Author: Zigmister

DePaul Dodgeball #68 & NCDA Director of Officiating

Quorum Achieved – Rules on Overtime

Results of the Quorum

Quorum is officially achieved with 14 member teams of the 25 teams agreeing to establish a vote regarding rules on Overtime. At least one week of discussion shall ensue (until Aug 21), with a narrowing down of vote options. Check out the forum to voice your opinion.

25 Member Teams, 13 Members required to achieve Quorum.
Quorum Call Begins 8 Aug 2012 17:16 CST
End of call is 15 Aug 2012 17:16 CST or whenever Quorum is achieved, whichever comes first.

MSU Agrees – 8 Aug 2012 17:20
CMU Agrees – 8 Aug 2012 23:42
JMU Agrees – 9 Aug 2012 00:08
UMD Agrees – 10 Aug 2012 15:14
SVSU Agrees – 11 Aug 2012 13:33
GVSU Agrees – 13 Aug 2012 12:26
K-State Agrees – 13 Aug 2012 14:08
DePaul Agrees – 13 Aug 2012 15:42
MBI Agrees – 13 Aug 2012 19:01
WKU Agrees – 13 Aug 2012 19:01
UofL Agrees – 13 Aug 2012 19:09
Miami Agrees – 13 Aug 2012 19:30
LCC Agrees – 13 Aug 2012 19:35
Kent Agrees – 13 Aug 2012 22:43

Upcoming Member UNT Agrees 13 Aug 2012 04:14
(As not yet a full Member Team, UNT does not have voting rights or count towards a Quorum, but its discussion is recognized.)

It should be noted that no team submitted a disagreement with changing the Rules.

What now

5. At least one week of discussion ensues, with a narrowing down of vote options.
6. After a week of discussion, the final vote options are gathered and distributed to the teams using reasonable communication efforts.
7. Duration of the vote is one week.

Popular Vote Candidates

A maximum of 6 on 6, of any player on the full 20 player roster; 7 balls, arranged for an Opening Rush of 02320 with balls live on the whistle; a permanent 10 second shot clock for both teams.

Variations on this include: no game clock or a overtime clock of 10 minutes, or variations on the amount of balls

Quorum Call – Rules on Overtime

Hello Everyone:

Sam Hiller of MSU requested a Quorum be called, relating to changing the NCDA rules regarding Overtime. The forum thread on it has some talk regarding specific options. What is required of the member teams is a vote to change anything at all.

Since we aren’t in a Captains’ Meeting, another process kicks in:
1. A Captain of a Member Team brings up a change, discussion ensues.
2. The change is seconded by another Member Team, discussion ensues.
3. A call for a Voting Quorum using reasonable communication efforts for a maximum of one week, discussion ensues. (current step)
4. If a majority of the voting members agree to a vote, voting Quorum is achieved. If a majority do not agree, the issue is dropped and may be brought up at a later time.
5. Should voting Quorum be achieved, at least one week of discussion ensues, with a narrowing down of vote options.
6. After a week of discussion, the final vote options are gathered and distributed to the teams using reasonable communication efforts.
7. Duration of the vote is one week.

Let me know if that seems fair or unfair. It’s similar to how we did the Opening Rush change.

Please email regarding whether your team agrees to vote or does not agree to vote. We have one week to achieve a quorum, then one week of discussion, then a week of voting.

AJP #21: A DePaul Summer Wrapup

DePaul and Moody takes us through a joyous jaunt to wrap up the summer in this short podcast. Not much going on, but oodles of entertainment and a few tidbits on the next hosts of AJP.

Hosts: Spencer Flynn, Zigmas Maloni, Becky Seemann, Rachel Joyce, Anthony Netzel, and Jeremy Schambach from Moody.

Recorded on a Rockband Logitech USB Microphone (bought used for $5)
Heavily edited in Audition CS6 (Lots of debauchery this time)
Hosted on NCDAdodgeball.com/ajp/
15:36 minutes

Rough production time:
32min recording, 1 hour of personal audio review, 45 min of editing, 5 minutes saving, uploading, and writing these posts
= total time 2-3 hours

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

WIU Club Dodgeball Team To Play for National Title Saturday – Sunday

WIU.edu – Jodi Pospeschil

MACOMB, IL – An emerging club sport at Western Illinois University is training its members to avoid being struck by a 76 mph rubber fastball.

Western’s club dodgeball team will try for its first-ever national collegiate title during a tournament in Saginaw, MI, Saturday-Sunday, April 14-15. Sixteen teams from across the country will compete in pool play April 14 to be ranked for the single-elimination championship matches April 15.

This is the third year the Western dodgeball team has played in the National College Dodgeball Association tournament, finishing fourth each of the first two years. The team has about 25 members, 15 of which will travel to the Michigan tournament.

The club was founded by WIU senior Tim Wohead, of Plainfield, who is also the club’s former president.

“In high school I loved dodgeball,” Wohead said. “When I got to Western my buddy learned that there was a national association so we signed up and it has grown from there. Our practices started on the Rec Center’s racquetball courts.”

Club President Dalton Servatius, a junior from Lombard, joined the club after seeing the team practice in the Donald R. Spencer Student Recreation Center.

Western’s team has lost to Michigan State University during both of its previous national tourney efforts.

The goal of the games is to strike the opposing teams’ players with a large rubber ball. The tournament games consist of two 25-minute sessions.

To follow the WIU team’s weekend progress, visit facebook.com/groups/152010705468/.

Posted By: Jodi Pospeschil, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606

AJP #20: An Inbetween Average Joes’ from DePaul

Average Joes' Podcast Logo…DePaul hosts the Average Joes’ Podcast.

In Episode 20, we discuss:
The upcoming Nationals, bids for Nationals 2013, final season rankings, some injures, rule changes, ball sponsorships, and general fun.
Hosts: Spencer Flynn, Zigmas Maloni, Pierce RAVE McBride, Becky Seemann

Recorded on a Rockband Logitech USB Microphone (bought used for $5)
Minimally edited in Audacity
Hosted on NCDAdodgeball.com/ajp/
51MB, 36:56 minutes

Rough production time:
37min recording, 1 hour of personal audio review, 5 minutes receiving the soundbites from Raymer, 30 min of editing, 15 minutes saving, uploading, and writing these posts
= total time 2-3 hours

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

GVSU at SVSU – Preview

Saginaw Valley State Dodgeball’s Spencer Jardine:

Is this the year? A question the Cardinals have asked themselves many times in past years, but never has a Saginaw team had the opportunity that they will have on March 17th. With a win they will secure themselves a second place finish in the NCDA after already securing the #1 overall seed in Michigan with huge wins at the Michigan Dodgeball Cup. With an 11-2 record this year the Cardinals are looking to even the season series up with the 10-2 Lakers, who handed the Cardinals their only loss’s of the season. The first match up taking place in Bowling Green where the Lakers shellacked the Cardinals 5-0 then defeated Saginaw 2-1 in Grand Rapids a month later during the annual Battle Of the Valleys match up.

After months of not seeing each other the Cardinals and Lakers clashed again at East Lansing in February for the Michigan Dodgeball Cup. SVSU was coming in with a notorious reputation for collapsing at the MDC, with just a handful of wins earned in the past few years. This year matched up with GVSU in the first round the Cardinals seemed like they where headed towards another disappointing MDC after dropping the first point and almost giving up another one at half. After regrouping at half time SVSU battled back to grab a point from GVSU. The Lakers would not go down easy as they roared back with a strong showing almost stealing a point with seconds left as SVSU’s Josh Brettrager held off 6 Lakers to send the game into overtime. In the OT the Lakers again jumped out to an early lead but timely kills and clutch catching by Jason Stein and Spencer Jardine brought the Cardinals to victory. SVSU would go on to defeat CMU 2-1 and MSU 3-2 to lift the Michigan Dodgeball Cup for the first time in program history.

With this match in Saginaw’s Cardinal Gym the Lakers won’t be in unfamiliar territory with the number of times they have traveled to SVSU, however one can never be prepared for Saginaw’s 16th man in the stands. With out a doubt the most hostile environments in the the NCDA the Lakers players will have to deal with a home crowd on St Patty’s day that is just as hungry for a win over the Lakers as the players, and there isn’t a student at Saginaw that won’t instantly hate anything in a blue jersey that weekend. They key to this game will be how the unseasoned players of GVSU handle the vocal crowd of Saginaw, and if GVSU has improved on their game closing abilities. For Saginaw the plan remains the same, look to continue to dominate in the catching department and pick up key kills in the neutral zone while keeping their catches against numbers low. Fans and players should expect this to be a real barn burner with a single point as the likely deciding factor in this match.

Spencer Jardine
SVSU Captain and Nationals 2012 Coordinator

Grand Valley State Dodgeball’s Mark Trippiedi:

 

The Grand Valley State University Lakers will travel to Saginaw Valley on St. Patrick’s Day to add another chapter to the fiercest rivalry in the NCDA. This game has a lot riding on the line, as the winner will take over the #2 ranking in the nation, as well as the top spot in the MI region. The Lakers (10-1-1) are coming off a very frustrating showing at the Michigan Dodgeball Cup where for the first time in program history they lost multiple games at the MDC. The toughest of those losses being a 2-1 OT loss to SVSU in a back and forth game. The Cardinals came rip roaring out of the gate to take the 1st point then held off the Lakers surge before half, taking that 1-0 lead to half. The Lakers fought back after halftime winning the 1st point in the half and controlling the game for about 20 min of the 2nd half. One Cardinal player was able to hold out for about 5 min alone and force overtime. GVSU took a small lead in overtime to see the game slip away as SVSU came up with very timely kills and catches.

Win or lose this match up at SVSU will be important for the less experienced Lakers as they need to know what it is like playing at SVSU before the National tournament in April. SVSU has the loudest fans in the NCDA and those fans will be peppering the Lakers all game long.

The Lakers will look to get back on track with the veterans on the roster playing a big part in what they like to do. GVSU was not happy with some of the performances they showed at the MDC and come back looking for a small taste of revenge. After they had to watch SVSU hoist the MDC trophy for they first time in their club history.

The keys for the Lakers in this game will be simple they have to do a better job of moving their heads in the neutral zone as to not get pick off by cross throws, and the major issue being when they get SVSU on the ropes they need to finish the job to take home the W.

GVSU comes into this game as a rear underdog, having to rebound off the poor showing at the MDC, to play a very hot SVSU team with their crowd behind them. The most hostile environment in the NCDA really will get up for the game against GVSU as the Lakers will be hated simply because they are wearing blue. The Lakers look to give the SVSU faithful a real reason to hate them as they look to win what will be another close game between GVSU and SVSU.

Mark Trippiedi
GVSU Captain

BOTM: 2012 February

Kyle FitzPatrick – Kent #72

Kyle FitzPatrick with a capital P is a lovable mainstay of the NCDA. He has helped lead Kent State into a formidable force: the member team has:

  • Defended the top standings for a strong part of the season
  • Helped with a crucial east coast expansion
  • Won two NCDA tournaments, the first and second title wins in the team’s history
  • Holds a record breaking amount of season wins by a member team
  • Placed in the 1st seed for Nationals

U of Maryland – 3 Teams join the NCDA

Kent State Dodgeball’s Kyle FitzPatrick

5:30pm November 12th 2011. Fifteen Kent State students assemble in a parking lot preparing for a 6.5 hour drive to College Park, Maryland. It’s our 3rd tournament in 4 weeks and the roster is thin. Many of our usual players drop for a variety of reason: a lack of $$ due to the other tournaments, being overrun by projects and exams for school, and a flu like illness that eliminates some of our dependable players. Our Co Captain Ryan is on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury occurring at the MSU Invite. So we looked to some of our untested freshmen to step up and fill the much needed roster spots. We arrive at the hotel around 11:30 and cram all 15 members of our family into 2 smaller than average hotel rooms. As we warm up in the Armory (yes, the name of the building we played Dodgeball was the Armory, bad ass). A sense of nervousness, that subconscious the whole trip becomes very tangible. We are the only battle tested team in the tournament, but that didn’t necessarily mean we were the best. For all we knew we were walking into a slaughter from unknown east coast teams. It was the 1st tournament that I didn’t have any Intel going into the games. I didn’t know how the teams played, what numbers were gunners, who the catchers were, and tricky players to keep an eye on… nothing. It lead to a swirling combination of frustration and excitement.

Our 1st opponent of the day was James Madison University, They sported sleeveless (basketball style) Dodgeball jerseys, DePaul would have been proud. JMU was a very passionate team that never gave up in any of their matches. They seemed to change their strategy multiple times throughout a single point. Sometimes they would hang back making clutch catches, until they had 7-8 balls then they would storm forward and perform an all out team throw towards ½ the court. And other times they were right in your face coming at you no matter how many players stood against them. Hess, 69, backwards hat, and the Assistant captain (sorry I forgot most of the numbers) individually stood out, but the entire team played well. Especially considering it was their 1st match ever.

Towson University was next on the schedule. We lost the 1st point in about 3 minutes. These guys started the game like bats out of hell; I’m talking about some pedal to the metal Dodgeball! That first point was probably one of the most chaotic games I had ever played. Their entire team was relentlessly attacking from every direction. I don’t recall anyone on their team pinching, but afterwards some of us talked about how to develop throws and get used to pinching/gripping. They slowed down a little bit throughout the match. But a team with such a high paced playing style combined with the knowledge of the pinch could turn into a dangerous ambush style team.

University of Maryland was our last opponent of the day. When you line we lined up against this team there was a distinct feeling that they had done this before. They looked confident, most of them had a very athletic build, and their Jerseys (black with red) were rather reminiscent of SVSU’s. Again Kent lost the 1st point. This team had some real potential for individual talent, 00 and 4 had some serious hands, while 8, 20, Chris V all had rather impressive throws, although they were plagued by the inaccuracy of adapting to the pinch. After watching and playing against this team I got the feeling that they would quickly adapt and over a year or two come to thrive in the NCDA, mainly due to the athletic potential of their team.

These teams are 3 great additions to the NCDA, and as a born and raised Delawarean, I personally am very excited to see the potential rapid growth of the NCDA on the east coast. It was a great weekend, with many 1st’s. JMU, UMD, UMD JV, & TU all played in their 1st NCDA tournament. All (except UMD JV) got their 1st victory, as well as their 1st losses (but that’s part of the process). And Kent State won its 1st NCDA tournament. And due to the wins from the tournament it was the 1st time Kent has ever been ranked 1st in the NCDA. I’m proud of our team, as well as the NCDA for gaining three more teams that will continue to contribute and shape the NCDA of the future. We look forward to crossing paths with these teams again!

Kent State Co-Captain,
Kyle FitzPatrick

Season Preview 2012 – Round 2

Kent State Dodgeball’s Kyle FitzPatrick

Top 3 matches we want to play: DePaul, UK, OSU (T), BG (T)
Teams we haven’t seen in awhile: GVSU, MSU, Miami OH, UoL, WIU
Teams I have never played: MBI, UWP

1. How many players are returning for your team?
Kent is fortunate that nearly all of its players are returning. With the exception of the mighty King USSH. However several of our players have picked up additional obligations outside of Dodgeball. Resulting in some changes in leadership. Matt Klembara stepped down as Co Captain, a void now being filled by Ryan Menn. However our team is now mainly veterans so finding young blood is vital this year.

2. What strengths/weaknesses do you anticipate going into the season?
We have a very different style than most teams, and we have a core of veteran dodgeballers that have played together for years and some young players with raw talent. Some of our weakness is scheduling conflicts, different priorities in the game, and hangovers

3. What are the areas you’ll look to improve when scouting new players?
We plan on being more active in recruitment this year. And have already had 254 freshman sign a sheet of interest. We hope to find freshman that are more athletic than Kent players traditionally have been. But all new recruits must have the heart of a dodgeballer.

4. What are you goals for this season?
To play Dodgeball. Against fellow dodgeballers. In general see a better spirit to the game. Faceshots. Good times. Etc. Another goal is I want to see every game finished this year! Play out the last point. Whether we are down 1 game or 11 Kent will always play out the game, I hope every team will show us that respect as well.

5. Why should other teams be scared to play you?
We have plenty of raw talent on the court. Even without ball counting strategies and team throws we could pull some upsets.

6. Which teams would you like to play?
ELE means everybody love everybody. But EPE means everybody play everybody. We will play anyone. But since that is a generic answer here’s some more breakdown.

DePaul Dodgeball’s Brian Weinert

DePaul’s tournament showings last season found the Court Jesters contending with the league giants.  While maintaining undisputed Jesterdom, DePaul also showed that their antics and goofy shenanigans are not compensation for lack of skill, but rather the result of apathy towards their own more serious abilities.  In short, we saw that when the gloves come off DePaul holds their ground. Although the club lost many adored senior veterans, the new lineup of officers who took up the torch exemplify a bright future for the club, or at least one consistent with what is expected.  The new officers: President- Mick Cielesz; Vice to the President- Brian Weinert; Secretary-Troy Dixon; Treasurer- Brandon Polaskey.  The opening night turnout was good, and freshmen recruitment seems more promising than it has been in years.

Goals for the year are few but attainable.  DePaul plans to attend as many tournaments as logistically and financially possible, and to shape our Freshmen into dodgeball-wielding machines of inflated rubber death before the advent of the first tournament.  DePaul’s other goals remain congruous with their attitude: have more fun than anyone else in the league (all challengers welcome), remain undefeated (piece of cake), and regain possession of the fabled “Moustache Ball”.  EMU, we will have our Moustache Ball, make no mistake.  DePaul has the heavy task of making up for lost senior talent with freshmen recruits.  But, already judging by the new talent, which can only improve, the Court Jesters are looking forward to a great season of showing the rest of the league how to really play dodgeball.

With all due respect and friendly competitiveness,

– Brian Weinert, V.P. #24

Season Preview 2012 – Round 1

GVSU Laker Dodgeball’s Mark Trippiedi

A vast majority of the Laker roster in 2012 will be more or less the same as in 2011. GVSU graduated 4 seniors Jimmy Stokes, Caleb James, Jeff Olsen, and Greg Trippiedi from its 2nd place finish at nationals last season. In particular, losing previous captain Jimmy Stokes and Senior Caleb James is going to hurt. It’s hard to replace great players. With that said, GVSU does not enter 2011-12 hurting for throwing arms, athleticism, or roster depth. Pending a strong incoming freshman class, the complete turnover of Grand Valley State University’s Dodgeball Club from it’s first generation (2005-2010) to it’s second generation (2011-) has pretty much already occurred.

In 2011-12 team will be led by Sophomore Mark Trippiedi. Trippiedi will have the luxury and ability to lean heavily on seniors for additional guidance. The group of fourth years is all that remains in terms of starters from the last GVSU National Championship (09-10).

Many would think that Grand Valley will be down a little this year after the graduation of All 3 captains from last season as well as another senior. However the youth in the club from previous years has continued to gain experience as well as improve their skills. So with a talented group of juniors and sophomores, along with the National Championship winning experience of the 4th years. GV Dodgeball will not miss a beat and will expect to appear in the clubs 7th National Championship appearance, and compete for their shot at a 5th National Championship

MSU Dodgeball’s Sam Hiller

Coming off of back to back Final Four appearances, Michigan State has an even higher goal this season- winning a National Championship. The Spartans only lose one player, and are expecting to bring in another great Freshman class like they have the past few seasons. Sophomore Mike Van Ermen says “There is no reason with the talent we have returning that we shouldn’t be able to bring home the trophy.” MSU also brings back all six All-Stars. While former captains Ian Childs and Cameron Massmino will still be playing, a new group of captains will be leading the charge this year for State, Assistant Captains Andy Malnor and Andrew Koczara and Head Captain Sam Hiller.

Along with winning a National Championship this year, MSU has a few other goals. Among them are playing more games than they did last season (when they played 20 matches), winning the Michigan Dodgeball Cup, beating Central Michigan and Grand Valley State, and winning the MSU Invite for the second straight season. Van Ermen wants another shot at GVSU and CMU, saying “Not only are they the best teams in the league, they’re also a lot of fun to play and really respectable guys.” Juniors Alex Acton and Will Hack also want the Spartans to play some out of state schools. “I’ve been wanting to play OSU since I’ve joined but we haven’t had the chance yet. They’re a good team but we can definitely beat them. Overall it would be a good match for both teams” says Acton. Hack says “Everyone wants to play Depaul, they are supposed to be the most fun. I’d also like to play the far-away teams, like K-State and Nebraska.” Hack also thinks that “the NCDA is playing the highest level of dodgeball played” right now, which means that the 2011-2012 season has the potential to be the best yet.