Labor Day 2009 Preview

1. Mischief, San Francisco, CA

2. LA Metro, Los Angeles, CA

3. CTR, San Francisco, CA

4. Golden Spike, Salt Lake City, UT

5. BCBC, CA

6. Night Train, Davis, CA

7. Denver Ultimate Club (DUC), Denver, CO

8. White Wedding, Eugene, OR

9. A.I.R., San Francisco, CA

Format: Round Robin

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This year's Labor Day Tournament takes us away from the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park to a new all-weather turf in Oceanview, about 10 minutes south of downtown San Francisco. The move brings groans from the non-turf crowd, but also makes those veterans of the Polo Fields happy. (Worst fields in Ultimate). I saw a field last year at Labor Day with 5 or 6 hazard discs.

This year's format is also a round robin, instead of pools and bracket. We will be playing the same number of games, but this format allows for teams to play teams from other regions and allow for more variety. Our current schedule has us playing all the teams in the bunch EXCEPT for BCBC but this could change with placement for finals, etc.

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1. Mischief

Probably one of the most well-balanced teams I've seen in the co-ed circuit. They have great leadership, discipline, as well as poise that explains why they are so successful. They did struggle a bit at ECC, but look for Mischief to continue their success as they gear up for another Nationals run in the always difficult Northwest division.

2. LA Metro

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3. CTR

They've established themselves as a surprise contender and a solid #2 in the Bay Area behind Mischief. They surprised everyone and made finals at ECC and from when we played them, showed a lot of talent and athleticism drawing talent from Cal and the the rest of the bay.

4. Golden Spike

No one knows anything about this team. Myself included. All I know is that they play/practice at altitude. Probably going to be running harder than anyone out there.

5. BCBC

What team will they come up with next?

6. Night Train

Another surprise in the NW, they made finals at Chico, beating the likes of BCBC and BAG along the way. They've got a lot of experience on their side, and Mel is their go-to handler.

7. DUC

Denver Ultimate Club is a conglomeration of Bad Larry and Ripe, two teams that placed in the top 10 at regionals last year. Don't know too much about this team... but like Golden Spike, they live/practice at altitude. Should be one of those run and run teams.

8. White Wedding

I haven't a clue about this team. But if they're anything close to what Oregon Ultimate is known to be, there's no way anyone can take these guys lightly.

9. A.I.R.

Another Bay Area team, these guys gave us a close game up at Stanford, and beat us twice at Labor Day last year. It will be interesting to see how things pan out, and it's scary to think that a team THIS good in AIR is a 9th seed.

Predicted Final Standings

1. Mischief

2. LA Metro

3. Golden Spike

4. CTR

5. BCBC

6. DUC

7. White Wedding

8. AIR

9. Night Train

I will be updating scores and video-blogging on my posterous starting Saturday morning.

See you all in SF, best of luck to those playing in Santa Cruz.

-Hammie #10