October 26, 2008

Lateness lament

Instead of a game report this week, roadhockey.net is publishing this editorial from Sunday Morning Road Hockey's sole remaining active founding father, Living Legend:

A few years ago, when some players started complaining about the increasingly late start of games, we experimented with a 12:30 curfew for games to finish. Players sometimes had other commitments on Sunday afternoons, and they wanted some assurance they could make those while still getting in their weekly road hockey fix.

Alas, the experiment lasted a few weeks before old, bad habits kicked in again.

Perhaps it's time to revisit that experiment.

Sunday should have been an epic day. The weather was perfect. The courts were dry. It's been a number of years since we're enjoyed such a run of nice conditions to start the regular season. But at 10:28, only two minutes shy of when the games are SUPPOSED to start, only Cowboy Bill and I were on the court, ready to play.

To have to wait more than an hour for enough players, enough goalies and enough equipment to be able to hold a proper game is unacceptable. For that to happen on such an ideal day for a game, this early in the season, is unconscionable.

I think we all understand the roadsters have busy lives away from the court. And sometimes those lives are going to interfere with their ability, or desire, to make it to the game. But we've got a big enough pool of players, we've got enough backup goalies with experience between the pipes, and we've got enough equipment, that we should be able to cobble together a game, no matter who is missing. It's getting that game started at a reasonable time that is proving increasingly problematic.

Sunday Morning games are supposed to start at 10:30. Ideally, that means the goalies are suited up and warmed up, the sticks have been drawn, and the ball is ready to be dropped at center court. That time isn't an accident. It's early enough that we can get a decent game in while still leaving time in the afternoon for the roadsters to get back to their regular lives. And it's late enough to allow players a decent sleep-in, or to get over their Saturday night excesses.

But too many players are taking liberties with that 10:30 start. They seem to think it's just a suggestion.

Bullying and cajoling players to show up on time hasn't worked. Enforcing a hard start time hasn't been successful.

So maybe it's time to bring back the 12:30 curfew. That would put the onus back on the players to make sure they show up on time if they're really serious about getting a good game in; if they want a full two-hour workout, they'll be at the court and ready to play at 10:30. If they show up late, they'll have only themselves to blame for a lesser 1.5, or one hour game.

The 12:30 curfew would also bring some certainly back to the game, so players who do have other commitments could plan their Sundays accordingly. Who knows, some of those players who've disappeared since the last curfew experiment may return to the game.

In the season opener, Pig Farming Goalie's pre-game declaration that he had to leave at 12:30 brought a much-needed sense of urgency. The ball dropped by 10:45.

We need that urgency and commitment to get the game going every week.

The comment board is open.

Posted by jaysuburb at October 26, 2008 05:21 PM
Comments

I'll be there tomorrow. Early to suit up if necessary. I can play out as well.

Cheers,
Gump

Posted by: Gump at November 1, 2008 03:21 PM

I hear your frustration Legend and don't blame you for bailing. A lot of us commute from a fair distance away to make the game and you'd like to see everyone who wants to play that day make the commitment to be there reasonably close to 10:30am.

I agree with PFG that games running late means mad wives and other problems with our various commitments outside hockey. I'd like to see a commitment to finish by 12:45pm, so maybe we play to 20 or until 12:45pm, whichever comes first.

While I agree with Lak that in principle everyone should be prepared to play in net if that's what's holding games up, the reality is that some of us truly suck at that task. For those of you who've been around long enough to remember my couple of starts between the pipes, you'll remember why I've never been asked to play there since.


Posted by: wendel at October 31, 2008 11:01 PM

I cant believe pfg's speaking without an accent!?

Posted by: Billy Idol at October 28, 2008 03:52 PM

Why precisely is the Legend exempt from playing goal? He is one of the only players I have NEVER seen play net. For Pete's sake (like that PFG?) even I have played goal before.

Next, it wasn't just the Commissioner who bailed on the game. It was also the Living Legend, Jay Suburb and the rest of the media. There's something very wrong when the Commissioner controls the media to the extent that they will depart at his beck and call. If we're not careful our fans will be next. And then what I ask you? If we aren't playing for media exposure and fame and fortune what's the point in playing at all?

Not sure who Bindy is but Nibs might have it right. Maybe it's time to cut our losses and "fold this league."

Posted by: The Colonel at October 28, 2008 10:36 AM

Total bummer about the game, but you could see this coming a mile away. or 12 miles, actually.
First, I think the 10:30 start is not just an ideal start but crucial. I don't really care if some players show up late, life does get in the way sometimes of course, but when it is a regular occurrence by most of the players, then it is a problem. For me to make my way out to the game, i have to come from Vancouver, usually leaving at 9:40 to get there by 10ish, so i can suit up and warm up. When the damn game doesn't get going until 11 or later, then has to be played until 20 goals, which, when the game is going well, can sometimes end up at around 1:30 to 2, then i don't get home until 2:30 to 3. Mad wife. Sore balls.
Late players can easily be shuttled onto either team when they show. But the game has got to start.
Second, i don't blame the commissioner for bailing on the game. Trying to organize anything is a thankless task, and I for one would have walked ages ago.
Third, i don't know why we have to be so married to a 20 goal cap. I think the game can be as equally good if there is a hard time limit. 5 minutes left, you're down two goals, you play harder, clock is ticking...funny, seems to work for regular hockey...
And fourth, speaking of regular hockey, I think those who wish to play on sunday morning should be making their declaration by saturday night, and if they'll be on time. Of course in a league where there isn't really any consequences for not showing--eg you pay $700 to play league hockey you pretty much make those games, unless you're rich and you don't care and then i hate you anyways--then this sort of declaration doesn't really hold much water. But at least it demonstrates a level of commitment to your fellow players. some of us do this consistently, yes--but we both think the rest should too...
There. my two cents. cha-ching. Times four, i guess. cha-ching cha-ching cha-ching.
The 12 miles, you ask? My house to Herbert Spencer, of course.

Posted by: pfg at October 27, 2008 08:12 PM

There is a few issues here to discuss. One is the goalie gear, which is easy to resolve. The second is about enough goalies. And finally we have the hot topic of time.
The first problem is easliy rectified by making sure that someone takes the goalie gear when I am unable to attend on time.
The second is more of a concern to me. It is great that we have Twizzler coming as a regular but if he does not show, who is willing step in and play goalie. So far this year Beetle, Cowboy, Bindy, and Billy have played in goal. I think that too many roadsters take advantage of this and NEED TO STEP UP and PLAY IN GOAL. The only person exempt from not playing in goal is the Legend. The rest of us have no excuses such as "you don't want me in goal because I suck". As all of you know, I have played in goal for many years. I stopped playing in goal because I get tired of people making WHINY excuses for not wanting to play in goal. So everybody needs to step up and play in goal.
The last issue has been pretty good for the most part. I have been late for a few of the games because of my runnig schedule but this has been mentioned on the board. Remember we all make this game happen every week and if we want to improve it will take all of us to STEP-UP.
God!Tired on Preaching.

Posted by: lakattack at October 27, 2008 05:56 PM

I have no idea what the solution to this is, but Colonel's suggestion of making sure the gear is going to be there seems to me the best option toward ensuring a punctual start.

Doo and I are almost always there on time, but unlike some roadsters, we also live very close. I think it's okay to have some people show up later as long as there are 2 goalies and enough players to start by 10:45-11.

Posted by: Scrappy at October 27, 2008 12:52 PM

I agree with the lateness thing. It can be frustrating to show up by 10:30am and not have teh game going until after 11:00. However, I hate the idea of a 12:30pm cap. I like the hard caps at either 15 or 20 goals (win by 2) and hope it stays that way. this is a problem that plagues all the games I play in and I'm really not sure how to solve it.

BB

Posted by: Beetle Boy at October 26, 2008 07:40 PM

Great game today boys. One of the most-fun in quite a while. It's unfortunate that it started so late, but still well worth the wait.

Cowboy, you were steller in net as was Twizzler. I feel bad for Legend who quit on us in favour of a solitary bike ride. Had he slightly more fortitude he could have enjoyed a great morning with us.

My opinion is that the media spin on this week isn't reflective of today's problem. The fact that the game didn't get going until 11:30 was a product of not having willing goaltenders or appropriate equipment. That's easily solved by ensuring that equipment comes to the game each week. Lak has left his equipment with Cowboy for next week and as long as it makes the rounds to folks who will be showing up there shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks to everyone who stayed to play. It's something I look forward to each week. Had the league commissioner had his way, today's fesivities would have been cancelled. Whatever happened to "the game must go on?" For some of us it always will. For the founding fathers of this league, apparently not.

To all you so-called founding fathers accept this invitation: Legend, Lobster, Wink, PaulOne, GCM, Warrow, Hired Gun, Giebelness, Hollywood Paul, South Park, Lumberjack, Philderama, Sniper Dave, and Sex boy; show up next week at 9:30AM and you can play in the oldtimers game slighty before the main feature at 10:30 ... or 11ish.

Posted by: The Colonel at October 26, 2008 07:36 PM