Previewing Pink Out 2

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Courtesy of Nick Irhin [Akron]
It is only fair that we post this promo picture twice, and just like the poster, this should certainly be an exciting tournament.  There will be 7 teams representing 3 states in a tournament that could create major changes in the league rankings.  I will be taking a look at each team and going over some expectations and things to watch out for over the weekend. So with that being said, I’ll get started. Continue reading “Previewing Pink Out 2”

Investigating New Changes

As the saying goes, “if you’re not growing, you’re dying.”  This past offseason, there were 5 total rule/policy changes and 1 bylaw change, each of which with their own positives and negatives.  However, two of those changes have been both significant and controversial; Executive Board veto power on member team’s votes for rule changes, and the new “clean-blocking” rule change.  Since most teams have gotten a couple games under their belts we have been able to see the effect the blocking rule has had on games, and had a chance to form reasonable opinions about the change. Alternatively, the Executive Board veto power has only been used once thus far in order to pass the newest blocking proposal.  Either way, people around the league still have their opinions on the changes, and I had a chance to talk with some individuals from across the league about these changes.

Overall, views are mixed, but I want to start with some of the issues I have heard with these two new changes.  Continue reading “Investigating New Changes”

Pink Out 2: The Exchange Strikes Back

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Courtesy of Nick Irhin [Akron]
Akron holds a second Pink Out and I would love for this to continue as tradition. They’re in a great geographical position. But even more, Akron has some positive vibes to bring in some great competitors. For this event, we see three out of state teams and all these matches have good values on the Gonzalez exchange. The average rating gap is just 4.417, so our competitors have some great matches ahead of them this weekend.  Continue reading “Pink Out 2: The Exchange Strikes Back”

Players to Watch – Michigan Region

I went to my first tournament as an alumnus this past weekend as Grand Valley hosted all four Michigan schools. It was quite an odd feeling watching my old team play without being out there with them, and especially hard when MSU vs CMU went to overtime. But regardless, I enjoyed myself and was able to watch a tournament from a new perspective. Here are four standouts, one from each school, who are some lesser known players on their respective teams.

Continue reading “Players to Watch – Michigan Region”

Kentucky Preview

Y’all. Now that you know you aren’t in Michigan, here is a look into the south. With a long-standing friendly rivalry, UK and WKU are both set to have a standout year. By spring, that rivalry will grow with the return of University of Louisville.

It should be noted that UK and WKU have played in a double header this year; the first ending in OT in WKU’s favor and the second ended in regulation with UK on top. Continue reading “Kentucky Preview”

Grand Valley State Gauntlet IV

Grand Valley State Gauntlet IV
Preview and Predictions
Attending Teams: GV, SV, MSU, and CMU

Grand Valley

gv The Lakers have been everything as expected with a four time defending national champion. Led by Captain Brandon Meisel and the presence of Aaron Terenzi the Lakers have jumped out to a 3-1 record. Their lone loss coming to MSU in their first game. This season was looking to be a different story than in years past for the Lakers after they dropped the opener. Since then they have not only won but dominated.  Continue reading “Grand Valley State Gauntlet IV”

Party on Fifth Avenue Recap

By Nate Sexauer, Assistant Captain of Ohio University

In an ambitious move for a first-year NCDA team, Pitt kicked off its legacy with a home tournament, something few league teams can claim to have done. Welcoming them into the fold on a brisk October afternoon were Kent State, Akron, and Ohio University. How did each team do? Let’s take a quick look.

Why not start with the hosts? For a freshly minted team, Pitt made their lofty ambitions known. While they only garnered one point from the affair (coming against Akron), they flashed sparks of great potential.  Led by Katie Milliken, who deserves high praise for organizing both a team and a tournament in time for the start of the season, the team showed off a lot of very strong arms and extremely agile players. Of course, Pitt still suffered from pure lack of experience, something Ohio can relate to. That is something that can be obtained solely through time and travel, however. The raw talent is definitely there, so look for Pitt to make an impression early and often.  Continue reading “Party on Fifth Avenue Recap”

Standings as of 2016-10-03

Towson records team record. Towson adds 2.172 to their rating with their three wins at VCU this weekend. They climb to 46.620 and can claim an all time high rating for the team. They are now 6-0 over their two events this season, with the best record in college dodgeball this season, and can claim the #4 spot in the Gonzalez Standings.

The Lower Septenary Teams. There is a competitive and better half of the league that is worth paying attention to. Pitt enters the League standings with a 36.057 rating and #23 placement, and UMD drops to #18 after losing 0.956 after going 0-3 this weekend. This places the two teams into a very competitive bracket that ranges from #18-24. Only 3.873 separates the lowest and highest ratings here, or some 4 quality wins. As long as these teams aren’t playing a team greater than #9, I’d expect to see these ratings shuffle over the season. Very easy to bust out. Akron has already done so, climbing into #13 from #17 last week.  Continue reading “Standings as of 2016-10-03”

NCDA 6v6 Recruitment Division – Series 1: UWP

The National Collegiate Dodgeball Association, alongside partners from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Dodgeball Club, will be hosting this inaugural event which will be the first of four in this series of 6v6 pinch rubber collegiate dodgeball tournaments this year.

The purpose of the 6v6 division of the NCDA is to act as a recruitment campaign geared at sparking the interest of students at universities closer to our geographically disadvantaged Member Teams in an effort to expand the reach of the NCDA.

Facebook Event
The 6v6 NCDA Rulebook
Continue reading “NCDA 6v6 Recruitment Division – Series 1: UWP”

Final on Clean Blocking Rule

Good people, after many conversations with multiple people and the rest of the Executive Board, we have reached a final interpretation of the Clean Blocking rule.

As it might appear in the Rulebook

1. Blocking – A Target can use a dodgeball to block any direct throw. However, the blocking dodgeball(s) must remain secure after being hit, and the ricochet must not hit the blocking Target’s body.

1.1 Knockout – If a blocking ball becomes dislodged, the Target must regain possession before the dislodged ball becomes dead. Failure results in a Loss of Possession [3.4.3.1] and the Target is ruled out.

1.2 Dirty Block – If the ricochet hits the blocking Target, a catch must be made on the ricochet before the ball becomes dead. Failure will result in the Target being ruled out.

1.2.1 Block Assisted Personal Catch – If the blocking Target catches the ricochet, it counts as a Personal Catch (new phrase for a Direct Catch). A player from the Target’s jail comes back into play. The Thrower is out.
Note: The play must be isolated to the blocking Target. Once the ricochet hits a teammate, it is only eligible for a Team Catch.
1.2.2 Block Assisted Team Catch – If a teammate of the Target catches the ricocheted ball before it becomes dead, it is deemed a Block Assisted Team Catch. A player from the Target’s jail comes back into play. Neither the Target nor the Thrower are out.  Continue reading “Final on Clean Blocking Rule”