On The Spot #2 With Cubby..PFN Capt

Jack Dx: Hello Sean & welcome to UIC on the spot #2 - here with you is Jack, captain of EPC. My last week's interview with Dina went pretty well and people liked it. I was wondering who could I interview next. How about the captain of the top team in the Diamond Division? Now how interesting would that be, so here I am, ready to interview you Cubby.
so_wolf_cub4: Last time I did this Ash did a pretty good job so you've got a semi-tough act to follow but thanks for having me
Jack Dx: My pleasure!
Jack Dx: How did you first find out about UIC, Sean?
so_wolf_cub4: Played in it a long time ago with Pool Fiction. Had a guy named Zack (not 8br zack) as the captain. It was more or less an interleague for people who weren't good enough to play in MLP and Pro, when I started. They played a 22-week season which was just... death.
Jack Dx: Lmao..I bet it was
Jack Dx: Does this guy play anymore or did he quit?
so_wolf_cub4: he quit a couple years ago I believe
Jack Dx: Oh I see..You we're in Season 9, correct?
so_wolf_cub4: season 8 is when I took over. Jason was actually in charge of interleagues and decided he was going to take us out of UIC, in favor of WPC, because he didn't like how UIC was being ran... But decided he would then play for BNR about a week later. So I went over his head and put us back in. We had to settle for beating up on the Emerald Division because that was the first spot that opened, but that included Jason's BNR team a handful of times so it was fun
Jack Dx: Do you see any particular differences between last season and the current one? Do you think it is ran better now?
so_wolf_cub4: I think last season was a lot better than this one has been. Not that this has changed but there is very, very little communication between the admins. And there are a lot of things UIC is doing that are similar to MLP....as in, MLP 7 seasons ago
so_wolf_cub4: UIC's got a way to go before it catches up, IMO. Just look at the big deal being made over who's on the ladder and how reports are done. When you cancel 2 admin meetings, how someone reports shouldn't be your biggest concern -_-
Jack Dx: Agreed with you there..
Jack Dx: Is there an important factor that you see in other interleague's that is missing in UIC? ie: a missing rule
so_wolf_cub4: It isn't really a missing rule, it's one that needs to be missing. For a while, a big deal was made by the people in charge of reporting to the ladder over who was signed up properly in UIC. And that's the entire basis for the 5-0 DQ, or DQ rule as it is now. Thankfully we've eased up on that rule quite a bit but it needs to go completely. I don't wanna get too long-winded but I have a quick comparison to describe the current thought process behind the rule
so_wolf_cub4: One of my Sports Management instructors had gone to Holland to work with a youth soccer camp. The kids had a real tough time with goal kicks. Not getting enough distance on them. So he asked us what we thought they should've done... We came up with what seemed like pretty sensible solutions, but then he told us "stop thinking like Americans" - they simply moved the goal kick up about 10 yards.
so_wolf_cub4: Bringing it back to reporting... the guys now are stuck thinking like they always have. When really, the answer is simple... UIC can be run completely without a ladder. So stop DQing people over stupid stuff because everything isn't exactly how you want it
Jack Dx: I like it how they have a different format in every interleague, example 5v5 6v6 or 7v7. If all we're the same, it woulda sucked, dont you think? In IPA, the format is 6v6, therefore there CAN BE a tie. Sometimes, I think it's good to have ties. I'm sure we all would rather a tie than a loss. In MLP and UIC, there HAS TO be a winner and,, a loser, so 50% of the match participants will not be happy. Some captains of course think there should be a winner at all time. What is your point of view?
so_wolf_cub4: meh. Ties... Never like them in sports, or competition in general (like this.) Primarily because I can't accept that both teams were just as good (or as bad) as each other. But I do like the variety in interleagues. What I really don't like, is half-hour long games
Jack Dx: Lol, good thing you don't play for EPC, you'd have to support my 1-2 hr long games so_wolf_cub4: Incorrect. I would play leadoff then go out for the evening ^__^
Jack Dx: Lol, a smart one, aren't you? What about if im captain and pick myself first? =p I've done that before.. Lol
so_wolf_cub4: Well I wouldn't give up my spot in pfn to play where I wouldn't be a captain so all of that is a moot point
Jack Dx: Ahah!
Jack Dx: What do you about the standard of play in UIC? Do you find the quality of players poor, mediocre, good, excellent?
so_wolf_cub4: No different than it is anywhere else. It's the same players, just a different league. It's poor. There are a lot of players that play taptap to mask the fact that they're just bad. We have some, admittedly. But my job is to bring a team that can both have fun, and win. So if garbage pool works, *shrug* have at it. Unfortunately, a lot of the runners have massive egos and act like shitheads. For the most part while I've been with Pool Fiction we've avoided those types. Having guys like Jamie, Stu, Ogie, etc. around is a major plus. We're pretty lucky to have good players that AREN'T assholes.
Jack Dx: So true, I have a few like that in my league, they join to play but make me regret ever having allowed them. Example, 1 week, Craig yimed me 2 hours before UIC, this was when PK started falling apart, and asked me if he can play UIC and he would own. So I thought..What the heck, give this guy a go, then another dude named Ken yimed me saying he wants to play too...I said sure..The match began, they both lost, then had the nerve to talk shit to the other team, it was 8bc I think, and booted their players for winning. How lame is that.. And that's when you were asked to keep a good eye on EPC.
Jack Dx: May I ask, What We're your primary objectives with your team at the start of the season? Did you have any specific goals
so_wolf_cub4: I've always been a "baby steps" person. Make the Playoffs. We know we're in, mission complete. Now we're working on staying in the top 2, which we technically haven't accomplished yet. But our focus every Saturday is to come in and have a little fun. Winning helps that of course, but I think coming simply to have fun makes it a lot easier to come back in a match if we have to. Nobody points fingers, nobody calls teammates out, it's fun.
Jack Dx: The top 2 teams in DD[PFN & BNR] meet in 2 weeks, that is week 13. What are your expectations going to this huge match?
so_wolf_cub4: That we will have gone into that match without looking past a team that's actually more dangerous to us than they are. Sexy Poolerz ALWAYS give us fits. I think we beat them pretty bad in MLP once but everything else comes down to the last game. I think Simon said the last 3 times we played a 5v5 carry match (going back to Pro) it went all 9 games. I don't doubt it. As for BNR, I don't expect it to be a huge deal. Most likely we're gonna end up 1-2 in some order or another anyways. And home advantage isn't really a big deal.
Jack Dx: Yep, just go to the match and do your best!
Jack Dx: PFN is a very solid league, composed with solid players, and it's a pretty old school league I could say. Do you know what's going on in the league lately? I mean, I've been seeing people withdrawing, and then your getting new Head admins...First Roger, now Donna. Any explanation behind this?
so_wolf_cub4: Some might say I ran our previous head admin (monte and his wife kathy) out. They were essentially head admins by name only. Any time someone was causing trouble, like Ash, they'd just sit there and beg him to stop week after week, and never do anything. It took me about 3 hours and a 2-day box to finally get them to ban the prick -_- They went and started their own league, and have been trying to snag members old and new from poolfiction. But the past month or so, they've finally moved on and we've just done our thing.
so_wolf_cub4: As for the revolving door of head admins, Roger is gonna be quite busy over the next 4-5 months so he decided it'd be best for Donna to be head admin - and she deserves it too. She's done a lot to bring in new members and keep the league going. We still have stretches of inactivity in the league, but I attribute that to yahoo servers going all haywire every other night and the fact that... god damn it's great weather here in the states and I love me some sun
so_wolf_cub4: and I'm not alone on that last bit
Jack Dx: I hate the sun, gives me a headache =p
so_wolf_cub4: but you don't live in a closet I hope like that dude in The Benchwarmers
Jack Dx: Lololol
Jack Dx: Do you think PFN will keep playing interleagues after these seasons of UIC, IPA, MLP? Any doubts? If yes, for how much longer do you think PFN will be around?
so_wolf_cub4: I'm really not sure. MLP is gonna be done I think after this 5v5 season. We've been running it as the same group for quite a while now and it's just time to move on. I don't usually think about the stuff between seasons because they're a long way off and I can't really control it right now. But MLP, UIC, WPC will all end pretty close to each other. Last time that happened I said I was quitting, and well... here I am almost exactly 365 days later. So after I'm gone, someone else would need to take over UIC. Kerry's been saying when I quit, she quits, and I know a lot of guys that are with our team primarily because of her. I don't WANT to sound pretentious and say "When I go, PFN goes" but it kinda seems to be the case. And I'd certainly like to go out on a high note when these seasons finish
so_wolf_cub4: certainly seeing 3-hour matches is a good incentive not to hang around lol
Jack Dx: Awww, got a tissue? I love happy endings!
Jack Dx: I see you have a pretty big roster of players to choose from each week, its obvious they all want to play, what do you think is the best thing to do when you have like 10 players begging ya to play? Pick the best players or the ones that show more dedication to the league?so_wolf_cub4: jesus... I WISH I had that many people here in a given week lol
so_wolf_cub4: I very seldom have more than 7 people say "yeah I'll be here!" so, when I have to sit someone, I usually put myself first in line to sit out, and go from there. Neither Kerry or I have much of a problem with sitting a match out. Especially after we're playoff-eligible. That's really what I go by. Though there'll be times where you have someone like Don tearing through PLC and you just want to ride him as far as you can and it worked out pretty well for us in PLC's final season.
so_wolf_cub4: We don't really have one person that's having an amazing season - got some 4-0s, but nobody's played I think more than 5 or 6 games.
so_wolf_cub4: actually I looked. Lewis has. But we felt sorry for him always getting ran the first few matches ^__^
Jack Dx: Yep, I usually get many people telling me they will show up for the matches, but they dont, then I have short players..it sucks.
so_wolf_cub4: when I've been captain, we've only ever been short on players one time. We had 6 players in the 2nd PLC final match... and we won in 5 or 6 I can't remember lol.
so_wolf_cub4: tpl only had 6 too. go fig.
Jack Dx: Which UIC player do you think is the MVP thus far? Everyone I talk to say Tanmay.. Do you agree with them?
so_wolf_cub4: I don't really follow other teams. It's kinda like how I don't read other blogs. Certainly rage is having a hell of a season for BNR. He was their only win when we played them. It'd be tough or even impossible to argue anyone else has been better. and they've had a lot of 3-2 results like we have, so those wins become even more important. Makes me feel really good though
so_wolf_cub4: They've got one guy that is kinda carrying them, and we've got a lot of simply solid players that we can turn to. I haven't done the math but doesn't he have about 1/5 of their wins?
Jack Dx: Possibly..
Jack Dx: What league or leagues have impressed you the most this season, whether in DD or ED?
so_wolf_cub4: Deadstrokes has been an interesting team. They beat us week 1 and I think that was probably the worst match we played, ever. We weren't ready for them at all and they've been solid all season long. It's always fun playing them too because Roy and I always have a fun chat after the match where he talks about that stupid shot the guy before him took, or how he wishes he didn't have to play so often lol
so_wolf_cub4: I swear he's the only person in UIC older than Kerry
Jack Dx: Finally, who are your four predictions for the play-off qualifiers?[in both divisions].
so_wolf_cub4: Diamond, LPL is kinda tricky but they have a pretty easy finish. A DS team they actually beat if I remember right if not for one of those retarded DQs I mentioned before, then a Bye and true champs. They won't pass them in the standings, I don't think. But they'll stay right there in the 4 spot and fend off SP and FR (and hopefully we help LPL out a bit in that area)
so_wolf_cub4: won't pass DS I mean, obviously...but I do think the standings as they are now, are as they will be when the season finishes. Even if BNR beats us in a couple weeks I think we can still edge them out for the top spot
so_wolf_cub4: I don't think much will change in the emerald I'm looking now and it doesn't seem like anybody's gonna pass Cue Masters.
so_wolf_cub4: Should stay the same. X8B might pass Crushers but I don't know that anybody has enough time to pass CM. They'd have to tank pretty bad
Jack Dx: Sean, thank you very much for taking part in my second edition of UIC Interviews, again a very long one to be precise, very good luck for the remainder of the season. so_wolf_cub4: good stuff. thanks a lot