that plays enough. That is never a problem at the clubs as most of those groups play at minimum 3 times a week and the club will place you in an appropriate group. Yes, the club teams are limited on their selection, but they practice all the time. Oh and another thing to remember about clubs and their prices...."Everything is negotiable!!"

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  59. So ho much for a Brookhaven tennis membership?

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  60. I agree Trey I was lucky to gather a group together here but I really like country club groups. As much as I had a bad taste from CA clubs I had some truly great times at clubs playing in World Team Tennis events back in CA and getting liquored up and eating good food. Nothing like taking shots on changeovers. Obviously none of us make a living at league tennis so it is the social aspect that is the selling point. I think once my daughter is old enough we will join the Lakes.

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  61. FLIGHT A
    I think Garland still has the best team & will finish first. Delira is the best 3.5 singles player in Dallas and their doubles are very strong. Vandefifer & Sisk will beat just about anyone in 3.5 dubs. They have only 11 guys signed up but all 11 are strong.

    There should be a battle for the QT spots #2 and #3 between High Point, Westlake & Spring Park. HIGH POINT/Jameson has strong doubles. Jauregui is pretty good in singles while Zhao is only fair.
    Westlake also has strong dubs & Eddie Johnson for singles. But who will play #2 singles? Spring Park has FIVE new self-rated players. I'll bet some of them are very strong. (Always seems to work that way!)

    FLIGHT B
    Greenhill/Kayser is definitely the best. They were 7 - 1 in the fall and only lost 2 - 3 to Garland. Stonebridge, L.B. Houston/Wisdom, Stonebridge and Glen Eagles will battle for #2 and # 3. Canyon Creek/Jolly _ no way they make the playoffs. (Sorry Cary but you have them over-rated.)

    FLIGHT B
    This is by far the toughest flight. Oakridge & Life Time both have outstanding teams. It is hard not to pick Oakridge with Prather & a bunch of strong players. But Life Time has a bunch of new guys and often their new players are 0.5 NTRP points underrated. So I think Life Time will be # 1 followed by Oakridge. #3 will likely be Oak Creek.

    I like Oakridge to easily win the QT and make the city playoffs.

    TWO 3.5 teams will advance to Sectionals and I think they will be Garland and either Life Time or Oakridge. Realistically, no one else is in the running.

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  62. "no one else is in the running" Ex-squeeze me?

    you must be forgetting about HP/Jameson. Zhao is just fair? You might regret that once you play him. Losing to Vijay and Eddie Hill may be a bit skewed since there is no one playing 3.5 this season that could hang with either of those guys. CJ didn't lose to anyone but Bazan's ringer Kyle Bowman. I like this team to take one of the sectional spots. Didn't even mention our friend Atlas.

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  63. Zhao was 1 win and 3 loses in the playoffs last year. I'm sure he'll win some local league matches but will not likely beat any of the stronger players during the playoffs. High Point could easily lose both singles against a team like Garland or Oakridge.

    Atlas and Parkeh do give High Point a couple excellent doubles players. Also Harrison and Wiley are strong.
    But Garland and Oakridge and Life Time are loaded there as well plus their singles are better. But you're right, we won't know until they play.

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  64. Jacque, I would love to play you again. David Prather can give you my phone# since you talk to him. Thanks for the kind words about my ability. The heel problems that affected my play for most of last year has healed. I have been playing well lately. Good Luck to your team in your section. Give me a call and we'll try to set something up. ED

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  65. So I see the 3.5s actually play for real this weekend. I don't see any matches that peak my interest though, am I missing something good on the schedule or do we have to wait till next weekend?

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  66. Prather/DeLira loss I put on Prather. I know Jacques, and I know Bazan. Jacques just needed some help. Keep looking for my roster to grow.
    John Sisk

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  67. Wow now he is calling out Prather, I might want to see that match more than me beating up on another 3.5 player.

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  68. John I hate to have to disagree with you, but if I remember right I believe that Delira was having a particularly hard time with his overheads that night.

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  69. They both seemed about even and played well together but Batman and Robin are quite a tandem to handle. Of course Hai (4.0 ringer)and Long Pham (4.5) cleaned our clocks a couple of months ago.

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  70. We can try but as this season starts I am playing on my team as well as a 8.0 mixed. The wife lets me out for one weeknight and then Sundays for matches.

    I either play Mondays or Thursdays depending on work and my wife's tennis schedule. So if we can coordinate it so I can still work out with my teams I can do it but we need the practice since our schedule is rather tough. We don't want to get embarrased.

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  71. For the anon one who shakes in his K-swiss, quite hiding and come out of the closet and let's play a match. If you want to stay anonymous maybe we can find a masked like the mexican wrestlers use and then when I beat you into the ground I can come over and rip it off your head! As for my loss with David it was a good match and we both lost points at crucial times in the game and bottom line is it was not David's fault and yes my overheads sucked that night and honestly Jeromi was the main factor in that win. He was much better than Dave or I and no offense to Cary because he played well...too! but combined they were a better team. I would love a rematch..someday. FYI...David has beaten me in singles. I am not always on my game all of the time...but piss me off and chances are I will figure a way to give the win my best shot. My win loss ratio stands for itself in 3.5 league and tournaments. Thanks for whoever left me the compliment. But, I can have bad days especially if I am feeling like I could care less about playing or I am in a bad mood.

    Cary and Jeromi let's have a rematch invite others to heckle us while we are playing and then all go out to lunch and just have a good time!

    Ok....I am planning a grudge match tournament! 7.5 max doubles combined and 3.5 singles. Who wants to play and who do you want to play and who are the teams....$30.00 person round robin play...winner takes all! along with a Dallas Grudge Match trophy.

    Any takers? Dates?

    Let me know!

    Jacques

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  72. You might think about mothers day weekend, fathers day weekend or memorial day weekend since we have those dates off on our USTA schedule. If during league Possibly early evening on Sunday since most could make because I don't think we have too many mixed matches and those don't start till late May I believe.

    I like the 7.5 mix since John can't have Corey carry him in doubles. :)



    of course I have to find a 3.5 that can carry me. David Atlas, give me a call let's get that trophy.

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  73. I'll play with John.

    Keith

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  74. Keith can have John and I will find a 3.0 ringer to play with.

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  75. I'm in on the round robin tourney! I will take C.J. - turns out he went to the same High School as me back in NM, only there were no tennis courts when I was there, 12 years before him.
    Kirby

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  76. Big john is officially my tennis stalker sending me texts like a 12 yr old girl late at night. I will be playing at Frisco HS at 6:30p Thursday night. I will stay late to take on Sisk and any other 3.5s that feel the need to play me. And I will take on mediocre 4.0s as well and 4.5s with knee problems.

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  77. I'm down with singles,
    I want a piece of DeLIra and Monlina

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  78. Does anyone know the result of Ultimate league match between Molina/Vandifier????

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  79. Dear OC/BL or new name call every out. You will probably get your wish next saturday when our teams play.Since I am a team player I will have to wait for a tournament to possibly play you.I worry about the after affects if you happen to get beat by an OLD MAN. Keep up the good B.S. It keeps everybody interested. See you next Saturday.

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  80. Molina won 6-2, 6-1

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  81. Wish I could make it to Frisco but I have class Thursday nights. No comments on Sisk's roster additions?

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  82. thanks for directing me to the roster I hadn't looked at them yet. Hmm ok. Hardwick looks like he can help a little. David Smith is a regular crew member but not a top tier player.

    I guess we will have to wait on see on Harvey. He is self rated so definitely one to watch.

    Sorry you can't make it tonight, John suggested Sunday but my parents/babysitters are at the Masters from Wed-Mon so I will just be a cheerleader/whistle holder at our scrimmage match and then have to get my little girl back home after the match.

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  83. Sure, I'll partner with Prather... if I'm still in town. You guys can go ahead and have the trophy engraved. Just remember there is only one 'i' in my name. haha

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  84. just hope I don't join in Jeromiiii. Since last I checked Robin: 2---Batman: 0

    Any big 3.5 forehands out there? I can handle the rest.

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  85. Prather,
    I know you and Jacques are friends. I have heard good things about your tennis games. I was just joking! One day we will cross paths. Any friend of Jacques is a friend of mine!
    John

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  86. Any Gambler!

    How about a poll on who gets closest or meets a 45-45 regular season. This is RockJock's All Star Team.

    Thanks,
    John

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  87. Keith,

    I'd love to play with you. I played with Stephen in our practice and beat two of my guys without mentioning their names...
    1-0-0.
    I am sure we could do the same damage.

    :) John

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  88. No problem John. I thought it was pretty much something like that. I don't think we have met yet
    either, but I'm sure at some point Jacques will set up some practice matches with you or some of the other guys from your team, so until then play allot of tennis.
    David Prather

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  89. I am in the tournament for singles... but it will depend on the date.

    Enrique Molina

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  90. Week 1 Prediction for my Division
    Oakridge/Prather v. LB Houston/Daly
    Looks like their are 2 self rated players on LB team so hard to account for that first week out of the gate, I will go with "the OR Boys" 4-1

    Canyon Creek/Wasserman v. Brookhaven/Kraemer
    CC was 7 players that did not play in the Fall so who knows, I will go with Kraemer because he is a know commodity Brookhaven 3-2

    High Point/Entrekin v. Oak Creek/Kotlarek
    The OC 4-1 nuff said


    Collin County/Bender v. Lifetime Fitness/Ferrell
    I'm pretty familiar with the life time line up, the bender team is a complete mystery to me, but I'm sure he has recruited some ringers so I will call the upset Bender 4-1, Bob: bring your bathing suit and enjoy the water slide

    Greenhill/Lyon v. Eldorado/Beatty
    Eldorado was weak last year, This season only 8 players signed up for your team? Can you say defaulted lines? We need to have a recruitment drive to help them out, Greenhill 5-0

    Nothing Worse that Driving 30 miles just to get a default,
    Hopefully they have a few fence sitters that are going to sign up before the first match.

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  91. I agree with the predictions but I say Lifetime 5-0. Bender's team looks very weak this year. I don't know many on his team but the ones I do know are not terribly strong.

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  92. Yep Marc I think you are looking at the wrong Bender team. The real one is HP/Jameson. The other one is more in tune with finding some good 3.0s for 2009.

    I think Lifetime might drop one line an win 4-1.

    John,

    What is 45-45 is that some tennis term I don't know about it?

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  93. yeah what happened to Eldorado at 3.5, they used to be good. I know they lost Warner and Taylor doesn't play league lately but yikes. That is a nice club and not too expensive. They have two 4.0 teams but some of those guys should probably be 3.5s.

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  94. Nine matches with five lines each match equals 45 matches. A perfect season would be 45 out of 45.
    John

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  95. oops. I guess I should have taken that bet since it is already over. Sweeping is good especially to keep your guys competitive since you all have a wildcard, I guess you can go for 44.

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  96. Ryan Curren from the Samuel Grand team could potentially be the second DQ. He has been moved to the holding team. To be honest, I do not know what the holding team is but he is joined by Delarosa. I am guessing that is USTA league purgatory for the damned (DQ'd).

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  97. interesting, his name was sent out to all captains from Jane. But it came to me so I am thinking it was to the 4.0 captains but I am not for sure. I actually talked to him through email. He seemed to be a fit for 3.5 but I have never seen him play. His tourney results show that 3.5 should be right for him but I guess we will wait and see. If anyone knows anything post it up and I will update the DQ counter. I'm not at the computer much today but there didn't seem like anything that interesting happened at 3.5 over the weekend and posting scrimmage results seems kind of stupid, our opponent was short a player so we had teamed up with them to make it even. Scintilating, huh? Ready for next weekend though!

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  98. I think the holding team only means that the player named has no team affiliation at this time. His name was removed from Samuel Grands roster.

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  99. I think the holding team only means that the player named has no team affiliation at this time. His name was removed from Samuel Grands roster.

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  100. I think the holding team only means that the player named has no team affiliation at this time. His name was removed from Samuel Grands roster.

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  101. Looks like El Dorado Defaulted all 5 lines, Ouch!
    Anybody have any Idea what happened there,


    RE: Ryan Curren

    I called that the same time I called DeLaObamma, He had some pretty good results in Ultimate Tennis, and some tournaments, I would call him a top of the line 3.5 player, but I don't think he should have been DQ'ed, I think the DTA and USTA are real sensitive to people ho switch sections, self rate, come off a layoff, or are under the radar in general,

    "So who are the Sandbaggers in 3.5 this year?
    Has anybody sleuthed any out yet,
    Ryan Curren of Samuell Grand has had a couple impressive tournaments,
    Anyone seen him play?


    April 1, 2008 6:59 PM"

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  102. yep Marc I remember you did but I notice his name still says 3.5 next to it so i wonder if this isn't something else. He may not want to play with Samuel Grand anymore and is being moved to another team. We will see. I will look and see if I still have his email address and I will just ask him WTF is going on.

    That holding team is looking pretty strong they might just make the QT tourney at 3.5. If Vinnie and Ryan take the singles and Lucky Thunder can get a good doubles partner we will just default 2 and 3 dubs and take out all you weak 3.5ers.

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  103. Guys,

    Ryan Curren is a 3.5 player. I have played him in the Ultimate Tennis league. He is a good mid to high 3.5 player. I don't see a DQ here, unless the USTA is going to DQ a whole bunch of 3.5 players.

    By the way, Ryan is a nice guy and was a pleasure playing him.

    Molina

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  104. My next ringer call of the week,
    Kyle M. Holway AKA Kyle Horan,
    2008 High School District 11-3A Champion,
    While it is allowable for High School players to rate 3.5, I myself, do not look forward to playing an 18 yr old tennis player who gets to practice 5-6 days a week,

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  105. wow yeah what the hell happened to Eldorado, that should put them out of the league entirely if I am not mistaken. as far as the high school kid if you are right about his stats and we won at state level or competed pretty well he should play 4.0. I had a player Forrest Mcmillian who self rated 4.0 and then appealed to play on my 3.5 team and they would not let him move down due to his HS success. He preceded to lose a bunch of close matches at 4.0. So I think the rules suck but this could be grounds for a grievance appeal.

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  106. I've seen Ryan play "first-hand". He just beat me in three sets at the Village tournament in the 4.0 Draw. Also making it to the quarters in that same draw, winning two matches and losing one.

    He also reads this blog from time to time, I'm sure he'll say something "directly" in answering "what kind of player he is."

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  107. I don't think anyone is calling Ryan Curran a sandbagger but just noticing he is in the holding team. Since Delarosa was there I think the original poster thought that was the holding place for DQ'd players.

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  108. that is usually right players are sent there until they are moved to a 4.0 team. Guess we will just wait and see.

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  109. I played Ryan in Ultimate Tennis and I agree with Enrique; great guy .... has a nice game .... all around solid player .... but should never be DQ'd ... Dan Vandefifer

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