Want to be on display at Five Star Tavern?  Now’s your chance!

Five Star Tavern now has a new, and very lovely, Brewskee-Ball trophy case on display and it needs your magic touch.

Tomorrow night, I encourage you all to bring any Brewskee-Ball-related memorabilia, trophies, or Skee-Ball fun to help decorate the new addition.  Any classic Skee-Ball stuff laying around?  How ‘bout that 10^th Ball trophy you use as an ashtray (just kidding – of course, you’d NEVER use your 10^th Ball trophy as an ashtray).  How about something cool you stole from Full Circle Bar?

Anything you bring will only be on loan to show other Brewskee-Ballers how amazing you are and make them envy your coolness and Brewskee-Ball prowess.  You can get it back whenever you’d like.

Help make Five Star even more Brewskee-Ball amazing than it already is and take part in the trophy decorating party.  Rock & ROLL!

In the Fall of 2007, Willie Day and I brought Skee-Ball lanes from New York City into the Blue Post in downtown Wilmington, and with the help and encouragement of the league’s founders and head SKEE.E.O.s, expanded the first-ever Brewskee-Ball league here.  Almost immediately, the phenomenon of playing one of America’s most classic arcade games combined with bar culture caught on, and that little back corner of real estate at the Blue Post became our home.

After a couple skeesons, Willie moved on to do other things and left me the task of growing this league by myself as new faces rolled, new cities emerged, and Brewskee-Ball became national.  I’ve tried my best to provide a framework and environment over the last 4 years where passionate folks like yourself can come together as a family, letting those good times roll, and sharing in something we all love.

We’ve had our ups and downs, our highlights and lowlights, I’ve not always succeeded, but we did it together.  Those of you who have been with me from the beginning have seen it all and have experienced some memorable moments that I hope last a lifetime.

This Fall, as we celebrate our 4^th anniversary and kick off our 12^th skeeson together, the time has come for one of the most memorable moments to date; an occasion so monumental and celebratory that it will forever change the landscape of Wilmington Brewskee-Ball and usher in a new era for our league.

Wilmington Brewskee-Ball is getting its own bar!

Opening later this month, Brewskee-Ball will have a new place to call home in downtown Wilmington.  Calling it Five Star Tavern (formerly Tavern on 2^nd in Downtown Wilmington), it will be a new bar focused on two of the biggest passions in my life: Skee-Ball and music. http://fivestartavern.net/

So what can you do now?  I’m glad I asked that question.  Right now, before you forget, please do the following:

1. Go to the new Five Star Tavern website and enter in your email address.  The final announcement of when we’ll open will not be sent to this email list, only to those who sign up at http://fivestartavern.net/.  That means if you want to be invited to our special grand opening you’ll need to sign up there.
2. After you enter in your email address, you’ll be taken to a 2^nd page where you can share the page via Twitter, Facebook “like,” Facebook share, and pasting the link yourself.  Please share with as many people as possible – we want our Grand Opening to be awesome.

When you share through this page, the website automatically gives you a unique URL so we can track how many people click on our site through the links that you provide.  The person who has the most unique visits from others will receive a Five Star Tavern gift certificate, and Five Star t-shirt and koozie when they become available.

To celebrate our new chapter in Brewskee-Ball history, we will have the official kick-off to Skeeson XII with a Brewskee-BALL, a semi-formal event, on October 4^th.  And Skeeson XII will officially begin on October 11^th.  More about these events in the coming days.  For now, the focus is on our new home:

Five Star Tavern
106 N. 2^nd Street
Wilmington, NC

Thank you all for your support – it’s an exciting new chapter in Wilmington Brewskee-Ball and I hope each and every one of you are a part of it!  Keep your eyes and ears peeled for our Grand Opening and we’ll skee you soon at Five Star Tavern.

Rock and ROLL,

Adrian

“Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don’t care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don’t win it’s a shame.
For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out,
At the old ball game.”

- “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”

It’s summertime.  The brews are cold, our faces are tan, and we have the sounds of cracked bats and the smell of cut grass in our hearts.  All of this can mean only one thing: it’s time for BaseSKEEball. Combining the 3 greatest American pastimes — Skee-Ball, beer, and baseball, BaseSKEEball is the greatest invention since Brewskee-Ball itself.

For those of you who didn’t play in Wilmington’s inaugural BaseSKEEball skeeson last summer, it proved to be one of the most exciting adaptations of the competitive bar sport that we all have come to enjoy.  Teams of 3, trying to advance runners in each of 9 innings, only needing to score one more than the other team, BaseSKEEball is a whole new way of playing Skee-Ball that introduces an entirely new strategy of rolling.

You don’t have to understand or even enjoy baseball to have a blast rolling this new game.  All you need is a passion for finding 40s.

This Tuesday, July 12th, we will have a FREE SKEE in which we’ll teach and learn the game of BaseSKEEball, start drafting teams, and putting together details for the second summer skeeson.  It’s an event that you don’t want to miss.  If you have any questions, send me an email.  Otherwise, we’ll skee you Tuesday night for FREE SKEE and the kick-off for this summer’s 2nd BaseSKEEball skeeson!

There are many moments we all experience in life.  Most are fleeting and not remembered.  Some are historic. . . .  Skeeson XI Championship Night was one of those moments.

It’d been noted that no team had ever won back-to-back mugs in Wilmington Brewskee-Ball history.  Mr. Skeeyagi made that a reality when they chugged from the mug at the end of Skeeson X.  This skeeson it was their goal to chug once more, becoming the first to ever “skee-peat” and establishing what can certainly be considered the first real dynasty in Wilmington Brewskee-Ball.

But before that could be attempted, Air Force Lolos, Skeebron James, and Danielson had a long night ahead of them.  First they had to beat last skeeson’s 10th Ball winners, Dub Town & Skee Girls.  In what turned out to be a close bout, Mr. Skeeyagi advanced with a 958 – 900 win, with Air Force Lolos rolling 3 Full Circles, and Danielson and Skeebron having one each.

Next up, it was Luskee in the Sky with Diamonds standing in their way in Alex Hülslayer’s farewell performance.  This one was a little more of a runaway, however.  With 3 more Full Circles, A.F. Lolos led his team to a 1007 – 846 victory.  The win would set up a rematch of last skeeson’s championship match against Münchausen Brew Proxskee who defeated The Davinskee Code to advance to the finals as well.

But before the championship match, there was a BROTY to decide and a HUNDO challenger to celebrate.  With last skeeson’s BROTY being historic by crowning Brewskee-Ball’s very-first female Best Roller Of The Year in Tracy Townsend, this year’s had a lot of expectations to live up to.  Would we see another female winner?  Could Tracy go back-to-back? Would Air Force Lolos finally get the BROTY monkey off his back — the one crown jewel he had yet to win in his decorated Brewskee-Ball career?

As drama would have it, it came down to these two amazing rollers duking it out for the BROTY championship.  With Tracy beating Lolos in last skeeson’s BROTY and Lolos returning the favor in the BBNC II, it was a decisive 3rd match-up for these two in high pressure situations.  This time, however, Air Force Lolos was on a mission.  Flashback to a quote from Head Skee.E.O., Eric Pavony:

“Looks like a solid tourney. Someone will challenge Skeeyagi! Although, I think Lolos is too hungry.”

His prediction turned out to be Nostradamus-esque.

In 3 straight games, Air Force Lolos was just too good.  It was his night.  It was his BROTY.

On to the Hundo Challenge.  After 4 rounds with 20 rollers, it came down to Mr. Riskee Business (Rob Alban) and Ryan Skeecrest going into extra frames for the most hundos in the night.  After several MORE ties, Rob squeaked ahead and stole the title away, becoming the Skeeson XI Hundo Challenge winner.

As most of you know, each skeeson I choose four 10th Ball nominees from the league that most personify the characteristics of the very best our sport has to offer: Spirit, Kinship, Esteem, and Excellence.  The nominees are chosen with careful thought and attention to those that exemplify these characteristics and best represent our league both on and off the lanes.  We call this honor the “10th Ball Award,” named after that special ball during a roll that comes back and gives you a second lease on life.  It’s a gift from the Brewskee-Ball heavens and makes a roller thankful for all that he or she is given.These four nominees, too, are gifts to our league and we are thankful every night that we get to roll with or against, in spirited competition or jubilant camaraderie.

While it is one of the highest honors our league can bestow just to be nominated, one of these fine rollers was recognized as the one person who showed just one extra ounce of S.K.E.E. and was crowned Skeeson XI’s 10th Ball Award winner.

This most-deserving of rollers will join the ranks of Evan Buckland, Danielson, Matty Skee, Skeet Skeet Skeet, Brendan, Mary Jo, Lauren McConville, Carolyn Porterfield, Skeebron James, and Dub Town & Skee Girls as legends of Wilmington Brewskee-Ball, and will have their name and award on display at FULL CIRCLE BAR, the national home of Brewskee-Ball in New York City.

Congratulations to our Skeeson XI 10th Ball Nominees:

• Winger
• Katie
• Ryan Skeecrest
• Hülslayer

These fine rollers and people exhibited an extraordinary amount of Spirit, Kinship, Esteem, and Excellence all skeeson and every skeeson in which they participated.  While it’s an enormous honor to be named a nominee, only one can earn the highest accolade of being the 10th Ball winner.  That award went to Katie, who not only showed the league (and the nation) what a great roller she is, but teammate and competitor.

And finally, the championship match between Mr. Skeeyagi and Münchausen Brew Proxskee.  To say it was neck-and-neck all match would be an understatement.  Going into the final frame, it was a 12-point game.  But destiny seemed to be on the side of Mr. Skeeyagi last Thursday, and Air Force Lolos was determined to finish his historic run.  Leading his team with 5 Full Circles (totaling 11 in 3 matches), Mr. Skeeyagi got their incredible 3rd MUG in a row, topping the night off with a 961 – 922 win.

Thank you Brewskee-Ballers for an exciting night and tremendous skeeson.  With an amazing Skeeson XI behind us, look for some exciting BaseSKEEball coming your way in the next few weeks.  Let the good times roll!

An old SKEESPN BMT promo cover back when we used SKEESPN. Still a favorite.

“The time has come!” — Midnight Oil, “Beds Are Burning”

It’s hard to believe, but the playoffs are only a couple days away.  8 long weeks of blood, sweat, and beers, have come down to this moment — the post-skeeson.

Who will CHUG from the MUG?  Who will become the next BROTY?  Who will rack up the most HUNDOS and be the best in the land?  All of this AND MORE will be decided over the next 10 days.  This is the time when legends are born and stories are written.  Stories like:

Peter, Skeeson I BROTY Champion

Peter. The last seed in the tournament who went on and became Wilmington’s first-ever BROTY Champion.  And also became the poster child of arguably the best SKEESPN/Full Circle magazine cover EVER.

Danielson and That's What Skee Said

Danielson. He won his very first MUG in Skeeson II, then later went on to win 2 more with Mr. Skeeyagi.  Can he win his unprecedented 4th MUG this skeeson?

Tracy, Brewskee-Ball's first BROTY Champion

Tracy. The very first female BROTY in the entire league.  Is her performance last skeeson a sign of a new era in Brewskee-Ball: female domination?  With rollers like Katie, M.J., Skeena, the Hülslayer, Kathskeen, Amanda, Sex Bingo, Messica, Dana, Megan, Lauren, and Evan (more than half of the entire 24 in the tournament), the possibilities have never been better.

Mr. Skeeyagi, 2-time BMT Champs

Mr. Skeeyagi. There’s never been a repeat MUG winner before they made it a reality at the end of Skeeson X.  Can they make it a Skeepeat?  We’re in uncharted territory here, folks, so who knows if they have what it takes to create what can only be described as a dynasty if they succeed.  But I will share what league-wide SKEE.E.O., Eric Pavony, said to me in a recent skeemail:

“Looks like a solid tourney. Someone will challenge Skeeyagi! Although, I think Lolos is too hungry,” — Eric Pavony

Katie, Skeeson XI FULL CIRCLE Champion

Katie. No one has dominated the 40s like she has this skeeson.  With 16 FULL CIRCLES, and coming off an epic Sweet 16 match at the BBNC II, she’s playing the best Skee-Ball of anyone right now.  With her team, The Davinskee Code, ending the skeeson as a #2 seed (thanks to a strong 2nd half of the skeeson for her teammates M.J., Lauren, and Beverly), Katie may have what it takes to win. Although, league officials are currently reviewing whether or not she and her team are eligible since she’s “rolling for two.”  Brewskee-Ball only allows 3 rollers per night, and Davinskee Code clearly have 4 every match now.  The Brewskee-Ball Investigative Team is, well, investigating.  Look for a possible disqualification by BMT time, sources close to me say.

Who will write the next chapter?  Who will put their names on the Wall of Champions at Full Circle Bar in Brooklyn, NY?  Who will be immortalized as champions of Wilmington Brewskee-Ball — stories that their grandchildren will tell their friends, generations from now?

We are only days away from creating new moments in history.  Will YOU be a part of it?

The playoffs begin now.

After a long 9-day break, and only one sanctioned night of play since May 24th, Wilmington Brewskee-Ball is back in the saddle again!

It’s Week 8 of the regular skeeson.  That means, only one more opportunity to position your team as high as possible in the league standings.  Only more more chance to get your individual average inside the Top 24 for the BROTY (Best Roller Of The Year).  Only one more night to try to collect the most FULL CIRCLES, CHERRIES, or CHIPS.

In the coming days, final stats will be revealed, as will brackets for the BMT and BROTY.  Our lovely new website, wilmingtonbrewskeeball.com, will shine brightly in the North Carolina skies.  Teams and rollers will gear up to make Brewskee-Ball history and attempt to be forever enshrined at Full Circle Bar.

This is the time of year when champions are crowned, legends are born, and history is made.  Are you ready?  Let’s do this.

Friends, Wilmingtonians, Brewskee-Ballers, lend me your lanes!  After 11 skeesons, the time has come for Wilmington Brewskee-Ball to add another home to its catalog of favorite places on the interwebs: wilmingtonbrewskeeball.com.

A companion site to our league-wide homebase at brewskeeball.com, Wilmington Brewskee-Ball will serve as a direct portal to all things Wilmington-specific, including stats, photos, social media, and much, much more.  Think of it as your own bedroom in the house of Brewskee-Ball.  You now have your own space where you can hang up your Justin Skeeber and Joey The Cat posters without judgment, and you can turn up the rock ‘n’ ROLL in your headphones as loud as you’d like.

In the coming days, weeks, and months, this site will grow with regular blog and news posts, more interaction with Facebook, social interaction on the site itself, video, events, and more.  The sky’s the limit and we look forward to expanding your Brewskee-Ball experience as we grow the league and the site.  After almost 11 skeesons, 2 Brewskee-Ball National Championships, hundreds of rollers past and present, and a future so bright we gotta wear shades, a new day has come.

Welcome to your new bedroom, Wilmington Brewskee-Ballers.  Now find that forty.