Are we having fun yet?

A new study shows that "A friendly game of soccer works off more fat and builds up more muscle than jogging. Danish scientists, who conducted their research on 37 men, also found the soccer players felt less tired after exercising than the joggers because they were having more fun."

For more, read the Washington Post article.

Thanks to Andrew for contributing this post idea.

Autumn is here, so let's talk reds and yellows

A post from the league to Laura about fair play and discipline:

Managers, a reminder: If you see anything on field that is dangerous or that could lead to dangerous situation, please go see the opposing team manager right away. You don't have to wait for halftime meeting with ref. For example, if you or your team identifies a hot and out of control player, that player should leave field for 5-10 minutes. Encourage your OWN players to get a hot teammate off the field.

Introduce yourself and the captain to the ref at beginning so if you need to talk to him he knows who you are. If one of your players is getting elbowed, for example, they should talk to their captain and/or manager, who can then point it out to ref.

In order to encourage clean play in our League the following rules are now in effect:

1. Any player with 4 yellows in one season is suspended one game. 3 further yellows (after a 4 yellow suspension) will be cause for another suspension and appearance in front of Disciplinary Committee (DC). Note that this is cumulative through the calendar year. A calendar year begins in Spring season and ends in Fall season. It means cards and disciplinary points carry over from Spring into Fall.
2. Any team earning 10 Disciplinary Points (DP's) in Spring Season loses 1 points in Spring standings.
3. Any team earning 20 DP's total for Spring and Fall seasons loses 2 points in Fall standings.
4. Any team earning 30 DP's total for Spring and Fall seasons loses 3 points in Fall standings

BCSL report:

Note: this is a very long post...pushing other posts further down in the page. To note your participation in games and practices this week, please scroll down.

Laura has shared the most recent Berkeley Co-ed Soccer League Commitee report from Sept. 25, 2007

The Comments Committee (consisting of four team managers who have volunteered) accepts suggestions and complaints at bcsl-comments@hotmail.com. All questions received since the spring season are addressed below. Responses have been vetted with league management.

Summary of Key Items:
• Website: League needs a website to be up and consistently running. A group of volunteers should be supported in taking that on.

• Scheduling: League management and team managers need to determine desirability of playing at times other than Sunday afternoon and evening.

• Regular league managers’ meetings would be useful for discussing ongoing items.

Questions and Responses:

1. "Can we get linesmen to help refs?"
There are not enough referees available to do this. An alternative would be to have league members serve as linesmen to help with offsides and out-of-bounds calls. Whether they are paid or serve as volunteers, this will require extensive organization. This is possible if a committee of motivated and capable individuals is willing to put the time into organizing it. Those individuals most strongly interested in having linesmen are encouraged to meet to see if they can come up with any viable proposals.

2. "Can we get practice fields?"
Field space is difficult to find in our area. Carmen typically lets managers know when we have the option of reserving space for practices or pick-up games. This is useful. Many teams play pick-up or have practices, so a good way to get practice space is to contact team managers.

3. "Can we enforce the minimum age requirement?"
Carmen has addressed this by requiring a copy of each new player's ID to verify they are old enough.

4. "What's the plan for how many new teams are allowed in?"
As team managers, we do not know. This is a question for league management. Letting new teams in can affect scheduling, fields, and the feel of the league. The league will presumably have more field space available in the future with the completion of the new Gilman fields, which may alleviate scheduling difficulties. We all appreciate the opportunity that the league has given us to play soccer, and it is a good thing to extend that opportunity to others. This is a good topic for the next league managers’ meeting.

5. "What happened to the league structure that teams approved a year ago?
To recap, managers conducted a vote during summer 2006 to determine the most popular structure for divisions and season scheduling. The winning structure had two divisions, a schedule where teams played only teams in their division, no playoffs, and exchange of the top team from Div. 2 with the bottom team of Div. 1 (at the discretion of the team from Div. 2). This structure was used for the Fall 2006 season, but then changed by league management for Spring 2007. The lack of agreement on a decision-making process pointed out the need for better dialog between league management and teams, which resulted in this managers' "comments committee". Since the league continues to grow, and new fields are coming on line, things are in transition. It would be best to settle into a consistent structure, where everyone knows how schedules will be set, how standings will be figured, and how teams will move between divisions. This issue still needs to be addressed over time, and is a good topic for the next league managers’ meeting.

6. "When will tourney results be posted on the website?"
Given that the website went down, the larger question here is (1) sustaining a website, and (2) posting scores. Many simple online features have made the league more user-friendly and fun. To date website tasks has been handled by individuals who eventually move on. It would be preferable to form a team of web-savvy volunteers who will maintain a website for the league. Shared responsibility is more likely to result in a sustainable website.

7. "There is some good scheduling software out there—does the league use such software?"
Yes, scheduling games to allocate times, fields, and opponents is complicated and time-consuming, and the league should use readily available software to do this task. We believe the league does in fact use such software.

8. "Monday night games don't work for all of us."
The league has historically played games on Sunday afternoons and evenings. While we wait for the new Gilman fields to come on line, the addition of new teams resulted in the need to play some games on Monday evening and some games on Sunday morning. It is important to find out how well this works for teams. This a good topic for the next league managers’ meeting.

Weekend to-do list

Train Wrecks games this week:
Indoor: Friday @ 8 p.m. at the Bladium vs. PK Acetominophen
Outdoor: Sunday @ 5 p.m. at Gabe West vs. Marauders

Practice this week:
Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. at the Coast Guard fields

So apparently Atlantic fields may be available for practice. We'll check 'em out, but for now the plan is to meet up at the Coast Guard fields. If you're coming late to practice you may want to scope the Atlantic fields to see if practice has moved (if it hasn't, move on down to the Coast Guard fields).

Alrighty then, tally time! Use the comment section to indicate which events you will or will not participate in.

Banana Splitsville

It was mixed weekend for the Train Wrecks.

The indoor team couldn't seem to rescue enough points to overcome S.O.S. in a 2-13 loss. It didn't help that Madelyn played for the souls. On the other hand...

Madelyn did play for the Wrecks on Sunday in their outdoor game. Diego, he of the golden foot, deposited three goals, to the Berkeley Hawk's lone tally. Check out Amy's pic's from the action.

Animal planet

So I was reading about this kid from Brasil, Kerlon, who's perfected what's known as the seal dribble. Apparently, the move frustrates opposing players and they've vowed to take him out. Kerlon has said he will continue to use the move until it is made illegal (or perhaps until someone takes him out permanently).

In other animal planet news...Andrew has found this PETA non-approved gem. Squirrel on!

Outdoor league weather cancellation number

Rain, and unplayable conditions, are sometimes unavoidable. If there are questions about whether an outdoor league game will be canceled due to weather, please call this information line:

510.981.5161

A weekend with TW FC

Train Wrecks games this week:
Indoor: Friday @ 9 p.m. at the Bladium vs. SOS
Outdoor: Sunday @ 5 p.m. at Gabe East @ Berkeley Hawks

Practice this week:
Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. at the Coast Guard fields

Raise your hands if you're sure! Use the comment section to indicate which events you will or will not participate in.

The Champions League scorecard: Round 1

And the award for best acting performance in a drama goes to....

the Unicorns. Unfortunately, the Train Wrecks lost their outdoor game this past Sunday to the tune of a hard fought 2-1 scoreline. Our lone goal came courtesy of Wendy on fine run and strike from a very difficult angle.

Adding to the shutout for this weeks Soccer Emmy's, the Train Wrecks were handed a 7-10 defeat in the indoor category.

A big welcome to Gustavo, who played with the outdoor team this weekend, a heart-felt goodbye to our young duckling, Anna, who is off to become a Banana Slug, and a happy birthday to Antonia, who is past the banana slug stage and onto whatever animal-phase describes full blown adulthood. What is that anyway?

And Janine, thanks for the feast. The only thing missing was a jousting competition.

Creative inspiration

Thomas is always saying to practice our first touch...here's a little inspiration for that one, and the one after that, and the one after that one, and the....you get the picture (or should I say video).

On tap for the weekend: Who's in?

Train Wrecks games this week:
Indoor: Friday @ 7 p.m. at the Bladium vs. Mayhem
Outdoor: Sunday @ 4:20 p.m. at Booker T. Washington @ the Unicorns

Anna-banana-fofana-banana-slug?
This weeks outdoor game will be Anna Carlson's last as Train Wreck before shipping of to her college life at UC Santa Cruz. Let's send Anna off in style, with a Train Wreck victory!

Practice this week:
Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. at the Coast Guard fields (unfortunately, youth leagues are using the better fields)

Show of hands!
Who's coming to what? Use the comment section to indicate which events you will or will not participate in.

Baby you can drive my car (for a good cause)

It doesn't always have to be about soccer does it? Especially if there's a good cause behind it. Whether your a car enthusiast, or looking to support life-saving research, you might dig this: The Ultimate Drive for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Basically, you get to drive any model of BMW (try out the 750Li, Z4 convertible, or X5 ), and for every mile you do, BMW donates a dollar for breast cancer research. Have a lotta fun. Do a little good.

post idea by Carlos

US: 2-time World Cup champions!

Check out the World Cup, women's edition, being played in China. The US, two-time champions, play tomorrow vs. the People's Republic of Korea (North Korea to the rest of us).

post idea by Amy

They've been scrubbed

Scrubs 2 - Train Wrecks 8 (outdoor)

A fine effort by the outdoor team last night with lots of good ball movement, passing, and of course, scoring. Tallying for the 'Wrecks:

Oreste with 2 goals
Diego, Brad, Anna, Jaki, Robert H., and Amy, each with a goal. (Did I correctly credit everyone? If so, final score is 2-8).

Defense did well, despite my (Marc) howler of a clearance attempt that led to the Scrubs first goal.

Bocas Locas 5 - Train Wrecks 9 (indoor; unconfirmed score)

On another note, the indoor team beat Bocas Locas last Friday. I believe the score was 9-5, but I have to admit I was watching my beer more than the game.

Your thoughts on either game? Post a comment. And don't forget to vote for the play of the (outdoor) game.

Are you game? or practice? or both?

Train Wrecks games this week:
Indoor: Friday @ 8 p.m. at the Bladium vs. Bocas Locas
Outdoor: Sunday @ 7 p.m. at Gabe West vs. Scrubs

Practice this week:
Saturday @ 3 p.m. at Encinal High School

Practice of course is encouraged. With a game on Sunday, a good showing will give us an opportunity to work on our timing, field positioning, and then of course we can all brush up on individual skills.

Turns out, fields are hard to come by with many of the youth leagues starting up. We'll try Encinal High School fields, not to far from Atlantic (drive south past Atlantic fields on Main St.
Go through the light and you'll be on Central. As you head around the bend you'll run in to Encinal High, with a big jet in the front lawn. Fields are out back).

For outdoor events (and really you could do the same if you're playing indoor) use the comment section to indicate which events you will or will not participate in so that we can get a head count (as well as helping Thomas prepare for game day position assignments).

United Television of Nations

Televised international matches this weekend:

EQ2008
Italy vs. France on GolTV @ 11:45 a.m., Saturday
Russia vs. Macedonia on FSC @ 8 a.m., Saturday
San Marino vs. Czech Rep. on FSC @ 11 a.m., Saturday
Iceland vs. Spain on FSC @ 1 p.m., Saturday
Sweden vs. Denmark on Setanta @ 11:25 a.m., Saturday
Malta vs. Turkey on Setanta @ 1:30 p.m., Saturday
Serbia vs. Finland on Setanta @ 3:15 p.m., Saturday

Friendly
Ecuador vs. El Salvador on GolTV @ 4 p.m., Saturday
Peru vs. Columbia on GolTV @ 6 p.m., Saturday
US vs. Brasil on ESPN2 and Univision @ 1 p.m., Sunday

FSC = FOX Soccer Channel

Antonia goes cookoo for coconuts....

and other pictures from Labor Day Weekend Drake'sfest '07.

Link and photos provided by Amy.

Good ol' College Try

I have to admit, that I know absolutely nothing about college soccer. However, the college soccer season has started for both men and women's teams, and there seems to be quite a few teams here in the bay area. If you're interested in checking them out, I've linked some home pages below:

• UC-Berkeley: Mens Womens
• Stanford: Mens Womens
• Saint Mary's College: Mens Womens
• University of San Francisco: Mens Womens
• San Francisco State: Mens Womens