Location: (no alcohol) Roseville Ice Center 2661 Civic Center Drive Roseville, MN United States See map:Google Maps
Schedule!
Friday: 8:30am: AM Rules and refs meeting, bike checks, waivers, etc… 9am-2pm: Morning group, 24 teams 1pm: PM Rules and refs meeting, bike checks, waivers, etc… 2pm-7pm: Afternoon group, 24 teams 7pm: Organisers meeting
Saturday: 8:30: Refs meeting 9am-12pm: Top 18 group (note, this is a change from last year’s NAs, where the top teams played in the evening. At the worlds the top teams voted to play in the AM, so we’ll stick with that, and the rest can have a late start, or help out) 12pm-7pm: Bottom 30 group 7pm: Organisers Meeting
Sunday: 8:30: Refs meeting 9am: Top 28 Double Elim (Top 18, plus the best 10 teams of the bottom group. The top 4 teams get a bye in the first round)
Dudes. Gals. I’m am so pumped, and this tournament is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. Like, holler out out your window to it, and it’s all, “Yeah, I’m COMING RIGHT UP!”
Now, we love all you teams that qualified. We truly do. However, there are (as I write this) still 9 teams who haven’t pitched in their fee. We need you to pay the registration fee by August 9th OR FACE THE SHAME CAVE. These funds are exactly what we need in order to do things like, oh, I dunno, host a big tournament. Turns out our brutish charm and cheese-ball grins don’t pay for lumber and food like they used to, so your cooperation in that is greatly appreciated. All information needed to complete that part of the deal is in your registration email. THANKS.
Don’t forget! Registration party at the Hexagon Bar, located at 2600 27th Ave South, Minneapolis, on Thursday night. We’ll have pick-up at McRae Park, which is at 906 E 47th Street, Minneapolis, earlier in the evening for folks who are into that sort of thing.
A little bird told me that some of you precious flowers have been murmuring things like, “Heyyyyy, man, those courts are a reeeeeeally long bike ride from where I’m being housed, and I don’t think I can hack it.” Fret not, my babies. We got a school bus that will pick you up at designated times and locations that are a much shorter bike ride from the floor you’re sleeping on. Now, if you can’t get your tuckus out of your bedroll in time to catch that wondrous wagon, well, then you’re just gonna have to hack it, sport.
Speaking of hacking it, have I told you we’re having side hack races around the Oval?! Yup. Bet your bippy on it. So, get rad, get in the hack, and hold on. Winner takes all bragging rights about winning.
While we’re probably going to be pretty lenient with the side hack certification, we ARE looking for folks who know the rules to ref this deal. This year, with the help of NAH, we’re making sure refs officiating games are not just good looking, but SMART and know the rules. They have been subjected to a GRUELING (kidding, it’s not, at all) test. Think you have what it takes? You should try it out. Super duper reffing test We’re also asking that at least one member of each team take the test, even if you have no machinations to ref a game.
Ahhh, yes (tents fingers), RULES. I should let you know that even though we all fantasized about being Mad Max and Tank Girl at some point, there ARE rules about how the bike you’re riding and the mallet you’re using need to be set up in order to be a legal force to be reckoned with on tournament courts. Here’s a refresher on the ruleset we will be using to OKAY your bike and mallet for play.
BIKES: §2.3.1 – The bicycle has at least one braking mechanism. §2.3.1.1 – A fixed gear drive train with foot retention on both pedals qualifies as a braking mechanism. §2.3.1.2 – The handlebars are plugged or capped. §2.3.1.3 – The chain is on the outermost chain ring or there is a bash guard. §2.3.1.4 – There are no racks, fenders, bottle cages, saddlebags or other additions to the bicycle specifically designed to block the ball. §2.3.1.4.1 – Wheel covers, which cover the spokes of the wheel, are an exception to §2.3.1.4 and are permitted. §2.3.1.5 – There are no sharp edges, points, loose screws, or otherwise unsafe parts (at the discretion of the referee).
MALLETS: §2.4 – Mallets §2.4.1 – Shaft §2.4.1.1 – The shaft is made of metal or carbon fiber. §2.4.1.2 – The gripped end of the shaft is plugged or sealed. §2.4.1.3 – The shaft does not protrude through the bottom of the mallet head. §2.4.2 – Mallet head §2.4.2.1 – The mallet head is made of plastic. §2.4.2.2 – The mallet head is securely fastened to the shaft. §2.4.2.3 – The mallet head is a maximum of 180mm (7”) in length. §2.4.2.4 – The inner diameter of any hole on the mallet head may not exceed 57mm (2.25”). §2.4.3 – Dangerous mallets §2.4.3.1 – The referee disallows the use of mallets that they deem dangerous. Examples of dangerous mallets may include: Mallets that splinter, shatter, or break easily, mallets with sharp protrusions, etc.
We will have a limited supply of bike parts for sale on site, along with tools and mechanics to amend any transgressions regarding your bikes or mallets.
Again, we’re forever grateful to our sponsors for helping us out with this, it’s gonna be awesome. Teams, we are so excited to have you in our fabulous city. Even you, Milwaukee.
Summary: Tournament soon, PAY UP SUCKAS, transportation to the courts, side hack races, omgwtfbbq, RULES SCHMULES but no seriously, rules, Mad Max need not apply.
As you may know, we are hosting a big-deal tournament, 2013 North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships, later this summer. In preparation for this event, we’d like to share the party vibe with you and give you all an opportunity to pitch in, and well, mostly, we just want to party with you.
Dangerous Man Brewing Co has been gracious enough to allow us to host a party fundraiser and will be providing drink specials and ambiance. We have a silent auction and raffle, with prizes featuring brand new Adam Turman prints hot off the press, Banjo Brothers bags full of swag, as well other rad, bikey stuff for you to win. You may even win a bike.
Start: Corcoran Park 3334 20th Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55407, end up at Dangerous Man Brewing first, and strut around bragging about it all night. All racers get a free raffle ticket.
Buy a few raffle tickets, some locally crafted brew, and get your party on with the raddest folks around. Please help us show our guests coming for this tournament how Minneapolis rules the school when it comes to bike events (I’m looking at you, Portland, you know MPLS rules, you know it.)
Minneapolis is loading up the cars and getting ready to make the trip to Columbus, Ohio for the Midwest Championship 2013 & A Midwestivus For The Rest Of Us this weekend, May 25th & 26th. The Midwest Championship our regional qualifier for entering the North American Championship, hosted by… us! Minneapolis Bike Polo, August 16th, 17th, & 18th!
The 2013 North American Series has been scheduled. Culminating with the North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships in Minneapolis August 16-18th.
*This was written back in Dec. 2010 and never posted till now.*
After a fitful night of sleep, having witnessed the prior evening’s debauchery, we arose just in time to get the train rolling from the hotel. After a quick breakfast, the player meeting commenced, where we were informed of the local customs and schedule. At once, the games were underway, with our own Mr. Do on the opening joust, in a battle against clubmates.
Peanut Butter & Jerry (Sven, Dustin & Jerry) opened by beating Hot Lava, then lost two in a row against some super-tough teams: MWBPC8 MVP Chris Simpson’s team Killer Boots (5-2) and Lexington’s Red-Bearded Boner Makers (4-1). They won their next game against Beard Face from Little Rock 3-1, and made it into the Double Elimination bracket by beating Medusa’s Quiver (Pittsburgh) 5-1. PB&J ended up ranked 7th in their group of 25 with a record of 3-2-0.
Hot Lava (Kat, Landon & Greta) lost the aforementioned game to hometown glorykillers PB&J, but then won their second game against Louisville 3-2. They tied with Two Lads & A Lass, then lost to Rage Coma 3-2. I’m missing a game, but they ended up 2-1-1 and did not advance to the double-elimination brackets.
In the afternoon (well, evening…it was basically dark), The Placeholders (Wade, Ramon and I) played Wardens (Capt. Jake, Matt Hewitt, Zach)—who ended up in 3rd place. Obviously outmatched, we lost 4-0. We then beat Pittsburgh’s All-American Badass 2-1. We had an A-court matchup against Chicago’s Team Adorable in what was the most fun game of the tounrament for me, losing to them 2-1. We then moved over to C court, under the light orbs. Lighting was bad, but it affected each team equally I think. The Placeholders lost 2-0 to Lex’s Lady & The Tramps (sorry for hitting you in the face, Rich!) In our last game, we beat Cerebral Ballsy (Chicago) 2-0, but it wasn’t enough to get us into the bracket with a 2-3-0 record.
Get Some Five Dollars, hereinafter referred to as Get Some, were better suited for the task of tournament victories with their matching jerseys (designed by Ebbin himself) and secret weapon—Nick D. They opened with 0-0 tie against the D.C./Florida team Beginner’s Luck, shut-out (5-0) Cerebral Ballsy, then beat Shit Show (Birdie’s great team with female MVP Maija) 5-3.
After their first loss to Hunter’s Heroes (4-3), they were still ranked 5th in the evening group with a game to play. It was a sweet game, and the Heroes took 2nd place in the tournament, a testament to Get Some’s defensive skills. Their final win was a comeback against King Shin Beef from St. Louis. At the end of the rounds, they were 3-1-1.
In winter the Roseville Skating Center is home to the largest outdoor artificial ice skating surface in the US with a world class speed skating track around it’s perimeter. In warmer months it’s home to roller hockey courts and a skate park. We’ll be constructing courts on one of the smoothest, most level concrete surfaces you’ve ever played on. The onsite stadium lighting and huge sound system will be at our disposal as well.
We will have 140’x65 A court with hockey dasher boards. Regular wooden boards for the other court(s). On-site bathrooms and other facilities are meant to handle hundreds of people.
Ladies Army IV starts today in Lexington, KY with a one day co-ed tournament followed by the main event on Saturday and Sunday. Over 34 all female teams from 7 different countries will be competing this weekend for the Ladies Army crown.
Best of luck to our women and men from Minneapolis as they party, play and cheer their way through the weekend.
Minnesota placed third at the Battle for the Middle West in Bloomington, IN this past weekend. It was a great tournament and an exciting change of pace from the usual 3 man team tournaments.
We faced Midwest rivals Illinois in the third place match and came out victorious with a 5-4 win. This was a big win for MN as we came together as a team and improved on our 11 to 3 loss to Illinois on Saturday.
Big thanks to Indiana Bike Polo for throwing an excellent tournament!
