Sunday, July 21, 2013

I'M ALRIGHT

Well the season finale of city playoffs was as fitting as the season itself, full of twists, turns, and drama to entertain all.  Rather than total domination by one team as most former playoffs have transpired, this one was tighter than Jerry Joan’s forehead after his facelift.  Full of 3rd set breakers and potential spoilers all weekend long, this was anyone’s for grab.

 With no total dominance or huge arch rivalries, and all the wackiness this season portrayed, it was more reminiscent of a tennis version of Caddyshack with the following cast of characters.

Ty Webb (aka Tony Le) – With his cool, calm demeanor and knowing how to “be the ball”, Le was the favorite entering the weekend, having just swept Sisk 5-0 and under the table the prior weekend.  His collection of players from High Point and Lifetime along with the City’s best 4.0 player, Weymer (also known as  the Tommy Le of tennis) were to be a sure thing.  However, when Weymer is MIA on Friday night, Le has to go with an alternate line-up and nearly squeaks out of a close one with CC.  All 3 dubs went into breakers, and became a recurring theme for them all weekend long.  Unfortunately, breakers have their odds, and having breakers in each and every match, the odds you end on the short side eventually take over.

Judge Smails (aka David Dawson) – While Dawson appears to be a lot more docile and not a hot head as  Smails the character, the playing out of the country club and the desire to derail Le is somewhat stereotypical .  Like in the movie, when Smails reaches for his putter, the Billy Baroo, Dawson had his own in the form of Blake Ericsson.  Ericsson dismantled Shreyas 2-0 to in singles on Friday night which put Le in knots as 2 of Le’s double lines dropped their first sets.   The boys from the country club made an impressive run, and should be congratulated for a well played season.  A point here or there, and CC would have been playing in the finals. 

Danny Noonan (aka Corey Noel) -  Like Noonan who worked for the club, Corey runs Fair Oaks tennis center, and took on a handful of players whom he had faith in, and whom he could afford at the bargain price of 2 Miller Lights.  Terrell and company were just recently 3.5’s.  But not any 3.5’s.  They were Bender 3.5s, and were the cause of Le going to the QT in the first place.  Although their weekend’s record was 0-2, they fought like champs and almost derailed HP again having split singles and taking line 2 dubs, Terrell and Schultz took Glassgow and Arcaria to their second 3rd set breaker of the weekend.  A group of guys who had little depth, but big heart, and deserves another round of applause (or golf claps) for a season well played.

Al Czervik (aka Bovie Browning) – I actually have never had an opportunity to meet Bovie nor know what he is really like.  The reference of Browning’s Eldorado team to Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield) is for the care-free attitude and good gamesmanship they did display this weekend.  Eldorado is a player made up of good country club friends, and they appear to enjoy a beer or two together from time to time.   It is rumored that Blake Bearden practices with them on Saturday mornings until the club’s bar opens.  You definitely know the beer is flowing then.  If any player this weekend had a tennis bag that would have had a keg in it similar to Al’s golf bag in the movie, that player would have been on the Eldorado team.   They seem to be a good group of guys and had a very respectable season, knocking Garland down to the QT and out of City playoffs completely. 

Dr Beeper (aka David Snow) – Another captain and team I am unfamiliar with, but deserve blog space for making it to City playoffs and putting up a good fight.  They also have on their roster T-Bar’s owner, Glen Agritelley who has a great game of tennis of which I got to witness first hand.  They almost took out Eldorado on Friday night, just losing in a 3rd set breaker.   A tough weekend, but a great overall season.  Congrats.

 
 
Carl Spackler (aka Carl Spackler) – no one can replace Bill Murray in this role.  Nobody.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Which leaves me with the final character.........

The Gofer (aka Cary Bazan) – If you recall the movie, after Carl Spackler blows up the golf course, that “little fury creature” wiggles his way out of hole and starts doing a jig to the song that made Kenny Loggins infamous, “I’m Alright”.  Well that was Cary Bazan this weekend.  Perhaps some might feel his cheerings for the team was more reminiscent of a high school cheerleader who just inhaled a large Pixi stick and chased it down with a Red Bull and Coke, but Bazan was the last man (or creature) left standing this weekend, and deserved to do whatever jig he pleases. 

Cary has consistently built solid teams over the years and has always graced his presence in the playoffs.  But every dog (and gofer) has his day, and today’s was Cary’s.  He constructed a team of core players he has had for years, and each year, seemed to pick up a notable player or two to add depth and strength to his roster.   It all paid off, and Cary Bazan can now claim a City Title and will be playing in this year’s Sectionals.  Cary - Congratulations to your team and a job well done.

In closing, I thought I would throw out a stat which caught my attention, and truly provides the evidence that there was no overly dominant team this year.  There were 18 third set tie-breakers played throughout this weekend.  Three of those  in the final match.  There was a total of 7 total matches played, which means each match on average had at least 2, if not 3 third set breakers.  That tells me there was some great teams and great tennis across the whole City, and it is a season all Dallas players should be proud of. 

Best of luck to Bazan and Le in Sectionals.
 
 

75 comments:

  1. It was a fun season. Good luck to Bazan and Le in sectionals.

    David Terrell

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  2. Classic..... nice work and very true in all

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  3. Cary, can you go ahead and post who played and the scores in the final since DTA can't seem to get their shit together on tennislink.

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  4. Winners
    3.0 Canyon Creek/White
    3.5 Fretz/Clark
    4.0 McKinney/Bazan, High Point/Le
    4.5 High Point/Le
    5.0 The Village/Perkinson
    5.5 The Village/Perkinson

    Good Luck to all at sectionals. Any word on if 4.5 will get a wildcard?

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    Replies
    1. There's a 5.5 leauge? I thought all 5.0s were wanting to be 4.5 because there was little competition up at the top? I know the ratings go to 7.0 but thought anything above 5.0 was just "Open".

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    2. 5.5 is Open. There was only 1 team. Automatically in sectionals.

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  5. Dallas did receive a wildcard in 4.5.

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    Replies
    1. Good news. I wish the DTA would tell us before city playoffs since they usually know ahead of it. Why the DTA tries to keep secrets from the players is beyond me.

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    2. because you have a-hole captains who will look at Sectional Flights and tank the finals match if they can to get into a better flight, rather than have any pride and win out. Happens way to often.

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    3. I'm guessing your season is over, bitter much?

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    4. nah just laughing at the jackasses on here with their dick measuring as they try win a towel and then brag about being the king of 8.0 mxd!!

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    5. Not the issue. A long time Dallas captain gamed the wild card announcement a few years ago and DTA wasn't happy. So now they have the info on which cities got wild cards but only Austin knows the flights until after citiesd. Austin leaves it to the individual cities to let people know about wild cards. Most cities tell their teams. DTA doesn't because Steve Nolen thinks he's holier than thou.

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    6. To 6:17 sitting at home w no titles:

      You forgot trilevel nats, mixed nats, 40 and over mixed nats, 40 and over men's sectional, 9.0 mixed nats, combo winner and helping get team to men's 4.5 nats the one year he took it serious .... Keep hating

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  6. Other cities tell their teams before cities. The DTA doesn't like it's own players.

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  7. I only heard from Ft W today about the wild cards. They do not disclose until after all local leagues have been determined.... Houston have insider information from usta tx

    Village did not win 5.0 - TBar (Flores) won it. I don't see anything about 5.5. Would be interested to know where that information can be found???

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  8. Weymer defeats Shipley 6-2, 6-3
    Bischoff defeats Sudhatsn 6/7, 6-1, 1-0
    Justiss/hsu defeats fogiel/ho 6-3,6-3
    Bowman/Hutchison defeats arcaria/Glasgow 4-5, 6-3, 1-0
    Newman/kinson defeats Bebb/Duncan 6-0, 2-6, 1-0

    Fun match not sure why it isn't posted

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    Replies
    1. DTA employees are still learning tennislink?

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  9. Tony le v Jason freeman in first match on Friday. Uh oh Tony,

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    Replies
    1. Better have Weymer start heading over there now so he is not late.

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    2. Didn't he beat you straight up? Someone needs therapy.

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    3. Yeah, they beat Houston straight up. They have told everyone repeatedly.

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    4. Can Le add Kelley real quick?

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    5. Seriously, still bringing up trilevel???!!.. You lost to a team that lost to Picketts boys....am I missing something?....

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  10. Are wildcard flights known?

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    Replies
    1. It's now posted on usta Texas

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    2. Drop a link, I didn't see it.

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  11. The schedule shows wild cards on the flights but not which wildcard is Dallas.

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  12. 4.0:

    Flight 1 - Dallas, NOHO, Waco, QT, Wild (TBD)
    Flight 2 - San Antonio, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, Amarillo, Wild Austin
    Flight 3 - Lubbock, Valley, Houston, Wild Dallas, NETX
    Flight 4 - Austin, San Angelo, Midland, Wild Houston, Wild Fort Worth

    4.5:

    Flight 1 - San Antonio, Corpus Christi, SETX, Wild Houston
    Flight 2 - Amarillo, Houston, San Angelo, Wild Dallas
    Flight 3 - Fort Worth, Austin, Waco, Valley
    Flight 4 - Dallas, NOHO, Midland, NETX

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    Replies
    1. Bazan got a great flight. Can't say the same for Le.

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    2. That is pretty good balance in the 4.5's. Group 3 is tough with Austin and Dallas Heavy FTW
      Excellent draw for Dallas.

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  13. I heard Freeman's 4.0 team is down a notch this year. Le may have a good chance.

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  14. 4.0 - stupid to have 5 teams in each flight, necessitating 5 wildcards. LOL.

    4.5 - Flight 3 group of death. Dallas gets a great draw.

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  15. Cary,
    Let us hear from you regarding the "tank" job that Le threw at you in the finals. Was it agreed on by both you and Le before the match, was it obvious by the play on the court or what happened. Give us the real story!
    Thx.

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    Replies
    1. Most tank jobs are not 3-2 coming down to 3rd set breakers. I don't think Tony and Cary are those kinds of masterminds.

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    2. Lol @ 11:37. Not everything is a conspiracy.

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    3. No joke. You saying Le threw the match so he could get the Wildcard and end up having to play Houston in the first round? He's not that stupid. Then again, from what I heard happened at Tri-level, maybe he is.

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    4. If Freeman is playing, I would. I doubt we see much Jason Freeman on the court. He got down to 3.5. Now he will be tormenting us at another level.

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    5. He'll be tormenting you at tri-level if he's a 3.5 now.

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    6. If you've actually seen Freeman play you will realize he is a true 3.5

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  16. The various tank jobs happend in the 4.5 city playoffs, not the 4.0 city playoffs.

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  17. Kelley had surgery and out for year... There will be new winners in mixed, combo and men's 40 and over.... So so sorry!!!... The 4.5 karma gods win in a big way

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  18. Kelly will kill anyone in a wheelchair! You're not safe!

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  19. He's playing with Sisk in combo. Surgery, yes, out no. You guys are way to over the top with him.

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  20. If he is 85-100 percent healthy he is a lock to win any match he plays...guy flat out knows how to win..... People blast him every chance they get but would jump at a chance to go to national or sectional anytime he plays on a team.... And I am from San antonuo

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  21. Then go help him clean his bed pan you jock sniffer!

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  22. I find it extremely funny, and a little sad, that every thread on this crazy blog turns into something about Mike Kelly. Honestly, who cares? I mean really.

    We PAY to play in these leagues. We PAY to drive or fly to Sectionals, we PAY to fund a trip to Nationals, if we are on a team good enough to get there.

    But really at the end of the day, who cares about Little League tennis (because that's what this is, compared to the real tennis players that make a living playing on the tour)?

    Sure, it's enjoyable. Sure, it fuels our competitive spirit (if you so have one)and I'm sure Mike loses on purpose so he can stay 4.5 and dominate some 8.0 matches and impress the ladies. Oh well. If thats what helps him be ok with Mike Kelly, so be it.

    My reason for playing? I enjoy the game. I enjoy being around a great group of guys on the team and having a beer after the match. We all have our reasons.

    But this ridiculous and constant Mike Kelly talk is old, tired, and worn out. It isn't even entertaining anymore. Not since the posts about him ripping the wings off butterflies, pushing senior citizens into traffic, and drowning kittens.

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    Replies
    1. You must be another one who can't win at ur level. Winning national titles, playing w pros and headed to Hawaii is a lot more fun than playin a league match and then going to Whataburger...keep enjoying the beer and good luck this fall

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    2. To 3:29

      He impressed a lot of men too en route to Tri level nationals and combo men's, bash him but get your facts straight.... Now keep drinking the beer, that may be why you are always watching the playoffs

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  23. Lot less tennis at 5.0+ too. So your opportunity to play competitive tennis lessens for a game you love!

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  24. Captain, awesome the gopher is by far my favorite character

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  25. Looks like a cakewalk for Cary and an early exit for Tony . Houston is a buzz saw this year.

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    Replies
    1. That's what they said in 2010.....Le prevails in a tight one!

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  26. Obviously Freemens going to be good but how is the 4.0 houston wild card this year

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  27. Alas, since the writers here have gone derelict in their duty to provide flight analysts, the task falls to my own capable shoulders. First, the easy one, flight 3: after years of "close but no cigar" Freeman has finally put together an unstoppable force of nature. Yeah Le has Weymer and a couple of others. Houston has Rossi and a horde of others. Sorry boys but I gotta go with my head over my heart this time. Houston 4-1. The only question is will HP play hard after the loss or start tanking immediately to hang on to their ratings next year? Next we have NETX. A solid group of guys but in this flight "solid" won't cut the mustard. Third place for the boys from Hollytree country club. And I a close race for cellar dweller we find the Valley and Lubbock. But does anyone really care at this point?

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  28. Flight one is a little tougher to call but head and heart both say Bazan. NOHO has finally added several good singles guys but their doubles remains suspect. Can two of the singles guys join together to steal a doubles line? Maybe but I still say Cary 3-2., leaving NOHO 2nd. Third, either Waco or San Angelo. Waco has one player who has won a couple of tournaments, but after that, nada. San Angelo doesn't even have that. Which leaves lowly Larrdo in last place, after barely squeaking by the octogenarians from Wichita Falls in the QT, welcome to the wedding guys, but y'all ain't the bride or even the bridesmaids this year. Enjoy the punch while you watch the real players.

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  29. Biff Wellington - nice to see you've come out from hiding. Don't think the writers are derelict, just drunk and haven't had time to nor the inclination to analyze the inevitable, which is Houston has the power house team. Le definitely drew the short end of the stick getting Houston in their flight, thus negating any rumors of "tanking" the final for a better seed at Sectionals. Bazan does have the talent to get out of their flight, but not much further. This is Houston's to lose.

    Rather than banter with shallow analysis of Sectional flight play and bash your blog contributors, why not go do something useful and create a new video that trumps your previous "Hitler" video. Credit to you for that. That was brilliant and unrivaled. We have been patiently waiting for something new. Don't disappoint.

    CF

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  30. From child to late teens, there's now varied and vibrant girls' tennis clothing to first match her parents' choices and then her own sense of style as she approaches womanhood. It's now even possible for a young lady to sport the exact same fashion tennis apparel as her WTA star heroines, complete with all the comfort and performance fabrication. When she reaches her late teens, more rebellious brands like DUC will cater to her growing desire for self
    expression.

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    Replies
    1. Was this a paid advertisement.

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  31. I think this blog is on its last leg.

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  32. any word on where the matches will be played this weekend?

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  33. If you are a 4.0 they will be in the fiery cauldron of hell.......



    http://assets.usta.com/assets/642/15/2013_Mens__4.0___Up_Sectional_Schedule.pdf

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  34. If you are a 4.0 they will be played in the fiery cauldron of hell.....

    http://assets.usta.com/assets/642/15/2013_Mens__4.0___Up_Sectional_Schedule.pdf

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  35. 7 am matches at LB Houston. Nothing gets better than that.

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  36. This blog can't even put together a sectionals write-up/preview?

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  37. The blog had jumped the shark.

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    Replies
    1. How about a Happy Days themed post?

      You could have characters for
      Fonzy-The Blog.. jumping the shark, or garbage cans.
      Richie
      Ralph Malph
      Potsy
      Mr Cunningham
      Mork from Ork
      Etc..

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