Kelly's League Playoffs Round One: Expectations

On Monday night our American Baseball darts team started the playoffs as the top seed and a favorite to go through in Kelly's in-house league in Neptune, NJ. Of course the handicap system evens the playing field considerably and we would be giving up 25 marks to our opponents in each game in the best of five team match format. It was still anyone's game.

We started out hot and won the first game. John and I beat our averages by about eight points each, more than compensating for Tom, who was a bit off form early on. In the second game we broke it open with a monster 30 mark round (Two 8 marks, Two 7 marks), the best of our season, and went on the win that game as well.

Meanwhile, between turns, we watched the NCAA Mens College Basketball Final. Little Butler College, a Cinderella story, was up against the mighty Duke Blue Devils. The plucky Butler Bulldogs stood firm and matched Duke throughout the first half. We looked forward to wrapping up our dart match in the third game so we could enjoy the rest of the basketball game on TV.

The momentum shifted. Our steady scoring fell apart in the third game, and our opponents found their stride. Before we knew it, the game was over and we lost. No worries. We still had a 2-1 lead on the match. We were determined to wrap it up in the next game. Meanwhile, we watched the Butler Bulldogs relentlessly keep pace with Duke's powerful squad. You could almost feel the anticipation of an upset in the air.

We focused on the darts and collectively shot a respectable 157 marks the next game. Only problem, it was not enough. Our opponents shot out of their skins and produced a 162 mark performance, about 30 marks better than their previous efforts. The match was now tied 2 games to 2. The next game would decide the match, and the losers' season would be done. They were pumped up, shouting with each good shot. We grimly looked on.

At the same time, Butler and Duke went into the latter part of the second half in an epic see-saw battle in which the lead frequently changed hands.

It was getting late, after 11 p.m. We flogged our waning concentration and attention for a final effort. Despite our best intentions, we could only produce an average team performance that game. John and I shot a little below average, while Tom and Dave shot a little above. The only difference was that our opponents missed some key shots towards the end, allowing us a win.

We paused that last game a few times so we could watch the basketball game. Butler had two final shots in the last minute to win. Both shots missed by narrow margins, crashing off the rim and bouncing out. On winning our game, we breathed a sigh of relief not unlike that of Mike Krzyzewski, Duke's coach.

Keeping up with expectations is never easy. Sometimes you are glad just to grind it out and get through. I wonder what that is like for the very top players, like Phil Taylor, when expectations are always sky high. Not easy, I am sure.

Man of the match goes to Dave, whose steady performance anchored us. John hit a big 9 mark shot and deserves honorable mention. We play again next Monday for a spot in the playoff finals.