Thank you to all that participated in ESPI3 (players, sponsors, organizers, spectators, media, local community, and you). I had a blast this weekend, and I don’t think I’m overstepping my bounds by saying that the rest of us DC players did as well. We’re grateful that so many amazing players and teams made the trip (no matter how far) to help make such an epic event.
There were a lot of folks with cameras there this weekend, and we’d love to see your photos of ESPI3. If you have any pics from the weekend, please post them on Flickr with the tag “ESPI3.”
See you at the next one, which for me, is most likely NYPWRRPT&BBQCMDE.
-Matt
Friday
9:00pm ~ Pre-Registration at Asylum Bar (Downstairs @ 2471 18th Street NW)
Saturday
9:00am ~ Arrival / Welcome / Pick up Games
11:00am ~ Round Robin Group play begins
2:00pm ~ Registration Closed
5:00pm ~ Final Round Robin Games
6:00pm ~ Polocat
8:00pm ~ Private Party at Wonderland (Upstairs @ 1101 Kenyon St. NW)
Sunday
9:00am ~ Arrival / Pick up Games
10:00am ~ Bracket Announcements / Begin Bracket (Don’t be late!!)
5:00pm* ~ Finals (could vary based on number of teams)
6:00pm* ~ Awards
(* Due to the large number of teams participating in this year’s tournament, these times are just an estimate, and are subject to change. Updated to the schedule will be announced through out the day.)
So everything is coming together now, and we are putting the final touches on all the little side projects that are going to make this event kick ass. Let’s just say that all our friends have come through, and the all those favors called out have come back ten fold.
The prizes are all in, and they look so sick. Who ever battles their way to the top on Sunday is going to be very happy on the ride home. But I think everyone is going to be pleased actually, winners and losers alike.
Yes, if initial reports are correct, we’re going to be treated to the finest polo on the East Coast, as we’ve heard positive confirmation from some of the biggest cities: Philly (last year’s champions), NYC, Boston, Ottawa, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Pittsburgh, Daton, South Jersey, Baltimore, Richmond and more…
Get ready. We are.
This weekend a group of 4 from NYC headed down to spend a few hours scouting the rink. Here’s what one player (Birdseye) had to say about their experience:
The court itself is pretty nice. It’s no Pit, but few things are. It used to be a tennis court that has had boards put up all around it for hockey. They’re banked in the corners, and only (maybe) 3 feet high on the left and right sides. So I’m sure we’ll see a few players go over the walls during the tournament. 8-10 foot high chain link fence right against the boards on three sides, with benches along the western side of the court. The size is not too big, not too small, all in all a good size. The only real negative that I could see is that it is sloped with the northwest corner being the low point (the goals are at the north and south ends of the court). That corner had a lot of dirt in it that made the surface a bit slippery and ball tended to roll that way. D.C. has placed their goal post 6-10 inches farther apart than NY does with about 2 feet behind the goals. So slightly wider goals with no real room to play the ball behind them. Oh, and they have nice bright white lights that actually turn on and make it easy to see. We didn’t have time to stay and play at night, but the lights came on around 6pm and the difference was noticeable.
Across the street from that court they have the ThunderDome. As Doug said, “so awful it’s awesome”. It made me think of lost Aztec ruins. It’s a sunken basketball court with concrete bleachers on both sides. The whole thing is grey and very angular. The court surface is completely beat, all cracked and bumpy. Lots of “character”. It might be that every team has to play at least one game there during the round robin.
How does D.C. play you ask? They’re definitely better than they were last year. Like everywhere, they have a mix of players, some are ok, a couple are great. They all seemed very solid. They certainly run screens better than we do, it can be difficult to get the ball past them. From what I saw, they’re not as fast as a lot of the NYC players, but it’s a smaller court and that speed isn’t as big of an advantage (except for Zack who seemed to be everywhere at once). There was one player Bruce who I kept underestimating, he a bit older so my mind wanted to equate him to Frank the Tank, then he schooled me a couple times. Not all older players wildly hit the ball.
Useful? You make the call.
We’re doing a Meet-N-Greet on Friday night at Asylum (on 18th in Adams Morgan). Doors open at 5pm with happy hour specials running until 8pm. ¢.25 wings? $1 tacos? Yes.
PRE-REGISTRATION will start around 9ish, and any out-of-town teams that arrive Friday night are encouraged to come meet the ESPI3 people, and register your team ahead of the Saturday morning stragglers.
REGISTRATION FEES are set at $30 for each team (no exceptions), and will guarantee your team a shot at this year’s title of “East Coast Champions”. You know you want it…
So beat rush hour, get here early enought to stash your bags at your spot, and come on out for a hot night in one of the city’s best dives.
What better way to finish off a day full of Round Robin tournament play than at a great bar?
The Wonderland Ballroom is giving us the upstairs for a private party from 7:00 till 10:oopm, after which there will be a live DJ until 3:00am. Food, drinks, beer garden and bikes? Yes.
Click here for a map. It will probably be the final checkpoint of the polocat, but more info on that soon…
Put this one together last night.
CLICK HERE to download the PDF and print these up on your work’s color copier.
Just kidding. but for real though. I’m serious. Do it.
DC Snacks
Bailey Works has agreed to a make some amazing bags, and we’re really lucky to have such a great relationship with them. The bags are in and I’ve seen them with my own eyes. They kick ass, and are totally hooked up with the ESPI3. But wait, there’s always a twist…
Even better though has been the support we’ve received so far from The Bike Rack (
We’ve also been talking with a local area artist named Jon Wye who makes the most amazing leather belts. He’s talking about maybe putting something together for the winners, but we’re keeping these cards close for now.
