Turf Toe

Through some thought and conversations with teammates, I have self-diagnosed myself with turf toe. Damn. I read up on turf toe and it is related to limited motion in your ankles. No surprise there! My bad ankle sprain, suffered two years ago, is still finding ways to bother me.

I won't be driving up to Cazenovia this weekend. I still have matters to finish up in Towson. Tryouts went well with numbers at both events and consistent numbers at practice. Too bad, I wanted to witness how Cal, the labrador puppy, handles his first frisbee tournament.

Rainy Days

Maryland is experiencing some misplaced rain these past two weeks. I thought April showers bring May flowers. Gladly it has not slowed down practice or conditioning. Medicine Men have a consistent practice site now and the Saturday morning workouts (Baltimore pod) are steadily increasing in numbers and rigor.

Personal goals for my Frisbee over the next few weeks.
Focus on playing on the balls of my feet. This will keep me in an attack (or anticipatory) mode. From there I want to increase the intensity of my defense in practice to game mode and open up my focus with the disc on offense.

Tryouts in two weeks, CUT in 4 weeks. Thesis defense somewhere in the middle of all this...and a job.

Henlopen 2009

Medicine Men descended upon Delaware this past weekend, with intentions of healing all open teams in attendance and defending their crown as tournament champs. 16 strong the healers had 7 returners (missing several veteran college players due to regionals) and 10 rookies. A first round bye afforded the team a late rise before starting the tournament against Philly Love.

A slow start allowed Philly to jump ahead a few points and take half (7-5 ish). Using a complex set of four man rotations the Medicine Men offense often struggled to flow and reach a certain comfort level needed. However, the second half showed some improvement and MedMen took some breaks to keep the game close. In the end Philly held out and won 13-11 (ish).

The second game, against Swarming Earthworms (Swathmore Alum), continued with the improvements of the second half against Philly and kept the game close. However, prior playing experience helped and the worms were able to squirm out a ~1-2 point win.

Down a nurse the Medicine Men continued to tear up the back corner of their Saturday field against Olde English (Colt .45). Missing a few players Colt .45 are still a tall team and sometimes to mark up on for the sometimes short Medicine Men. I had the opportunity to match up against Match for a point (pun intended) but, by and large spent the game guarding others. Good to see him playing after clipboarding it last year. This time the healers prevailed and downed the 40 oz liquor (14-12 I think).

Medicine Men ended the day with the fourth seed Brooklyn. I can't remember much but the Brooklyn needed much healing and served a tough patient. In the end the Medicine Men were able to win. Dropping one seed (1 down to 2) Medicine Men left the fields to bond and create cirrhorsis.

Confusion over wins, losses and seeds aside we came to the fields Sunday to play for the championship. The first game would be against cross-Beltway rival, Wiretap. Fierce and at times gusty winds created an upwind/downwind scenario for the game. The Medicine Men started quick earning and upwind point with strong cuts under and good break mark throws. The game moved along with teams following similar strategies; on downwind points look to huck, upwind look for short in cuts with one long cut to create a breakaway. The Medicine Men marked up deep a few too many times and allowed Wiretap to earn three or four up wind points. In the end we could not make up the deficit and Wiretap won the first of likely several match ups for the season. Chances of repeat over.

Medicine Men gathered on the sidelines to find out who we would play next. As it turns out our opponent had bagged and started the drive back to NY. Tournament over. The team packed up our stuff, drove to Dogfish Head and drank some beer to cap off the weekend. A few highlights not mentioned prior include; Fulcrum pulling a flick downwind into the trees, literally 20ft in the air, waaaaaaay out the back of the endzone. Gogurt, just missing a layout callahan to win the game against Brooklyn (maybe Colt .45). Actually staying with the team for the entire tournament. Last year I had to drive back to Millington and listen to frogs both nights, causing me to miss 1/2 of the games.

Scrimmage against Towson University Thursday night to prep them for regionals, official tryouts in a few weeks, CUT in 5 1/2 weeks.

happy, not quite satisfied

Pandamonium, the Towson University Men's Ultimate team secured the third and final spot to Metro East Regionals out of the Colonial Section. Congratulations bros, you've earned it.

You didn't let administration cancelling trips to TiV and San Diego ruin your spirits. Rather, you took this lack of early season play in stride by amping up your conditioning and rogue practice habits. Dominating play at Big Moose Disc capped by an amazing come from behind win over American assured any questions about being ready for the Spring. Another dissappointing tournament turnout, this time mother nature's fault removed any more chance of refinement. You were not phased. Enter Sectionals.

Fourteen deep Pandamonium rolled into St. Mary's College on a misson, finish in the top three. You didn't hesitate, a quick three wins against George Mason, Loyola, and Salisbury-B warmed everyone up for a much anticipated game against powerhouse Delaware. Ten points against a perenial Nationals qualifier, astounding. Three and one with a point differential of +27 positioned you in the third place bracket for Sunday, not ideal. Once again, Pandamonium was not phased. Already the team had done better than recent history, but you knew nothing but third place would be acceptable.

Sunday would not be as easy. All of the teams played with the exception UMBC were equally or more experienced and deeper. I have to defer here to Farrell for the majority but I do want to make a few short points.

First, I applaud your maturity in handling chippy and dirty play against GW. After watching the footage it was clear that towards the end of the game especially, GW committed several marking fouls and made a violation call because your teammate did not call disc in loud enough?! Come on, you got burned and were upset about it. Doesn't matter Pandamonium won and with half as many guys.

Second, fourteen guys?! Are you nuts?! Towson, you guys love to run and I am so happy your work ethic has returned to what it was in the past.

Third, great patience. Farrell is right you beat teams by way of a millon little cuts. Under, under, under. It never stops but, if it does swing, contituation cut, under. This unrelenting cutting reminds me of ARHS' offense and we all know of their success. Also, it makes your roster size all the more impressive.

Fourth, and last get some uniforms! I know they are not required but in a few weeks when you are turning heads at Regionals everyone is going to want to know what number Chris Neitzey wears or Jose Maldonado. Who is Matt "Skunk" Radhe? What does he look like? Which Weir is which? Does Jay Weir always look so ripped? Or what is the name of that kid who looks like Zach Galifianakis because he sure can rip a pull. I am not expecting Five Ultimate or Patagonia, that is too main stream. All I am looking for are matching shirts, with numbers, and shorts of matching color.

After qualifying for Regionals, Chris' facebook status stated "happy, not quite satisfied, keep this in the back of your mind. The work is nearly over but with every extra minute you are building memories for the rest of your lives. I expect great play from you all and I know I will not be disappointed. Don't forget to savor each moment, take notes for your return next year, and convince the rookies to go.

Good luck bros,

NE regionals 2003

My sophomore year of college Zoodisc was positioned as one of the top five in the New England region. I, a second season ultimate player with some athleticism had made the A team as man number 24 out of a 25 man roster. In the 2004 season, three teams from the New England region would qualify for the 16 team national tournament (Nationals). Zoodisc trained like never before, stairs and hills started in early February, plyometrics on Sundays soon followed. We were ranked with several competent ultimate players, playing together for several years. At the helm of Zoodisc was Jeff Graham. Friendly, nice, happy are all words the describe Jeff exceedingly well, but he also has another dimension which comes out in sports, unrelenting competitiveness. During training and practice Jeff works harder than any other individual I have ever seen, Zip is a very close second; it sucked guarding Josh as a second grader in rec league basketball.


Winning all four games on the first day of the tournament, Zoodisc was positioned to have three opportunities to qualify for nationals. In a much debated tournament set up, the top two teams from Saturday were placed in a winner's bracket and played in the finals first; the loser would move to the loser's bracket and play a back door game against a team had one loss on Saturday. The loser of the second qualifing game would then play a second (or third) "game to go" against a final team which had played out of the losing bracket Sunday morning.


Saturday was my day to play on the field, though I wish I had more opportunity, my skill set (or lack of) and the leadership did not allow for deep subbing. Thus, Sunday at Regionals I my role was an "eighth man" to the best my lungs could provide. Highly emotional, college ultimate players battle the opposing sideline between every point for game momentum. Offensive points and breaks were easy, a simple call/response cheer and team morale stayed high. An offesive point, or worse a break by the other team, and the sideline really had to work.


In the first half of the first game against Brown, one of our top players, Isaiah Robison, suffered a compound fracture of his lower left leg. I remember the play vividly. Brown had moved the disc down the flick side to within 10 yards of the endzone. A Brown player made a streaking cut from the dump position to the front cone. Isaiah poached off his man from the vert stack for the D. Normally, a very aggressive player Isaiah pulled up short as the Brown player laid out, parrallel with the sideline to catch the throw, simultaneously slamming his left shoulder into Isaiah's shin.


A "CRUNCH" similar to breaking wood over your leg, followed by Isaiah rolling over the Brown player grabbing what looked like his knee, only much lower.


"AHHHHHHHH!!" yelled Isaiah.


The urge to rush to Isaiah's side had to be overcome, shock ensued. The onsite EMT responded, thankfully our field was that closest to Frisbee Central so the wait wasn't long. An ambulance was called. teams huddled together and teary glances, regardless of school or team, were shared with other ARHS alumni. The current ARHS players and Tiina observed from that exact endzone.


As the paramedics were lifting Isaiah, adreleline in full effect, to the ambulance he said something characterisitic of his selfless and smartalec personality. I can't remember the exact words but it was along the lines of "Don't give up... If you lose to these Ivy Leaguers, I'll be pissed" which lightened the mood and resolved our motivation.


After a short break following the paramedics, Zoodisc huddled together and collected our thoughts. We looked into each other’s eyes and each resolved not to give up on the game despite losing such a major part of the teams offense and defense. The team could have easily given up and gone on to lose by a large margin, instead we fought for another hour and half in close battle, losing by two points (17-15, I think).


The game went back and forth with solid play by both. Jeff Grahm carried UMass for most of the game, including a superman move (literally and figuratively). On an errant hammer, thrown from miscommunication, Jeff turned 180 degrees on a dime and sprinted 15-20 yards into the heart of the endzone, laid out Superman style, and to caught the Hammer for a goal.


Brown celebrated. Zoodisc tried to regroup for our next game against Williams. All we had to do was beat Williams, a team we had beat in the past, then we could buy our plane tickets. The game against Williams is not one I remember well. Zoodisc played hard losing again by two points. One more shot, this time against a team that had already played three games, one that we had beat the day before (I think), Dartmouth.

Before the game started a visably emotional Jeff Grahm, read a note his father wrote the night prior in his hotel room. It was Mr. Grahm's prediction about Zoodisc, he predicted that we would lose our first two games both by very close margins, but win our third granting us entrance to Nationals. With new resolve Zoodisc warmed up and prepared to defeat Dartmouth.

Finally, the short subbing, emotional toll of Isaiah's injury, and two physically exhausting games had caught up with Zoodisc. We lost by a large margin. The impossible had happened. In the year when everyone from Mr. Grahm to Bill Stewart (Amherst College coach, UMass alum, club player extraodinaire) thought we would, Zoodisc did not make nationals. Heartbreak set in. Jeff looked at our other captain JRo, who said "We get to walk at graduation" trying to keep the mood light. I hugged Jeff and Joe to both saying "Thank you" and "I will miss you". JRo and Jeff were confused. Despite having several weeks and social events left in the semester I knew I would never againg share the field with the two men who had helped me fall in love with ultimate.

Clean up your sidelines

One huge pet peeve of mine is the team that never cleans up their sideline. Granted, most tournaments occur in huge fields with few trash cans, but most TDs also give you at least one trash bag with your food. Also, many players bring additional trash bags as rain bags. So really their is no excuse for leaving your sideline covered with empty bottles, banana peels, athletic tape, etc.

A dirty sideline is bad for ultimate in two ways. While it debunks the hippie stereotype, which I am for debunking, it creates a new stereotype, irresponsibility. An irresponsible stereotype is much worse for our image than a hippie stereotype. Stakeboarding originated in the same era as ultimate and has a lingering hippie stereotype, plus an irresponsible stereotype. The difference though is the irresponsible folk are on the fringes (i.e. Bam Margera/Jackass) while the responsible folk are mainstream (i.e. Tony Hawk).

Second, while I want to people stop viewing Ultimate as the "sport you play with dogs" I don't want people to think we aren't green (I would consider it a compliment if you called me a hippie). Obviously, one way to acheive this goal is to pick up that trash. Others which I will post about later focus on the three Rs (reduce, recyle, reuse).

So, remember clean up after yourselves. Your mom would be dissapointed if she knew you left bottle caps on those nice polo fields. Horses might run over a bottle cap and go lame after all; or worse slip on a banana peel and fall. How embarrasing. :)

Plan for Rain: NCUA/C1 vs. the UPA series

There are two types of rain, physical and the figurative. Figurative rain is and will be falling all season for college ultimate, probably some sprinkles on the club side as a result, as teams have to deal with the conflict. Physical rain is inevitable, yet know one seems to talk about it in relation to NCUA, C1 or the UPA series. So with this in mind I will be talking about the unrelenting RSD shenanigans, mixed with some intelligent discussion, following the announcement of NCUA. The UPA is clearly against the attempted coup and Cultimate is not backing down.

The end result will be a conflict stricken year of college ultimate for all (thank god I graduated in '05). Yet, admist all this are deluges from people with new formats for tiered competition at the club level and talk about which is a better showcase (college or club) for the sport. No real talk of women divisions to speak of but, we are in the USA so I am not surprised. Watch SportsCenter and you will understand me. While I think that a tiered system in both divisions is inevitable, I don't believe Ultimate will be "mainstreamed" any time soon.

So we are currently experiencing a down pour and I expect it to continue through the winter and into the spring, but as mentioned before no one seems to care about the real rain that will undoubtedly ruin a tournament or two. What are teams to do when this happens. Medicine Men were rained out of Sectionals this fall, nearly twice, and that was a huge pain. So, I address NCUA and Cultimate with a situation.

Imagine 70-80 teams traveling for a tournament they must attend to qualify for your national championships. It rains (or even snows), ruining the fields. It is late enough in the week that travel plans can't be changed, more importantly travel money will not be refunded. What will you do? Clearly, these teams can not be penalized for mother nature's unpredictably. Then again these teams must attend a predetermined amount of tournaments to make the system work. Will you allow them to attend another one of your tournaments? Or will you have back up fields for each tournament, in case of weather? Will teams risk making travel plans without guarantee of competition? Perhaps.

The UPA and its snail paced plan of tiered competition, faces the weather problem too. However, the series has fewer tournaments of significance and larger windows for make up tournaments. The NE region maybe the exception, I believe there are no weekends between sectionals and regionals. When rain does happen (and it did this past year), the UPA has the entire section and/or region at its dispoal for alternative fields. Further, the UPA can use its sectional and regional coordinators as added manpower, in the search for alternative fields in a pinch.

Personally, I think the UPA series, though not perfect, is better equiped as of now. Also, I am very glad I am not forced to make this decision. I was never in a leader role, so I never would. Either way some teams will not join NCUA and some will, it is up to Cultimate and NCUA to provide to them a college ultimate experience lightyears beyond the series.





Damn, this is what I get for procrastinating. NCUA is not happening so all this is mute now. Haha. Oh well, everything is temporary.