Designs by Ben

Here are some shirts I have had printed:





I only have the shirts in men's medium, large and extra large. They are $35 plus shipping.

Rothman Repeats at the Rain Ravaged 2010 Desert Classic

The 4th annual Desert Classic took place on the pristine lawns of the Mission Hills Country Club January 19-23. The western center for croquet played host to snow birds from all areas of Canada and many Californians with false hopes of an arid temperate climate. The rains came early and they came hard. Players enjoyed a wonderful opening reception at the Mission Hills club house despite rains ruining most of the practice day. The exceptional food was thanks in no small part to the new sponsorship from the Doheny Eye Institute and continued support from Leed's & Son fine jewelers. Croquet club members supported the generous purse with sales of many shirts commemorating their 20th anniversary.

The 23 players were full of hope and aspirations for their share of the $5,000 purse, while others simply dreamed for clear skies. The field was separated into three blocks; the top ten in a full round robin with the remaining thirteen seeded into two blocks for round robins. But the weather had other plans.
Early play was highlighted by stellar play in the first flight with three players going undefeated. Dick Engebretson managed third with 40 gross points (the first tie-breaker) just a few behind Marvin Salles (43) who was just shy of Sheri Foroughi with 44. This three way tie was a consequence of an unprecedented cancellation due to weather. These three were only bested in gross points by a late-rallying Mary Rodeberg. On day one the Rancho Mirage resident had one victory and a total of 11 points. She was disheartened and wondered why she played so much worse in tournament than in practice. Mary came out on day two with the resolve of a proven champion. She managed to win both games by more than 11 points and accrue 34 gross points in eclipsing the undefeated players' totals with 45 gross points. Mary took the fourth seed in the playoffs..
For the first time in Palm Springs croquet history, rain caused cancellation of an entire day of play. This omitted the final rounds of block play so the top seeds did not face off against each other. But the two American MacRob team members and Canada's best did not escape block play undefeated. Rich Lamm was bested by local favorite and known sandbagger, Bob Van Tassell. “Sandy” Bob, as he is affectionately known, put together a beautiful triple to beat the heavily favored Coloradan 26-3. Rich did well to escape the likes of one Canadian dubbed “the Giant Killer.”

Vancouver based croquet enthusiast, Russell Uhler, started the new year with the biggest upset in North American history. Russell took down top seeded Ben Rothman with a well executed, if not easily organized, 12 hoop break leading into last turns. The 1100 point difference in index is unprecedented on this continent (and possibly worldwide).

Some will worry, has the wunderkind lost his edge? Is the pressure of being the top ranked player in the country getting to him? Has tournament directing sufficiently distracted him? Rothman went into the next game trying to tune out the whispers on the sideline and managed to not only complete the first triple peel of 2010 (for all of the northern hemisphere, at least), but he did all three peels before making hoop 6.

Russell Uhler and Ron Hendry in the rain.

Mr. Uhler went on to hit nearly every hit-in that day. Against compatriot, Brian Cumming, Russell hit several 20+ yarders including four in-a-row at one point. This lead him to an astounding 19-17 victory and one of the best croquet days of Russell's career.

In another three way tie, Brian Cumming took the top seed in the playoffs setting up an early match between Lamm and Rothman. Jim Butts, Bob Van Tassell and Russell Uhler rounded out the top six who got two lives in the playoffs.

Brian Cumming plays as the rain dies out and the sun shines.

To keep players busy, Rothman and Lamm, with the help of the Mission Hills Croquet Club, held a fundraising cocktail party for the United States MacRobertson Shield team. With a few inspirational speeches and great attendance in the rain, the party raised over $650 for the team. The USCA and Mission Hills have shown that they will fully support our team this August and the fundraising effort will be in full swing this season. Readers can always donate to the Lee Olsen fund with a tax deductible donation to the non-profit which will be supporting the American team this year and in years to come.

After the cancelled day, players were chomping at the bit for their playoff berths. The three undefeated players worked their way to the semi-finals along with the respectable redemption artist Mary Rodeberg. Dick Engebretson lost by one point in last turn to his consistent competitor, Marvin Salles, after leading the entire match. Sheri Foroughi dominated her semi-final 17-1 but was outplayed by the undefeated first flight champion, Marvin Salles. Marvin received $300 for his efforts.

Cindy Bagby takes off to the opponents.

The second flight went to Bayfield inn-keeper, Patrick Waters against the seed-breaking underdog, Jean Engebretson. The consolidated plate event was a local battle won by Judy Dahlstrom who already has a nice collection of trophies for 2010.

Championship flight was controlled by the top three seeds with “Sandy” Bob rounding out the semi finals. The sun finally broke free and unleashed the welcome warmth on the field as Bob went on to beat Jim Butts for the plate championship narrowly avoiding the rabid triple-peeling Ron Hendry. The final day of play had Rich Lamm sleeping in and watching Ben and Brian battle it out. Ben managed a fourth turn hit-in and an 8th turn triple (his 3rd consecutive) to get to the best of three final against the man who knocked him down, Rich Lamm.

In the first game, Rothman took control and even peeled Rich through hoop one. The subsequent leave was a diagonal spread with the peg ball unrushable to hoop 2. Rich missed the lift but Ben could not organize the peels. In a difficult straight peel Rothman tried a foolish drag-jump which rebounded straight back onto his mallet. Rich took control, but the previous pop left him disoriented and he failed to get position at his hoop (2). Ben was able to hit in and finish +25. Game two had Rothman in control until he failed to start his second break. Rich took nine hoops only to see a rare ranged Rothman roquet.

Rich Lamm amidst the storm.

Ben could not get organized and resigned himself to try the straight triple, complete with a bombard to penultimate. The peel through penultimate was short leaving Ben a shot to make the hoop while rushing to rover. Alas, it was not to be as his rush bounced off the peg and the 7 yard rover peel was wired from the hoop by a reception ball.

Ben's hoop-and-roquet through penultimate.

Ben set a decent diagonal spread, but failed to completely cross wire the opponent balls. With control of the match on his mallet, Rich took the 9 yard slightly wired shot at the peg ball but hit the peg squarely, leaving Rothman a $1,000 turn. Rothman calmed his nerves; winning the game and the $2,000 check. Rich Lamm walked away with $1,000 while Brian enjoyed the bloody mary bar with his $500 prize.

The finals day crown enjoying the sun.

All participants enjoyed the divine court side brunch during the final match and appreciated the presence of the tournament sponsors. With its annual rainfall average already met, Rancho Mirage promises to be a much more comfortable venue for the rest of the season. The club is looking forward to showing off the exceptional courts during the Mission Hills Invitational March 2-6 and welcoming back the best players in the country at the Association Rules Nationals April 19-23. Until then, stay dry.

Winners
Back Row: Brian Cumming, Bob Van Tassell, Patrick Waters, Rich Lamm
Middle Row: Mary Rodeberg, Jean Engebretson, Judy Dahlstrom, Sheri Foroughi, Toni Kemp
Down in Front: Ben Rothman

Championship Flight
1. Ben Rothman
2. Rich Lamm
3. Brian Cumming

Championship Plate
1. Bob Van Tassell
2. Jim Butts
3. Ron Hendry
4. Russell Uhler
4. Mick Greagsby
6. Brian Wasylyk
6. Arthur Bagby

First Flight
1. Marvin Salles
2. Sheri Foroughi
3. Mary Rodeberg
4. Dick Engebretson

Second Flight
1. Patrick Waters
2. Jean Engebretson
3. Toni Kemp
4. Cindy Bagby

Combined Flight Plate
1. Judy Dahlstrom
2. Jane McDonnell
3. Karl-Heinz Kempfer
3. Dick Tucker
5. Gayle Waters

The Prized Trophies.

2010 Pat Apple

The Pat Apple tournament is a testament to the pioneering of he Mission Hills croquet club founder and her efforts to make this the best venue in the country. This is one of the rare handicap format tournaments in the United States. Several players were experiencing their first association rules games with the kind safety net of several bisques in each game. We had 17 players in two flights of singles with 16 in two blocks of waterford doubles.

The opening reception was hosted by the Gordon and Roswitha Smale at their beautiful home where tournament director, Ben Rothman, scrambled to please the players by shuffling the schedule around like a black jack dealer.

In a happy initiation, Helen Orgill managed to go undefeated in the doubles block and took the first place trophy undisputedly. This tournament was a first to Mike and Brenda Corrigan who showed great improvement game to game as they became more familiar with the rules and tactics. None of the three had ever played a game of association rues before, talk about trial by fire!

The shot of the tournament came from Ruth Stotter in a grudge match against her husband. The potentially divisive handicap game against Larry, a successful divorce attorney, went to overtime tied at 11 with Ruth's balls for hoop 3 and 4-back. Ruth hit her partner near hoop five and had one of Larry's balls near hoop three, which was the striker ball's wicket. Onlookers thought any drama would come on a hoop shot after a nice take off to the ball in question, but Ruth would have none of it. The famed storyteller chose to make her own drama by rolling the 50 feet down towards hoop three and the nearby ball. On this well executed full roll, Ruth ended up five feet from the ball she needed while she managed to send her partner through 4-back. That's right, from 16 yards Ruth peeled 4-back to win in overtime. Who needs the stress of shooting a hoop when you can just end the game right there.

Despite the advantage of bisques, championship flight came down to those with the lowest handicaps. Ron Hendry played a level match against Mike Orgill in the semi-finals with only one loss in the entire tournament. That one loss came from undefeated Bob Van Tassell who dispatched of last year's finalist, Jim Butts, in another no bisque game to earn the spot against Ron in the final. Even after using his half-bisque to get control, Ron's hoop shooting was no match for “Sandy” Bob's consistent play and exciting hit ins. Bob managed to take his first tournament win in championship flight and instantly double it with an undefeated record in doubles as well. Van Tassell was kind enough to host a cocktail hour on his court side rooftop bar after the dominant victory, proving he can be a gracious host as well as a championship calibre croquet player.

First Flight
Doubles Jubilee
1.Helen Orgill
2.Jerry Evans
3.Ruth Stotter
4.Brenda Corrigan
5.Mike Corrigan
6.Preston Ormsby
7.LouAnn Evans
8.Larry Stotter

Championship Flight
Delicious Doubles
1.Bob Van Tassell
2.Judy Dahlstrom
3.Mike Orgill
4.Marty Ormsby
5.Ron Hendry
6.Gordon Milse
7.Art Silber
8.Toni Kemp

Second Flight Singles
McIntosh Ladder
1.Judy Dahlstrom
2.Ruth Stotter
3.Karen Comeau
4.Larry Stotter

First Flight Singles
Fuji Ladder
1.Mick Greagsby
2.Toni Kemp
3.Bob Riddell
4.Bob Kays
5.Phyllis Butts
5.Gordon Milse

Championship Singles
Gala Ladder
1.Bob Van Tassell
2.Ron Hendry
3.Mike Orgill
4.Jim Butts
5.Marty Ormsby
5.Marvin Salles

Association Rules Tactics

Association Rules Openings:

With the exception of a few advanced players and those with a death wish, the decision to play first in an Association Rules game is one of tempered realism. They don't believe the opponent can hit. For that matter, they don't think they will hit in on third turn either, which is why they run from the baulk line. The goal of the player who plays first is usually to control the game on the fifth turn. The most common first shot is to the maximum distance (or slightly south/west of it) on the east boundary. Fifth turn is special because the player is not required to start from the baulk line, and they are the first to have the freedom to play either of their balls. Their wager, so far, is that they could take advantage of this turn and start the game in control. Alternatively, the opposition is hoping against hope.

The second ball in an association rules game can play it conservative. If they feel the opposition cannot make a good offensive play or a nice leave, they can play to a defensive position to make all fifth turns more difficult. On the other hand, the second ball may play to an enticing position that leaves a risky shot for the third ball and the possibility of a seemingly short shot on fourth turn. In this case, the player is optimistic. “The opponent may miss, but I will not,” is the mantra. Most openings follow these philosophies. It is the games where neither player gets a break going that interest me.

The Mid-Game:

When the situation leaves striker with an easy roquet, but no odds on opportunity for offense, the tactical possibilities are endless. When American players complain about the lack of strategy in the association game, it becomes annoyingly clear that they have never tried to play a canny turn in which they must position all four balls in beneficial positions without making a hoop. Those five to seven shots can yield incredibly shrewd positions if the striker has a clever sense of sadistic humour.

The basic priorities of an association leave are: 1) make hoops, 2) separate the opponents while giving the striker or partner an easy play, and 3) make the opponent's play as difficult as possible. If there is a better than 75% chance to make a hoop, take it. Otherwise, change to the second priority of separating the opponents.

There are many beneficial positions one can occupy while fulfilling the simple task of separating the opponents. The striker may join near the boundary (with a rush is better) while leaving the opponents more than 4 yards on court. Positioning the opponents in useful positions like your hoops or pioneer hoops is preferable. One of the best leaves involves cross-wiring the opponent balls at the hoop you wish to make. This leaves them blocked from hitting each other while quite close in proximity to your hoop. Whichever ball the adversary plays, they will leave one of their balls at that very hoop (that is, unless they hit in). This leave is nearly impossible for beginner players as it requires incredible luck or skill to end your turn with the opponents in such a precarious position. A much more likely, and thus useful, leave is to finish the turn joined with your partner ball near either one of your hoops while leaving the opponents on court (hopefully at useful pioneer hoops). If this is a corner hoop, you can leave a trap discouraging any shots at your balls while leaving a possible break. At the very worst, with both opponent balls separated, the next turn should yield at least one point scored before you must focus on separating the opponents once more.

Every so often, you are left with a difficult shot to start the turn. If you are not confident that you will have more than one shot this turn (let us say, under 50%) it is important to put yourself in the opponent's shoes. Which ball, if left in its current position, is most helpful to the adversary. The best play may be to take that ball away. Next, consider your easiest shot. This shot could maximize your chances of taking control. Last, but not to be forgotten, is the risk of missing these shots. Which of these misses will cost us the most and truly aid the opposition.

I apologize for not going into specifics, but these general guidelines apply to the multi-faceted scenarios that arise in the midst of a match. Hopefully any one of these lessons can help on multiple occasions during your journey into the madness that is competitive croquet.

Mission Hills Tourney Logos

Maybe I'm just proud because I went out on the town tonight, but here are some logos I cooked up for the 2010 tournaments here in the desert... so far. More to come.