Weather Warmed Up - Let's Play Petanque!

Last week was horrible weather-wise. Today, however, very nice. No wind, pretty temperate out... about 60 degrees... some sun. Surprisingly, only Maury, Deric, Tee and me (Jeff) for the hour.

Ah well, just remember, the winters are Looooong in Michigan, so come out and toss a boule.

Getting Cold - but hardy Michiganders still make a showing

a tad freezing these days, but we'll try to make it out there as much as we can. The other day it was just me and Deric playing but it was a fun set of games (I don't typically "rank" the games with less than 4 players). Yesterday I had a surprise meeting so I couldn't make it out to the piste, but today, if it's not raining, I should be out at noontime.

Boule Disparity Creates Automatic Defensive Positioning

Tough day for my team. We had two teams of 4 players each - meaning: 16 boules in play. Unfortunately, it took us 4 or 5 boules to beat the close boule - leaving a disparity of boules... 7 boules for the opposition to use, and only 3 or 4 boules for us (after having depleted our pointers). This forced us into a defensive position almost immediately (stunting the shooting aspect of our team because the shooters now had to be the pointers). Upon reflection, I should have mixed up the "batting order" a bit earlier -- perhaps rolling in the initial boule ust to keep us at a 1:1 boule use ratio. Who can really say how it'd turn out?

Widen Comes in With 2 Errors but Still Takes the Win

My shooting was waaaay off today giving the opposition at least 2 points today. Yesterday (Oct. 5th) Tim W. will note that I made a crucial error of 5 points to the opposition due to more of my flawed shooting.

Perhaps we should show ERRORS as a stat on the ranking chart...

BUT, despite a "protest" (as yet to be filed) by Andonian, LLP - we still took the win 13/4.

See you tomorrow. GO TIGERS!

Article 19 Ignored for the Fun of It

Thursday's game posed an interesting situation, but not one without an appropriate response via the official rules.

In Detroit, we play on semi-bordered courts, the sides are flagstones or a cement boundary and there are flagstones at the extent of either end.

Typically, after a shot is made, the boule will fly to the end of the gravel and if permitted to reach the end flagstones it will roll for another 200 feet. So we are in the habit of stopping the boule with our feet near the edge, but leaving the boule on the gravel.

Article-19 "Interference with Boules" states (in a nutshell) that if a boule is stopped/diverted purposely immediately disqualifies the player along with his/her team for the game in progress.

Well, in a tournament situation, yes, I'd say let the boule fly off the piste without disruption... But let's say it were an accidental stoppage of the boule. Then depending on who is doing the stopping there are consequences. If the throwing team's team member stopped the boule by accident, that boule is deemed void (and should be removed from the court). If a boule is accidently stopped by a member of the opposing team, can (on decision of the thrower) be re-played or left where it was stopped.

Of course, in our typical weekday playing, we hardly ever mark the boule positions, so there aren't any alternatives for when a boule that is hit is subsequently stopped/diverted by a player - but if the boule positions were marked (this is sometimes done in tournaments) - then the opponent of the thrower can leave the struck boule where it was stopped or it can be repositioned anywhere in a line from where it was originally to the place it ended up.

Lots of rules - yes... but clear rules end arguments.

SO, why do I mention this at all? Because at the time, we were sitting on 12 points (and a possible 13th (the stopped boule)) But for the sake of our leisure game, and to allow for more rounds, we discounted the 13th point. Truth be told, our opponents were at 6 points at the time and I never thought they'd gain the upper hand. They did! With a 12/13 conclusion!

Sometimes for the sake of having fun, the strict interpretation of a rule (during leisure play) can be dismissed.

Welcome to the Matrix

Rob showed up as Morpheous from the Matrix today and played with Tim W. and Mark W. They swallowed the red pill, taking a 5 to 13 loss against Jeff, Tee, and Abu.

Temperatures Fall - But Petanque Interest Rises

Michiganders, always avid outdoorsfolk, don't shy away from 55 degree days because we all know that Winter is 6 months long - hence, we need to enjoy every bit of outside while the going is good. Today's games were a nice testiment to this with another win for Buzz, and Tim C. walking away with two wins under his belt. It'll take a whole mess of wins for me to even get close to the top three. With Mike d. moving down South in a week or so, that'll knock him off the board and raise me up a pitch. See you tomorrow!

Fabulous Friday

Another skunking, this time Pat and Rob beat-up Tim C. and Buzz. Pat claims that Rob plays best when he plays on his team - I guess it shows.

My own trio did fine with the first game, but we fell apart in the 2nd - as did my shooting which Mark said was right on, but splintered at the end.

Enjoy the weekend - a tad rainy for Detroit...

Mark and Buzz for the Win

Buzz is on a roll, with 4 wins in his last 5 games. Coupled with Mark, they played a very tight game against Tim W. and Tee-Bomb with plenty of close-to-the border action. Here is Mark (see photo) in his "Karate Kid" stance ready for his shot.

"Even a Blind Squirrel Finds a Nut Now and Then"

Maury was very humble about Hal and his win today over Tee and me. We were see-sawing on points for a time, then Tee and I took a strong lead - but they re-captured and evened it out at 11's ... Finally, they needed 1 point to get to 13, and Maury calmly rolled it in right up to the cochonnet. Perfect.

But not one to claim an easy victory, he told us: "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then."

Buzz Skunks Abu and Tee

Buzz, one of our newest players, has succeeded in skunking (13/0 victory) his opponents. Teamed up with Tim C., the duo went 13 points without giving up a single point to Abu and Tee. Congrats!

New Year Kicks Off with a Pair of Wins for Jeff

Pat's Average OVER 2.0 !

Team Pat/Maury had double wins today catapulting Pat's average to a 2.02

My own game went rather nicely with Nancy rolling in close-point after close-point leaving Mark/Tim/Tee to try shooting out her boule.

Afterwards, we did some pointing/shooting practice. Speaking of practice, Buzz and Tee have their own sets (of 6 boules) and they've been practicing all of the time. It shows!

Mike Gives his Adios Message

VIDEOS:

Mike Says Goodbye

Abu & Buzz Round

More Game Playing


Mike will be leaving us in the next few weeks, off to the sunny climes of Florida. In this short interview (above) he comments on his friends, his prospects, and offers a very sobering parting message for all.

a close one...

Today's game was veddy veddy close - and a good game to boot! We came down to a 12/12 play-off... I love these types of games.

Friday Sizzles

I watched the 2nd game - exciting. Hal was pointing in like the pro he is and Abu tried out some very successful shots (completely atypical for Abu who normally plays a conservative game). Towards tyhe 1 pm hour Tim C. was substituted out for Eric C. but the Abu/Tim W. combo was simply too tough to beat.

My own game, we were playing very tight, with point for point exchanges. Raphael even came through with one of his classic push-pointings. But at the end, our pointing fell off, and it came down to my making a tir-au-fer shot (just grazed it).

Plenty of Petanque

Pat A. bounced back to his 2.00 ranking - to give some context to 2.00; when you win a game, you get 2.00 plus some additional points on the score-spread. On a loss, you get only 1 point. Most people win and lose and so their average falls somewhere in the middle (1.5 to 1.80) range.

Pat has won so many games that his average reflects a player who has won every game at 13/12 (2 points) - not bad!

If Pat's average goes higher than 2.00, it'd mean that overall, he's won all of his games with a spread of 13/11; 13/10 and so on.

Wednesday Brings Twin Triplettes

VIDEO of today.

Nice day today. Fair team composition brought out some great game-play. My own team was shooter heavy while the opposition was Pointer heavy. Pat's excellent shots adding in Maurys great points overwhelmed the opposition.

Note: Mike D. is leaving the decision as to whether or not he should pack up and move to Florida to a vote by the club.

Pat's Team Goes Nuclear

VIDEO

It was a total disaster! Pat; Abu; Tim C. ripped through our defenses and mocked our offenses with round after round of punishing points. Skunked! Then a re-match (7 point) also pushed us into the gutter with a 13/10 win for Pat's team.

Eric did very well indeed, with his victory against Mark & Rob (13/6).

Abu was lending me advice on team composition. But I think almost any team has a chance of winning - as long as luck and strategy are in play. Today, Lady Luck didn't shine upon us.

JAZZ FESTIVAL FRIDAY TO MONDAY... No Petanque Friday (Sept. 4th) - see you Tuesday (Sept. 8th)

Tuesday's Games

So competitive games on Tuesday. Though, yes, the scores were not 13/12, the games were point for point at the beginning, then some lucky breaks to leap ahead of the win.

No Petanque for Wednesday, I have a meeting. But I'll see you on Thursday!

Threading the Needle

Fun games today. Maury and Tim W. reported that they were down 0 to 4 and then they went 13 points unanswered for the win. At one point Maury asked Tim W. to roll his boule between two close opposing boules to point up to the cochonnet - done! Needle threaded! Tim W. also was glad that his shooting was back and strong. My own game went well too - with reliable pointing from both teams - but my own shooting was on and we were able to remove whatever close boules were laid. See you tomorrow.

Pat and Eric top the rankings

Tee and I were swept (0 to 7) against Pat and Eric the other day leaving Pat and Eric at the top of the ranking listings. I was shooting pretty well, but overall, we just didn't play as tightly as we should have. Raphael is back, and winning (with Mark) handily. I think the feedback on that game (was that the losing team was playing "too conservative" - pointing when they should have been shooting). Live and learn... Heavy rain today washed away a chance to play - see you Monday!

Ann Arbor Petanque

Saturday I drove out to Ann Arbor to see Howard Ando and Jane Wilkinson's new petanque courts at Burns Park. In a word: SPLENDID.

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

The new petanque courts are situated in a very picturesque spot, close to a grove of trees - and very close to a clubhouse with lavatory facilities. Parking couldn't be easier - adjacent to the court! The courts are bordered with 6 x 6 train ties set deep (almost flush) into the ground with a bevel at the edges to allow for easy wheel chair access.

Saturday was the official introduction of the courts to the world - during the festive Picnic in the Park day. Along with our hosts Howard and Jane were Joe Zajac & Denise from the Michigan Petanque Club along with Ian; Bob (North Carolina); Michel & Jeannete; George & Linda L.; Dan C.; Larry; Frank; Esther (and her dog, River); Hal; Bridgitte; and plenty of others for many rounds of boule playing. Some of the players were new to the sport but they were welcomed right into the game after a brief lesson.

Howard and Jane have set up a tentative schedule:

Sunday, August 30th (starting at 3 pm)
Wednesday, September 2nd (starting at 6:30 pm)
Sunday, September 6th (starting at 3 pm)
Wednesday, September 9th (starting at 6:30 pm)
Sunday, September 13th (starting at 3 pm)
Sunday, October 11th (starting at 3 pm)
Sunday, October 18th (starting at 3 pm)
Sunday, October 25 (starting at 3 pm)

They have many sets of boules for you to borrow (if you don't have your own or bring friends without boules).

COURT LOCATION: 1320 Baldwin Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Howard & Jane: howard@petanqueannarbor.org (734) 482-7476

http://www.petanqueannarbor.org/

MAP

Games Results for 4 Days

Sorry, I was a tad busy this week so I couldn't post the games results until today. Well above the rest are Pat; Tim C.; and Eric. I've fallen down to 1.81 but I'm hopeful that the remainder of the season will offer me ascending results. Tee and Nancy have really been playing a great series of games, pointing in like superstars. I'm soon to give them lessons in the plombe (high arc pointing).

Today's game (10/13) was, at one stage, a 10/5 game (Nancy & I scored 5 points in 1 round!) - but then the opposition caught up and then won. Lesson? Don't count your chickens before they're thrown!

Wednesday's Games

Excellent pointing performed today at my game with Nancy and Tee exchanging boule for boule. They really have been progressing nicely, become quite dangerous. We had one of those types of games where a point is exchanged throughout the rounds, and our game took up the whole lunch hour - while over on the other court, Pat and Hal socked it to Kevin and Maury in two lightening quick games. I'm not sure what transpired - such a big point disparity.

Howard Ando of the Ann Arbor Petanque Club will be holding an opener on Saturday, August 22nd at Burns Park. We're looking at a mini-tournament (6-8 teams) - but we'll see who shows. Michigan Petanque Club members will be representng heavily.

Temperatures Rising - Hard to Go for More than a Game

With the temperatures leaping into the mid-80's and the air so humid you can drink it with a straw ... our steadfast players for the most part were good for a game before scrambling into the air-conditioning of their offices.

The hardy remaining: Buzz, Tee; Nancy and I went for a 7-pointer in the second half of the lunch hour.

September can't come soon enough!

Kevin C. returns to the Courts / Bob Moyer re-visits the Club

Today marks the reappearance of Kevin C. to the courts. He certainly had some close games playing alongside Bob Moyer from North Carolina (visiting family in Michigan). I'd like to note how well Nancy has been pointing - with just 9 games under her belt! Those players making the Sunday game in Royal Oak, Bob should be joining you for the day with his VERY rusty boules.

Thursday's Games - Excellent

Our own game was point for point. We had those great rounds where each boule is beaten by the very next boule - over and over again. Very even team playing. There were positions where I didn't think we'd ever point into -- and Buzz or I would make it. Then we thought "heck, they'll never beat us in that set-up" and voila! they do! So lots of delightful surprises.

The other game across the square... their first game, 13/3... then, keeping the same teams... 3/13 ! It is difficult to figure out how the score can become so reversed - sometimes luck plays a bigger role.