Sarasota, FL -- OLD SAG returned for a second go at Nationals leaving their beach apartments on Lido Key in three red ragtop convertibles into the first day of pool play at Nationals. The polo fields feature some of the sweetest, softest, and most plush fields from one end to the other and "GETTING H" is a must. It also freaking windy. The fact that Hurricane Michelle was heading toward FL made last year's conditions seem calm compared to this year. The wind was such a factor that several Masters games finished with one goal being scored upwind. The outcome of the game could be determined by winning the flip of the disc and taking the downwind side to start the game. For OLD SAG its offensive weapon the Homey Double Stack that was working to perfection at Regionals would be rendered ineffective and had to be put on the shelf. The strategy changed to do not turn the disc in your own end of the field when going downwind. The offense would now consist of the "Go Play" downwind followed by a tight zone cup if the disc was turned over. Teams that could score upwind would gain a huge MOJO advantage as if it were a two-point play.
SAG drew Old & Crabby (San Francisco) in their first game. SAG won the flip and chose to pull not realizing the trouble going upwind would be. Crabby received going downwind and scored first. SAG answered going downwind while the teams traded several points going downwind. As the half continued Crabby was able to use its height advantage over SAG when going upwind to grab their swilly throws when a crowd camps under the hanging disc. Crabby finally managed to score an upwind goal. SAG needed to answer with an upwinder to stay one behind but SAG turned over the disc and Crabby scored the downwinder to open a lead that OLD SAG could not overcome. Crabby took the half and won the game (15-8) mostly on their ability to score four upwind goals. SAG was unable to score an upwind goal and was 0-1 in the tourney.
In the second round, SAG played Lung Machine (0-1) (Kentucky / Cincinnati combo). This time SAG won the flip and took the wind. On the first point SAG forced the turn and scored the downwinder and took a 1-0 lead. SAG played better and was able to score upwind goals and go on to win 15-7. SAG was 1-1 in the tournament
The third game was the last one for the first day of pool play. SAG went up against Alzhammers (1-1) (Alabama). SAG lost the flip, and'bama pulled downwind to SAG and got SAG to turn over the disc and 'bama scored first. SAG answered with a downwinder and then the teams traded points going downwind until the end of the first half. Alzhammers made a huge play when one of their players broke SAG's zone D and was able to send a huck into the wind. A 'bama player ran it down and had to layout to make the catch in front of SAG's goal line. Alabama scored the first upwinder in the game to take a two-goal lead and big MOJO advantage as they took the half.
In the second half SAG continued to trade points with 'bama when the wind suddenly let up. SAG was able to take advantage and scored upwind and tied the game at 10-10. Alabama was pressured into scoring upwind and turned the disc and SAG scored to go up 11-10 with the cap on and the game to 13. The southerners scored the next downwinder to tie the game up at 11-11. The teams again traded points to 12-12. SAG got the pull and was unable to put the game away going downwind. Bama hucked the disc into the wind that they caught just inside the sideline past midfield. The 'bama player then gripped and ripped a backhander before SAG could get a mark on. A 'bama player was deep and started running, twisting and turning. He backed up with one hand and reached for the disc. He then fell and bounced off the ground as he somehow managed to hold on to catch the disc for a stunning, shocking, & agonizing 13-12 victory over OLD SAG.
At a loss for words, SAG realized it lost an opportunity to secure a bid to the quarters. Still numb from the loss SAG headed to Tourney Headquarters to drink some Bass Ale and mingle with the other teams. As the sun went down SAG paraded the ragtop convoy from the fields to the Salty Dog for some grub.
Friday morning SAG faced the former National & World Champs Old & In the Way (O&ITW) from Colorado (3-0). Colorado had only one loss in the last two years and SAG had to take out Colorado to have any chance to advance to the quarters. SAG lost the flip and this time decided to pull into the wind to O&ITW. The game stayed on schedule with each team scoring downwind for the first 10 points (5-5). Old got the first break and got an upwinder and took the half 8-5. SAG tried to rally in the second half but O&ITW used the call game against SAG to stop any flow when SAG broke out upwind. The call game continued with O&ITW contesting stall counts and catches. The game got heated when Barndog went chest-to-chest with O&ITW over a call. Old & In the Way prevailed winning 15-9, and OLD SAG was 1-3 overall
In the last game of pool play SAG faced Herniated Disc (HD) from West Palm / Miami combo (3-1). SAG lost the flip and pulled the disc upwind to HD. The game started with each team scoring when going downwind. HD got the first upwinder and took the half. SAG stayed within reach at 12-9 and 13-10 but could not get the next upwinder to close the gap. HD held off SAG 15-11.
SAG went 1-4 in pool play and did not make the quarter finals. So a little down, SAG decided to just say screw it and went to the beach. It was during this time that SAG found Kenny Dubin, Sauce's old buddy from back in the day. Kenny has been SAG's personal tour guide when in Sarasota. We decided to go to the Sport's Page for some lunch and some cold brews where we meet Lisa, Kenny's wife, SAG's favorite fan. If you saw here you would know why. The next stop was the beach for a dip in the Gulf, some sun, cold brews, and a killer view of the sunset.
Saturday meant the consolation bracket for OLD SAG. The Saggers got to play Hoss in its first game. This time SAG was determined to jump out quickly instead of falling behind 4-0 to Hoss like it did at Regionals in Raleigh. SAG learned its lesson well and went up on Hoss 5-0 and never let Hoss into the game. SAG cruised to a 15-7 victory.
Next, SAG faced NY who last year came from behind to beat SAG at the cap 13-12 and keep SAG out of the quarters. SAG wanted to even the score with NY. SAG pulled upwind to NY who scored downwind. Both teams traded downwind points until NY got the first upwinder to take a two-goal lead. SAG answered back with an upwinder and continued on a roll to take the lead at 5-4. NY called time out and came out and took the half 8-6. SAG started the second half slow and dug a hole by going down 10-6. However, just like last year SAG rallied and tied the score at 10-10. SAG kept the flow going and stayed patient in working upwind against the NY zone to score and take an 11-10 lead. SAG kept the MOJO going and finished off NY for the win and the B pool title for the second year and finished ninth overall. After the game, NY displayed an unusual side by giving the Saggers a cheer. NY sang a song parody "You are the Chumpions" to the Saggers. A true classic and one for the archives that JB captured on video revealing a side of NY that is rarely seen.
For OLD SAG the road to Sarasota has come to the end and we now know that the road to Hawaii (HI) had to go upwind! The dream of going to Worlds in HI for 2002 will remain an Ultimate fantasy, but it is a dream that lives on. Now its back home to Philly where the wind is kinder and its time to rest those beat up old bones. And then we'll decide if there is still time for: One Last Ditch Shot At Glory (OLD SAG!)
--Mike Adlis