Movers and Shakers Leading Up to Draft

All the teams around the league were making moves signing and cutting and trading. Among the biggest moves were Rob getting traded to the Western rival Pharoahs. He was essential to the Diamonds success last year after coming from Free Agency oblivion a year before. The Diamonds were in a pickle everyone knew about. Either keep Sean or keep Rob, they didn't have the money for both. The Pharoahs were the perfect suitors, they have 3 roster spots to fill, money out the (expletive), and need a power player. The Diamonds didn't let him go so easily. The Pharoahs had to give up their 2010-2 pick in the draft and here's the biggest part, they have to pay $2 million of Sean's new contract each year for 4 years. Jeez, the Diamonds don't want to be played like fools. I guess it'll be awkward now for Sean to beat the Pharoahs, talk about biting the hand that feeds you, eh?

Other big moves were Geo and Erik swapping places from the Silverbacks to the Margays. Dale was traded for a pick in this years draft to the Gold. The Interceptors will have a young ole team this season.

Surprising players that want to keep their options open for other teams are Forrest and Williame. Forrest, nicknamed "Mr. Chicago", wants to see who wants him after 9 seasons with the Gremlins. The Gremlins will probably pay highly to keep him. Williame raised pretty much everyone's eyebrows when he said he wanted to see whats out there. The Seadogs were faced with a hard decision to keep Deutch or Williame, but Deutch retired (seems fishy) and the Seadogs thought now they could pay their star of the future the big bucks. Now Williame wants to see his options. This could be him acting out because of allegations that Deutch, a tenure Seadog, was forced to retire to keep Williame. We'll have more on this scandal as it develops.

Combine Kicks-offs 10th Season

The 2nd annual rookie combine begins in Diamond Stadium. Last year was a success with Michael dominating the tests, and still continues to be the top of his class. MAny new schools are represented this year. Powerhouses like the Florida Pentagons and Harts University have nobody representing them . There are 3 international participants and 2 non-school affiated people.

The first day will consist of the 40yd dash and the Dodge drill. Who will become the next star? Tune in.

Retirements Rock Rosters

The retirement deadline for active players on rosters was today. There were many many blockbusters this year. Milfred was one of the first to make his public (see picture).
"I sevred my time, and I have done all I believe will bring me satisfaction in this league. I thank all the die-hard 'Fish' fans, without them, our team wouldn't have the reputation it has today. I want to thank the entire Dragonfish organization, keeping me here all these years, through the thick and thin. And it got pretty thin (when) I was the only person on the team kept a couple years back. But, I'm happy, left on top, Go 'Fish'!" - Milfred - 87
Milfred was the face of the Dragonfish franchise since the leagues inception, a definite Hall-of-Famer when that gets going. 5 All-Star selections, and a Championship trophy to cap it off. Farewell Mil.
3 other rocking retirements were Theo, Deutch and Angelo. Theo had just became a celebrity in this league, winning the Most Valuable Player of the Year award and leading the Gremlins to a record 8-0 start.
"....I knew I had only one more year coming into this season, why else would I have signed the contract? It was all or nothing for me. Slaving 7 years in St. Louis really took a lot out of me. I realized this year, it isn't just being on a good team that gets you places. You have to try hard. I should've tried harder. But, for real, I'm spent. I've enjoyed my time here...." - Theo - 9
Deutch was the only original Seadog left. He has witnessed every up and down, and wasn't necessarily the face of the team, but real fans knew his intrinsic value. He wasn't able to be reached for comment, there may be a real story behind this. Everyone in Dodgeball knew of the Seadogs impending financial crisis. It was either Williame leaving, or Deutch. And of course you keep the young man for the long-run, but you can't easily kick-out your 1 true player for all these years. So there may have been some forcing to retire. Perhaps this explains Deutch's uncharacteristic quietness and sub-par play during the Championship? Just Saying.
Angelo was the Gold. Period. For the last 9 seasons everyone knew it was the Gold when they saw that big man. He will be missed, and has a huge spot waiting to be refilled.
In all, 13 players retired. Making a net increase of +3 from the 16 rookies entering the league last year. But there may be more retirements from free agents or cut players. Here are the 'honorably discharged':

The Curse Remains

The Seadogs went into the championship as strong as anybody as ever, winning 12 straight and capturing every award possible. Everybody was talking this team up about how they spread it around and everybody on the team could be the playmaker. Then they hit a wall--- filled with fish.

The first game was as close to a win as possbile, with the greatest momentum swing possible. the Seadogs played a great game until that point, then they just straight got ran over. Losing the next 2 games, which were close, but they got exposed to what they really were when facing a real team that could match them pound for pound. Williame IS this team. Deutch must've had stage fright and Lewis wasn't expected to lead this team even with all his expericence. Williame won the sets that kept this team in this Championship through 4 games. Maybe it was becuase this team hadn't played a real good contender since week 2, in which they lost to the Gremlins (they played the Diamonds in week 9, but come on, the Diamonds?). That was a complaint of many critics when they got their #1 ranking for the year. But they did win in smashmouth shutdown style, so one has to think they'll be able to compete with the 'boys'. They had an easy road through the playoffs, playing a Scarlet Ember team who had just won 3 must-win games to get into the playoffs. Then they played the spunky Dizzy Devils who were just happy to be there period. The Dragonfish exposed them to real, now they hate lame. Thanks Plies.

The Best Underdogs

-DRAGONFISH WIN CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST ODDS

The Dragonfish came into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 4, missing out for a 3rd year on a division title. Many were calling them burnt out form such a long season the year before. Then, they get into the playoffs as the lowest seed in the South-West and have to play their enemies, the Skyalrks, who have the best record in the league. That doesn't phase them as they pass by in 2 games. Next they play the Gold who are coming off of a 7 game win streak, and want revenge from last year. They have a very tight series with them but ultimately win, shutting up more critics. They arrive at the championship for a second straight year, but this time as a #6 team playing the hot hot hot #1 Seadogs. Nobody gave the Dragonfish a chance as the Seadogs were on a 12 game winning spree, with barely any close calls. The Dragonfish almost let that get to them, but ALeksandr righted the momentum of the whole series in the first game when he turned things around after catching Williames ball which would have ended the game at 2 sets. And DF proceeded to dominate there after. This was a very exciting close series, but it was clear who was better. The Dragonfish should be back next year, maybe less force, but they should definitely be in the mix.

Dragonfish Champions!

-2ND TIME IS THE CHARM FOR THE DRAGONFISH

Game 4 took place in hot Palmetto, Florida. Dragonfish knocking on the door for a second game of a championship. The Seadogs trying to make a miraculous chagre for a title.

First set was a pretty sloppy one. The Dragonfish had the upperhand, Jacoby overthrew 2 balls. Wayne got his throw caught and that was the set.

The second set was pretty close. It came down to Williame throwing to Aleksandr, with Milfred on the field also. Wiliame wound up and threw, but Aleksandr was all over it. Dragonfish win in the marsh!!

All*Star Players Announced

After a long season, hard work is rewarded. Presenting the 2009-2 DBL All Star's. Texas Forum outside of downtown Houston will be opening its doors for some extra-curricular gameplay this year. The fans of Houston will appreciate seeing some solid dodgeball, no offense to the Toros.

Lewis captains his 5th All Star Game team, with Rookie of the Year Micheal as the back-up. Theo got 2nd team while being the MVP of the year. Forrest, Robby, Carson, Milfred and Spike make their usual appearances as all of them at least each have 4 Stars in their career.

Here is the appearance breakdown:
North-Midwest-
Lewis C-5
Michael C-1
Carson L-4
Khris L-2
Theo L-3
Forrest R-6
Russell R-1
Spike R-4

South-West-
Casimir C-2
Jacoby C-2
Sean L-1
Doug L-2
Dotson L-1
Milfred R-5
Robby R-5
Felix R-1