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The Goonies Champ it up

21 August | Inwood

Proving they were in fact the bigger hit out of the 1980s, The Goonies destroyed The BeeGees in the largest finals defeat ever. On a road that included wins over That Guy (15-10) and Sky Fire (15-9), The Goonies out-rostered and out-played every team in their path.

The BeeGees, on the other hand, struggled to defeat the league-worst Everybody Dumps at universe point. They had a slightly better semi-final against Team Heff, who had surprised Blueprint and themselves by winning the quarter-finals on a universe point of their own. BG overcame Heff 13 to 10, but it obviously took a lot of effort to do so.

Sky Fire and Barely Legal got to universe in the quarters as well, making every quarterfinal matchup a one point affair save for The Goonies win over That Guy.

The huge Goonies squad echoed their pre-game cheer off the topmost tree on Inwood Hill. The BeeGees breathed heavily, worried they might not have enough left for this finals that they'd been confident about since the end of week two. And that dynamic played out on the field. The Goonies's offense was unstoppable, and simply too often did their defense force turns. At 15 to 5, the BeeGees didn't have to handle it anymore, and The Goonies led the way to the Finals party with a Trophy in their hearts, glory on their faces, and beer tickets in their hands.

Of historical note, Summer 2011 finals represented the fourth time a top seed was defeated in the championship game and the second time the top seed was defeated by a three seed. In terms of leadership, Goonies's captains Fred and Danielle have reached two finals together and won both of them (the other was Fall 2010 with SuperGreen). This championship is actually the third for Fred. He solo-captained Random Fax (Fall 2009) to a title. Fred's 3 for 3 titles is the league's best, though Steve Nicolson—who missed the finals for his first time in seven seasons this summer—also has three wins. Bob Suvanich, despite losing with his BeeGees, reached the finals in his first, record-setting season as captain.


Week Twelve: More Rain and Anticipation

19 August | Riverside

Sky Fire and The Goonies were rained out and won't be able to settle the superiority question both have been trying to answer for weeks. The BeeGees forfeited their final appearance in the regular season, leaving their win streak at 8, and more importantly, their record-setting win total at 17. Barely Legal gladly walked away with the win however, and gained a chance to finish the season in 5th place. That chance came through on Thursday when That Guy fell to Team Heff, 10 to 13. The week's final game was of no consequence, but Everybody Dumps refused momentum going into the tournament and gave up after only three points on Friday. Blueprint took home the 2 to 1 victory, grabbing their 15th win and setting a lowest scoring game record as well as a league-record 279 points in a single season.

The Seedings are set as are the first round matchups. Good luck at the tournament tomorrow.


Week Eleven: Sunday Gets Washed Away

15 August | MUD Newsdesk

Record rains drowned out most of the scheduled games in Week Eleven. In fact, according to Meteorologist Cory Mottice, the 7.5 inches that fell on us Sunday, when combined with 1.22 inches for the previous 13 days of the month, broke the all-time August rainfall record in NYC. The previous record was 8.30 inches set back in 1976. We probably could have made history—or at least the news—if we played in it. Only a game and a half managed to be played in MUD's second to last week. The first of these games was Barely Legal vs. Team Heff. Finally able to make up their June 12 rainout, Legal was itching to prove it could win three in-a-row for the second time this season. Heff, on the other hand, seemed to have lost her ambition from Sunday's win over Blueprint. But she put up a decent fight and forced darkness to end the game instead of outright victory. Barely Legal 14, Heff 9.

On Friday, That Guy and Everybody Dumps also made up their June 12 match. In terms of the standings, Everybody was poised to overtake That Guy and get out of last place. But this message must not have been conveyed. The Dumps sent five players to the game. After That Guy took half 8 to 2, the game was called and Everybody Dumps fell into the eighth seed regardless of the outcomes next week. At least they've secured a first round bye. They better bring a bigger squad to their first playoff game. They're up against a team who has the most single-season wins in MUD history.

COMMENTS


Week Ten: Seeding Starts Settling

8 August | MUD Newsdesk

The BeeGees added one more win to their total—now 17—and guaranteed themselves the number one seed for the playoffs in two weeks. Blueprint, who could have caught BG this week, instead went 1-2 and fell three games behind the top spot. Sky Fire won both its week-ten games and continues to vie for third place, currently, hardly held by the Goonies. These two teams will meet in week 12, perhaps playing to determine that three seed. The Goonies could have pulled ahead of Sky Fire and could have finally brought their record back to even (at 11-11), but they lost their final game this Sunday to Barely Legal. The 18-year olds were impressive all week. They barely lost to Blueprint on Tuesday, but they avenged that two-point suffering by beating the Print 15-11 on Sunday. That Guy and Everybody both continued their slumps this week and Heff threatened to join them in the dumps. But then, in heroic fashion, Heff shot a universe-point defeat through Blueprint and kept all our hopes alive. Hooray!

COMMENTS


Week Nine: Heff Makes a Move

1 August | MUD Newsdesk

In the three games of week nine, two went as the standings may have predicted. The BeeGees made quick work of The Goonies, and That Guy fell to Blueprint well before the sun set. But on Wednesday, Team Heff avoided solo possession of streak worstness by winning their first game since the loss of Eric Kuo. The win also brought them out of what would have been definite last place. They beat Sky Fire in a tight game on East River. The commissioner-approved Kuo replacement Zach Lemis got open and made key throws all game. But John Kim sealed the deal with his faster than expected cut to the cone and score. Well done Heff, even in your absence.

COMMENTS


Week Eight: Inwood To Do

25 July | MUD Newsdesk

Featuring guest columnist Jennifer Touchstone

As feared, Team Heff lost their two games this week and the ghost of Kuo seems to be haunting his survivors into misery. At seven consecutive losses, they've tied the season-worst slump and hardly show signs of derailment. Conversely, The BeeGees pulled off wins against their three challengers this week, though Everybody Dumps made them complete the task at universe point. Barely Legal added two wins to their record and are official on a winning streak. But enough stats. Let's see what guest columnist Jennifer Touchstone has to tell us about Inwood beyond ultimate...

Many of you Downtowners, Brooklynites, New Jerseans and Queeners might not realize there is much more to do before and after ultimate up in Inwood. As an inhabitant of this fine neighborhood for nearly a decade, let me suggest some options for sustenance and appreciation.

For good protein before games, check out Capitol Restaurant on Broadway. In terms of food, this past-era diner offers simple greasy spoon eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns. But the Greek cook and the server (he might be the owner), the packaged pastries, the dusty, fake-red flowers, the faux-cracked marble mirrors, the general disrepair, and the expedience with which food arrives on tables make for a good, affordable breakfast joint (especially if you're hung over).

Indian Road Cafe is the closest restaurant to the fields and lets you see local families in action. They have classy—and pricey—brunch options, though from 9:30am to 3:30pm on weekends they offer unlimited mimosas (the effects of which were made famous by a certain MUD team). Converted from a bodega to a cafe, they serve selections of tea, coffee, artisanal sodas, and tasty house-made desserts in the cafe area, and have a full menu in the raised dining room. Pastries and cured meats from Arthur Ave in the Bronx are advertised, and they strive to use local and seasonal ingredients when available. Their food, though not overly imaginative, is good, but their extensive, ever-changing beer and wine lists, plus their vegan and vegetarian dining options makes it a nice place to gather.

For cheap suds and the self-proclaimed "best burger in town" try Piper's Kilt also on Broadway. Around holidays, the wooden walled pub is outrageously decorated from floor to ceiling. But no matter the date, here you can rub elbows with ancient locals and eat really yummy burgers. I recommend the Eastchester or turkey burger.

One of the prize gems of Northern Manhattan, Inwood Park has miles of hiking trails, rock shelters, the only natural salt marsh, and the largest glacial pothole in NYC. If you haven't already, take a break and walk up through the woods by the rock shelters, climb up the rock cliffs, and spy the hawks and hundred year old trees. You should also visit Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters. Perhaps one of the most romantic parks in Manhattan, Fort Tryon has a beautiful and vibrant heather garden and a Linden terrace that overlooks the Hudson River. It is home to the Cloisters museum, and to Bette Midler's delicious New Leaf Cafe.

This is, of course, just a small introduction to our lovely neighborhood. I'd love to hear other recommendations. --Jennifer


Week Seven: The Kuo Effect

18 July | MUD Newsdesk

Well, the chaperones of Barely Legal babysat their way to a league-worst streak of 7 losses in-a-row on Friday, but then they immediately turned around with a Sunday win against the fizzling Sky Fire. The BeeGees, however, strung together two more convincing wins, including a 15 to 9 defeat of Blueprint. Can BG surpass their currently-held, league-leading streak of +6? Who will step up to take down these smug punks? Three teams get a chance next week.

Team Heff is not one of those teams. But perhaps that's good for them. Heff really seems to be suffering the loss of one of their stars, Eric Kuo. However, Kuo is something of a perennial MUD jinx. We've had experts here at the newsclips try to analyze this curse and they just can't figure it out. Admittedly, he's a great player and certainly one of the most spirited, yet in 10 completed seasons of MUD he has not even played in a final. One of the three teams he has captained holds the worst overall losing streak at -11. And now he's injured and out for the rest of the season.

With this tragic injury, one would assume the curse is lifted, but instead a new dimension appears. Team Heff won the game in which Kuo hyperextended his knee. They haven't won any of their five games since. Next week they could tie Barely Legal's aforementioned, newly-acquired season lowlight. Teammate Mark DellAquila blames the recent losses on Kuo's absence. But in the face of history, it seems he'll have to admit you can't win without him, you can't win with him.

Young captain Heff has her morale-boosting work cut out for her. But they named the team after her, so she has their faith. Her secret weapon may be the charm of another MUD stalwart, John Kim, who has made it to six of the ten finals. However, it's going to take more than jinx-breaking and luck with existing threats like the BeeGees and especially Blueprint, whose captain Steve has led a team to the finals in all six of the last Spring and Summer seasons of MUD and who has won three of those six championships. Do it for Kuo, Heff. Do it for history.


Week Six: Get Games Going

11 July | MUD Newsdesk

Barely Legal spent the week losing and is just one more loss short of the season's worst slump (-7). Sky Fire, surprisingly, was one win short of tying the season's best streak (+6). However, their dominance was shut down—at universe point no less—by Blueprint, who didn't drop a game all week. The Dumps also put up only wins this week, which literally brings their record out of the dumps.

A couple of the Inwood games this weekend didn't quite make it to 15. Granted these games were hard fought, with defenses on all sides causing pressure and turnovers. But these two-hour game slots are getting capped and that seems ridiculous, especially considering both Barely Legal and Sky Fire surely could have come back and pulled off wins if games had gone all the way to 15, maybe.

The root of this problem is latecomers forcing late starts. Where are you people? By 2pm the mimosa's start getting bottoms, so don't even pretend you're still at brunch. It's way too early for the NFL, and you're definitely not watching baseball. Church? Yeah. Who's gonna believe that? This is ultimate, and we get to call ourselves MUD because we throw ourselves all over Manhattan. During the week, skip out of work early and let your boss see cleats dangling out of your bag. And for goodness sake, put down your cucumber sandwich this Sunday and get out to your games.


Week Five: Quick Recap

1 July | MUD Newsdesk

Short week five padded the records of our adolescent season's top three. In three days, they collectively managed 37 points with a +12 differential. Fireworks and vacations replace our weekend games this week. Oh, it'll be good for you. For once, enjoy something other than these competitive bouts that fling you to Manhattan's edges, charge your workdays with jittery anticipation, and give you an athlete's badge of sweat, spirit, and summer salvation, would ya?


Week Four: Player Profiles

27 June | MUD Newsdesk

Now that's how you honor a request, Goonies and Sky Fire. The first two days of week four brought two losses to the current first and third place teams. Then, unfortunately, the weather forced a rainout before Everybody Dumps could complete the hat trick on Blueprint. Riverside was so wet that Thursday and Friday were cancelled. But check the team pages for the thrilling scores on the more tolerant fields, and for Sunday.

On those team pages, you'll notice the rather static rosters on the lower right. We know you can't click on any of those names. What teams has John Kim actually played on? Have Kuo and Winston really played every season and never won a championship? The case against player profiles is a shameful one. It is full of the anxiety that people will discover we actually play this sport. Ok ok, that's just an excuse. Our lead programmers here at headquarters haven't found time to give MUD the kind of dynamic, account-driven website that many have been clamoring for.

But do we want that kind of exposure? There have been at least a few requests over the seasons to remove names from rosters since new jobs or relationships have started up. What's the stigma all about? You know ultimate was on TV recently? Let's get some volunteers to donate some code. Player profiles make things easier and more fun for all of us. After all, what's an internet site without a social network interface? That's your grandma's internet, baby.

P.S. Quit hogging the comments, whiny jp and bobo the windbag.

COMMENTS


Week Three: How about a Trade?

20 June | MUD Newsdesk

After three weeks, only three teams have winning records. But they don't play each other for at least three days. Let's play pin the loss on the dominants. Consider it a challenge to the under .500 teams, especially those who are WAY under. This league is built on the principle of parity; we simply won't stand for these runaway records.

Speaking of parity, over the past several seasons MUD Competitive has transitioned from a league where rosters were assigned by one or two people into a draft league, albeit one with plenty of lingering oversight. While (almost) all the captains do sit around for several hours choosing players in an order determined by some googlesque algorithm, the teams they end up composing are then reviewed by the commissioner and some advisors. The primary purpose of this review is to make sure the drafted teams are balanced in terms of positions, projected attendance, and of course talent. In the instance where a team seems too handler heavy, or too tall, or too fast, people are moved around. All this is done so that teams will be fairly-matched regardless of the knowledge (or lack thereof) a drafting captain may have had when picking.

However, as we've seen—particularly with Von LeMeure in last spring's regular season, SuperGreen in the fall, and even with the top two teams this summer—this post-draft shifting of players doesn't quite accomplish what it aims to: evenly matching the teams. Keeping teams as they are drafted is not the best idea, especially if eventual captains are not present at the draft, and because, frankly, some captains are better at drafting than others, even with handicaps.

If the league's leadership is really interested in leveling the playing field, perhaps an early season trade is the solution. This has obvious implications for team chemistry, fragile egos, and jersey orders, but it is also a more realistic way to balance teams. Before each season begins, teams have several new MUD players or otherwise unknowns on their rosters. It is impossible to account for your true range of talent because of this. After three (or perhaps two) weeks, though, we basically know where we stand as teams. And we can wait a few more days for jerseys. How about we swap players around after we've seen them play a little bit? Call it MUD pre-season. Of course, the counter-argument to all of this is Odna Komanda, but didn't they beat a captain-less team in the finals?


Week Two: A Case for Cleats

13 June | MUD Newsdesk

Scores are in from Week Two. Bob and Georgia's The BeeGees remain undefeated after six. They also represent Blueprint's only loss thus far. A bit of rain late in the week saturated the thin soil of Riverside, so both Sunday games were unplayable. In light of the recent decision to make foot blocks a foul—one which is, like all infractions, optional to call—another player-safety issue is being discussed.

Cleats are not allowed on Riverside's 72nd street field. That is to say, Riverside Parks' governing body doesn't allow them. However, as evidenced by the pictures below (taken on June 7), and of course by the field's shabby condition, cleats are treading on our upper west side site. Is it possible that our preventative actions, especially when not universally respected, make no difference to the quality of the field, and in fact put us at a greater risk for injury?

We've all seen and even experienced numerous slips and falls while trying to cover or get open on Riverside's slick grass. The unsure footing resulting from inappropriate footwear is comparable to playing in the old dustbowl. What was thought of as a convenient Manhattan haven for ultimate has turned, for many, into a manufacturer of pulled hamstrings, sprained ankles, and often frustrating ultimate. Apparently, wear and tear is unavoidable. But we could attempt to prevent it from happening to our bodies. Allowing cleats at Riverside could limit many of the sidelining injuries we've seen as a result of the field's slipperiness. You might even wager that it would enhance player safety more than will the ban on footblocks.

COMMENTS


Commissioner bans foot blocks, now a "foul"

8 June | MUD Newsdesk

Blocking a throw with your foot after an obvious attempt to do so when on the mark is now considered a foul. If called, the disc will be returned to the thrower and a new stall count should be initiated. If you attempt a foot block when the thrower is faking, this is also a foul as the intention is a banned play. If you foot block a disc when not on the mark (three meters or more away), such as when you are an off-point in the cup, this is not a foul. The interest is increased player safety. Discouraging foot blocks by making them a foul is meant to prevent injuries like we've seen in the past.

If you have more questions on this rule, please ask your captain.

COMMENTS


Week one Hot Topic: Foot blocks

6 June | MUD Newsdesk

We played through the heat wave and we're all skinnier for our effort. Scores from summer's first week are reported and can be found on the individual team pages.

Here at The Latest, we've been told of a few issues that are tearing up the captains' inboxes. The main one is the potential banning of foot blocks or kick blocks. These are an aspect of marking that, while giving a coverage advantage to the marker, have also proven harmful when the marker kicks the thrower in the hand or arm—typically on a backhand break throw. The main proponents of banning the blocks cite an incident in Fall 2010 when Hi-Fi's Wilson Chang suffered a broken wrist after being kicked during an attempted low-release break throw. This reporter has seen a broken arm caused the same way at a club tournament. Ban proponents also indicate that various leagues, including one in Vancouver and the local WUDI, have banned foot blocks because they threaten player safety.

The main opponents of the ban claim that it takes away a critical part of marking and gives the thrower yet another advantage. These opponents are also skeptical about the way the ban will be imposed. If a foot is lifted while marking, would that constitute an attempted block and warrant a new stall count? Additionally, opponents refuted the idea that foot blocks are an aspect of lazy marking. Much like a hand block, foot blocks give the marking team an enormous defensive and psychological boost. Opponents point out that a thrower who gets kicked was probably already being fouled or at least was the victim of a disc-space violation. They say the solution is to educate throwers to call these violations and for captains to teach proper marking technique and spacing.

The "ban" would likely make a successful foot block a foul and the disc would return to the thrower (unless completed). The commissioner would need to rule specifically about whether or not an attempted foot block (even on a fake) would be a violation of any kind.

COMMENTS

(June 14, 2011) ss said:
    If you know how to footblock then you know how to footblock. If you don't know how to footblock then just don't do it! Keep em legal
(June 12, 2011) rcm said:
    Keep footblocks legal.
(June 9, 2011) FR said:
    Leave footblocks legal
(June 8, 2011) Bobo said:
    Footblocks are part of the game but this is summer league and not Club Nationals. Laying out is part of the game but dare I say that even some of best players in the league are a bit hesitate to lay out in Inwood for obvious reasons. Another example is the banning of cleats at riverside to maintain the field in good shape (relatively). Basically, we need to adapt to the situation and use common sense. Like the author (Mateo?) of the article above stated, eliminating foot blocks or making it "illegal" would reduce the risk of injuries in the league. The only major consequence of banning footblocks is the added advantage to the offense and thrower, and I think the pro outweighs the con.
    Also, to clarify the footblock rule: it is a foul only if you attempt a foot block while you're guarding the person within the proper disc space. If you off the man or in a cup (3 or more meters away from thrower) and you attempt a footblock, it would be legal. Otherwise, it would be treated just like any other foul call. I vote to ban footblock.
(June 8, 2011) Calli said:
    I agree they are dangerous. I broke a couple metatarsals trying to footblock Brandon one time. He has wrists of steel.
(June 8, 2011) jp said:
    foot blocks = legal. let them play.
(June 8, 2011) ek said:
    footblocks are part of the game. so are injuries. condolences to wilson, hope for speedy recovery. my 2 cents.
(June 8, 2011) Keith O'C said:
    I can go either way here. However, can we do a quick analysis on how many serious injuries (breaks, tears, etc.) have occurred in MUD history due to foot blocks compared with just simply playing the game? Is this really a problem or has it just become a hot topic? Were there many instances of injuries from foot blocks in WUDI before the ban?
    Also, what about foot blocks in a zone cup? These are generally used by all levels of players as a good defensive technique, and pose no increased threat of injury to the thrower.

Competitive Summer 2011

Let's get this party started. Drafting is done. Trades were made. Teams are set. Game on.

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