Monkeyball

Amazing weather blessed the backyard of a Jackson home on October 9th, leading a planned Michigan State/U-of-M party into a four-court Monkeyball tournament.  16 participants wagered bets, trash talked, and tossed for all they were worth in the hours leading up to the big game.

First round highlights included three blowouts by veteran Monkeyballers Lindy Inosencio, Ned Huestis, and Ryan LePeak who mercilessly pounded rookie participants into wishing a corn hole tournament was held instead. Rookie standouts Len Robinson and Matt Anderson showed talent by eventually making the final four of the winner’s bracket before being sent down by the eventual #1 and #2.

The loser’s bracket showed marathon matches between Charlie “City Boy” Breidenbaugh vs. Beckitt LePeak, and Greg Inosencio vs. Richard Dawson, which were so evenly matched and so long the participants were asking for potty breaks.  Eventually Beckitt LePeak tired of toying with the rookie and finished him off for her first-ever tournament win! Richard fortunately acquired monkey laryngitis as his trash talking gave out and he was forced to focus on his throwing instead, finally narrowly beating last tournament’s 3rd place.

Ned Huestis had his sights set on a tournament win but faltered because of a suspiciously placed remnant from the official tournament referee – LuLu the German Shepherd – and lost the championship match 15-7 to Ryan LePeak. The day would have been absolutely perfect if it wasn’t for all of the U-of-M fans around. More and more excitement is generating for Monkeyball in the Jackson area and many participants are looking forward to upcoming tournaments and hoping someone finds a good indoor venue for winter tournaments.

Champion: Ryan LePeak
Runner-Up: Ned Huestis
# of Players: 16