It has appeared that the current state of the game has caused some folks to lean towards a restructuring of the league format. Specifically, a change to split between competitive and non-competitive teams is being pondered. The concern appears to lie in the disparity between opponents as it is translated in the scoreboard and play. However, I am inclined to see this disparity in a more positive light and see no need to rush the league into this drastic change.
It is determined that the teams losing by large margins are simply not competitive. Truth, all is relative. In a pool of 28 teams it is bound that the rate of competitiveness, talent, and enjoyment will vary. I do believe that there are three degrees to any league regardless of size. In each current division these grades are apparent as well. There are two teams that unfortunately might never taste the sweet taste of victory this season. But do these teams bottom dwelling status truly anchor the rest of the bottom grade of the league to the extent of creating a back arc rift between the mid majors and the long shots? I do not agree. Furthermore, only two teams (or one) appear to truly showcase a talent that is worthy of being legitimate front runners going into the post-season, though everyone’s toughest games remain ahead of them. What does this mean? Perhaps that the boundary between the three different degrees is a not as well defined as some would like to think…
The validation for the current function of the league will more than likely come after the King of Kickball is crowned, but for now let’s romanticize the change of the game as it approaches a non-competitive division. In a non-competitive division the main goal would be fun and all other statistical variables that encourage competitiveness should not be valued. Records and scores would not exist. Due to the lack of meaning of a statistical value, the tension of the game will also go away. The heightened level of relaxation will be further endorsed by the removal of paid umpires. The captain (or team representative) from each participating team would umpire their respective matches. Lastly, the playoff system would also not exist since the true champion is fun. These would be some minor differences in the equation that would be needed in a non-competitive division.
Fact is, without these tweaks, competition is inevitable. There will be good teams, and there will not so good teams as well. Also, I do not see too many players or teams wishing to return to a non-competitive division. A ‘Toilet Bowl’ already exists; it is called the Play-In Tournament. The top two teams are rewarded a chance to participate in the league post-season. The majority of the teams which were part of last season’s Play-In Tournament have returned. All of them are reinforced and with a better perspective on what it takes to play and succeed in SCK. This improvement is interpreted as a complete merit for the not-so-good teams to be amongst everyone else. The league’s Gaussian distribution is not as robust as people claim it to be, and that is a good thing. The best thing for all teams to continue to do is define and improve themselves from the current defined limits, from Los Fah Qs to Balls to the Wall.
18 comments:
The point of the league is to have fun and meet new people, it is on the mission statement. All I ever hear is how bad teams suck and how good other teams are from this blog, you are not at everygame man you talk from your ass alot. Most signed up for fun and losing is part of the game...most are not highschool athletes who couldn't do anything once high school was over, we have lives or are going to school kickball is not at the top of the list for most. Yet puttuing them down for coming out and playing is another thing, don't split the league those newbies just need more time.
The point of the league is to have fun and meet new people, it is on the mission statement. All I ever hear is how bad teams suck and how good other teams are from this blog, you are not at everygame man you talk from your ass alot. Most signed up for fun and losing is part of the game...most are not highschool athletes who couldn't do anything once high school was over, we have lives or are going to school kickball is not at the top of the list for most. Yet puttuing them down for coming out and playing is another thing, don't split the league those newbies just need more time.
Negative Jesse! If you wanna ass grab with the top dogs then step your game up. We all have lives too, the olny difference is that were hyper competitive. If your going to do something might as well be the best at it, or atleast try. Until then your and everyone elses crappy teams should be segregated from the cream of the crop!!!
I agree with you Jesse, splitting the league is a bad idea. everyone deserves a chance to be part of the SCK road to the championship. Its as fair as it can be. Segregating the league is adding insult to teams are trying hard but still not getting the desired results.
I think jesse needs to analyze what he reads (or actually read the whole thing) before writing out of his ass. If you're going to school, reading classes should help. The blog you replied to says, in summary: don't split the league and let us all play together. Your comment is
in the wrong place.
Just for clarification, the conversation isn't necessarily about spliting or segregating the league. But instead adding another divisions to the league to create some options.
If there are teams who are still learning, trying to be competitive want to stay in the main group there would be nothing wrong with that. They could stay and strive to compete.
However if there are a handful of teams that would like a more relax atmosphere, I feel SCK can provide that. The league how it exsists today would stay the same. Adding a division would just create options for the players and teams. Teams could choose either group.
We keep assuming that the fun teams want and strive for kickball glory. Maybe they dont, but for the teams who do want that King of Kickball title, nothing would change.
I can see the agrument for keeping the league the same and not seperating or segregating, but that's not the issue.
Adding!! (not seperating) a non competitive level should be an option
As a proponent of a recreational divisiona my stands is...Im competitive every day of my life...thats my Work and Im fucking good at it. Kickball is my time to chillax and have fun. Playing against these Kickball "Roid Rage" teams isnt fun nor relaxing...I'll take playing Royal Tienenballs or Hung Jury a million times over Shockers, B&D, or Monkeys, because like me, they are just about chillaxing and having fun.
I guess what I’m having a hard time understanding is what everyone thinks “competitive” means. If playing competitively means acting like an asshole to everyone who loses a game, then mission accomplished. Okay, so I know that’s not everyone, but the dominant presence on these blogs seems to be that way.
Mr. 187 said something dumb like, “If you wanna ass grab with the top dogs then step your game up.” This kind of crap just annoys me. When you’re done patting yourself on the back for beating teams who are in their first year with SKC, think for a second about the fact that not everyone has had the same playing time that it takes to actually gain experience. And yes, that means playing teams who are much better than us. It would just be nice not to have to feel like we’re at the insulting mercy of teams who have had, I don’t know, 3+ seasons of kickball experience ahead of us.
As far as analyzing things incorrectly, you are king (or queen), NPMB. The original blog is about the discussion over splitting or adding leagues, and Jesse’s post is just adding a perspective on why they should remain as is. As for your jab on “reading classes”—that has to be the stupidest insult I’ve ever heard man.
Ha. Hilarious.
thiscat, the only stupid insult i see on here is jesse assuming that the competitive people ddn make it in life as an athlete, think of his insults first buddy, and jesse needs to realize that its not the same author on every post either, there are 3, so don't take jabs at someone off assumptions, if you cant take the heat get out the kitchen and next time post a name don't hide behind another name you're gonna criticize
I dunno maybe there should be a fun division. The team I play for prolly wouldn't go for it but there are like three kickball leagues now and all are goin to b real competetive.
Well, Rick... I am not posting behind another name and I have never done that...I have posted with my name go look it up. I do know there are more then one blogger, so Rick next time you should think. As for the competiveness of those didn't make it in life... said they couldn't make it as athletes not life. We are all here to have fun... and as for taking the heat I am in the Adam oven man and can and do take the heat. Again this is Jesse...not some other name I have never used.
Sorry for the misspelled words using a phone right now, and it is auto typing when I think I wrote somethigm so it is not adam but damn.
Umm did u not see that comment was for thiscat? Just mentioned ur insult as he was defending you
Well that's just a mistake there...it does seem like it is to me. In any case there are others who don’t post their name as well who said some pretty asinine things.
Before the new postings hit this week and this debate becomes a footnote, I wanted to add one more thing.
Player’s and team’s expectations for a specific kickball experience vastly vary. While some teams yearn for kickball glory others are simply looking for a recreational experience. This is more fact than opinion. How do I know? Simply ,because I asked folks. There are already 4 teams in favor of playing in a more recreational division. SCK's policy is not to assume what is best for the player, but instead ask the players what kind of league they want. Which is the reason why feedback and dialog are always appreciated and encouraged.
An added recreational division would hopefully also contain the same SCK quality that is afforded to current divisions. Just because a new divisions would be recreational, doesn't mean that those players should be treated as sub standard players.
SCK has not founded to only create ultimately the ideal competitive experience. That place already exists. Instead the league is place for the player. SCK has the ability, resources, and responsibility to afford two different types of players and teams, a competitive and recreational style of kickball. . Both divisions should be SCK quality and considered to be part of the SCK family equally.
I'd like to know what the rest of the 24 teams have to say...
Let me ask you this, NPMB. Let's just say an added division would not effect the other 24 team's in regards to the current format and gameplay they participate in.
If that were the case, why would those 24 teams be opposed to a group of 4 teams or more playing a more recreational style of kickball. Let's go further and say they would even play on another night. And remember, let's also just say that registering for the recreational division would be optional.
I just don't see why 24 teams would be opposed to something that wouldn't necessarily effect them. Why would they be opposed to a group wanting to have fun? I keep saying 4 teams because that's the number of confirmed teams that would sign up for a more recreational style of kickball.
If anything, adding a recreational style of kickball on another night, would essentially free up some spots on Wed. night for additional teams to join wed night and bring in some more teams looking for some competitive play.
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