“We didn’t know this was an open event. We always thought ‘XTrials STATE Team Tournament’ meant it was only for Virginia pitchers!” Once Bobby Burke said that to us, the lights went off in our heads. Kevin & I started talking to our frequent WV and MD pitchers to see if they’d be interested in trying out this format – and try it they did!!

With the influx of those pitchers, we ended up with a full 12 teams – the maximum we can handle in one flight on twelve courts. The interest this year was so great, sadly we had to tell some people we were full and couldn’t take any more registrations. We thank all the participants for a really fun day of pitching.

With a maximum cap of 150% for the teams, we had a range of 149.02% (Cowan Crushers) to 105.26% (Ringer Revengers). We split the teams into two groups of six, white group and yellow group, and set them pitching 6 man round robins.

As we explained the strategy of pitting team members against each other to the team captains, you could actually see the excitement growing. The pitchers mixed and mingled checking out the competition, and examining the stats printed on each other’s nametags. The team teeshirts were gladly accepted, and made a colorful assembly in the pavilion and on the courts.

After a brief delay waiting for late arrivals, Kevin explained the rules, answered questions for the pitchers, and they were on the courts shortly after 10:30. The weather was perfect for pitching horseshoes – around 74, with overcast skies, slight breeze, and the sun breaking through every now and then, just enough to remind people that real summer weather is right around the corner.

We had several people that had never pitched on the Stuarts Draft courts. One, newcomer Richard Brown from Richmond, must have felt right at home. He opened his day pitching a 65% game, and went on to end the day a full 25% over his entering percentage, at 45.

Ronnie Walker takes the prize for High Game. He pitched two 85% games, and ended the day with overall average of 69%. Tamara Burke and Hearl Kelly each threw 80% games. Tamara’s on her first game of the day, Hearl’s on his last.

There were five rounds of play scheduled. In the first group, at the end of the third game, Ruther Glen Rampage and Walkin’ On were tied for first place, and Winchester Whompers were in third. At the end of the fourth game, Ruther Glen Rampage was ahead of Walkin’ On by ½ game, and Winchester Whompers were still in 3rd place. That fifth and final game changed everything – the Ruther Glen Rampage fell apart, losing 3 out of 4 games, Winchester Whompers won all of their’s, and Walkin’ On had 2-2. The ranking shifted right there, ending with Winchester Whompers 1st place, Walkin’On in 2nd, and Ruther Glen Rampage in 3rd.

In the second group of teams, there was no flip flop of the ranking. EmDee Mashers took the lead in Wins/Losses by the end of the 3rd game, and they stayed on top for the finish.

This set up the grand finale – the Championship pitch off for first and second place. The winner of the first group against the winner of the second group – 2005 defending Champions Winchester Whompers vs. newcomers this year – EmDee Mashers !! The players gave it their all, the spectators lined the courts, watching the sudden death showdown. When the dust settled, the Winchester Whompers won the Tournament Champion title for the second year running, overcoming EmDee Mashers 2.5 to 1.5 wins.

The Whompers cheered and said “we’ll be back to defend this title again next year !!” It was a great finish for a great day.

As the pitchers packed up to head home, they were still comparing notes about the games, the teams, the strategy. Several are already planning to get their teams together for a rematch next year. Team pitching is certainly a “different” format, it’s pitching singles with a twist, by the addition of picking, or being assigned, your opponents.

We look forward to next year’s event, and encouraged everyone to sign up early. With the interest expressed this year, we’re hoping that next year’s XTrials will be 16, or even more teams. Anticipating that, we’ve already approached Winchester about the possibility of using their courts to hold the event. AND we’re taking the word “State” out of the name for the event – going forward this is the XTrials Team Tournament, and we’re letting everyone know – THIS IS AN OPEN EVENT – BRING ‘EM ON!! Anyone, any state. This is a really fun event !!

Hearty thanks are extended to Jessicca and Pam Mastko, and Sue Guyer who pitched in to feed the crowd, keep score, take pictures, help organize. Also to Kevin, who struggled with a new twist of his own, using HS Master to run this team event. He & it finally came to understand each other, and things went smoothly after all.