Summer 2023 Draft and Season Openers

Interest in East Fishkill Summer 2023 was so strong that signups went straight to the waitlist after the deadline on Sunday, May 14th. That was actually kind of strange, since ultimate players usually think of registration deadlines as a suggestion. In fact, it is normal for returning players in the league to reach out to ask if it is still too late to play after the deadline, the draft, and several games have been played. I'm very happy that we had such strong and punctual interest this season.

Captains met online with me and drafted teams on Wednesday, May 17th. 

Orange

Captain Dan expressed pre-draft interest in the Mattie-Dillon baggage, and got them with the first overall pick. This freshly squeezed roster also includes Nova, Torch, Sammy, Josh, Gunx players Logan and Tyler, PDS alum Zach Wolin, Billy Emmert and a number of other East Fishkill veterans. 

Black Pepper

Co-captains Bri G. and Zay got bad news when last summer's Callahan winner Zay found out he won't be able to play this summer due to a knee injury. However, the league is excited to have him on the sidelines coaching and sharing his spirit, and we wish him a speedy recovery so he can get back out to club tryouts next year. This fresh cracked roster also includes past Callahan winners Caro and Walt, league veterans Brian, Dr. B, Peri and Wilcha, and several newcomers including Gunx players Jason and Ezra.

Purple Rain

Co-captains Lindsay and Mirsad bring their Gunx experience back to the Kiln in leadership roles. Pre-draft, the commish wondered if they'd try to corner the market on Gunx teammates, but that proved to be impossible with around 14 New Paltz players making the trip down to the Kiln this summer. There are so many they would need to rent a bus to carpool. They did pick Corinna and Buck at the top of the draft, but they also ended up with players from Cortland and Stony Brook too, in addition to Funk handler Jayne and her partner Evan, Lucas Murphy and a number of other quality players.

White

Co-captains Marisa and Keegs have a well-established reputation for drafting well, no matter their position in the snake. That ability is surely abetted by their leadership in the Hudson Valley Funk, and all the data they can gather about the nearly 200 players who attend Funk tryouts. I'm super proud of the Funk, and the club team's roots in East Fishkill. Players from tryouts often get referred to us, whether they make the Funk or not, and that connection elevates the play in our league. This draft, they began by taking Funk co-captains past and present Bri C. and Liam, plus Liam's brother Flynn to provide solid cutting, handling and defense. They added league veterans like Salty Keith, Dave Atwood, Steve Pants, Vin Godbole and others. This team should have no trouble spreading the disc around.

Blue

Captain Royal-T is joined by his sister Alex and picked a solid team that is highlighted by Diane and Bobby, though Diane is still doing PT and won't be able to play yet. Tom also selected three players named Nick, who have agreed to be called NVT, Hanz and Boyd to avoid confusion. Another player has offered to be called Cody if that will help. They are joined by Nina, Skippy, Gary Mason and Becca Tucker, as well as one of Tom's besties, Kyle, and one of his neighbors, Liam G. This team could have some attendance issues, with a number of players having limited availability, but when they are all there, they will be strong.

Best Fronds

Last summer, Kate and Mufasa established Green Tea on the core goals of safety, fun and learning. It was refreshing to have a team that was seen as a safe space for newer players to work on skills and not worry about pressure to win. They seek to bring that culture back to the league this summer with another green team: Best Fronds. They drafted the injured but highly experienced Coach Jimbo Jet to help their team work on skills. While they may not pressure their team to win, this squad is going to win some games. They picked up superfast Vassar cutter Jasper, wiley veteran and Wildwood recruiter John Waldie, Gunx players Cassandra and Justin, and they got Green Tea and Penn State veteran Jordan back.

Commish's Corner

As commissioner of the league, it can be frustrating if teams look really imbalanced after the draft. I stopped captaining teams when I took on the league leadership role because I felt it was a conflict of interest, and now I always hope to see teams that will be close since I think that makes the league more fun. The draft is tricky for captains because they share the goal of a good league, but they also look at the draft as a place to get a competitive edge. Win the draft, and you stand a much better chance of winning the league. And winning is fun. It can also be tricky to draft because we don't know all the players. Even though most players in the league return year after year - which I'm proud to see - we also welcome new players. Our interest form is a chance for us to see player's availability, experience and self-assessed skills, but not everyone includes the details we hope to see, and the skills assessments vary depending on both honesty and frame of reference. It is in inexact thing that I try to improve bit by bit, and I really appreciate the suggestions that have come from captains and players in the league over the years. It is because of you that this league is a great way to exercise, have fun, meet people and learn.

I'm actually really pleased with how this draft looks. I think it is the most balanced our teams have been in a long time - maybe ever. Of course, we won't know for sure until we play some games. I also always say that rec league ultimate depends on who shows up.

Opening night!

Speaking of games, our season started on Monday, May 22. 

White and Black Pepper played in the early game. White scored the first three points of the season. In spite of the slow start on offense, Pepper looked solid defensively, and eventually their offense started to click. White took half, but Pepper won the second half 7-2, and won the game 14-10, hard cap.

Purple Rain and Best Fronds both had strong squads in the prime time game. Jasper was making crazy good cuts for Fronds. Purple Rain never meant to cause any pain, but they won a close one, 12-9, hard cap.

Blue defeated Orange 15-12 in the late game. Some pinpoint throws from Nova with a lot of second effort snags from the Orange team made for a close one. Blue was able to outlast with some tough catches from Nina to spark the offense to victory.

Three solid games! Looking forward to more on Thursday.