|
|
|
||
Attendance was good and all three of the outdoor courts eventually saw action on New Year's Day at the 7th Annual BlueBall 3-Wall Tournament. But the event very nearly didn't happen -- as "the ball controversy" raged again. |
|
The BlueBall was held at noon on January 1st at the 3-wall courts at Veterans' Park in Green Township. This year, the weather cooperated with temperatures in the mid-40's, no rain or snow and a partly sunny sky. And, as is his custom, Bob Burkitt tried to launch the tournament by snickering that the green "ROC" ball would again be the official ball of the BlueBall Tournament. |
 The "ROC" |
 Gerry Shaughnessy, Ralph Weil, Marion Kilstedt and Bob Burkitt chose the green ROC ball |
Burkitt and a group of players quickly headed for Court One, green ball in hand, to kick-off the event. |
| "Not so fast there, Mr. Burkitt!" Will Straw objected. "We conducted a 'Straw Poll' on the way here, and the 'will of the people' is that Big Blue become the official ball." |
 Johnathan, Spencer and Chandler Straw stand united behind "Big Blue" |
 Will Straw lobbies for "Big Blue" |
"Besides," Straw continued, "I found these really big cans of 'Big Blue' beer and I think there's a sponsorship opportunity here. And -- sponsor or not -- it's a beer opportunity." The Straws headed to Court Three with Big Blue in hand, thinking that they would begin the tournament. |
"I veto both decisions!" yelled George Lehocky. Lehocky then invoked his Presidential veto power, and declared that none other than the USHA Blue Ace is the official ball of any and all GCHA-sanctioned tournament. |
 Lehocky lobbies with Greg Fite to win support for the USHA Blue Ace |
 Lehocky won Steve Kehoe and Skip Dixon's support by plying them with beer and cookies |
Lehocky lobbied hard, giving players free beer and left-over Christmas cookies. George managed to win the support of Steve Kehoe, Skip Dixon and Greg Fite who headed off to Court Two with the Red Ace. |
| Three balls, and three groups of equally-determined players. In a standoff, the three angry groups gathered on the apron, stalking one another like mortal enemies getting ready for combat. And no one would give in. It was a three-way standoff that threatened to destroy not only the 2006 BlueBall tournament, but the entire 2006 3-wall season. Like a Christmas with no Santa Claus. An Easter with no Bunny. A Fourth of July with no flag. But then, when all seemed bleakest, a voice was heard to cry out over the arguing -- "Can't we all just get along?" Where did it come from? Whose was that voice? Again, "Can't we
all just get along?" Was it Rodney King? |
|
No, none of them. Turns out that the "voice of reason" belonged to event photographer Jim Krailler. "Surely," he addressed the angry mob, "you all realize that 3-wall with ANY ball is better than 4-wall." Suddenly, the stalking stopped and the anger melted away, replaced by the spirit of the New Year and the dawning of the 2006 3-wall season. The three groups shook hands with one another, went to their respective courts and had some spirited games with the ball of their choosing. And so, the day was saved. And once again, the BlueBall tournament turned out to be a great event, and a great start to the 2006 3-wall season. |
 The Voice of Reason |
| |
|
 Back to GCHA homepage |
|