Region IV-4 United States Team Regional Playoffs
July 23rd 2006

Sunday marked my first time entering the US Team Regional playoffs. Coming off a disappointing and somewhat grueling day Saturday I was unsure of how things would pan out. My eyes popped open about 8:15am as the rest of my body protested. After 15hours of darts the day before I was feeling a bit worn out. But a couple nutri-bars some Gatorade and nice long shower fixed me up to a decent state of repair.

The event was held in Akron, Ohio at a bar named “Just One More”. And we had about a 40minute trip from the hotel to the venue. A friend from town, James “Big Dumb” Fleming has agreed to follow us and keep score for a few matches. As we pull out of the parking lot he calls to inform us that we have no brake lights! So he decides to stay the entire day, to follow us the 5hours home later for safety. What a hell of a nice guy.

We arrive to the venue at about 10:15am just enough time to get warmed up for the 11am start. The inside was nice a long wooden bar wrapped the front of the establishment while dartboards consumed the back room. Mixes of permanent and portable boards were set-up and the atmosphere was relaxed. They offered a full menu all day long and if you’re ever in Akron I recommend the chicken wrap sandwich and mozzarella sticks.

After getting an early morning beverage and signing the necessary paperwork it was time to throw some darts. Warming up I noticed a pretty good crowd was present, more then I had expected for this playoff. The competition in region IV-4 is some of the toughest in the nation. We currently have 3 of the top 10 ADO ranked players, a World Master’s Competitor, Two World Series of Darts Qualifiers, and a National Champion along with a mix of lesser-known but highly skilled players. I knew I had better get my game going on track or in that crowd it can be curtains early. Continued...