Playoff Week 1

So the much awaited Playoffs are now finally going to start. Div 1 playoff spots all decided by now by the controversial tie game rule, while for Div 2, last 2 spots are yet to be decided. Two teams from Giants, Springfield and Collinsville will go through.

So it is going to be super weekend, with all the 4 QFs being played at Washington Park... on both days.

Also 30-30s are well into the semi-finals zone now. With Rockers - Panthers and TrailBlazers - Centurions playing the Semi-Finals, these matchup of evenly matched up teams will guarantee great games.

Lets see which teams look favourites to go all the way through in all the three divisions ...

The Politics of Scheduling

This past weekend, I came across a number of very disturbing incidents that I would like to highlight. They all relate to the politics of scheduling. One can be forgiven for wondering how scheduling can lead to politics, but surprisingly enough it is rife with inconsistencies.

Flames were schedule to play Phoenix on Aug 1/2 weekend. However, because the CER was taking place, we were informed that the game would be postponed as a couple of players from the Flames were playing in the CER. We had bye weeks on the weekend of the 9/10 and 16/17. Instead, we were scheduled to play back-to-back games on the weekend of 29/30.

Now, I ask why this happened? It wasn't Phoenix players that were involved in the CER. So, why should we be penalized with back to back games when we could easily have played during one of our bye weeks? Yes, the Flames would have to play back to back games, but wasn't this reschedule because of them? So wouldn't they have to be accommodating? However, the wisdom behind the two-fold reasoning that I received left me astounded. Firstly, I was told that it was fair that both Flames and Phoenix has to play back to back games instead of just one. Neither team would have an "advantage". Secondly, the Flames had players who play in the Thirty/30 division and thus the back to back was the only way to accommodate them!

Since when did we start scheduling Div 1 games based on Thirty 30 availability? Does this happen for any other team, or players? Does the management team responsible for scheduling avoid conflicts for Div 1/2 players on all the Thirty/30 team? How is it fair to Phoenix who were not the cause of the reschedule? If a game is rescheduled due to one team (in the past due to some tragic circumstances), doesn't the team responsible for the change have to be the one that is accommodating?

Despite all this, we played the back to back games without any further fuss, resigned to accepting our managment's "fair and consistent" decision making reasoning. But then, things took a turn for the "even more consistent". Phoenix was scheduled to play the Royals on WP4 on Sunday after having played the Flames on Saturday at Community Park. Flames were scheduled to play Muslim Gym on Sunday at WP2. Sometime on Friday, the venues for the 2 Sunday games were swapped. And why would this happen, someone could ask?

Firstly, the Flames game was postponed from a 10am start to a 11am start. Even the Muslim Gym players did not know this until they arrived on Sunday at the ground and had to call the Flames to figure out what was going on. Why was this game rescheduled to a 11am start? Was there an out of town team involved? Not unless one of those 2 teams had relocated within 24 hours to a different city!!! Could it be because the Flames had played a game just the day before on Saturday? Surely not, because Phoenix had just gone through the same predicament and our game began at 10am.

Secondly, why was the venues for the two games swapped? Specially, when both were at Washington Park. Looking at both ground, they both looked really good, well cut, clearly defined boundaries, even field, etc. So, what then could the reason have been? Well, we found out shortly when the Flames players arrived. Muslim Gym players were ok "swapping" back and so we began our game. When the Flames players arrived, they objected (stopping our game for around 30 mins while we figured stuff out). They said that the "matting" was not good. Yet, when we glanced over at the ground, the matting lay neatly rolled up. What manner of phenomenal eye-sight had they developed to see that without unrolling the mat? And when the mat was un-rolled, sure enough, they were correct. Yet, this was the same mat that other teams have played on this season, including Phoenix vs the Wildcats the weeekend prior. So why did this make an iota of difference? Since when were teams scheduled on grounds based on the matting available? We were able to solve the standoff and continue our game with all teams agreeing to the solution finally. But, a mystery had begun unfolding and we had little clue as to the motives or events behind it!!

Another scheduling mystery that is puzzling us - Muslim Gym were supposed to play St Louis in Chicago. Suddenly, they are now scheduled to play in St Louis! How, why, where did turn-around happen? Were they informed of this, and did the accede to this scheduling request?? What is the motive behind this great puzzle?

Well, we are still looking for answers. We have two options before us. One, send a notice to the MWCC Management and request and explanation. We've done that, because this has left us truly confounded on how and why such a situation would come about!!! This is the second option - employ the services of the brightest and sharpest minds to help us understand what happened here. Is there a detective amongst us who will be able to solve this mystery?

Last few weeks before the regular season ends

All the Divisions in the MWCC are at an interesting stage now. Teams fighting hard to make it to the playoffs and at the same time, the relegation battle in Div 1 becoming more fun as well.

The scheduling issues means the regular season can go upto the 3rd week of September at least. Which would make the play-offs taking place in tough weather conditions. All in all, the season is heading towards an exciting finish in the last 1-2 months.

Starting this thread, as the comments for the previous thread were close to 200. Anyways, keep the comments coming !!!

CER Special

So, just as our league seemingly is taking an unexpected midseason-break this weekend.. we look back at last weekend, the terrific Central-East Regional Tournament, where our own Midwest Cricket Conference won their second title in a row.

So in this weeks show, we give you a brief update on the early games (and performers) of the CER tournament, leading up to the Grand Finale between MCC and ICML. We then show you extensive highlights of the final itself - especially of the brilliant last-wicket stand between Laxmikumar and Kamran, and the destructive opening spells of Shahid and Mehul, that ended the game as a contest. We also have a post-tournament interview with our triumphant management team of manager Tariq and captain Sohail. And, to end, we have a special treat - a guest interview from all the way across the country, an eyeopening interview about how other leagues plan their assault on their regional tournaments, what sort of a priority they give these regional tournaments, and how detailed and professional their planning is, and how early their preparations actual begin, actually well before their season begins! One of the most eyeopening interviews we've ever had, I think.

Anyway. Hope you enjoy this special - one in which you can witness with our league's triumph, and watch more actual cricketing-highlights than any show we've had to date! (Heck, one particular shot from Kami alone is worth the price of admission, IMHO anyway :-)

CER Special Show

-By Sadiq Yusuf

Week 10

Apologies for a delayed 9th edition of the Midwest Wrap - a couple of disk-corruption issues causing all kinds of problems!

But anyway, better late than never I suppose.. dealing with the exciting and controversial Week 9, including cricket-highlights of the Eagles/Purdue game, an interview with Eagles captain Preetam about the differences between Division One and Division Two, Top Performer awards in all divisions, and this time including interviews with two of the top performers of the week, one each in Division One and Division Two - Laxmi of the Eagles and Amer of the Giants.
Late though it may be, hope you enjoy watching it!

MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 9

- By Sadiq Yusuf

Week 8 and 9

The mid-summer break for our league has come and gone.. and it doesnt quite feel like it, since we've had a bit of a stop-start season on the field this year.

Still, some interesting games played the week before the break - including a controversial win for St Louis over previously unbeaten Pak Gymkhana in Division One. This week we talk to the always-animated Amit Kumar, captain of the aforementioned St Louis about their team and season; report on the Diversity Cup (where several MCC players played over the long-weekend in Detroit and did the league proud); chat briefly with Yousuf-bhai of the Flames, hero of the Flames win over Rogers Park, and part of one of the best and most remarkable stories of the season to date; and award the usual Top Performers in every division for the week. Hope you enjoy watching!

MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 8

- By Sadiq Yusuf

Week 7

Yet another frustrating week last week (with seemingly another frustrating week in prospect) - the weather isnt really giving us a break this season.

Still, several close games, upsets and dominating performances last week - and, once again, we try and cover it all in our video-magazine, the Midwest Wrap. Including, this week, a chat with MCC-team-captain Sohail on his squad's prospects for the Central-East-Regional, an interview with Rup on the future of his Illinois outfit, and the most exciting Top Performers award across all three divisions of the season.

MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 7

-By Sadiq Yusuf

Week 6

Once again a full weekend of games, thankfully, and some excellent contests across the league, especially in Division One - which saw upsets, narrow-come-from-behind-wins, and even a royally-wild tie!

We try to cover most of it, in the Sixth Edition of our weekly video show, the Midwest Wrap. In addition, this week, a quick word from Tariq on the new Flames (who got their first win this weekend), a word with Darshan on his the top-of-the-table Challengers 4th straight win, a chat with Aslam about his Madison outfit's changes, and the usual Top Performers awarded for the week in each division (this week, with the added bonus of a quick interview with the Division Two Top Performer awardees!)

Hope you enjoy it, and thanks for watching!

MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 6

-By Sadiq Yusuf

Week 5

Actually a full weekend of games this week, with the rain holding off
the week of our return from the Memorial Day weekend. Long may it
continue!

We try and cover all of it again, in Edition Five of our weekly video
magazine the Midwest Wrap, along with the usual news, views,
interviews. This week, breaking news in a chat with Asif, about the
immediate and long-term big-changes taking place at Lincoln Park in
Milwaukee as we speak, a chat with Mankesh about the Eagles latest
pickups, an interview with Raish about the high expectations of the
Jaguars this season (with the demise of IIT, probably one of the new
favourites in Division Two this season), Top Performers of the week,
and in addition... returning due to popular demand (well, not really,
more returning due to personal whim)..the return of "One More Thing",
a personal commentary by your host to end the show. Hope you enjoy it,
and thanks for watching!

MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 5

- By Sadiq Yusuf

Pick, Weight, and Win!

Welcome to the first ever edition of PICK, WEIGHT, and WIN!

Please note, this game is easily accessed each week by clicking on "Pick, Weight, and Win" under the "Midwest Cricket links" section in the right column.

This is a game where each player needs to use their knowledge, an in-depth analysis, insider information, or just plain luck to win. Here are the rules:

1. The moderator will post the games where you need to make a pick by Wednesday evening. Apologies that the first one is late.

2. Each participant will need to go in and select who the winner will be for that game. This is done by posting a comment with your predictions only.

3. There will be a total of 8 games up for selection each week - 7 normal games and an one bonus game.

4. Assign a weightage to each selection (1 thru 7). If no weightage is assigned, then the order of the predictions determines the weightage (first is highest, last is lowest).

5. The moderator will close the prediction window for future comments on Friday between 10pm and midnight.

6. The moderator will post the score total of those who participated.after the weekend and results are announced.

7. Points will be calculated as follows:
a. If the team you picked wins or is awarded the win, you get the assigned weightage points.
b. If the team you picked loses, you get 0 points.
c. If there is a tie, you get 50% of the weightage points rounded to the nearest whole number.
d. If a game is postponed, then the replayed game will count when it is played.
e. If a game is abandoned for any reason including weather, you get 0 points.
f. The bonus game weightage will be 10 points. The scoring system mentioned above will be applied to this game as well.

8. The winner of each round is allowed to email the moderator with the 7 games to be used for the next round. The email must be sent by Wednesday at 5pm. The moderator may choose, at his discretion, to not use some of the games suggested by the previous round winner if he feel that there is a scope for bias.

9. The last round of this event will be the first round of the playoffs. The person with the most points will be declared the overall winner and will receive a prize (yet to be determined).


Let the games begin.....

(Please do not post comments except for your predictions to this thread. Comments will continue to be available via the weekly chat thread)

Week 4 Wrap

Yet another truncated week (especially in Div1) in our season, in the last week before the Memorial Day Break. Still, some good performances across the league in all divisions - and even a full-schedule played in the 30/30, despite the weather!

 

We try to cover most of it once again, in Edition Four of our weekly video magazine, the Midwest Wrap - with the usual news, views and interviews as well as Top Performer Awards for the week in every division. In addition, this week, a chat with the infamous blogger Romeen (aka Romeo of the Wild Performers), the two centurions from Evanston in Div2 (plus their captain), as well as with some of the U19 kids (Fahad, Moin and Akhil) who were headed up to New York to represent our region at the U19 nationals over Memorial Day weekend - good luck to them!

MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 4

- By Sadiq Yusuf

Week 3 Wrap

This time we *did* have a somewhat extensive week - the first such in this rain-affected season to date - with only 2 games eventually unable to be played. Several terrific closely fought games in Division One (indicating the balance of this division once again), a few dominant wins and early statements made by some teams in Division Two, and a few first-looks at new teams in the 30/30 (along with some great performances from the youngsters of the Midwest Cricket Academy). Along with some very good individual performances by players across the league.

We've tried to cover most of it (in our earnest if amateurish fashion) this week too, along with the usual couple of player-interviews, in the third weekly edition of our video-magazine the Midwest Wrap.


MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 3

- By Sadiq Yusuf

Midwest Cricket Wrap - Week 2

Not an extensive Week One to our season, as we all know. Still, as they say in our business, "Break a Leg". No, wait, thats not right (Iam still learning the new terminology obviously)... "The Show Must Go On"! Thats right, thats what they say!

So, without any further ado, let me present the Second Edition of our weekly video-magazine, The Midwest Wrap (this week, shockingly, including brief highlights! A rare happening - dont get used to it :-)

MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 2

MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 1

By Sadiq Yusuf

The 2009 Season

Do you hear that? It sounds like..... yes..... it is. It's the excitement of a brand new cricket season in the Midwest Cricket Conference - the 2009 season. Teams are preparing their rosters. Some are practicing indoors, outdoors, and just about anywhere they can. Others are getting their equipment out of the garage and taping up bats. Whatever the case may be, everyone is looking forward to the camaraderie and competition. For that is why we play this game in this league - to compete against the best in the midwest and be part of a team with good friends.

The season begins this weekend for most teams. Others have to wait till next weekend, but you can bet your bottom dollar there will be cricket in the park from now till the frost settles in. So sit back, enjoy the beginning of the season, and get ready for another thrilling ride of midwest cricket.

What twists and turns await the cricket faithful this weekend? Will the two new greenhorns to Div 1 start with a bang, or will the favourites come out on top? Are there any favourites? Who will come out swinging in Div 2? Will the new teams of the 30/30 Division come out red hot, or do they have a few things to learn from their returning compatriots? There's only one way to find out.

Lights, camera, Right arm over - 6 to go (my apologies to opening left-arm bowlers)!!

The snow is starting to melt, the hibernation starting to end....

Well, we're nearly into March 2009. Y'all know what that means - a new MWCC season! Has anyone started to think about it? Is the itch to play and win back? Is anyone alive in the Midwest cricket world - in cricketing terms?