tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post8827679817700204848..comments2023-09-27T06:44:18.713-05:00Comments on Houston League Tennis Blog: Interesting Roster AdditionHtownHackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12203003267930578792noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-50086297318530375452010-01-21T09:52:17.513-06:002010-01-21T09:52:17.513-06:00By the way, try GSM blocker to block all secret de...By the way, try <a href="http://www.tayx.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">GSM blocker</a> to block all secret devices in your room or at work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-58486947028646537642008-07-12T19:40:00.000-05:002008-07-12T19:40:00.000-05:00so what are the result today ? who made it to the ...so what are the result today ? who made it to the final ??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-66809319822574029802008-07-12T14:32:00.000-05:002008-07-12T14:32:00.000-05:00Sienna team, sandbagging ? hahaha They look like m...Sienna team, sandbagging ? hahaha They look like middle age wannabe tennis players, borderline between 3.5-4.0. too OLD<BR/>You are playing against big boys league 4.5, 5.0 and some college level ringers.<BR/>Sienna will lose, better luck next time boys :-) <BR/>too HOT today ehhhAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-75684006621017923662008-07-12T14:11:00.000-05:002008-07-12T14:11:00.000-05:00Summer League is the worst ... its hot and too man...Summer League is the worst ... its hot and too many ringers. I am a 5.0 player and been approached by Don Nguyen of Sienna to play in the 4.0. They have no moral or compassion for others. I feel sorry for the community of Sienna Plantation that their tennis league is becoming a NIGHTMARE because of a few individuals trying to be Captain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-42264420431540383682008-07-12T14:04:00.000-05:002008-07-12T14:04:00.000-05:00ENOUGH about Tim Green... most of the league Capta...ENOUGH about Tim Green... most of the league Captain are a BIG JOKE, wannabe successful players but really lack REAL tennis background, training, skills, and most importantly PERSONALITY.<BR/>They will sell their spouse and kids for a chance to win.<BR/>They are a strange breed that ruin tennis for all.<BR/>GOOD LUCK PLAYING in the HEAT losers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-22688557847931103132007-06-22T16:50:00.000-05:002007-06-22T16:50:00.000-05:00We didn't get our 4.5 HTA Mugs this year for winni...We didn't get our 4.5 HTA Mugs this year for winning the HTA league. What eles were we playing all those weeks for? Maybe we wanted to be social...stay in shape...and yes, compete to win each match we played. We must be terrible individuals.<BR/><BR/>Betsie was spot on in her previous comment. It is a honorable trait that most individuals will never understand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-37614948584001964742007-06-21T18:23:00.000-05:002007-06-21T18:23:00.000-05:00Thank God 3.5 and 4.0 players are not considered "...Thank God 3.5 and 4.0 players are not considered "truly successful tennis players"....especially when topics like "the fattest, most out-of-shape player" comes along. I was sweating that one out until I saw I did not qualify under your 2nd paragraph.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-13183149717873705212007-06-21T13:38:00.000-05:002007-06-21T13:38:00.000-05:00LOL, Topspin! Topspin, and others who share his o...LOL, Topspin! <BR/><BR/>Topspin, and others who share his opinions: I really do understand your sentiment or perception that captains such as myself, teague, green, etc. want to win at all costs. I totally agree with you that, as a captain, my team winning in USTA League is huge and I spend many many hours trying to put together a winning team. What bothers me is when it is deemed a character flaw or negative personality trait that we want to win. For me, given the way I was raised, settling for less in anything I do is not acceptable or desireable - that's just my personality and I won't apolgize for being that way. I credit this personality trait to all my successes in life and it's not something I can or want to turn off. I actually admire that you're able to play in the league, content to have fun hanging out with your buddies, get exercise, drink beer etc. and sometimes wish I could be that way. I'd certainly save money on hair coloring to hide the greys. And I do understand your frustration from being whipped by the "sandbaggers" - that's not fun especially if you feel your opponent is patronizing or projects an elitist attitude towards you. <BR/><BR/>That being said, I don't condone captains truly doing ANYTHING to win (the ends justifies the means mentality). You still need to have a conscience and play within the rules and guidelines of the league.<BR/><BR/>Your comment on HTA not being challenging or competitive enough is a good one and is something that could be brought to the attention of the HTA. Perhaps require teams to play HTA at the same level they played USTA, or something like that. Typically, the sandbaggers don't play HTA, so the true High-Level players would be playing at your level now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-73873893153939877512007-06-21T13:09:00.000-05:002007-06-21T13:09:00.000-05:00I am the king of HTA Spring and Fall league. Not ...I am the king of HTA Spring and Fall league. Not in terms of dominance but longevity of participation. There is no comparison between HTA and USTA leagues. In HTA, weaker players play up and in 4.5 you are just as likely to play a middle of the pack 4.0 as you are a 4.5, though you do usually see strong 4.5-5.0 level guys at line 1. But nothing is on the line, the rosters are short on players, and half the matches get rained out and never made up. Fun yes, competitive, not really. Plus, there are no playoffs or citywide championship. You just play and if you are lucky you get a mug or a folder with a HTA logo on it. Woop-de-doo! Though I in no way enjoy summer league as it exists with the massive sandbagging and what not (I might feel differently if I had the option to sandbag down to 4.0 for the summer), I would prefer to play tennis with a more serious feel to it than what exists in the HTA seasons. If there is someone out there that cares as much and puts as much work into captaining a spring or fall HTA team, then God help you because you are sick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-55104437416555268672007-06-21T13:00:00.000-05:002007-06-21T13:00:00.000-05:00If you are only interested in playing for friendly...If you are only interested in playing for friendly competition, then you can play HTA in the spring and fall seasons. The USTA summer season has the sectional and national carrots, and that is why individuals want to play in this season.<BR/><BR/>Though I have found that the majority of the teams from the HTA seasons remain together and compete in the summer.<BR/><BR/>I am a mid range 4.5 player and lookd forward to playing the other top 4.5 players in the summer time, because I don't see them in tournaments regularly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-5518183463071651052007-06-21T11:17:00.000-05:002007-06-21T11:17:00.000-05:00The Fantasy sports analogy fits to a degree but in...The Fantasy sports analogy fits to a degree but in this case it is like you are putting together a fantasy team of Major League baseball players to play in a Minor League fantasy game. <BR/><BR/>It is too bad that there was not a Texas Sectional level league, seperate from the city league so that you could have your stacked team playing against other stacked teams from around the state on a weekly basis during league season (maybe 4 home and 4 away matches against regionally closer opposing cities so you don't get forced to drive to Abilene)with the 4 best teams playing in a round robin sectionals to determine who goes to nationals, and those of us content to just play for friendly competition instead of the life or death competition you guys make it out to be could play each other on local teams that actually represent the stated NTRP level for a lesser city title where all teams might have a shot instead of only the 2 or 3 super stacked teams. And relatively competent players are not left on the bench as ringer after ringer is added to team over the course of the season. More people might actually participate in league if that were the case.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-14971606217067026642007-06-21T09:04:00.000-05:002007-06-21T09:04:00.000-05:00Good analogy with Fantasy Football. Being captain...Good analogy with Fantasy Football. Being captain is a lot like that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-14360178687735996742007-06-20T23:20:00.000-05:002007-06-20T23:20:00.000-05:00I just realized, actually your question was geared...I just realized, actually your question was geared more towards captains and not players. I think you answered the question yourself. The accomplishment is no different than a chess match. It's the time you put in doing all the recruiting, player and team research, trying to get into the head of the opposing captain, and then ultimately the strategy behind the lineups. Then watching your hard work pay off. It's really not much different than Fantasy Football. You research the players and teams, figure out your draft, determine which players to play based on your match ups. And then Sunday comes and you watch and hope that your team wins.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-83028838867640727732007-06-20T23:12:00.000-05:002007-06-20T23:12:00.000-05:00Topspin, I'm sure you'll give me some kind of grie...Topspin, I'm sure you'll give me some kind of grief over this, but here goes. I've been playing tennis for almost 11 years starting out as a 3.5 player. Won City Wide at each level a total of 10 times. Went to Sectionals 2x @ 3.5, 3x @ 4.0 (1 Nationals), and 3x @ 4.5 (1 Nationals). Probably wil go to Sectionals and decent chance at Nationals this year. On my 4.0 team, I was one of the key players in winning Sectionals (came from behind at 8-3 in the 3rd set tb to win it for the team). On my 4.5 team, I was a scrub, however, there was still a sense of accomplishment being the captain. Anyone who has done it knows how much work goes into it (btw - the captains gifts at natioanls are always awesome). I also won the Coke 4.0 Womens Doubs. I would stack rank those accomplishments as:<BR/><BR/>1. 4.0 Nationals<BR/>2. 4.0 Coke Win<BR/>3. 4.5 Nationals<BR/><BR/>So, to answer your question or comment on your question - The best case scenario for me is to feel a sense of personal success based on your own merits. <BR/>I've never had the luxury of being a "ringer", or someone the rest of the league felt was playing down, on a Sectionals team, so I don't know how to answer your base question. What good is it to win if you're beating truly below your level?<BR/><BR/>Another thing is, I think most people who play tournaments and league would agree that the best players at each level don't play tournaments, or only play the local ones. So that is why a tournament win may not seem that important to some people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-83308938612660130112007-06-20T22:20:00.000-05:002007-06-20T22:20:00.000-05:00This is my seventh year to go to sectionals. Been ...This is my seventh year to go to sectionals. Been there done that. But in 15 years of trying, I've only won one MZ. I'll take a MZ win any day over sectionals.<BR/><BR/>However, make that nationals, and it's a different story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-2163907970878465422007-06-20T21:14:00.000-05:002007-06-20T21:14:00.000-05:00Sorry if I ruined a good thing. Sometimes I seem ...Sorry if I ruined a good thing. Sometimes I seem to get a bit too cynical. Guess, its just cause I am so jealous and tired of sucking so bad. Oops, there I just went and did it again. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, here is one I will pose in seriousness. If you could only achieve one, and assuming you have never done either, which would you rather do: win a Major Zone tournament at 4.5 or 5.0 or be on a team that wins City Wides and goes to Sectionals. Curious to see if on this blog dedicated to League Dominance there is anyone else who enjoys tournaments more than he enjoys league. I'm sure it would be cool to be the winner of a line 1 match to secure the City Wide title but I don't get how anyone can get so excited by the fact that they are willing to put in more time than the other captains in securring a roster of ringers if they are not themselves part of the oncourt success. But thats just me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-70596960970802814492007-06-20T18:51:00.000-05:002007-06-20T18:51:00.000-05:00I called Greg S and informed him of his status her...I called Greg S and informed him of his status here on this blog. He thought it was funny receiving so much attention for winning a MZ. Perhaps we will get a response out of him.<BR/><BR/>I think it is the Mob Squad members that started all of this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-7612744075199326732007-06-20T18:33:00.000-05:002007-06-20T18:33:00.000-05:00Topsping always seems to find a way of ruining the...Topsping always seems to find a way of ruining the fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-55499486257859549332007-06-20T18:08:00.000-05:002007-06-20T18:08:00.000-05:00This has been a very entertaining comment thread, ...This has been a very entertaining comment thread, plus it has already topped 105 comments. Got things to do other than sit on my A** reading a blog so off I go. I'll have to check later and see where this thing goes. I agree that Peter and Kevin are very strong doubles players, hefty or otherwise. <BR/><BR/>How about this one, who do you think is the fattest, most out of shape player that actually thinks he is fit and/or thinks he can play when he really can't. Perhaps no one fits this description in the Ultra-Competitive World of Houston League Tennis. Hard to believe that though cause there are definitely a bunch of fat guys playing, many with very high opinions of themselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-71006103819719186392007-06-20T18:00:00.000-05:002007-06-20T18:00:00.000-05:00I attended Greg's 40th b-day so I cannot see how h...I attended Greg's 40th b-day so I cannot see how he could now be only 38. For anyone to win a major zone in the Tyler heat at any level is an accomplishment. Great job Greg.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-50212623628396351362007-06-20T17:58:00.000-05:002007-06-20T17:58:00.000-05:00Ok, which player in the league makes the most excu...Ok, which player in the league makes the most excuses before the match even begins?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-25156408113127458802007-06-20T17:56:00.000-05:002007-06-20T17:56:00.000-05:00Rothe and Bialas want to start a new league. Not ...Rothe and Bialas want to start a new league. Not by rating level or by age, but buy combined weight class. Now can you imagine who would be in the "light weight" class?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-18093473115396304112007-06-20T17:51:00.000-05:002007-06-20T17:51:00.000-05:00Who are the top beer drinkers in the league?Who ta...Who are the top beer drinkers in the league?<BR/>Who takes a hit the best in doubles?<BR/>Who has the biggest serves?<BR/>Who is the quickest on the court?<BR/><BR/>These would be fun questions to answer. Please include people from other teams. You never know, in the 4.5's the two teams that keep getting mentioned may get surprised at city wide playoffs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-44958757409648650242007-06-20T17:50:00.000-05:002007-06-20T17:50:00.000-05:00That is another good subject for a new post - who ...That is another good subject for a new post - who are the best pushers in 5.0, 4.5 and 4.0.<BR/><BR/>Greg Schmucker in 5.0 and Mike Salinas in 4.5.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625710123724017027.post-17340201856728810452007-06-20T17:49:00.000-05:002007-06-20T17:49:00.000-05:00I know Topspin was only trying to lighten the air,...I know Topspin was only trying to lighten the air, but Rothe and Bialas come to mind. No offense big guys, but man, you boys can play and get around the court. IMO - best big guys in the 4.5 league.<BR/><BR/>Now to another topic. H'town. Why don't you start a Fantasy Tennis League. That way even the losers have a chance to win and actually make a little bit of dough in the deal. You're gonna be lovin those ringers then!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com