It was the summer of '2005 and there were 6 of us who got a team together. Most of us knew each other but this was a new team nonetheless. We were placed in the Crystal or Nickel division which is middle of the rode - mostly intermediate players - not the best, not Tungsten and not Masters. Even in Crystal the competition was challenging and we were ready for a great season of hanging out with friends and throwing darts.

The last day of summer league came and we were 2 games out of 2nd place. Only the 1st and 2nd place teams make playoffs. Now that the season was ending we felt that 2 games out of 2nd place but still there was a chance. All we had to do was throw some stellar darts and hope the other teams in our bracket shot in our favor to give us an additional advantage. We really wouldn't know if we would make playoffs until the end of the last day and the last dart was thrown AND we heard how the other teams did. We were rooting for the other underdogs because that would be in our favor and help in our quest to make 2nd place. The ball, or dart so to say, was in our corner on that last day of the season. We had to do well if we wanted a shot at 2nd place. We wanted it. We could taste it. We even got together as a team during the week to practice so that we would be ready. Finally the Saturday had come and we were ready to take on the competition at their home bar, Siblings. It was us - Sponge Reef in Schaumburg against Siblings in the city. We were ready, our Captain had worked out the lineup and it was finally time to get started and play darts.

With some good music on the jukebox, a pint or ginger-ale (depending upon the darter), we were excited and ready to play. So was the other team who of course wanted to secure their spot for playaffs. It was an important 7 matches for the afternoon that would decide who went to playoffs.

To be continued...

Shoot well and I'll see you at the line.