2014 Midwest Regional Champ George Cochran in action on day oneTULSA, OKLAHOMA -- The 2014 USCA Midwest Regionals held this past weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma, nearly avoided rain, but with about 20 minutes left in the championship games the sky opened up.Morning Coffee: The Best Sport (Part One)
Guess what I did over Memorial Day weekend. I actually played croquet. Strange as it seems the deeper I get into the sport, the less I play. The opportunity occurred to return to Tulsa for the Indian Territory Open. My last American Rules tourney was the previous Memorial weekend in Tulsa for the 2011 Midwestern Regionals. This past weekend was an interesting one as
2011 USCA Nine Wicket Nationals Final Day Video Report
2011 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals-Day Three Report
SHAWNEE, KS -- The final day of playoff action at the Nine Wicket Nationals in Kansas City saw steady rain, but the players battled through. In championship singles, Matt Smith knocked of Billy Bob Breeden to make the final, while Matt Baird took out George Cochran to advance.
In the final match, Baird got the first break but stuffed number five. That let Smith set up his break which he ran all the way out to the penultimate wicket. He then turned it over to his partner and finished with a double peel to claim the 2011 singles national championship.
In doubles championship play, Matt Baird and Jeff Caldwell battled Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Griffith in the final. Baird and Caldwell took a tight match 32-25 to claim the doubles title.
In the first flight singles playoff, #4 seed Jason Cole knocked off #1 Greg Adams in the semifinals. In the other semi-final, #2 Barry Dupuy beat #4 Ron Millican to advance. Cole won the final over Dupuy to claim the first flight national championship.
Video report will be available later today.
2011 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals-Day Two Report
The rain hit Nine-Wicket Nationals on Saturday, but play continued on with both championship and first flight doubles action. First flight wrapped up their segment with Greg Adams and Troy White taking first place in the round-robin format. Ron and Debbie Millican took second place in the flight.
This morning is playoff and championship action, but there is steady rain falling, likely making for miserable condition's at the courts in Shawnee, Kansas. Championship singles semi-finals were scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. with Matt Smith set to face Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Baird slated to take on reigning champ George Cochran.
Four teams of eight advanced to the knockout in championship doubles on day two. The semi-finals were played mid-afternoon and Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Griffith knocked off Matt Smith and Nick Zink 31-23 to advance to today's final against Matt Baird and Jeff Caldwell. Baird and Caldwell advanced by defeating Bill Martin and John Warlick 29-26.
The first flight singles playoff is also scheduled for the morning with Greg Adams taking on Jason Cole and Barry Dupuy facing off against Ron Millican.
2011 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals-Day One Report
Day One Photo Gallery
Day one was played under gray skies and cool conditions, but for the most part rain was avoided. Championship singles block play concluded and round one of the playoffs was held at the end of the day (results below). Saturday starts doubles play.
Quarterfinals
Matt Smith 32-17 over Don Brooks
Billy Bob Breeden 28-25 over Jeff Caldwell
Matt Baird 27-26 over Greg Clouse
George Cochran 32-26 over Matt Griffith
Semi-Final Matchups
Matt Smith vs Billy Bob Breeden
Matt Baird vs George Cochran
Matt Smith Wins Midwestern Regionals
28th Texas Croquet Classic: Battles on the Court and from the Heavens
By Joe Yoder / Photo Gallery by Scott Kennedy
DALLAS, TX -- This year’s Texas fall tournament was another classic. Twenty-two players from Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas joined in three days of often down-to-the-last shot singles. Not only was the competition heated but the torrential storm that blew in Saturday afternoon made things even tougher. As much as four inches of rain fell on the court in Heath, TX and totally swamped it. The court in Quinlan also was rained out. Fortunately, by the time it arrived few key matches remained.
The one game that was affected was an elimination block match between Matt Griffith and Donna Dixon. Fortunately the rain stopped and the match was held after the Saturday night dinner and under the lights at Bob Chilton’s court. Matt took advantage of some early deadness problems that frustrated Donna and he won the match and advanced to the playoffs.
It’s also interesting that the first use of Instant Replay (photographic evidence) happened during the tournament. Scott Kennedy is an avid player and photographer and was shooting Frank Vuitch’s jump shot just for its photographic interest. After the shot, there was a question if Frank shot with Blue had completely cleared Yellow, which was in the hoop and against the wicket. It was a concern because during the shot Yellow moved slightly. After examining Scott’s photo it was determined that Yellow had moved but only because Blue struck the cross bar and this induced Yellow’s movement. Everybody involved examined the photo and unanimously agreed it was a great shot!
Another innovation was using alternate starting positions. We put red and blue tape up the outside of the legs of #1 and Rover and always started the Championship players from this position. It worked well, avoided the log-jam that frequently slows the start of the second game and helped keep the games on schedule.
This year was also the most challenging to organize because of constantly changing court conditions. North Texas had over 60 days of below freezing temperatures during the winter and when that combined with the summer’s unusually hot and humid weather the biggest challenge was saving the courts. Depending upon the constantly changing conditions, we considered holding the event on one, two and even three courts at various time--with the third being 80 miles away in Tyler. Harold Menzel did over 20 different bracket arrangements plotting the ramifications of travel time and the number of players.
Fortunately, Bill and Suzan Copeland’s court in Quinlan, TX. recovered (we thought) and we settled on two courts. Alas, just before the tournament the virus that had been lying dormant reared its ugly head and killed 60% of the grass but, even though it looked pretty bad, it still played surprisingly well. Bob Chilton’s court recovered due to the Herculean work of his green’s keeper, Antonio Flores, who hand watered the bent grass court at least three times a day all through the 100º+ days of summer to save it.
Words cannot express our appreciation to Harold Menzel, bracket manager. He never once complained about the constantly moving target of the number of players, courts and travel times. The result of all his great work was a smooth running, enjoyable tournament. Carrie Shapiro’s work with the food arrangements also was appreciated. A Texas-sized “Hip Hip Hooray” shout-out to Bill and Suzan Copeland and Bob Chilton whose relentless work on their courts made it possible.
One of the tournament’s highlights was the play of Ted Schweitzer. Not only had Ted never played in a tournament, he had never even played a game. He worked two weeks before the tournament and took numerous lessons trying to become competitive. To quote Ted, “I learned more in this tournament than I could have in a dozen weekends.” Despite not winning a game, Ted accomplished his goals, had a great time, and is going to make a great addition to the game.
Everybody left with smiles on their faces and claiming they’d be back next year. If you are looking for a great fall tournament with great competition, food and camaraderie, consider the Texas Croquet Classic.
FINAL STANDINGS
Championship Flight
1. Jeff Caldwell
2. Joe Yoder
3. Britt Ruby
3. Matt Griffith
5. Bill Hixon
5. Matt Smith
7. Donna Dixon
8. Dale Poszgai
9. Billy Bob Breeden
10. John Dill
11. Bob Chilton
12. Bill Copeland
First Flight
1. Bob Knowlton
2. Harold Menzel
3. Frank Vuitch
3. Suzan Copeland
5. Roni Brazell
5. Rob Franks
7. Pat Garner
8. Scott Kennedy
9. George Blackburn
10. Ted Schweitzer
2010 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals (Final Day)
George Cochran on his way to another singles titleFINAL DAY PHOTOS
SHAWNEE, KANSAS -- George Cochran picked up his second national title in nine-wicket singles Sunday afternoon with a 28-18 (unofficial) win over Bill Martin. It was Cochran's second nine-wicket national championship title as he also won in 2008.
Cochran actually had an early mishap when his black ball was un-intentionally placed deep in the jaws of wicket one. Martin was unable to get both yellow and black into the game and was unable to take the early advantage.
Cochran got the early break and ran out to the 11-point wicket. He followed a little later with his partner ball and had control of the game as Martin had trouble generating offense. Cochran did get hung up with both balls for the 14-point wicket and that allowed Martin to generate a late run with red, but he was not able to establish a three-ball break coming out of the turn.
In other action Sunday, Matt Smith and Nick Zink claimed their second straight doubles national championship with a win over Matt Baird and Jeff Caldwell.
FINAL STANDINGS
Championship Singles
1 George Cochran
2 Bill Martin
3 Billy Bob Breeden
3 Nick Zink
5 Matt Baird
5 Jeff Caldwell
5 Matt Smith
5 John Warlick
9 Greg Clouse
9 Eric Sawyer
10 Don Brooks
10 Pat Garner
10 Don Oakley
10 Dylan Goodwin
14 Matt Griffith
14 Jason Cole
Championship Doubles
1 Matt Smith/Nick Zink
2 Matt Baird/Jeff Caldwell
3 George Cochran/Don Oakley
3 Matt Griffith/Billy Bob Breeden
5 Bill Martin/John Warlick
5 Don Brooks/Johnny Nichols
First Flight Doubles
1 Greg Adams/Troy White
2 Don Millican/Deborah Millican
3 Eric Sawyer/Caren Sawyer
3 Jodi Adams/Debbie Breeden
5 Pat Garner/Jason Cole