Results

2nd Annual Birmingham Christmas Invitational
Palazzo Mills -- Mountain Brook, AL
December 21, 2008

As Monkeyball continues to consume a small (but growing) and insane southern crowd, the Mills’ again hosted the Birmingham Invitational. While last year saw 11 (of 28) MB Tournament Rookies, this year brought in only 4 (Joey “the Aviator” Goffredi, David “working hard to earn the good graces of M/M Mills” Falco, Heather and Jason Davis), which meant the competition was fierce.

This year brought a different format to last year. We broke out into 4 groups of 8, playing a double elimination tournament. The 4 courts were divided into 2 sections - Courts A and B on the upper level; Courts C and D on the lower level - which allowed us to finish in just under 3 hours. The winners from Court A, B, C, and D went on to meet and eventually crown an unexpected (some may say lucky) winner. This year saw more ballers utilizing the pinch, though the traddys faired very well.

Court A saw the good and the bad. The Good: Stacey Hodulich (who has only played MB twice) validated her 2007 runner-up finish by making it to the Elite Eight before losing to eventual runner-up Jason Salmon. The Bad: Bill Mills bowed out early going 0-2, though not without an unconventional try. After losing the first game badly, Bill seemed to think that it was his shoes that did him in. He seemed to have some past success in a pair of slippers and a pair of custom-made Italian running shoes. So rather than getting one or the other he wore one of both…and lost the subsequent game 15-0.

Court B saw a past champ, a true rookie and a tournament whipping post all make runs. Dilbert, trying to avenge his disappointing finish in 2007, played exceptional MB before bowing to the dark horse and MB rookie, Jason Davis, in the quarterfinals. Jason Davis, having only heard of the game two weeks prior, started slowly, giving co-host Connie Mills only her second ever tournament victory in the first round. He then ran through the loser’s bracket, easily handling all opponents with his traddy throws. The highlight of the day was Jay “Sofa” Lomenick finally getting the monkey off his back. After going 0-7 (across 4 sanctioned tournaments), Sofa FINALLY got a victory (two straight, in fact) in the loser’s bracket before eventually falling to Jason Davis. CONGRATS, Sofa…keep ballin’.

Court C brought two more MB rookies, David and Joey, and the eventual champ, Michelle Salmon. David and Joey had a heated rivalry going before the tournament, with David being a Pats and Red Sox fan; Joey a Jets and Yankees fan. So it was only fitting to pair them in the first round, with the Joey taking out David, just like the Yanks did to the Sox with Teixeira ($180m for 8 years? Seriously??). Michelle Salmon proved that pregnancy is beautiful, and cruised through Court C without much trouble. Not sure if it is the pregnancy itself, or the fact that she can’t drink, but she is playing some good ball.

Court D witnessed the hardest working SoMoCo’er and two-time tournament champ, Sean Dameron and the youngster, Connor Jones, make strong runs through the bracket. Sean was focused the entire day, proving that daily two hour practice sessions are beneficial and making it to the Final Four before bowing out to eventual champ Michelle Salmon. Connor Jones, the youngest SoMoCo’er in the tourney showed that skill, more than age, is what counts. Connor made a strong showing, impressing all watchers, and looks to factor into future tournaments. Court D also played host to the Jester, Matthew Rohling, who showed up wearing a camel-fur scarf and ski gloves. Note: brethren from the North, while y’all were suffering through single-digit temps and feet of snow, we had to “suffer” through 45-degree temps (cold for us) and sunshine. And while Matt did look silly, he did break from his patented “cupping” throwing motion and converted to the pinch. After this showing, he may have to go back and find something else.

The word and enthusiasm is spreading down South. And while the game’s founders hunker down for a dreary winter’s night (and day, and night, and day…you get the picture), the SoMoCo crew will continue to play tournament ball in prep for World’s V. The next big SoMoCo tournament will be the Derby Tournament in April; until then, keep ballin’ in smaller venues to keep the skills tuned.