Question of the Week: Unemployed Ladderball Players: Do They Have an Unfair Advantage?

With Labor Day right around the corner I think this question is quite fitting. Long time Ladderball Weekly reader and avid ladderball player Madison writes "Should unemployed individuals be permitted to participate in ladderball tournaments due to their extreme availability to practice?"

Great question Madison. Thanks for writing in and questioning the system. I take it you must have a job. As an unemployed ladderball player myself this topic hits pretty close to home. I think unemployed people should not only be allowed to participate in ladderball tournaments but they should be able to win them as well. I think the B-Team (both members are currently unemployed) proved that on August 8th. So I think the real question you're getting at is "Did the B-Team have an unfair advantage being unemployed? Did they have too much time to practice for the Ladderball Open? Should they relinquish their crowns? " No, no and of course not.

The B-Team did not have an unfair advantage over the competition except for maybe home-field advantage. We did not have too much time to practice either. First of all, I think there is something called too much practice. Ladderball is a simple game and you can definitely overthink it. But that didn't happen to us. We didn't overthink or overpractice the game. My teammate TJ engages in many activities other than ladderball. He enjoys spending his days fishing and bodysurfing. What's that you ask? What other hobbies do I have? Well for starters, having just mastered Wii Mario Kart I have moved on to playing a lot of online games of FIFA 09. Also this blog does not write itself. But the truth of the matter is I don't need to do anything but play ladderball. I am hoping that one day the professional sports world will recognize ladderball as a legitimate sport. And that's when I get a job. Now I'm not exactly sure when this will happen. I might be too old to play the game and will have to resort to being a manager or coach but that's alright as long as I'm still involved. So think of me playing a lot of ladderball right now as building my resume for a job interview in the near or possibly distant future. I'm like a modern day Tom Joad if he had played ladderball.

Ladderball Weekly wants to know what your thoughts are on this highly controversial topic.

Upcoming Events in the World of Ladderball

It's been an exciting summer season of ladderball at the Shipmaster Resort but it's not over yet. After record setting attendance at the Ladderball Open, fans and players alike are hungry for one thing: more ladderball. Many teams are seeking redemption after mediocre performances at the Open. With that being said I'd like to officially announce the Labor Day Invitational. This exclusive tournament is invite only. If you didn't finish in the top half of the competition at the Ladderball Open, don't expect an invite. The heavily-favorited B-Team will be there to defend their crown as Ladderball Champions of the World. The Shipmaster Resort Ladderball Commission has yet to decide a prize for the event but one thing is certain: Winner takes all.

Ah, but what's that you say? Not enough ladderball for you? Still want more? If you're not invited to the event on Labor Day please don't fret. There's still the Fall Classic to look forward to. This prestigious singles tournament matches the best players in the game head to head. This tournament is being held to answer one question: Who is the best ladderball player of 2009? It will, of course, also answer many smaller questions as well like who is the best player on the B-Team? Ol' Andy or TJ? and Who is worse? Fred or Bob? This tournament will also decide the power rankings of players going into next season. My money's on me. Date TBA

After these tournaments are held the ladders and balls will be put into the shed for the winter. I'm not exactly sure what I'll blog about then.

Question of the Week: B-Team the new A-Team?

A lot of people have been asking me this question lately. If the B-Team won the Ladderball Open and the A-Team didn't even finish in the top 3 (they blame their poor performance on alcohol), wouldn't that make the B-Team the new A-Team? Yes, yes it does. But some people still say no. One person in particular is member of the A-Team, Bob. He wants to the keep the name he gave himself and his teammate. He argues that since the B-Team won the tourney without ever having to face the A-Team, the team names should stay the same. If that's the case then I think at least they should demote themselves to a lowercase A or an A with an asterisk that says they are not ladderball champions. Just a thought. The question will be answered once and for all in September when the two teams match up in a 7 games series better known as the Fall Classic. The winners gets an all inclusive trip to a Phillies game paid for by the losers. Ladderball Weekly wants to know what you think. Who is the real A-Team?

LADDERBALL'S MOST WANTED

The 1st Annual Shipmaster Resort Ladderball Open turned out to be a huge success. A huge success for the B-Team that is. The legends of the game won the double elimination tourney in historic fashion on Saturday beating out 13 other teams. I will not mention the other teams because they are not worth mentioning. Nobody cares about second place, right? My apologies for taking a while to update this blog, but as a member of the B-Team you can imagine that the past few days have been pretty crazy for us. Being a Ladderball Champion leaves little time for blogging. We took our $150 cash prize and blew half of it on cocaine and high class prostitutes. We plan on donating the other half to charity. Thanks again to the Shipmaster Resort for holding such a great event and providing the kegs for the losers to drown their sorrows in. More photos/stories to come!

Question of the Week: Should Women Be Allowed to Play Ladderball?

With many women signing up for Ladderball Open, the question begs to be asked. Is there a place for women in the game? Personally, I think that there is a place for them. A little eye candy never hurt anyone, right? I am totally okay with competing against them in the tournament. I welcome the opportunity to take all of their money. It's 2009 and this great nation just elected it's first black president. I say its time to let them play. Ladderball Weekly wants to know what you think. Let your voice be heard.

WEEKEND UPDATE

It was another exciting weekend at the Shipmaster Resort. Many games of ladderball were played. Friday's games commenced with a best of 7 series between the A-Team and the B-Team. Although the B-Team fought hard, they were no match for the powers of the darkside. They lost the series 4-1.
The tide of fortune changed, however, for the B-Team on Saturday. They ruled the beach and backyard. They went 6-0 on the day beating the likes of the Two Erics, Bob and Kyle, and off the field partners Fred and Cherie.
Ladderball play was suspended on Sunday due to rain. A few games were played between the B-Team and Fred and Cherie when the rain stopped. I can't remember exactly what happened.