Back on the Hardwood – 2009 vBall Edition
I am as sad as anyone to see another beach season, (and summertime in Chicago) behind me. But, I look forward to Fall indoor vBall just as much as I hate to see the summer go. Beach vBall is fun in the sun, being social on the sand. In the midst of that is some good vBall being played as well. But, indoor is a different story…
The sound of the waves and wind is gone, traded for the squeak of rubber soles and the boom of the ball hitting the floor. The endless blue skies are traded for sturdy iron rafters that should be avoided at all costs. The imperfect, forgiving net on the beach, known to sway in the breeze and develop a sag for later games has been demoted…fired if you will. Its replacement taut, perfect, and unforgiving. The ambient sounds of kids and adults playing in the lake gone, replaced by shouts of approval, and disapproval from teammates waiting to rotate in. On top of all, the playing surface is the biggest adjustment. The sand is like that one aunt or uncle at family gatherings…you know the one. You would rather be with your Honey, or playing Madden, or any number of things. But try as you might, you couldn’t get out of attending. Scornful, you plod about until you see that aunt or uncle. They know just what to say: cracking a joke, handing you a drink, whatever it takes to get you start having a good time. Before it’s over you had a great time. The sand mocks us all, regardless of physical prowess. It cushions our falls and moderates the pace of all games. Its talent for making the games fun for all, unmistakable.
Enter the hardwood.
Cushion? Forget it. The hardwood has a definite bias for the quick and agile, holding fast for those that dare press their joints and muscles to the limit. If mobility is your weakness, the hardwood throws it in your face. There is only one way to get this surface on your side: play hard and fast. It rewards sharp changes of direction and dogged sprints. Like to play above the net? The hardwood will help you up, but you’re on your own coming down…
 |
The indoor league this year isn’t the biggest, but I believe that means only the cream of the crop dared join. There is only one Indy team, but don’t be fooled, many of them have indoor and outdoor iTZ experience. Gone is the juggernaut We Run This. Present are 6 teams, willing, hungry, and able. Week 1 saw a fantastic match between former champs Chi-Town fusion and upstart Hot and Spikey. Chi-Town weathered the storm, but they did not expect to be tested so early. Former beach champion Da Heavy Hitters also suffered a blemish in Week 1 at the hands of Notorious D.I.G. In recent seasons D.I.G. has had a fall from grace, so to speak. But they have some free agent additions this year that seem promising, namely a hard serving little spitfire that made her presence felt in Week 2. Keep your eye on them…when attendance isn’t an issue. The Indy team took some lumps in the first two weeks as well, but as I mentioned before, if they can get some chemistry, they have talent. Nothing But Net is slowly becoming a formidable team, building valuable experience by playing in both indoor and beach seasons. I see one flaw: they are mostly female, but their male player has the tendency to hog the ball. If he can learn to trust his teammates, this team will be very dangerous. Da Heavy Hitters have many familiar faces, but a couple new ones, namely a strapping tower of a man that hovers above the net to deliver laser-like spikes. Like most hitters however, if he can be forced to play defense and chase balls, the spring in those legs will diminish as the game goes on.
Week 3 should see less attendance issues as the teams get adjusted to the new season. Expect some great action and be sure to bring your cameras to capture it all. Also, there have been some edits to the rules, so be sure to familiarize yourself before taking the court.