Tied for Fourth

League standings have been updated.

Still Regular

First off, there's been no updating of the league standings, so I can't tell you where we are. As we pulled off another 3-2 victory, we're probably somewhere in the middle — again.

Last Monday, we faced off against the filthy English. Excuse me — that should be the Filthy English.

Morgen Peck started off the night for the Heavy Flow Cactus Wranglers, but fell in defeat. Max Ernst was up next, but was unable to best his opponent. But Tim Malloy stepped up and defeated his opponent in six straight games. After that, it was Kevin Tran, polishing off a two (but a very good one) 3-2. Nina Amster then finished off the evening by spotting her opponent a one-game lead in a 4-2 race. But Nina pulled off four consecutive wins to seal the victory.

Next Monday, we're back in the East Village, playing Bad for the Balls at the Edge. See you then.

We Are Nothing If Not Regular

By my calculations, there has only been one match in this season or last where we did not win two or three games. (I believe that in the final match of last season, we one game — that was our last forfeit as well.) We continued this trend last week, with a poor showing against the Shamrock Rovers, losing 2-3.

There are three pieces of good news. First off, we have a new player, John Cullen, who put on a pretty good pool clinic in the first match of the evening, winning 5-1. And Kevin Tran won his match in three straight games to end the evening. The middle of the night? Not so much. But even with this loss, we should find ourselves in the middle of the league standings. Again.

In related news, we finally came up with a team name, and it's a winner: McSwiggan's Cactus Wranglers Comma If You Know What I Mean. Tim (or Tin, as he is listed in my iPhone) reports that Stuart is now saying our name is too long. At first, I though Stuart said our name was Too Long, which is kind of cool, but I prefer the Cactus Wranglers. I recommended our name, for league purposes, be McSwiggan's CWCIYKWIM. Bonus points to anyone who can pronounce that.

Here's a first draft of the logo.

I'm also working on the back of the shirt, which include the logos of our sponsors. So far I've received commitments from Danny's Towing, the Beth Israel Methadone Clinic on Ave A., Taco Morelos, the New York State Lottery, Chico's Bail Bonds, Missing Foundation, Skynet and Nike.

Almost finally, I'm thinking of organizing a fantasy pool league. In fact, it's kind of been a fantasy of mine.

<crickets>

It would work pretty much like any fantasy league, where we would each have our own teams and would draft players from other teams in our league (as well as our own). I'm thinking a $10 buy-in, with the winner taking 66% and second place taking 33%. Basically, I don't think there's enough gambling in this league, what with it being banned and all. (It's actually rule #1). So there.

Finally, we're on the road this week, heading over to the Parkside Lounge to play Filthy English. Oddly, there are no parks nearby.

Please take the time to pay your dues to the APA, and please bring money on Monday so we can square up on the first payment for table fees.

Fourth Place

See you tonight.

Ever Listen to K-Billy's Super Sounds of the 70's?

It's my personal favorite.

All of which is a long-winded way to say that the pool gods were with us, we cobbled together a win and we're stuck in the middle of pool league standings ... with you.

Your humble narrator started off the evening with a cunning display of lousy pool, but somehow managed to scrape together a win (in consecutive games, no less). Sam "Enchanted Evening" Hubball fought above her metaphoric and literal weight class, squaring off gamely against a 3 before succumbing. Tim Malloy looked like he was back on his game, polishing off his formidable opponent 5-1. Captain Trantastic started off strongly, but his opponent fought back admirably and eventually prevailed. Finally, Nina "Pinta and the Santa Maria*" Amster squared off against a 5, and pushed the match to a sixth and deciding game. The decision was "boo-yah, motherfucker" as Amster sank the 8 on the break, and won the night for McSwiggan's!

And the gods were happy.

In related news, I've sent Stuart all the info he needs to open up accounts for us.

* It is really hard to come up with puns for Nina's name. Any help would be appreciated.

Division Standings

Forget what I said in the last post; we're not in second place. We're in sixth. Shhh.

See you on Monday. Get your game faces on.

Tim Malloy, from a few years back.

And We're Tied for Second!

The winter season of APA kicked off last night, and we have a new member to show for it. Everybody, let's give a big McSwiggan's One welcome to ... Nina ... Amster!

And while it was a delight to see everyone's shiny faces again, there was also a pool game to be played, against the mongrel hordes known as Oh, Joe, Don't Coach. Kevin was "Trantastic," and even started his match on time — a first for our team! He won his match in three straight games, and also executed one of the more imaginative scratch shots in league play, which looked a little something like this.

Nina was ... Amster-dam good in her first foray for the McSwiggers.

Amsterdam. Really.

She, too, capably dismissed her opponent in straight games, but failed to scratch imaginatively. After that, things went a little sideways. On the other hand, we're only one game out of first.

Morgan did bring a lovely bûche de Noël, and Kevin agreed to ascend to the captaincy of our noble band of ball-whacking warriors. I have agreed to take over the thankless position of treasurer, with the proviso that I can be mean about it.

Here, by the way, is the scoresheet from Monday's game. I e-mailed a copy to Stuart earlier.

Next Monday, we're home at McSwiggan's and will be squaring off against the duplicitous denizens of Double Down. Bring your shivs.