With only 9 people signed up, the spread in team percentage was too wide to allow normal seeding of classes. Trying this format, I asked those that did sign up if they would allow me to adjust and make the teams as even as possible. They all agreed! And I appreciate that they were willing to even try the team format. The top pitcher - Amy Hall, was seeded with the two bottom pitchers - Randy and Pam. The next-top pitcher - Ricky Hall, was seeded with the next-two-up-bottom pitchers - Terry and James. The third-highest-top-pitcher, Cindy Jones, was seeded with the middle-two-average pitchers - Johnny Monarchy and Kevin (myself).

The first round was a little rocky as everyone was trying to figure out just what was going on. Ricky and Cindy's team was first up. After a bit of discussion as to how to figure out who was playing who, the pitchers began to understand that they are pitching as a team. By the second round they all had it figured out. 

The second round, Amy's team met Ricky's team. Amy won the toss. As Captain, she assigned herself against Ricky, set Pam 2% against James, her husband, 11%, and Randy 2% against Terry 12%. Going into the series, it looked like Amy's team might take 1 win…buuuut…the game's not over 'til the last shoe is thrown. In a stunning upset Amy and teammates won all their games! A real upset that gave them the strength to keep fighting on, and also gave them some big bragging rights.

In the 3rd round, it was Cindy's team against Amy's. Cindy won the toss and pitted me against Amy, Cindy herself vs. Randy, Pam vs. Johnny. I was a bit nervous pitching Amy but I did give it my best and even prolonged the game in the final shoes by covering her ringer. I am very proud to say I scored 4 points against her. It was a lot of fun pitching her. A rare opportunity I will always cherish.

At the end of the 4th round, the team totals were really tight. The 5th round commenced, and it was anybody's game at that point.    The wins/losses accumulated….

Going in to the 6th round Cindy, Johnny and myself had the bye. If Amy's team won all their games (like they did earlier) they would win the tournament. If they lost JUST ONE it would force a playoff for 1st. Losing 2 games they would finish 3rd. Their luck petered out, the team members just ran out of steam.

Amy and Rick, on the other hand, were neck and neck going through their final game. At 48 shoes they were tied. Ricky had pitched first and had 1 on, and one in the mud. Amy saw the opportunity and landed a six pac, winning the game!

After playing 6 games eachm the event boiled down to that one pivotal game between Ric and Amy. Definitely a very exciting finish to the day. 

When all was said and done, everybody that attended said that was a lot of fun, we need to do it again.  They all realized this was a TEAM EFFORT that they were after. This format has a lot of potential, and with a little bit more participation from others, it could be a very large and  fun event.

Yes, the wind that day was relentless! I guess that's why they call it the DRAFT!