Is Smith the Best of the Best?

By: Rodney Brown- Zhubál Web Press 

Kyle Smith won his 6th Championship Title of 2006.  This keeps Smith atop the Leader Board with a 85.6 point lead over the next highest ranked competitor.  The question most people are asking today is:  "Is Kyle Smith the best Zhubál Player Ever?"

Many would say yes.  The numbers do not lie.  In his previous season, Smith had an average serves per game of 22.5.  His SPG this season is an astounding 46.4.  This is unprecedented from any player in the history of the sport. 

He also averages an average over/under of 26.57.  Considering that he is on average in the grid for over 26 points per progression it is understandable that he has achieved so much.  In only 8 Tournament he has 86 Aces.  It is clear that serving is the key to his game.

That is where some people say he has a weakness.  Smith gets most of his stats from his ability to serve effectively.  While having a certain degree of physical progress in the grid when not serving, it has been said that it isn't up to the level of his serving abilities.  Clearly this is voiced by some that would call him a "Paper Champion".  If Smith develops his abilities in the volley aspect of the game, he will go down in history as the best ever.  Clearly, now he is on a short trip to the Zhubál Hall of Fame in Menasha, WI.

The Tournament on January 26, 2006 was yet another opportunity for Smith to show the Zhubál Community just what he is made of.

He began the Tournament up against Carpenter, Obie, and LaPointe.  LaPointe was the first he was able to dispatch followed by Carpenter.  Once he was able to control the serve, Smith was able to stave off ending his first progression through 6 players.  his second progression was even longer as he stayed in the grid for over 60 serves.

Believe it or not, Smith wasn't the only player in this Tournament. 

Other players of note were Matt Lagarde for one.  Lagarde started off the season very poorly, but has been climbing the leader board as of late.  He manages 10 Serves in this bout and challenged Smith to the final Grid before leaving as the Knocker.

Shawn Boissonneault finished as the Scratcher.  There was controversy from some as to where Boissonnealt started in the block, however.  Some say he started farther back in the blocks than his rank should have put him.  Commissioner Andrew Carpenter remark on this item as "sour grapes from other who finished poorly" when we asked for comment.

One of the highlights for this reporter was the unexpected return of Tara Carpenter.  Once hailed in 2003 as the Queen of Zhubál, this tempered player and self styled Sixer, played with the heart of a Champion and was able to capture the Ringer position beating out the Current Female Leader Christina Totos.

Totos beat Carpenter in the stats category however, serving up an impressive 19 Serves and 3 Aces.

Dustin Hutchins also had a career game with 19 Serves.  Even with his unnatural looking "forearm" serve, he was able to confuse and bewilder players and control the serve for a time.

Other players of note were:

Thomas Bureau -- 18 Serves, 1 Ace
Andrew Carpenter -- 14 Serves, 3 Aces
Brandon Obie -- 20 Serves, 1 Ace

Players on Move:

Kathy Foss -- 3 Serves but more aggressive play
Jillian Cote -- 8.33 AOU over the last 2 Tournaments
Joshua Scott -- 5 Serves, finished as 8th Loser (out of 14)

India tries to Curry Favor and Enter as First Official International League

By: Rodney Brown- Zhubál Web Press 

Arun Oza is an ambitious man. 

Arun Oza is interested in building a relationship with the ZCCC and the Intergalactic Zhubál League to include his home country of India in Tournament Play.  Arun is the Secretary of Gujarat State Sports Club in India.  He contacted Commissioner Andrew Carpenter with the following e-mail to open the lines of communication:

The Zhubál Commissioner was quick to respond by contacting other members of the ZCCC as well as informing Jack Tully, Zhubál Director of International Relations.  Carpenter's initial response was spellchecked and sent as follows:

Greetings and Zhubál!

Thank you for your e-mail regarding your groups
interest with being affiliated with the “best &*$#ing
game ever invented.©”  

My name is Andrew Carpenter and I am the current
Commissioner of Zhubál as well as a ZCCC Founder and
Member.  As Commissioner it is not only my job to take
care of the day to day operations of the league, but
also to expand the general knowledge and acceptance of
our sport across the globe.  Working in conjunction
with other members of the ZCCC and our Director of
International Relations, I am confident that we can
form a partnership to foster the growth of Zhubál and
raise awareness of the game to higher levels.

I am forwarding your e-mail to the Zhubál Director of
International Relations.  He will review the
information and respond to your inquiry in kind.

As you await the response, please be sure to review
the Rules and Guidelines of Zhubál as put forth in the
Instructional Compendium located at wwww.zhubal.com.  

If you have any questions regarding the process,
please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail
immediately.


Zhubál!

Andrew Carpenter
contact@zhubal.com
Zhubál Commissioner
ZCCC Founder and Member

After a brief period of initial communication, Jack Tully found the time to reach out and connect with the Secretary of Gujarat State Sports Club in India.  He sent the following communication:

Zhubál, Mr. Oza!

Your email was forwarded to me by Andrew Carpenter,
and I am very pleased to welcome you to the sport of
Zhubál.

As International Relations Director, I am very anxious
to form an affiliation with your sports club to help
spread Zhubál awareness to different regions
throughout the globe.  I must say that among all of
our Zhubál Outreach Initiatives, the Gujarat State
Sports Club is filled with much promise because of
it’s location in Gandhinagar, the state capital of
Gujarat, a state that is experiencing exciting growth
in commerce and industry.

First of all, I would like to learn more about the
Gujarat State Sports Club.  Although the heart of the
game of Zhubál is about adapting to any environment,
we would like to make sure your sports club is
“fertile ground” before we “plant our seed.”  I was
unable to find any information about your sports club.
 How large is it?  What type of building houses it? 
What is approximate size and square footage?  Are
there other facilities (squash courts, swimming pools,
etc.) available?  Can you send us photographs or a
floor plan or blueprints of the facilities?

Also, I would like to learn more about the
demographics of the people that belong to your sports
club.  How many people belong to your club?  Is it a
private club or public club?  What are the fees
involved in being a member of your club?  What is the
average age of the people who take part in sport at
your facility?  Do you have any connections or
affiliations with other sports clubs in the area,
perhaps ones in Ahmedabad or other nearby cities?

Lastly, in response to your question about sending you
a DVD of Zhubál for practical knowledge, I would like
to let you know that there are only two ways to learn
the sport of Zhubál – the Zhubál Instructional
Compendium, and through negative reinforcement. 
Perhaps we can send you some supplementary materials
and literature – can you confirm your address?  One of
your emails said the sports complex was located at 194
Sarvodaynagar Society, the other said 192
Sarvodaynagar Society (both in Sector 30).  Which
address is correct?

I look forward to working with you for the betterment
of Zhubál!

Zhubál!

Jack Tully
International Relations Director
ZCCC

These are clearly exciting times for the Zhubál Community.  Such a franchise expansion of this nature would open the door to possible thousands more participants.  If Tully is able to broker a deal with these gentlemen, new funding resources made need to be found in order to compete with the overwhelming demand. 

Carpenter hopes that the possible expansion will increase the sponsorship availability as well as the number of venues available for the Intergalactic Championship set to take place on August 3rd.

"In my mind's eye, I see the possibility of an simultaneous East/West Championship both held at the Taj Mahal.  Of course, one will Tournament would be in New Jersey."

Misfits Meet in Preseason Battle

Kyle Smith dominates the Misfit Challenge in the first Official Zhubal Game played in over a year.

By: Rodney Brown- Zhubál Web Press 

On December 1, 2005 competitors met to play the most anticipated game in the history of Zhubál. 

A host of Former Champions met for battle to test their mettle against each other as well as a group of New Participants.  In this first Official Tournament in over a year, it was clear that Kyle Smith had done his homework over the off-season.

Smith was "chomping at the bit" to get into the grid and showcase his abilities.  Smith was so sure of himself, he displayed all of his "signature moves" in a scrimmage game just before the Tournament.

Even with a preview, new comers Brandon Obie and Shawn Boisseonneault were no match for the surprising skill of Smith.  Smith won the First Tournament with a final score of only 8.  He controlled the game with a +11 rockbanger (31 serves) and 3 Aces.

Obie and Boissoneault weren't without their own impressive rookie moves finishing with 5 and 10 serves respectively. Daryl Jarrell (1S Scratcher) made an impressive start by assisting in dispatching Boissoneault as the First Loser.   A problem most new players have is interference calls.  Boissoneault made it clear that he wants to play by committing a Zhubál Record book tying 4 calls.

Last year's all-around Champion, Andrew Carpenter served well (19S 1A Knocker), but it was clear that his season ending surgery in 2004 was still a factor.  His movements were limited as Carpenter played in an ankle brace for stabilization.  Conditioning also looked like a major factor in his performance.  It remains to be seen if Carpenter can reclaim his previous glory.  Only time will tell if he can get back into top condition to compete at the high levels required for the best game ever invented.

The stats from this pre-season game were recorded but found to be incomplete.  Stats will count beginning December 8th, 2005 contingent on accurate scoring results.