2007 National RBI Tournament!!

[fightonusc]

To get ready for the tournament, I'm going to go on The Clear.

(There isn't any drug testing, is there?)

[JoeDirt]

There is, but we will tell you months in advance when you are to be tested.  Also, we won't disclose any results if it's your first, second, third, or fourth offense.  That wouldn't be fair.

[JoeDirt]

Hey guys...for those of you kicking the idea of attending the tourney (and there are a lot of you)--we have 11 solid attendees so far.  We also have probably 10-12 people who are solid "possiblies," and about 5 or so "doubtful but not being ruled out" members.

The tournament will have 16 total people.

Once the website is constructed and everything is finalized, people will be asked to send in their entry fee as a holder of their tourney...

So if you are thinking about joining, please (do!) be prepared to make a decision in the next few weeks--while there are still openings!

[JoeDirt]

ps...when the time comes, I will accept paypal as a method of payment--hopefully that will make people more comfortable that their payment will be "insured."

[Berenguer4Prez]

I am interested in representing the NYC ballers.  What is the date of the tournament?  Only 1 starting pitcher per game, right?

[Gantry]

Joe:

If the interest is heavy enough, would you be willing to go $75 per team and 32 players?  Is is that too big of a logistical challenge?

Also, if you have over a solid 16, I'd gladly give up my spot and still attend...

[TbT]

Just a quick question here.........

Can u use both starting pitchers in any game, or are u only allowed to use just 1?

[ultimate7]

At the COTUT they play that you can use 2 starters.

[JoeDirt]

Sorry for the delayed response, guys...just finished a 24 hour stretch without power in our neighborhood...oh, did I mention that the temperature is below 0 (not wind factor--actually below 0)...man DID THAT SUCK!  

Anyway, Gantry--if we can get 32 people to join the tourney, then hell yeah we'd go with it.  If we get this much interest, I'll figure out a way to get the entire tourney done in one weekend...

Tecmoterrorist--we're going to use rules similar to the COTUT--all pitchers can be used.  For those of you who are strict 1 SP/game players, please know that Riley and I played ONLY 1 SP for 15 years...and then because of the COTUT rules, we switched to 2 SP to get in "game shape" for the tourney.  We both now prefer 2 SP...give it a try.  It changes the game because now a team like SF can compete.  With 1 SP, pitching is a problem bc Krukow and Big Daddy don't last long enough...

Berenguer--The tourney date is the weekend of June 25.

All--there will be a website for this tourney soon.  Defen is awesome enough to be willing to put it together once I get all the info to him.  THANKS DEFEN!!!!

[JoeDirt]

update....not that anybody cares ('cept Ryno, he's a caring MFer), but our power came back on (when I posted above)...but then, when my family came over to my house Christmas evening to exchange gifts, power went back off.  

Try exchanging gifts with your entire family by flashlight sometime...boy does it suck Rynos.

However, at least we're better off than my folks.  They have two houses (one for sale)--BOTH without power on DAY FIVE now.  Needless to say (then why say it), they're staying with the wife and me...

[Ryno23]

I care.

Not much, but I care.

[fknmclane]

What the shit is going on Columbus that the fucking power has been off for five days?  Is it safe to say FUCK THE WEATHER?  That sucks balls JoeD.

In other news, I played my first ever game of curve the other night and I run-ruled my brother 17-7, Na vs Dt.  I'd say I got pretty lucky, though.  Nando was extremely tired after the third, a product of me throwing 7 (yup, 7) straight changeups to get out of a jam.  My brother couldn't get any lift on Nando's weak ass shit and I pounded Doyle into submission. Dee nee!

[JoeDirt]

Sounds awesome, McLane.  'nando isn't the easiest of pitchers to use when playing curve--it's very easy for the hitter to keep the bat on his shoulder and watch the ball curve everywhere but over the plate...but once you get used to using 'nando in curve, he can be lights out.

[ultimate7]

I played my first ever game of curve the other night and I run-ruled my brother 17-7, Na vs Dt.  I'd say I got pretty lucky, though.  Nando was extremely tired after the third, a product of me throwing 7 (yup, 7) straight changeups to get out of a jam.  My brother couldn't get any lift on Nando's weak ass shit and I pounded Doyle into submission. Dee nee!

I'm gonna warn you now, get out of the habit of throwing hittable pitches.  It was one of the things that killed me (transitioning from 1 SP) I would do good for a while, then lose just at a bad moment throw a hittable pitch.  Giving up 7 runs to Detroit is not terrible, but will be too many.  Pitch on the outside corner for 80% of the pitches (barely a strike or barely a ball)  bring pitches inside just once in a while for suprise factor, use your knuckleball on 2 strike pitches to get the K.

[JoeDirt]

Pitch on the outside corner for 80% of the pitches (barely a strike or barely a ball)  bring pitches inside just once in a while for suprise factor, use your knuckleball on 2 strike pitches to get the K.

Isn't that considered "cheating?"  

[fknmclane]

It's going to be very, very difficult for me to get out of the habit of throwing strikes.  Even in my "curve" game I kept bringing balls over the plate.

But if 80% of the pitches are balls, why bother swinging.  The opponent has to throw strike sometime, right?  Why not let him put the ball in play and let superior defense keep the game close?

This is the strategy I'm thinking of.  Let me know if it's completely asinine.

[JoeDirt]

I agree--you cannot throw 80% balls...especially since most people really try to take a lot of pitches to wear pitchers down.

You have to throw mostly strikes--but not right over the plate.  "tough to hit" kinda strikes...

[ultimate7]

I'm not saying 80% balls, I'm saying 80% right on the outside black, close to ball or strike.

[JoeDirt]

Pitch on the outside corner for 80% of the pitches (barely a ball)  bring pitches inside just once in a while for suprise factor, use your knuckleball on 2 strike pitches to get the K.

What now, MFer?  

[ultimate7]

Should have read barely a ball or a strike

EDIT:

Joe- I didn't realize you had edited my quote, I should have known, a cheater like you.