In its own way, the upcoming is the most important weekend in quiz bowl. This is the one weekend each year, in which the members of the circuit are able to directly influence the growth of the circuit. Every other way, you have to work through some sort of intermediary, the mail, the advisor, the whims of people. This week we can demonstrate how the bad stories that come in advance of us, are misconceptions. This week we can show the variety of options out there, the opportunities everyone can take, and the network that the circuit provides. If you're going, show those teams out there what the circuit can offer, what events are available for the rest of this year, how we can help in hundreds of little ways, and how we want them to succeed. Most of all, let's show them that this weekend is not the endpoint of the game for them, but only one step forward. Let's get them connected to the circuit.


Mike Tyson-Clifford Etienne has become complete and utter comedy. I was reminded of a bit in a Marx Brothers movie: Chico and Harpo have been hired to trail a guy, and Chico describes their week's progress thusly (quoting from faulty memory):
"Monday, he fool us, he no show up. Tuesday, we fool him, we no show up. Wednesday, we fool each other, nobody show up."
I'm just wondering (hopeful) that we may get Mike Tyson completing this salute to classic comedy by reenacting the Monty Python sketch where the guy fights himself in the boxing ring.

Well, if the story saying that the Pirates have signed Reggie Sanders is correct, it looks like the offense set for this year. Not great, but hey, we're not the Brewers.

C: Kendall, Cota
1B: Simon, Young
2B: Reese
3B: Ramirez
SS: Wilson
UI: Nunez
OF: Giles, Sanders, Stairs, Wilson, Mackowiak

Random observation from the vending machine: What the hell happened to the Juicy Fruit wrapper?