Week 1:

When the engine left the station to begin our journey, The Ship looked like it was on the right track, posting three wins right off the bat.  Even two losses didn't derail us, because Darian returned from a long layoff and didn't miss a beat, winning her S501 match to make the score 4-2 after S501.

And then we rounded the corner at Cricketsville... and the train derailed and flew off the tracks in a train wreck of epic proportions.  The switchman was asleep, and train "108th Street" was on the wrong track and headed for us.  Word from the scene is that authorities are still trying to clear the tracks and untangle the mess.

In D501 we managed to get back on track.  Andrew made a bid for Rookie of the Year honors by doubling in and getting an 80 to start D501, as he and Fred won in D501.  In the last game, Rich / Eric kept the train from screeching to a halt, by ending the night with a win.  The Ship ended with a 10-8 loss, as the train rolls on...

So pack your bags, come on, get ready, say what? We're coming through your town. Move your arm up and down, and make that choo choo sound...

Props:
Fred - 2 Wins and 121 AS points

Week 2:

Out of the box, The Ship once again rocked hard, as we took 5 of 6 in S501.  The round was highlighted by the triumphant return of Holly, who not only won her match, but posted 286 AS points.

We bounced back from last week's Cricket debacle with two wins in the first two rounds.  And then Rich / Eric handed the competition a game on a silver platter, before losing their second game.  So, despite being up 7-3 at one point, we ended Cricket up only 7-5.

Eric / Rich opened D501 by continuing to suck as hard as a pool drain that can pull your intestines out your ass, by losing their opening match. Luckily, in the second game Dave / Andrew found their groove, like a pearl diver discovering a hidden gem.  Andrew hit about 6 double 20's during the match, and Dave hit a double-20 to win, after getting a 110 with 100 left in the previous round.  In the last game, Mindy / Fred played well, but they just missed the double-1 to win, and got caught.

At the end of the night, their score was a bit like ours, as we ended up in a 9-9 tie.

Props:
Holly - An ESPY award for her 2 Wins and 286 AS points.
Dave - For 3 wins and the amazing ability not to toss his tuna.
Yanks - For clinching.

Week 3:

The night started out unlucky, as The Edge threw a Ton on their opening throw of the first game against Rich, and they proceeded to reel off three straight S501 wins.  Luckily, Jen returned to the fold and posted a win, and then Andrew won in his very first S501 game to end the round.  Although we were down 4-2, it seemed like things were getting better, and we felt like maybe it was gonna be alright.

But Cricket began with 4 straight losses from Andrew / Mindy and Rich / Jen.  Dave / Fred finally put up a win, and earned a split in their match.  We were all doin' what we can, but we still ended Cricket down 9-3.

At this point in the evening, we wanted to do nothing more than to change the world with a sweep of D501.  But it was not to be, as we lost the first to games. But we ended on a strong note, as Dave / Mindy ended the night with a win.  So, despite the 13-5 loss and general ugliness, we know it's gonna be alright.

Props:
Whitney - Whose brownies made it alright.

Week 4:

Jen / Fred started Cricket with a two well played games that earned them a split.  But suddenly, there's a shadow hanging over Rich.  He's not half the Cricket player he used to be, as he hasn't won game of Cricket all season.  Yesterday, he dragged Dave down with him, as they lost both games.  In the third game, their guy still hadn't shown up.  He was supposedly stuck in a garage, but for all we knew he blew his mind out in a car.  Andrew / Mindy took both games of their 2-on-1 match, and they played well enough to have beaten any two-man team.

Rich / Jen and Fred / Dave lost the opening two games of D501, and it looked like we might lose to a team with only five players.  At long last, their player who had seemed so far away finally showed up to play, just in time to lose to Andrew / Mindy.  So, we ended the night in a 9-9 tie, and while I did nothing wrong, I long for yesterday.

Props:
"Andy" - Playing like The Boss, with 3 Wins and 298 AS points.
Mindy - A sweep.  Come on up for the rising.

Week 5:

The night started out with losses by Rich and Eric, and it looked like there was a chance that we might fall apart before too long.  But then Dave, Jen, Fred and Andrew all proved that we can double out, we can double out.  Dave got out from 88 and Fred got out from 71, ending their games in impressive style, and we were up 4-2 after S501.

Cricket started with a win from Rich / Dave, and then in game two they were robbed of a second win. I have always thought that it's a crime to steal a win like that, but apparently not.  The Fab Two of Mindy / Andrew couldn't repeat their Cricket performance of last week, and they dropped both games, before Jen / Fred scored a split.

But we weren't worried that the match was tied after two rounds, because we can double out, we can double out.  Eric / Mindy dropped the opening game in a close match, before Rich / Jen took their game with a 16-8-double-4. When Andrew nailed a 20-double-10 to finish the evening, we walked away with a 10-8 finish and our first win of the season.

Props:
Dave - Off the All-Star schneid.
Jen - Showing off in front of her peeps.

Week 6:

Ironically, in a night that we played in an old barbershop, our S501 performance cause me to run my hands through my hair.  We dropped the first two games, and it looked like we might be over-matched.  But Rich picked up a win in game 3, making good on Dave's strategery, before we dropped the last four games, and ended S501 down 5-1.

But despite our position, each one of us believed that hope never dies.  We started out Cricket on a mission to improve on our 8-22 Cricket record through Week 5.  Dave / Fred were on fire in game one, taking a quick win.  In game 2, with both of them thinking how good two wins can be, they nearly swept, but ended up splitting.  Andrew and Eric also took their first game (easily), but somehow angered the other team.  When Eric graciously offered to shake hands after losing the second game, he was speaking, but they pretended they didn't know he was there.  In the last round, Rich got to play with Jen, and if she's beside me, I know I need never care.  And rightly so, as Rich / Jen swept both games, including two bulls from Jen to close game two. So, at the end of Cricket we had closed the gap to a 7-5 deficit.

D501 gave us a chance to either tie or win the night.  Fred / Eric dropped a tough game in the opener, as Eric just missed stealing the game.  But Jen / Andrew kept hope alive by winning game two.  However, with a chance to tie the night in game three, Rich / Dave couldn't close the door that was open all night with people wandering in and out. They  lost to a team that seemed to throw darts here, there and everywhere, but managed to score, and the night ended in an 11-7 loss.

Props:
Jen - 4 points.  We need her here, not there (Aspen).

Week 7:

When the night started we didn't miss a shot, but then we got a bellyful of wine.
The Kings are a pretty nice team, that we tied nine to nine
Oh yeah, that we tied nine to nine.

Props:
Eric - For getting off the S501 schneid.

Week 8:

In S501, every game seemed to be tight. Despite being sick, Fred won the first game, and it made him feel alright. Rich then lost a close match, before Eric and Andrew put in some hard work to crawl back into each of their games.  They both put up quite a fight before getting edged out at the end. Mindy won her game, putting us down 4-2 after S501.

In Cricket, we worked all night, but we couldn't buy a thing.  Andrew / Eric played two tight games and split.  Rich / Jen nearly stole their first game and nearly wasted their second, and also ended with a split.  Dave / Mindy ran into a buzzsaw in Reggie, and got swept, and we were down 8-4 after Cricket.

All season D501 has made us moan, 'cause we play 501 better alone, and this night was pretty much the same. Rich dragged down Andrew's D501 percentage, as they lost the first game.  Mindy / Eric beat JR (Aww, you didn't do that!) in a great game. And in the last game, Dave / Jen lost, giving us a measly 6 points for the night, despite all of our hard work.

At least next week we'll be home, where everything seems to be right.

Props:
Mindy / Eric - 3 points each, and some solid trivia work.

Week 9:

This week, the night started out with a series of back and forth battles. Rich won to start things off, and then Andrew staged a big come-back before falling short.  Mindy and Dave lost their double-out battles, while Fred and Jen won theirs.  So, while the match was tied at 3-3 after S501, we played really well, and it seemed like the sun was starting to shine on the Ship.

Fred / Andrew started out Cricket with a strong win before they got swept under by a Round 9 in game 2.  But in the second match, Rich / Mindy started to heat things up with a sweep, including a come-back win in game 2.  Dave / Jen split their match, and The Ship was now warmed with a 7-5 lead after Cricket.

The match had lasted a while already, and it felt like we'd been there for years, but we pushed on with D501.  Dave / Fred started things off by jumping out to a big lead and holding on for a win in game 1.  In game 2, Jen / Mindy grinded out a win in another double-out battle.  In game 3, Rich / Andrew fell behind early, and it looked like they were done for.  But they stuck it out and hit a double-16 to win the game and cap off a big 13-5 win for The Ship.  I say, it's alright.

Props:
Rich - A sweep.
Fred - 3 wins and 192 AS points, despite an inferiority complex.
Jen - 3 wins and 193 AS points for the peeps.

Week 10:

Fred lost to open the night, but Rich won going away in his game.  In Jen's game, it took her so long to double out, but she doubled out, and won.  Although Eric had a good reason for taking the easy way out, he came off his sickbed to post a win in between losses by Andrew and Mindy.  So, after S501, it was tied 3-3.

In Cricket, Andrew / Jen and Rich / Fred each got creamed in their first games and came back to win their second game.  With 5 points, we were looking good, and we were almost half the way there to our goal for the night.  Eric / Mindy played well in both of their games, but they were unable to hold them off, and they dropped both game, and we were stuck half the way there, now, with 5 points after Cricket.

We were looking for another D501 sweep like last week.  Andrew / Eric jumped out to a huge lead, and looked ready to coast to a win, but it was a big teaser, as the other team came back and won.  In game 2, Fred / Jen gave the run around to the guy from Blues Traveler, but lost anyway. In game 3, Rich / Mindy returned to the scene of their midget-tossing.  They fell behind early, and it looked like they would get their midget tossed, but they spoiled the party by sticking around and coming from behind to win.

We ended with an 11-7 loss.  For the rest of the season, 8 points a week is not enough to make the playoffs.  We need to win some games.

Props:
Rich - 3 wins and 100 AS points.

Week 11:

I am here as you are here as you are me and we are all together.  See how we play like every Tuesday, see how much fun. I’m crying.

Seeking revenge against the Roadhouse, the Ship came into this week looking to dominate.  But we were left sitting on a cornflake, waiting for the van to come, while the Roadhouse team slowly made its way uptown.  When things finally got going, we knew it was going to be a long night.  The always reliable Fred got steamrolled in the first game.  Andrew, Mr. City Policeman, lost despite throwing a ton and a ton-34. Holly lost in her comeback game, despite throwing All-Stars, as did Mindy.  Down 4-2 after S501, we let our faces grow long.

Andrew / Holly got slapped in the first round of Cricket, and Rich / Mindy got slapped in the last round.  Only Dave / Eric were able to scrape out a win in the entire round.  I'm crying, I’m crying.

Fred / Dave gave us hope with a win to start D501, since they are the eggmen.  But Eric / Mindy let their knickers down in game 2.  Rich / Andrew played like yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dog's eye, losing their game after pitifully failing to double out.  So the night ended with the Roadhouse smiling like pigs in a sty, with their 13-5 win.  We're gonna carry that weight a long time.

Props:
Eric - 2 wins and 240 AS points - He is the Walrus.

Week 12:

Batting leadoff, Fred played a tough came and came away with an opening win to help the cause.  But Rich was no help, as he was unable to double out in his game.  Dave's win also helped, but we lost the last 3 games, leaving us down 4-2 after S501.

Despite tearing a tendon running, Jen got her feet back on the ground, but even that didn't help.  In Cricket, we were handed a Royal Bitch Slap, and anyway you look at it, six straight losses do not help.

If we could sweep D501, the night would change in oh so many ways.  Otherwise, our season might vanish in the haze.  Rich / Dave opened up with a win, which helped.  Despite Andrew / Mindy's loss, Fred / Jen came back and seemed so self assured, there was no doubt they'd win.  We ended up with 4 points in D501, and a 6-12 loss on the night.

Props:
Dave (2 wins and a C3) / Fred (2 wins and 392 AS points) - We do appreciate you being 'round.

Week 13:

This week, we started out with a roar.  Fred, Andrew, Rich and Eric won the first four games, and we were well on our way with our heads in a cloud.  We coasted into Cricket up 4-2.

As usual, when we got to Cricket it seemed as though the world was spinning round.  We were only able to win 2 of the 6 games, and one was a dramatic comeback by Rich / Fred, in which they needed a C3 followed by a double-bull to pull out a victory.  So, we were tied heading into D501.

Jen / Eric dropped a tough game in the first D501 match.  But Dave / Andrew won game two, and Rich / Fred closed out the night to secure a 10-8 win for The Ship.  Fred's D501 finish was especially satisfying, because it was against the dickhead who has consistently refused to shake our hands when he loses.  Nobody seems to like him, we know that he's the fool, but beating him makes the victory even sweeter.

Props:
Andrew / Fred / Rich - 3 wins each.  Hardly fools over the hill.
Antalya - The team always responds when the mascot shows up.

Week 14:

Fred started out with a win by finishing off his opponent.  Drew dropped a tough game, but Rich picked him up with a win in the next game.  Holly came back to the squad and left her opponent in the dust, squeaking out a win despite being rusty.  With Dave's loss and a forced forfeit, we closed the opening round tied 3-3.

Holly faced double-trouble in Cricket, when she played alone against their team.  Despite putting up a brave front, she got her behind whipped, but earned much respect with a valiant effort.  Rich / Andrew split two close games that were a far cry from our usual Cricket struggles.  In the third match, Dave / Fred stood up to a tough team that hit a bunch of trips, but ended up losing both games.  In the thick of the match, The Ship was down 8-4 and stretched thin.

When Holly left (just before her birthday), The Ship was down to four players and it looked like our time was up.  But, unwilling to forfeit additional matches, we decided to divide and conquer rather than give in.  Even though Fred said "stop," Dave and Rich said "go go go" to playing singles in doubles.  Our spirits were not lifted when Fred / Andrew dropped the first game.  In the first 2-on-1 match, Dave battled but lost the war with 257 on the board when they finished.  In the second 2-on-1 match, Rich had 122 on the board when he was finished off .  Despite going down 14-4 and the D501 sweep, The Ship can hold its head up after a ballsy evening.

We didn't quite make the playoffs, as we ended the season in 7th place.  On a positive note, our win in week 13 and loss in week 14 knocked 1020 Bar from the playoffs and moved The Edge in.  It's nice to play the spoiler.  I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello.

Season Notes:

On the season, we had 3 wins, 3 ties and 8 losses.  Despite our widespread schedule, we didn't benefit from home cooking.  Of the 108 points we scored for the season, we scored 54 at home and 54 on the road.

Team All-Star Point Total: 7,885
Team S501 Win %: 53%
Team Cricket Win %: 31%
Team D501 Win %: 46%
Overall Team Win %: 40%

Season-Ending Props:
Ironman: Rich (55), Fred / Andrew (50), Dave (49)
AS Points: Rich (1776), Fred (1617)
Total Wins: Rich (26), Fred (24)
S501 Win %: Rich / Fred (71%)
Cricket Win %: Jen (40%), Fred (38%)
D501 Win %: Dave (62%), Andrew / Mindy (50%)
Overall Win %: Fred (48%), Rich (47%), Jen (44%)
ROY: Andrew (1,027 AS points, 50% in D501)