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- PREVIEW: MLP Mid-Season Tournament Starts in 2 days!
PREVIEW: MLP Mid-Season Tournament Starts in 2 days!
Plus, why is it called Beer City Open?
Team KOTC
July 08, 2024
Table of Contents
When Mid-Season Doesn’t Feel Very “Mid Season”
Like Hurricane Beryl, MLP is headed north and set to hit Michigan on Wednesday for the Mid-Season Tournament at Beer City Open.
Let’s get one thing out of the way right off the bat: “mid-season” is hardly that. All teams will play a total of 23 matches throughout the regular season, appearing in 5 of the 8 events. Not all teams will be at all events, and not all teams at each event plays the same number of matches. This nets out to a pretty uneven number of matches played this year, and no team has yet hit the mid-point of 11.5 matches.
Only two events have occurred, and while everyone has played at least one event, some teams (such as the Chicago Slice) have only played three matches while others have played 7-8. Is it surprising that teams with the fewer games are also ranked lower? Even though seeding is set by points per match, three matches is hardly enough time to build chemistry with a team fresh off the draft, nor equalize your outcome by facing both strong and weak teams. Some teams had the added challenge of back-to-back matches on consecutive days, while others had hours or days of rest in between.
Nevertheless, here we are. We can slice and dice the stats of teams’ performance thus far, but it truly could be anyone’s tournament. And while mid-season tournament results do not contribute to overall league standing, with $200K prize money on the line, we know the teams will be fighting hard to win.
Catch the pod tomorrow, premiering at 10 a.m. MT (12 p.m. ET), when the guys get into the details on an MLP rundown!
Speaking of prize money, here’s how the payouts break down:
Premier1st Place: $80,000 2nd Place: $40,000 3rd Place: $20,000 | Challenger1st Place: $30,000 2nd Place: $20,000 3rd Place: $10,000 |
Substitutions & Alternates
Substitutions for BCO have been finalized, with first-string players missing for injuries or schedule conflicts (or - in the case of one, as we well know - suspension. RIP Andrei).
AJ Koller substituting for Andrei Daescu (AZ Drive)
Rachel Rettger in for Allyce Jones (Bay Area Breakers)
Samantha Parker substituting for Jill Braverman (Breakers)
Grayson Goldin for DJ Young (Breakers)
Michelle Esquivel subbing for Susannah Barr (CA Black Bears)
Emily Cederquist for Catherine Parenteau (LA Mad Drops)
Blaine Hovenier subbing for Thomas Wilson (LA Mad Drops)
On-site alternates, who can sub in for day-of injuries are:
Men: Roscoe Bellamy, Martin Emmrich, Wyatt Stone, Pesa Teoni
Women: Christine Maddox, Liz Truluck
Why is it Called Beer City Open?
Beer City Open is a long-running charity tournament, unaffiliated with PPA or MLP (but sanctioned by USAP). The event was started in 2018 by PPA Pro Andrea Koop and Paul Richards, to fulfill a need for a high-level tournament in the midwest. It got its name from the host city’s moniker; Grand Rapids is nicknamed “Beer City USA” as it’s home to more than 80 craft breweries.
Operating as a non-profit, BCO supports the Belknap Enhancement Fund and Belknap Park where the event is held. Thanks to BCO and the Grand Rapids Pickleball Club, over $100,000 has been re-invested in the park over the years, resurfacing and adding courts, upgrading lighting, and more.
New for 2024, BCO is playing host to the MLP mid-season tournament, which is now the only pro portion of BCO. Admission is free, as it always has been, to allow people to enjoy, compete, and watch.
NEW POD - releasing tomorrow, 7/9, 10 a.m. MT
Thanks to our sponsors…
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