Results

2ND ANNUAL GREEN ACRES OPEN
Swan Lawn -- Kokomo, IN
June 27, 2009

Over the last two years, the Green Acres Open has become the premier warm-up event for the Monkeyball World Championships. This year, six of the world’s top 30 were among the 25 Monkeyballers in attendance. As the rankings may have predicted, the final four came from that highly-rated half-dozen.

Chuck Trinoskey won his first-ever MB tourney, toping World #1 Andy Frushour in the championship, 15-10. CT also beat AF in the winners bracket semis. #5 Casey Frushour lost to Trinoskey in the winners bracket finals, and then to Andy in the losers bracket finals. Dan Kidle also had another solid showing, finishing fourth.

Cindy Birnell was the no-brainer selection for the tournament’s Top Rookie Award. Birnell knocked off #18 Joe Frushour on her way to a 5th place finish. Birnell and friend Mindi Miller also made their own Monkeyball t-shirts for the event, so you knew they’d get some love from me.

Be sure to include the entire Danely/Swan clan on the MB5 "Others to Watch" list. Rex has been an MB mainstay at the last few World Championships, while I’m anticipating breakout performances from Misty and Carl Swan. Gena Danely is sure to be a tough out (she scared the bejesus out of the World #1 by dropping a mid-game 11-point rack), and even though he sucked Monkeyballs during the Green Acres main event, Matt Danely did regroup to win the After Party tournament. All five should be in contention to advance to the afternoon at MB5.

Chuck’s win is a long time coming. Chuck burst onto the scene at the inaugural Monkeyball World Championships, falling in the championship game to Jim Blair. But since that grand day at the corner of Rockford and Strathmore, CT hasn’t really contended for a tournament win. After this win at Green Acres, and coupled with his 5th place finish at the 2008 World Championship, you can bet he will be considered an MB5 favorite at the Old Orchard in six weeks.