Tom, Dave, John and I won a hard-fought 3-1 victory in the Kelly's Playoff Finals Saturday afternoon in Neptune, NJ. We were up against Doyle's team, which beat us once in the regular season, and we knew we would have to throw our best to make up the seventeen marks that we would give up each game in the best of five match.
We got off to a great start in the first game, with all of us shooting a few marks above average. Still, it came down to a big ninth inning that put the game just out of reach by a four mark margin.
The second game was one of the best of the season. EVERYONE on both teams was hitting well, but Doyle's team was especially hot. Their high scoring made it difficult for us to make headway against the handicap, and they managed to survive our late surge in the eighth and ninth innings. We never like to lose, but it was one of those games where you had to acknowledge that everyone shot well and they deserved the win. We put in a team score of 154 marks, nine marks above our average, and still lost.
The third game proved to be pivotal. At first we thought we were cursed. You know the story, bad deflections, good darts falling out of the board, many shots just outside the wire. Tom, Dave, and John eventually got out of their funk, but I shot an awful nine marks under my average. Nevertheless, they covered me with a huge eighth and ninth inning that brought us back from the dead. With Doyle's team left to shoot in the ninth, they needed about 12 marks, if memory serves. This was the crucial inning.
Their opening shooters hit well, leaving Doyle, their final shooter, only needing two marks to tie and three to win. At that point, we figured it a likely loss, since Doyle lead the league averages and had shot brilliantly all season. I figured the odds of him not getting three marks were, at best, 1 in 10. Doyle lined up the first shot, and it flew high, just outside the triple wire. His second shot fell low, just under the single. You could have heard a pin drop as he launched his third dart straight into the red double. Their team breathed a sigh of relief, as Doyle's two mark at least tied the score of the third game. The four of us looked at each other in surprise at the unexpected opportunity. This game would go to the tenth inning to decide the winner, with us to throw first.
It's an interesting emotional roller coaster ride to go from resignation of a likely defeat, to hope, to confidence of a win, but that is exactly what happened. Despite my dismal performance earlier in the game, I hit a huge seven mark in the deciding tenth inning. Tom, Dave, and John also obliged for an untouchable 25 mark team performance in the tenth. Doyle's team was not able to match it, and we won the game for a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth game, my confidence was a bit restored. I managed a slightly over average performance. Dave, John, and especially Tom were hot. Doyle's team shot well, but just a bit under their previous level. It was enough for us to take the game and the victory by a 3 games to 1 margin. Man of the match has to go to Tom, who was hot after the first game.
What a great season! The team won the playoffs and the regular season. Tom shared honors for high game in the league (56 marks). Dave got high series. Doyle had the high average for the season. As for myself, I learned how to play a new dart game. Great thanks to Laser, who runs the league, and to Kelly's for showing a lot of dart players a really good time. I look forward to next season.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Kelly's League Playoff Semi-Finals, Another Close Call!
This past Monday night we played a close fought semi-final match in the Kelly's American Baseball Darts in-house league. This time we played a team with some new players, and faced a daunting 42 point handicap in each game of the best of five series.
In the first game Dave and I could not find the mark and we each finished several points under our averages. This lead to a dismal 135 point team performance, which was not enough for the win. This was a wake-up call, and everyone picked up their performance for the second game. Both John and I ramped up our game substantially, each finishing 8 points over our average, while Tom and Dave shot decent games as well. We took the second game, leaving the match tied at 1-1.
I felt unstoppable in the third game. I had tight groups on the doubles, and ended up with a nice 47 point game. Everyone was shooting well and we won the game with a comfortable margin to hold a 2 games to 1 advantage. One more win and we would make the finals!
Our opponents were not willing to lay down. Their first two players picked their games up, challenging John and I, who typically lead off for our squad. While we still were focused, we were plagued with a series of unlucky shots that game. For instance, the first dart would be dead-on in the middle of the double, while the next two would deflect off the flight just enough to go outside the wire into the non-scoring area by a hair's breadth. It was enough to tilt the balance in our opponent's favor, and we found ourselves yet again tied at 2-2, playing a final game for the match.
I was struggling to keep focused by that point and noticed that I was having difficulty keeping my groups of darts tight on the target. In what seemed a repeat of last week, we turned in a solid but not spectacular performance, and the our opponents' game dropped off a bit, allowing us the win. I was a few points under average that game, while the rest of the gang shot a bit better. It was enough.
We play the final playoff match at Kelly's on Saturday, starting at 12:30. Darts at lunch time. Wish us good luck!
In the first game Dave and I could not find the mark and we each finished several points under our averages. This lead to a dismal 135 point team performance, which was not enough for the win. This was a wake-up call, and everyone picked up their performance for the second game. Both John and I ramped up our game substantially, each finishing 8 points over our average, while Tom and Dave shot decent games as well. We took the second game, leaving the match tied at 1-1.
I felt unstoppable in the third game. I had tight groups on the doubles, and ended up with a nice 47 point game. Everyone was shooting well and we won the game with a comfortable margin to hold a 2 games to 1 advantage. One more win and we would make the finals!
Our opponents were not willing to lay down. Their first two players picked their games up, challenging John and I, who typically lead off for our squad. While we still were focused, we were plagued with a series of unlucky shots that game. For instance, the first dart would be dead-on in the middle of the double, while the next two would deflect off the flight just enough to go outside the wire into the non-scoring area by a hair's breadth. It was enough to tilt the balance in our opponent's favor, and we found ourselves yet again tied at 2-2, playing a final game for the match.
I was struggling to keep focused by that point and noticed that I was having difficulty keeping my groups of darts tight on the target. In what seemed a repeat of last week, we turned in a solid but not spectacular performance, and the our opponents' game dropped off a bit, allowing us the win. I was a few points under average that game, while the rest of the gang shot a bit better. It was enough.
We play the final playoff match at Kelly's on Saturday, starting at 12:30. Darts at lunch time. Wish us good luck!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Darts for Dreams Does it Again!
Congratulations and a big New Jersey Darts tip of the hat to Gary Yourman and the gang at the Greater Trenton English Dart League for doing an incredible job at the Darts for Dreams charity event in Hamilton, NJ on Saturday, April 10, 2010. Gary reported a preliminary figure of appx. $18,300.00 raised for the NJ Make A Wish Foundation, and still counting. Gary promised to give a recap soon, and I will certainly post it.
I took the family out for a great day of darts. Oliver was proud to beat his record with 490 points in 51 darts (not bad for an 8 year old). I tried a round with my widdies and my steel tip darts, and shot better with the widdies, somewhere between 1100 and 1200 points. I even got Margaret to keep score for me :) More importantly, we raised big money for kids with disabilities, enough to sponsor several wishes. Who says a bunch of dart players can't make a difference!
Gary reports that Paul Seladones and Christina Williams had men's and women's high scores, and the Quaker City English Dart League won the team event. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who participated and helped make the event possible.
I took the family out for a great day of darts. Oliver was proud to beat his record with 490 points in 51 darts (not bad for an 8 year old). I tried a round with my widdies and my steel tip darts, and shot better with the widdies, somewhere between 1100 and 1200 points. I even got Margaret to keep score for me :) More importantly, we raised big money for kids with disabilities, enough to sponsor several wishes. Who says a bunch of dart players can't make a difference!
Gary reports that Paul Seladones and Christina Williams had men's and women's high scores, and the Quaker City English Dart League won the team event. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who participated and helped make the event possible.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Darts for Dreams Charity Event in Hamilton, NJ Today
New Jersey area darters should get out to the Dart for Dreams Charity event today! The event lasts between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and allows us to throw darts and support NJ Make a Wish Foundation.
The event is at the VFW Post in Hamilton New Jersey. It is tricky to find because Mapquest does not always find it and nobody I could find on the web seems to provide directions. Click on this link for a map showing the location. I will be there around 1 p.m. and hope to see you there!
The event is at the VFW Post in Hamilton New Jersey. It is tricky to find because Mapquest does not always find it and nobody I could find on the web seems to provide directions. Click on this link for a map showing the location. I will be there around 1 p.m. and hope to see you there!
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
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.
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.
Kelly's League Update
Work got the better of me and I have not been able to post in awhile. To catch you up, our Monday night American Baseball Darts team at Kelly's in Neptune, NJ got hot and we won the regular season. We are now in the playoffs, and my next post will give you an account. Two more rounds and we win!
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