With fall league over, I find myself going through some serious dart league withdrawals. I'm used to practicing every week at the Reef in anticipation of league twice a week, and seeing all my dart friends weekly! One team didn't make playoffs and the other team tanked on our first night out (of playoffs). The Thursday Mixed-League team (for Windy City Darters) played against Will's Northwoods. We were close, so close in so many games but at the end of the night, when it came down to the last leg of the last match, the other team had what it took to win and we did not. We could have been contenders but we didn't step up to the plate. Good luck to the Northwood's Team...I'd feel a bit better knowing we lost to the city champions in our division.

It felt like an abrupt end to a great season - good times, good friends, good darts and then suddenly the season was over. There were handshakes all around, words of good will toward the other team, and off we were, into the late night for the long drive home from the city. Just like that, it seemed playoffs, and the end of the league season, were over before the blink of an eye. I just wanted to keep playing and I have a feeling that my teammates wanted the same thing as well. But! Tomorrow is another day, another opportunity to meet with friends for some friendly competition & practice, and, of course, the next season is right around the corner.

Unfortunately, the Saturday team is up in the air. As happens so often, people want to do different things, teammates out of the same pub want to play with other friends...this person has to work on Saturdays, this other darter only wants to play every other week or so, others do not want to commit to Saturday afternoon darts, some darters don't want to travel into the city every other week to the away-bar, and the darters who do want to play - well, a couple of those darters might make the difference between being bumped up into a higher division or remaining on a more level playing field. Then there is the age old question...who will be the Team Captain? Who wants the job? Who will do the job? Who will do the job the best? And who will commit to attending the Team Captain meetings? Who will commit to completing all the paperwork? Who will commit to making the snap decisions of the lineup? Deciding who will play in which match? It's a tough call and the Team Captain position isn't one that is envied by many! Or appreciated by all the team members. One of the biggest dilemmas that a good Team Captain has, is the decision of not only who should play which match, but when does the Team Captain play themselves, and when do they sit out?

Okay back to my thoughts on the next season of Saturday league. Only two scenarios will play out for Saturday afternoon darts next season: Either we will have a team, or we won't. I have decided not to personally worry too much about this. Either way, I am sure that I (personally) will most likely be at the pub on Saturdays to toss a few darts. Hopefully this will be for actual league but if not, that is okay as well. Sometimes, I have learned, it is best to be patient, not force the teams. Just get out and play darts with friends, whether in formal league or not...

So with the fall league season officially over for my two teams, it seems most of my teammates are busy preparing for the upcoming holidays. Now I find myself with too much to do as well, getting ready for the holidays with not enough time to do it all in, and all the while, just wanting to hang out at the Reef and play darts. Is that wrong? Life is just easier at the Reef playing darts with friends, listening to tunes, ordering my favorite pub grub (cheeseburger & fries), and oh yes, did I mention, throwing darts???

As always, shoot well, and I'll see you at the line.

Happy Holidays to All!