Commissioner’s Cup (Hoover, AL)

Well, not too much to report from Swisdack Field.  As the tournament name suggests, Andy Frushour walked out of Birmingham the champion, mumbling something about soon supplanting Dean Allen as the World #1.

SoMoCo held its first big event of the year.  29 ballers (28 SoMoCo’ers and one Big Ten’er) flowed onto Swisdack Field, braving the soggy surface and damp conditions.  While the rain did its best to push the competitors away, the strange mystique of Monkeyball (or perhaps keg beer and appetizers) pulled everyone back.  This tournament was set-up like a mini-Worlds with 29 people divided up into two groups.  The “morning” rounds were played in double-elimination style.  The top four from each group advanced to the “afternoon” session, playing best two out of three.

High (low) lights:

  • Michelle Salmon, winner of two of the last three SoMoCo events, lost focus and was put away after only two matches.
  • A couple newbies made their attendance known.  Moe Wrights and Brett “Sham Wow” McElmurray each won at least one game, effectively being bitten by the MB bug.  We will no doubt see them at many more tournaments.
  • Scott Salmon was two points away from a spot in the “afternoon” session.  Up 13-4 against Jeff Bolt, the Abita AndiGator struck again, and Scott fell 15-13, advancing Jeff to face Jason Salmon in the quarters.
  • In the Quarterfinals, Frushour put a 12-monkeys on John Griffith.  Oddly enough, John really seemed to enjoy it.
  • Neighbors Sean Dameron and Kevin Singleton have apparently been practicing.  Both made runs to the semis before succumbing to the awesome presence of the Commish.  Kevin lost 16-6, 15-4; Sean made a valiant run to the Finals before losing 15-0, 15-7.

Another successful tournament in the books, the SoMoCo crew will spend the next few weeks preparing for the upcoming Derby Tournament at Il Palazzo Mills on May 2.  A big shout out to our gracious hosts, Charles and Joyce Swisdack.  Many thanks from all of us for your hospitality.

Champion: Andy Frushour
Runner-Up: Sean Dameron
# of Players: 29

Bracket (PDF)


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