Hammers vs. The WIlburys

First off, let's get this out of the way: traveling, what the hell is it? Because clearly I don't know. To resolve, let us now open our copy of the Official USA Ultimate 11th Edition Rules Handbook, as linked from the hideous HURL website, to section XVI, Violations & Fouls, sub-para J, Traveling, sub-sub-paras a and b (and keep in mind that this is a self-refereed sport):

J. Traveling: […blah blah bah...] each of the following is a travel:
a. A player catches the disc and either speeds up, changes direction or does not stop as quickly as possible before establishing a pivot (XV.B).
b. A player receives a pass while running or jumping, and releases a pass after the third ground contact and before establishing a pivot (XV.C).
c. […it goes on...]

So, basically: upon catching the disc, you have to stop as quickly as possible, yet may advance the disc without establishing a pivot if you can do so within three steps, provided it would take you more than three steps to stop "as quickly as possible", I guess. Sheesh - I can't see how this could possibly be misinterpreted, what with all of that solid objective and in-no-way-contradictory logic (maybe it will be corrected in the 12th Edition). Further, a call of "travel" results in a stoppage of play and a "check", which... god knows what the hell that is. In conclusion: that guy was a dick, and I am but an innocent angel.

MOVING ON. Despite the double loss, I thought we played quite well last night. Lots of great runs; some really good disc movement; some great diving catches from Aimee and Sandy and Jean (ha ha, sorry Jean); lots o' nice D (yay Melisa and Mike); and the usual expected but not-taken-for-granted handling skills of Gregor and Jenn and Becky. Our first win will come soon enough, and when it does, I may vomit out of sheer relief/happiness/poor pre-game meal decisions. If I had any suggestions, and these are particularly rich coming from me, we should (i) practice a a little more patience with the disc, (ii) work to set up the stack a little more consistently, and (iii) try to avoid clogging up the passing lanes. But, whatever, improvement noted all around.

And now for the Bag Of Hammers injury update: Nick says his knee is still sore, but less so than last night when he was forced to leave out of fear that he would talk himself into playing again (his words). This is good news. Meanwhile, Chris "Patrice Bergeron" Ruddick was able to play the entire second game with a sore lower back, and I've had no reports of him being hospitalized today. As for my sore quads, still sore... the drugs, they do nothing!

The Armview Regrettable 9:30 PM Souvlaki Wrap Players of the Game: to Melisa and Sandy, for their fabulous timing - arriving when needed most, to provide subs for our ailing troops. And for playing real good, too.

Until next week, folks - stay fit and have fun!
-AA