Buy your 5th seed on playoff night

One of the goals each year is to raise more money then the previous year. In order to come close to achieving that goal, this year we will be implementing a new wrinkle. This year the team that raises the most money (must be before final night so brackets can be finalized) has the option to elect to take 5th seed in the playoffs thus having a first round bye and only having to play 4 games to win. If they would have been the 25th seed team and they raised the most on the website, they will be the 5th seeded team and everyone else will be pushed down one spot.  Also, if the team that raised the most money finishes in the top 4 seeds they have the option to take any seed 1 – 4.

First Night Mulligans

Opening night only: Have your team bring a couple of 5 dollar bills each as you will be able to purchase mulligans (a do-over) on your serves only.   We will have containers attached to the poles on each court. If your serve goes out or doesn’t make it in the net, quickly put a 5 dollar bill in the container and serve again. 5 dollars washes away your serving mistakes. If you want to arrange with other team in advance and just drop a 20 into the jar and prepay for four serving mistakes great.  No refunds and only for that games’ mistakes. Speed is still of the essence but we want your money for St Baldric’s.

Rob’s Blog 8/23- Volleywood Wins the Growler

Congratulations Volleywood and thank you for bringing the trophy home to Springdale!  Tuesday night was everything I thought it would be and more.  (I laughed I cried I hit on your wives.)  I can’t wait for July 30th 2013.  Mark your calendars!

 

There were a lot of surprises.  Last year’s winner went out in the first round and the SARC-Sand Diggers lost their first game blowing my prediction of a Sand Diggers/ Volleywood match up.  Mike Robbins decision to sit himself for the first game will probably haunt him until next year.

 

Volleywood looked fantastic and went undefeated going in to the final game.  There was then a 47 minute break and some incoherent rambling by Mark Williams where Mark won a wine tasting for 20 people in the raffle.  (And who is more deserving then me; one of Mark’s twenty closest friends)  It then came time for the final game.  You could cut the tension with a wiffle ball bat.  The sobriety of the Volleywood team was evident and has always been their secret weapon.  It started off close but in the end it took very little effort to overcome the Lake Park team and bring the trophy home.

 

Here are your 2012 Growler Champions:

 

Team captain Jason Greico sacrificed a lot.  He alienated friends, pilfered players from other teams, ignored his family, and finally called Glyn Jones and asked him not to show for the final night.  Heartless?  Yes!  But damn-it he’s a winner.

 

Rob Rauth; the first three time Growler champion.  Rob dyed his hair in order to look like the host from The Hunger Games but surprised everyone when he had his head shaved and it turned out he colored his scalp purple as well.

 

Gary Caiola; $30 for 4 nights of food, drinking, volleyball, a free hair cut and 2 tee shirts?  Try keeping Gary away.

 

Pete Borgia; he cleans himself less often then I clean the top of my refrigerator.

 

Steve and Heather Barna; I find it harder and harder to say anything negative about this wholesome, friendly, happy-go-lucky couple.  They seem out of place with the rag tag team.  Heather is straight out of Stepford Wives movie and Steve seems like you would more likely find him working security at Walt Disney World; The happiest place on Earth, then apprehending criminals in Durham’s underbelly. (There I did it)

 

“Tom (last name?)”  Seriously that’s how Jason listed Tom’s name on the team registration form.  He spotted a 6’5” guy with and American flag dew rag, colored safety goggles and an artificial knee and thought “I got to have him who cares who he is.” That’s how his name is going to be listed in the archives.

 

Glyn Jones; I was joking when I said Jason called Glyn and asked him not to play. (I am not joking when I say he would totally do that though)  Glyn was a valuable member of this team even though they were able to win the championship game by a 15 point margin without him.

 

Finally, a lot has been said about all that Mark Williams has done to make Volleyball at Springdale so popular but little has been said about Jeff Vance; The father of Springdale volleyball.  Way back when in yee olden times; back when Hootie was still with the Blowfish it was by all accounts Jeff’s idea to install the first court and with the help of others like The Henderson’s, The McCollum’s , and The Johnson’s installed the first court.  In fact it was Jeff’s idea to install the net pole at a 70 degree angle to “give it some character” and Springdale certainly has a lot of character and characters.  Jeff did not play this year because he injured his shoulder base jumping or riding a bull or something of that nature but I am sure he will back out at The Growler next year and we will always leave the gate open for him on Thursday nights.

 

Some of the proceeds from this year’s Growler are going to go to purchase hooks for the back of the bathroom doors so that large, good looking, drunken men with clefts in their chin (that are somewhat difficult to shave) don’t accidentally kick the rocks used to prop open the doors and break their toes.

 

It was a great ride.  Thank you to Mark Williams and all the volunteers, sponsors and Springdale staff and a special thanks to Yvette Caiola for wearing that dress Tuesday night.  It was certainly appreciated!

Growler Wrap Up

Outstanding night !!!

Congratulations Springdale Volleywood- 2012 Growler Champions
Great effort by LKP- Will Play for Sets in the final game and
both LKP- Bumping Uglies and NR- The Strikers for pulling upsets to get into the Final Four.

Results from last night have been posted on GrowlerVolleyball.com

Incredible Generosity for St Baldrick’s..  We’re currently over $10,000 in online donations, over $600 in checks for St. Baldricks and over $2000 raised by the raffle, food and t-shirt sales…   It will take me a few weeks to settle up on my expenses, but we should be somewhere around $13,000 in total earnings for St. Baldricks..  More than tripling last years donation.  Thanks to all our sponsors for making our event successful.  http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/growlervolleyball

A special thanks to Ted Dwyer from Lynnwood Grill who kicked in $1000 yesterday.

Thanks also to everyone that went online and reached out to family and friends to raise money.  Here are their current totals.

Name                    Team Name      Amount Raised online Money Onsite   Total Team Total
Gregg Klofenstine   LPK Cue Balls          $2,443                            $20                 $2,463         $2,968
John Allen                LPK Cue Balls            $370                              $20                 $390
Kenneth Muller        LPK Cue Balls          $105                                                      $105
Chip Hopkins           Seven Oaks           $2,340                               $50                 $2,390          $2,390
Gary Caiola             Volleywood             $1,291                               $35                 $1,326           $2,651
Jason Grieco           Volleywood              $905                                                         $905
Robert R.                 Volleywood             $415                               $100                   $515
Hunter Reese           Greystone              $140                                $70                   $210
Caroline M.                                                $119                                $66                   $185
Griffin Krise                                                 $45                               $45


Championship Night Details

Here’s more info on our Championship tomorrow night….


PF Changs and Lynnwood Grill will be catering for our final night. Yum!  Sunset Slush will be on hand selling slushies.

St Baldricks – We’re currently over $6100 with online donations and should be over $8000 total including onsite donations.   Teams Seven Oaks, LKP Cue Balls, and SARC Volleywood are all over $1600 each and within $400 of each other.. It’ll be a close race.
Donate today 

  http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/growlervolleyball

…and bring a printed receipt of your donation to redeem for Raffle Tickets.

Lots of great prizes for the Raffle and fund raising incentives-  Private Wine tasting for 20 at Total Wine, Brewery Tour and food from Natty Greenes for 18, Dining Gift Certificates from PF Changs, Carolina Ale House, Lynnwood Grill, Sparians, and Golden Corral…  Lot’s more!!
Tickets will be $5 each OR 5 for $20….  We will be selling them Tues night and Checks to St Baldricks will be accepted.
….OR if you bring a printed donation receipt from the St Baldricks website for the Growler, we’ll exchange it for raffle tickets.  (Individual contributors Must be present to participate)
We Can take More Prizes from anywhere... Let me know if you can contribute to the the Raffle.


Shavees—  If you are planning to shave, please let me know or go on the St Baldrick’s site to sign up as a shavee participant (participant agreement required).  We need to schedule time with our barbers.. Shaving will start at 7 PM and I would like to have the planned head shavings done by 9PM
Schedule a time to shave..  I’ve schedule the ones that have signed up around your game times, but feel free to change it if that time don’t work for you.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiKeb_3QlT2DdGg2WGJXTmtvb0VoRjNlc3ZKdTdfb1E#gid=0

Thanks to Great Clips at Pinecrest Point (next door) for donating their time to shave heads.

Volunteers-  We need people to volunteer to work Tuesday night selling tickets, collecting money for food, etc..  Please let me know

or sign up if you (or your spouse) can put in some time—-


Playing…..Seedings and Schedule – Make sure you know when you are scheduled to play

Invite your Friends to join us…


See you at Springdale Beach.  Games start at 5:30.  There is a possibility of rain in the forecast, but we’ll monitor it closely…  Most likely we’ll play rain or shine.

Preparing for the FINAL Night

Here it is..  Seedings and Schedule for Next Tuesday Night’s Championship Finally!

There are several rematches from earlier games and some new interesting match ups..  This is how the chips fell.  The format and schedule was presented weeks ago, so sorry if you don’t like where you landed, your bracket, courts, or time you start.
You have no idea how complex this was to figure out..  20 out of 25 teams were in tie break situations with most determined by 2nd Tie Break- Point Differential of all games played.  Fortunately my programming skills allowed me to write a script to quickly calculate these pairings… (By the way, that was a plug for my Automated Office Apps business…  Since after next week, I’ll be looking to pick up some new projects for paid work.  Check outAutomatedOfficeApps.com or connect with me LinkedIn to learn more about how I can benefit your business.)
St Baldricks-  I’m so proud of how the fund raising is taking off.  We’re now up to $4400 in individual fund raising campaigns..  Chip Hopkins ($1,360) and  Gregg Klofenstine ($1,050) are blowing it out…   Start your campaign today….    or Support someone today with a Donation….  You will earn tickets for the raffle for money you donate now.
Raffle-    Tickets will be $5 each OR 5 for $20….  We will be selling them next Tues night and Checks to St Baldricks will be accepted.
….OR if you bring a printed receipt confirmation from the St Baldricks website of your donation to someone from the Growler, we’ll exchange it for raffle tickets.  (Individual contributors Must be present to participate)
We could still use more Raffle prizes.  Let me know if you can help..

Invite your Friends Next Tuesday night…  Our Donations for food have been outstanding this year and will boost the final check that we can write to St. Baldricks.
I also have some shirts to sell.   Each of these things will go to the bottom line for St Baldricks Donations.

Volunteers..  We will need lots of help next Tuesday.. Please sign up to help Tues afternoon and evening.  We can use player and non-player volunteers.

See you at Springdale Beach next Tuesday.  Games start at 5:30.

Jockeying for Final Night Seedings

Everyone will get to play the final night, but you may want to check out the brackets to see where you could potentially be seeded.   The top 7 teams will receive a bye for the first round.  Who is dangerous that you may want to avoid?   If you are 20-23 you can avoid the top 3 teams in the first couple of rounds and potentially be that Cinderella team.   A lot will be determined as we go into the 3rd week of round robin play.  Here is the latest Final Night Championship schedule.

Final Championship 25 team seeded Bracket

Rob’s Blog- 8/3 – An insider’s scouting report of Springdale Teams

Rob’s 2012 Growler Review and Scouting Report

I’m sorry this is so late but there are over 100 Springdale players in the field this year and after five years there are only so many times I can make fun of someone for being short or so many different ways to say that when driving in his convertible Chris Stanley looks like an elderly, emaciated, homosexual Magnum P.I.  It takes a lot more creativity and as you know I try to be subtle.

Before I begin this year’s report I would like to mention that last year there were people who got their feelings hurt by some of the things I said.  So anyway moving on…

 

Volleywood (3-0)

 

Rob Rauth let all of Springdale down last year when he stacked a team and then failed to bring The Growler trophy home.  He made some slight modifications this year including making Jason the faux-captain.  Jason has yet to make anyone on his team cry this year but of course he wasn’t there Tuesday.

Heather Barna was going to play even though she was pregnant but luckily she gave birth this past Monday while on a stair master.  She stopped her routine briefly to let Steve wipe down the machine.  Steve Barna somehow managed to grow short body hair over the winter and at this rate by next year’s Growler he will probably look like a chia pet.

Ray Gonzalez refused to give Rob anymore free cigars so Rob dropped him and picked up Glyn Jones who he is hoping will literally be his meal ticket. (Glyn is probably who Jason is going to make cry)  They also picked up Pete Borgia but only because he has full bar and a club house for their victory party.

While Volleywood has some great talent they also may be the most mentally unbalanced and you can get in their heads easily.  A good strategy would be to mention to Gary Caiola that his wife has a secret credit card or that Rob Rauth knows nothing about beer…. watch the wheels fall off.

 

Sand Diggers (3-0)

 

I’m guessing this team is Springdale’s 2nd best chance to bring the trophy back home.  Despite Mike “loose cannon” Robbins the team is pretty stable.  Mike’s playing coy but he wants this win bad.  Dave Hall could quite possibly be the best player in the field this year.  He took last year off from the Growler to devote more time to Facebooking (he has a sizable farm in Farmville) and to work on his manifesto but he still looks good.  Steve Harms switched teams after he vowed never to play with “that bastard” (Greico) again and Steve’s serve can be dangerous. (rest of his game is crap)   John Marks signed up for this team but that was before he found out about the $5.00 increase in the entrance fee.  He is in negotiations with Mark but if he plays he is solid.  Scott Carboni completely bailed as captain of his team to be the 9th man on this team.  He’s not making friends but you have to appreciate his desire to win The Growler.  John Dunn is listed as a member of this team although probably not contributing.  Mark “flying squirrel” Williams will do more for this team giving them favorable bracket placements then he will on the sand.  Susan Hackman played well enough but she looked tired probably from carrying her husband Brad.

 

Sets on the Beach  (1-2)

 

I can only guess that this team assembled by Jay Daft is some sort of sample from the congregation at Jay and Jen’s rock-n-roll coffee church.  We’ll know for sure if they are all wearing the same crucifix dog tags. This makes me nervous because I think they may be part of some sort of Jesus Army which is a lot like the Kiss Army but with better music and more makeup.  This team is an unknown but if Jay’s performance is anything like that of Growlers past; Hilarity will ensue.

 

Good Bumps, Nice Sets (2-1)

 

Haleigh McCollum’s team is “stacked” with great players.  What I’m trying to say is that they are “top heavy” with talent!  They have an “enormous” chance to win this thing.  I digress.

Team McCollum; any family that gets tattoos together should definitely be able to function as a single unbeatable unit.  Unfortunately such is not the case.  Although I’m sure Pam will run this team with the same dogged drive that she uses to track me down for bounced checks it simply will not be enough to overcome the mediocrity that is Good Bumps, Nice Sets.  Count on Pam and Ed not talking for a few weeks after this but don’t count on them winning. Count on Blake Harms not wearing a shirt but don’t count on them winning.

 

 

The Mizfits  (0-3)

 

The Mizfits at 0-3 is by far the largest team with a roster of 57 people and the only team with uniforms; pirate uniforms.  I thought Becky Campbell looked like Keira Knightly in hers.

The Mizfits would absolutely win this thing if we were playing tennis or the dating game. As luck would have it the game this year is volleyball so they don’t have a snowballs chance in hell.

My wife would no sooner play in The Growler with me then she would marry me all over again but it’s good to see eight spouses on this team who have probably received professional advice that they should do more things as a couple.

Sober or not (it will be “not”) Jason Campbell is the strength on this team followed by Monica Henderson and her for once not injured husband (Is Dave getting younger?  Has he had work done?).  Mike “do you even want this job” Tadych may help but I doubt he will have time to show what with him being a new partner in his law firm and all.

Bunky, Bill and Dan Rea have all offered to get there early and set up the beer tent.  Hence why you don’t see their wives names on this team.  Dan Shaefer surprising left Tuesday night upright and without assistance.

Jay Cupstid looked like he spent most of the night running through a sprinkler.  Jodi probably had to peel that shirt off him like a sticker.

A $100 bet on this team would net you somewhere in the range of being rich enough that you could get Bill Gates to mow your lawn.

 

Mojo Rising  (1-2)

 

There are a few Growler veterans on this team and a lot of new players.

I would more likely bring my underage daughter to a Tijuana donkey show then let her play in the Growler but it’s good to see Doug Hampshire show a tremendous lack of judgment.  AP Blake swept up Ray Gonzalez after he was booted by Rob Rauth and Ray would only play if they let Kyle in.  I wish I would have known Ray in his prime I’ll bet he was a quite an athlete but that was a long time ago.  If this team is AP’s best recruiting efforts I hope his wife has a very good job.

 

 

I’d Hit That  (3-0)

 

Kaitlin Henderson Demby’s team.

There are some athletes on this team that make them a wild card.  They are not used to losing. (Not including Brandon he seems to have come to terms with it)  Kaitlin is a bit shy and demure which does not make for good volleyball and her husband Chad is from somewhere in New Jersey as close as I can tell by his accent and New Jerseytonians are not necessarily known for their great volleyball.  But here they are undefeated after the first night.  The Mabe’s must be carrying this team along with Jessica Kronen who I don’t know but I hear is an ace.

There are 5 players on this team who can win this!  Unfortunately the entire team is probably going to want to play so their chances are slim until they change the rules and let you add whatever you drink to your final score.  Then they would be unstoppable.

 

Dirt Devils (0-3)

 

Beth Farell is used to teaching preschoolers which may help her with this team.  Bruce is a capable player who handles himself well but never quite up to his wife’s expectations.  (It’s sad really)

As far as I can tell Manoj and his wife are ringers recruited by Beth in her attempt to side step any of the minimal rules the governing body of The Growler actually has.  I like her style.

Tom Mills and his wife Lora; new comers to Springdale, spent their honeymoon playing at The Growler.  That’s dedication and as far as I know a first.

Patrick still seems to be suffering from the intestinal bug that he caught at the Springdale Margarita party but he is rallying and Earl’s just in it for the beer.  With an opening night record of 0-3 they are going to need a lot of managing to get them in shape for the final night.

 

Raleigh Brawl  (2-1)

 

Take six guys united by their love of beer, joy of life and inability to satisfy a woman; add one ringer ex professional athlete and two woman who don’t mind settling and you have Raleigh Brawl.  This is my team.  I’m a reasonable man and this team has the ability to fluster any opponent but I find it unlikely that I will get an opportunity to hoist that magnificent hunk of wood and glass this year.  Marty Kocurek could qualify for being disabled and Larry Essary has so much metal in him that he could legally be classified as a robot. (maybe a cyborg)  Phil is the big story this year because he lost a bunch of weight on the “Lose Weight; be Miserable and Insufferable to Your Friends but Probably Live Longer Diet” (It’s a lot like Atkins)  The only difference now is that he actually gets to balls he doesn’t hit.  Ben Micham is a tremendous athlete and a wonderful human being; Salt of the Earth. (He’s currently doing my taxes; Pro Bono but he doesn’t know that yet)  Chris Carrigan played with the anger and intensity that only a man with four mortgages and three daughters could play.  Grant for some reason, thinks we asked him to play with us because of his ability.  I know this because he showed up on Tuesday without his hot wife. (she was also a beer rep. at the time we first asked him)  let’s just say I hope his game has a better showing on Tuesday.  Our female players; Amber and TJ are formidable despite having names that you would more likely find on a high priced call girl.  ( I said HIGH priced)

 

 

Well that’s one Tuesday night down.  I would like to thank Mark Williams for making the final four Tuesdays of my summer unmemorable every year.  I look forward to meeting you on the battlefield and above all let’s make sure we bring the Growler trophy home to Springdale.

 

*I’m obligated to say that the opinions expressed here are in no way the opinions of Marybeth Caulfield who made one bad decision 17 years ago and is still paying for it.

Night 1 Results are up..

NIGHT 1 Scores and Standings

Updated Schedule

Be sure to check out the new schedule and be ready to play before your designated time..  Games can be running ahead of schedule and you need to start immediately before the game ahead of yours….

Have your waivers and money to your captain–  Only you captain needs to come by the registration table.

See ya on Springdale Beach.

2012 25 team brackets and schedule