Run to the Playoffs

XV - Week 3

XV - Week 2

XV - Week 1

XV - Tournament

Retirements Announced

There were 8 retirements at to put a close to the 2012 Season and mark the beginning of the 2014 Offseason. While Russell and Desmond were huge to their franchises, their retirements were expected, but two more faces of franchises shocked their fans and team with their news.

Jacoby and Sean entered the league in 2008-2 and both had immediate success. Their news comes as a shock as Sean and the Diamonds were poised to take it to another level next year and the Dragonfish were looking for a rock as they rebuilt their perennial powerhouse team.

Jacoby came in during the historic reformation of the Dragonfish where 4 players were rotated off the roster and in came Jacoby, 2 other players and the instant buddy Aleksandr. It didn't take long for the new team to gel as they went to the playoffs their 2nd season together and never looked back. Making it to 7 straight playoff appearances is a record that may not be broken anytime soon. They won a championship and as the elders left, Jacoby and Aleksandr still produced 3 more stellar seasons. But, this is a business and Aleksandr was dealt away to the Empire last season and he even went on to play in the Championship. Meanwhile, Jacoby had been through it all, there was nothing left, the era had shifted with the absence of a playoff run. It was a new team now, led primarily by Paolo. Dragonfish nation will forever remember this great center and the astonishing era of success had here in Florida.

Sean was much the prodigy as Jacoby. In his 2nd season he really made his mark in the legendary showdown in Florida in the Divisional round of the playoffs with the rain coming down, he beat all odds and led his team towards the conference finals. Sean, the Diamond, as they call him grew up on the rival island West Wing, but he always loved watching this team play. And that home grown chemistry led him to be the rock this franchise needed for a pretty good period of success throughout his career. Everybody felt the pressure, however, as the Diamonds would be eliminated year after year in the playoffs of how long Sean could keep playing well and have the opportunity of a Championship. They brought in the best player to ever come from the Combine, Sebastian, last season and they reached the Conference Finals, again falling short. Simeon and the rookie Kurtis added their stellar play this year to make the Diamonds the most hyped team going into the playoffs,  but again fell short in the Divisional round to a tough Skylarks team. With the Diamonds moving to Diamond Beach, changing their branding with new uniforms and logos, it was pretty clear the Sebastian era had begun. Sean, always the humble soldier could feel this and bowed out to make room for a team that will be tops next season and years to come.

Retirees-


Russell #4 Wing
College: Compass Rose Academy
Seasons: 10 SB/DD
All*Star Selections: 4

Jacoby #9 Center
College: Missouri Meteors
All*Star Selections: 4
Seasons: 9 DF
Championships: 1



Sean #7 Wing
College: West Wing University
Seasons: 9 DIA
All*Star Selections: 2




Bosley #17 Wing
College: Wheatfield
Seasons: 10 DF/MAR/DF/EMP



Nadashess #57 Wing
College: Missouri Blackfeet
Seasons: 10 SEA/EMP/SB/GOLD
All*Star Selections: 2



Desmond #11Wing
College: Wheatfield
Seasons: 10 TOR/GOLD
All*Star Selections: 3




Rob #4 Center
College: Florida University
Seasons: 8 DIA/PHA/GRE

Matt #44 Wing
College: Compass Rose Academy
Seasons: 10 PHA/TOR/PHA/SE
All*Star Selections: 1
Championships: 1

Cat's Champs!

St. Catherine's of New Orleans takes the 13th Championship of the DBL in 4 games against the New York Empire.

The Empire had quite the playoff run, going 4-0 on their way to a North-Midwest title. Then proceeded to win game 1 in 2 sets. But the fun was all over as the Cat's snapped into Championship mode and rattled off 3 straight victories in New Orleans. The 'Chemistry Department' was no match for the Cat's big 3, especially Ausonio who went onto be the Championship MVP. The 3rd year player from Yellow University was a combine winner and has kept up to expectation and has pulled through as the real force of the Cat's. Joseph has really come into his own also, the 3rd year man from Harts University had a really harsh rookie sentence on the 0-10 Reapers. But he was brought in his sophomore season and has matured into an All-Star center. But certainly the player who can most appreciate this Championship is invariably Jared. He has seen the very slow gradual progression into the power team that is the Cat's. They have built a team around a local boy and the plan has definitely worked. Jared looked very relaxed and almost relieved throughout the Championship that the plan was working out.

"I have been following this team before I was in this league, as a kid from Mississippi, all the dodgeball heads in my school would only talk Cat's ball. So, to win one for them, means a lot to me and to my community back home. Love you guys!" - Jared #8 CATS

The Empire had a very under performing season especially in the weakest division in the league, winning the division with a 5-5 record. But as soon as the playoffs hit, it wasn't the team from the regular season. The chemistry finally synced and they blasted past the top 2 teams in the conference, remarkably with little help from Aleksandr. He was being saved for the Championship. He had an incredible performance in the Championship and the Empire have set themselves up for next year as a clear contender.

What is next for the Cat's? From the outset of this season they turned heads as they did not change personnel unlike every other team. It panned out, the teamwork was there and there was no panic in being in the Championship unlike last years meltdown. Since this team prides itself on a strong core of teamwork and tradition, expect them to keep all but one next year. Arthur is at the end of his contract and the Cat's will probably do some shopping to get some new blood in there to hopefully clean up the leaking weak link.

New Orleans rejoice! Your champions have arrived!

Championship Game 3

The Cat's played some pretty good ball. But the Empire still cause some uneasiness as they stay sneakily close to winning the game. If the Empire can snag this final game in New Orleans, anything is possbile in NYC in game 5!

Championship Game 2

The Empire know now they need tight tight play to squeeze 2 more w's in this series. The Cat's surely meowed and showed the nation they are still the favorite. 

Championship Game 1

The Cat's have just realized the Empire are not playing around in Championship mode. The Cat's need to snag their first ever championship (and set) victory in game 2, to hem this tide. 

Championship Preview

The Championship 2012 is here!! It features the last remaining pair of teams that have never played each other in any capacity. It is being called the "Arranged Marriage". And these two squads could not be more different.

-Philosophy-

The Empire have always been the big flashy 'Win Now' team of the league. Every game followed to determine whether the league feels good or bad depending on the outcome. The big names, the big contracts, the revolutionary wheeling and dealing of owner Chris Ramos and the Empire put this team in the spot light more often than not. Even when they do poorly like last years 1-9 season, it receives plenty of media attention. But there's a reason for it, they win big games. They get it done, 6 division titles in 8 seasons, 3 #1 Rank seasons and a Championship trophy. 

St. Catherine's School was founded in the 1960's in a suburb of New Orleans. Along with that, a youth dodgeball team was started. It became a magnet for youth talent through the decades as a farm for Harts University, Texas Institute and Florida University. With the launch of the DBL in 2003, the school had all the facilities and community enthusiasm for a professional team. in 2007-1 they were awarded a team of the same name, commonly shortened to 'St. Cat's' or the 'Cats'. Coach Carlisle of the youth program was called up to coach grown men after 20 years coaching boys. This is what many claim is the reason for this teams success. Coach is used to building character over winning games. This can sometimes look very bad when stars are passed over for team players, but the trademark 'slowness' of the Cat's has had them creeping closer and closer to a title, and this year could be the fruits of 5 years of labor. 

-Personnel-

The Empire are a franken team to put it frankly. A brief effort was put in to build talent from the ground up, but after a 1-9 season, it was time to import some new faces. And where to get the best battle tested veterans? The South! They traded away the fading Williame, ho-hum Garcia, and cut Hansen to get the legend Aleksandr, Parker, and Bosley. The South has appeared in the last 6 title matches, so why not get on that wagon? The patch worked team really showed its non-compatibility going on fits of wins and losses all season and barely getting the division nod. They registered the lowest chemistry rating in the league (28.7%). But through the playoffs, they have been titled the 'Chemistry Department', finally getting in gear with near perfect efficiency and spread. Aleksandr, who has been all the Empire have used all season, has faded in the playoffs, but expect to see him in full force in his domain, the Championship. 

St. Cat's, on the other hand has only true breed Cat's. the only xeno player is Joseph, who came in after a horrid rookie year stint in OKC. But by now, all the players have gelled as Cat's. The Cat's turned heads as they were the only team in the league to not move a single piece after a crushing championship loss last season. In their eyes, they were the best team outside of the unworldly 2011 Interceptors, so why change? Although it seemed murky at times, especially after a loss to the Toros in week 9, the Cat's have proven they are the class of the league. They handled the #1 Gold after being in a 0-1 hole. They then unleashed the meanest smackdown in recent memory on the #2 Skylarks in the Conference round. The biggest change this season, is that they win games they shouldn't. But, they are heavy favorites to win the Championship, so lets see if they can harken back to their past and win an expected game. 

-Stage-

Empire Gym is the highest pressure arena to play in hands down. Situated in the heart of the densest Brooklyn streets, with the new configuration done this season, they have just the same amount of 'on top of you' seats, while increasing fan population and more box suites. This place has some of the craziest die-hard fans in the NYC dodgeball subculture, and it has seen pretty classic matches. It is the only place in the DBL where a fan can physically affect your play (although this is banned). And it will be the site of Game 1 and maybe a great Game 5. 

St. Catherine's Gym is laid out in a pastoral landscape of school buildings in a relatively calm suburb of Louisiana. The seats are just as laid back away from the court, giving the players space to think. At times it can get rowdy, but it surely isn't a consistent environment. Even the stained glass windows relax the place just a tad. But with the entire nation eyeing this matchup, don't expect to fall asleep in these stands. 

-Matchup-

Although Jared has always been the poster boy for the Cat's, expect a lot of responsibility to land on Ausonio. He has had a stellar playoffs thus far and why not keep feeding the beast? Along with Ausonio, expect Joseph to really show his true talent. Jared will be Jared and the Empire will know that, so don't expect the world from him. The Empire will try to keep the Chemistry Department open, but expect Aleksandr to be the one to get them out of jams. Aleksandr and Parker have strong experience in Championships, both won, so don't expect the Empire to be too rattled, especially in Game 1 at home. And their southern experience will not rattle them too much in Louisiana either. 

I expect a 3-1 Cat's victory.

Catch Game 1 on ZBS @ 19:30ET!

Jack takes MVP, Charlie takes Rook

Jack #0 of the Scarlet Ember has had a long season and although it ended in him ultimately committing the error that halted his teams march to the Championship, he was essential to the teams success this season. With his 4 game MVP's and Player of the Week 9, he was the glue of the team. The 3rd year man from the Florida Pentagons was 3rd in points and 2nd in the new PeeR Index of players (749.05) behind Simeon (DIA) (754.26). He becomes the first player to capture both Rookie and League MVP titles in his career, which is only just getting started!

Jack beat out Desmond, Simeon, and Aleksandr in a close vote: 7,6,2,1

"I am very honored to get this award, it is definitely something you can rest your hat on, and be satisfied with. Just thinking about how hard all my teammates and especially rivals in the league work, it floors me that I could be thought of as in the same realm as them and even above them, wow." - Jack, MVP

Speaking of someone who has won the League and Rookie MVP, Charlie #28 of the Pharoahs seemed like he could have captured both in the same year the way he busted onto the scene. He was tops in the Combine and racked up 3 game MVP's in his first 5 starts and a Player of the Week in his very first game. He had the Pharoahs race out to a 5-1 start and a #2 rank for the first time since their Championship days 6 seasons ago. But, at the end of the day, he's only a kid, 4 straight losses cast him out of the MVP race and the "Phactory" out of the Championship race.

Charlie won this prestigious title by a margin of 3 over Pasquel and McFadden 8,5,3.

"All I did all year was try my best. It has thankfully worked thus far, let's hope it works out even better next season! What a ride." - Charlie, Rook

This makes the 2nd straight season where the Combine champ has won the Rook (Sebastian #3 DIA), and 4 of 5 overall remarkably.

You can catch both of these Studs and 14 other Star's in Chicago after the Championship for the 2012 All-Star Game presented by Agness.

Conference Game 2

The Empire apparently were saving it for the Playoffs. They were a stone wall, beating the best in the conference with no sweat. Any slip ups by the Scarlet Ember were magnified by the Empire's stellar efficiency.

Wow, just wow, the Cat's completely kicked butt. They were ready, the Skylarks throught it was going to be a walk in the park. Not really ATL. 

Conference Game 1

The Scarlet Ember got a kick in the teeth and now their magical Swedish ride hangs in the balance!

The Cat's played as hard as they ever have and earned a key victory in this tough series, let's see what the Skylarks answer back with.

Conference Preview

The Scarlet Ember and Empire have surely established themselves along with the Interceptors as the North-Midwest teams of the Era. These 3 teams have made the last 4 of 5 Championships. The Scarlet Ember have made the playoffs 6 straight times, the longest current streak. The Empire have a knack for winning the North 6 of past 8 seasons. The Empire have never lost a Conference series, with a record of 4-1. The Scarlet Ember got wiped out last year in the Conference Finals against the best team ever. In my estimation the Empire really didn't think they would get this far, and are facing a Scarlet Ember team that has been #1 in the league at one point, the highest seed in the Conference, and have the (probable) league MVP in Jack. It'll be tough for the Empire to go forth.

Keys to the Series:
SE: Get some big catches, break-up the chemistry that they displayed against the Interceptors
EMP: Keep it going with the spreading of the ball. Aleksandr must step up.

Well, well, well. The Cat's and Skylarks meet to settle the South once and for all. The South will be representing the South-West in the championship for an unprecedented 6th time in a row. The Skylarks have had a return to greatness season. They easily could have been #1 for the year except they tripped up in a non-important game against the #16 Dragonfish in week 9. Their only other loss was against the Cat's in New Orleans. Their first matchup in week 4 was the first set the Skylarks lost all year, though they did win in 3 sets. Two weeks later, the Cat's absolutely rolled them 10-4. For some reason it is so easy to forget the Cat's are trying to return to the Championship, they are heavy underdogs here. Should be a good matchup, maybe not as fan-friendly as a #1 Gold v. #2 Skylarks matchup, but it should go to 3 games.

Keys to the Series:
CATS: Big 3 have to be on every set! The Skylarks have too much talent for them not to perform.
SKY: Maurice needs to be the field general, they will live and die by his performance. 

All*Stars Named

This years All-Star Game will take place in the newly refurbished O'Hare Airport Grounds in Chicago, where the Gremlins just finished up their season. Three rookies have made the team, that is the most in 11 seasons where 7 made it, but then again, there was only rookies and sophomores that year as it was the 2nd season of the DBL. Here is the list and how many previous games each has been to:

North-Midwest Starters South-West Starters Jack 0 Scarlet Ember** Center Joseph 18 St. Cat's Miller 6 Reapers*** Maurice 1 Skylarks** Jason 3 Reapers** Left Sanchito 16 Silverbacks Kyle 87 Interceptors Desmond 11 Gold*** Russell 14 Dizzy Devils Jared 8 St. Cat's** Irwin 14 Right Simeon 27 Diamonds Sven 31 Scarlet Ember Charlie 28 Pharoahs Tamp 2 Seadogs Martin 6 Toros

Divisional Game 3

Divisional Game 2

Expect Jack to overcome his game 2 difficulties and grab his League MVP title

The Cat's know how to deal in these playoffs, I see a heartbreaking end to the Gold's season in 3 sets. 

Divisional Game 1

The Gremlins put on a good front in their home fight but Jack was way too much. It was a close 5-4 first set which Jack rallied and won. Donte had a strong showing in his first playoff appearance and got the home team to the 3rd set. It was a full team effort for the final set as the Scarlet Ember rolled to a 5-3 victory. They aren't the 2nd best chemistry team for nothin'.

Expect a quick defeat of the Gremlins with the home field advantage, on to the Conference Championship!

The Diamonds got completely caught in the limelight and the Skylarks thrashed them in what could likely be their last home game in that building. They shutdown Sean for 3 sets and Sebastian proved ineffective. The Skylarks played fair team ball as everyone got a piece of action. Maurice showed out.

Now the Skylarks have quieted all the Diamonds hype they can go home and wrap things up. But, the Diamonds are still a dangerous team, and Simeon didn't have the best index in the league for no reason. I see this series going to 3.

The Interceptors probably played their 3rd worst game of the year (Dragonfish, Cat's) in New York City. Salem played terrible and they even struggled to 3 sets against an Empire team that was basically trying to lose. Aleksandr played ok in his >8th straight playoff experience. The Interceptors are on such a higher level but have struggled terribly since Salem is no longer a big threat.

The Interceptors will feel playoff fever again in game 2 and make this series interesting.

Rename the Gold the Brass! Unlikely hero rookie Brass had a phenomenal game against the home team Cat's. The Gold showed they really are #1 in the league. The Cat's couldn't get anything going with Joseph, Jared and Ausonio missing throws. The Cat's could be out the door in 2.

I expect a big game from Jared but an even bigger game from Desmond and the Gold will find themselves in the Conference Championship again.

Divisional Preview

The Playoffs will kickoff this year at the Airport in Chicago as the Gremlins play the Scarlet Ember for the 3rd time this season. The Scarlet Ember have swept the series during the season and hope to continue riding on as the top seed in this conference. There have been whispers that Casey has been holding back in anticipation of her first playoff berth since her rookie season, the world will see if she can live up to the hype. The Jack-led Scarlet Ember hope to repeat last year and move onto the next round. They appear to have as much chemistry as anybody in these playoffs.

Keys to the Series:
SE: Get Casey out at all costs, she is the sole energy in this team
GRE: Break-up Swedish-fest, this is the core of the chemistry

The Skylarks fly across the country to play the Diamonds in what could be the last game at Diamond City University Wrestleplex. The Diamonds are riding on the nations longest win streak at 4 games and lots and lots of hype. Considered by many to be the most dangerous team in these playoffs and even the next dynasty! Can they win a game first critics?! The Skylarks have known all season they were elite and to them, their first game of the season is now. After a 3 year break from the Playoffs, a brand new Skylarks team is ready to have an era of even more success.

Keys to the Series:
DIA: Keep playing as a team, they need to fire on all cylinders to punch-out this heavy weight
SKY: Knock out Sean, he is having a year for the books, Sebastian and Simeon are kind of riding on his coat-tails

Last time these 2 perennial playoff contenders met was in the 2008-2 Conference Championship where the #1 Empire rattled off a couple victories and went on to their first Conference title. Nobody even faintly remembers that game on these clubs though. It is all new and the Interceptors are looking like the clear favorite to go to the Championship in this Conference. Salem isn't what he was last year for the Interceptors, but they still have 3 more power players. The Empire are only working with Aleksandr who is making his unprecedented 8th straight playoff appearance. He knows playoffs.

Keys to the Series:
INT: Use all man-power to out Aleksandr, they have enough depth to do this and the Empire have none
EMP: They need a lot of help from role players, that's what it takes in the Playoffs where everyone is godly

Last time these 2 met in the playoffs was the 2008 Divisional Round. The Cat's went on to the Championship after dusting the Gold. This time around it is the #1 Gold vs. the reigning Conference Champ St. Cat's. The Gold are looking to finally crack into the Championships after the legendary 4 straight Conference Finals loses. They are primed to go and the clock is ticking very loud for Travis, Desmond and Nadashess to gain their 1st title. The Cat's are looking to mend their mistakes from last year and win the whole thing as they look to return to the championship.

Keys to the Series:
CATS: Keep feeding Jared, and make him throw to Desmond, it's the only way to stop that beast
GOLD: Don't get too arrogant, treat the Cat's with as much respect as they would treat the Skylarks.

Game 1 Predictions: SE, DIA, INT, GOLD