Square Heads, USCA Compliance

The new set came in Monday, 6-11-06 and we played its maiden games.

Below are the results of the games played this week, and are posted here based on my recollection. Please comment and post corrections if needed:

6-11-06
Game 1: Jake, Jumpy, Mark, Todd (1-ball)
winner: Jake, Todd, Jumpy, Mark

Game 2: Jake, Jumpy, Mark, Todd (1-ball)
winner: Jake, Jumpy, Todd, Mark

6-13-06
Game 1: Mark, Jumpy, Todd (2-ball)
winner: Jumpy, Todd, Jumpy, Todd, Mark , Mark

Game 2: Mark, Jumpy, Todd (2-ball)
winner: Jumpy, Todd, Jumpy, Todd, Mark, Mark

The set meets USCA specifications, and has radically changed the dynamics of the games. We have each voiced some frustration with the USCA wicket width, but since this first game we have all adapted our play and are improving our accuracy. Some have made the rather important point that friendly games will be less inviting with this new set. Novice players will not likely pass through more that the 3rd or 4th wickets, and will likely not find it an enjoyable experience overall.

While I do not think it necessary to do for competition games, social games may want to be played with either the old wickets or the old balls. The new wickets are just under 1 and 1/4 the width of the old balls. The old wickets are just over 1 and 1/2 the width of the new balls.