Know When You're Old....

E.J. · 03-15-2013, 12:14 AM

....When you play the kids... We play in our Alumni BB tourney every year. It is the longest running Alumni Basketball tourney in the US & a fun deal every Spring. We made it out of pool play, a feat in itself...& tonight ran into a class 21 years younger than us. OUCH.... They were younger, faster, stronger, jumped higher, were quicker and better looking.

We were awarded 21 points related to age, by rule, and still lost by 16. My pride is a little hurt right now. I have kids not terribly younger than these pups... Oh they crushed us.

We use to be the young kids & now the years are catching up... All that said, love seeing all these guys and getting out and competing a bit. Funny how after an hour or so, everything gets in perspective. I remember running "the old guys" back in the day and wondering how they kept getting guys to come back... Meh....yea, we're the old guys....but we're still ready to lace 'um up.

I have muscle pains, where I didn't know I had muscle....

maninblack · 03-15-2013, 06:54 AM

Welcome to middle age my friend. It sucks.

jjirons69 · 03-15-2013, 08:25 AM

That's funny EJ. We play BB weekly with a group of pickups. Usually about 4-5 games to 15 or 3 to 21. Full court. We've all been playing together for around 8 years. Guys come and go, but we have a solid core of 6-8. We range in age from 30 to 50. Everyone is in semi-decent shape. I'm quickly approaching 44. Some times a HS kid or two of one of the guys comes out (he may bring a buddy or two) when they're on break and those buggers can cook it. Like you said, they can run and jump like they're on the moon. Us old guys have patience and smarts and that often goes a long ways. They usually get gassed in the first couple of games and the old guys start pouncing them. We also split up ages to make it more competitive, but we have beaten those youngsters (old vs young) on occasion. My ankles and legs hurt more than anything else on my body and I know one day I'll have to give it up, but until then, let her roll!

CigarNut · 03-15-2013, 08:33 AM

Take joy in the fact that these kids will see the same thing happen to themselves in 20 years

shilala · 03-15-2013, 09:30 AM

Thanks for that, E.J.

I got a good laugh over it. I was laughing with you, though. They may have whipped your asses, but you can lie comfortable in the fact that those little boogers have 20 years of misery ahead of them while they learn the stuff you already suffered through. That's enough to make ya cringe, isn't it?

GWN · 03-15-2013, 07:33 PM

Main thing is to keep playing.
I wear knee wraps and an ankle brace and I've sure lost a step (or 10) from when I played ball as a kid, but I'm still swinging for the fences

BHalbrooks · 03-15-2013, 09:47 PM

(Coming from a 24 year old)

riverdawg · 03-16-2013, 07:04 PM

But you weren't home laying on the couch. Good on ya!!!

03-15-2013, 12:14 AM	#1
E.J. I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,218 Trading: (21)	Know When You're Old.... ....When you play the kids... We play in our Alumni BB tourney every year. It is the longest running Alumni Basketball tourney in the US & a fun deal every Spring. We made it out of pool play, a feat in itself...& tonight ran into a class 21 years younger than us. OUCH.... They were younger, faster, stronger, jumped higher, were quicker and better looking. We were awarded 21 points related to age, by rule, and still lost by 16. My pride is a little hurt right now. I have kids not terribly younger than these pups... Oh they crushed us. We use to be the young kids & now the years are catching up... All that said, love seeing all these guys and getting out and competing a bit. Funny how after an hour or so, everything gets in perspective. I remember running "the old guys" back in the day and wondering how they kept getting guys to come back... Meh....yea, we're the old guys....but we're still ready to lace 'um up. I have muscle pains, where I didn't know I had muscle....

03-15-2013, 06:54 AM	#2
maninblack Will smoke for food Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Kevin Location: Where the hoot owls f$ck the chickens Posts: 10,637 Trading: (80)	Re: Know When You're Old.... Welcome to middle age my friend. It sucks. __________________ Proud member of the GMCGTPWHAFA

03-15-2013, 08:25 AM	#3
jjirons69 Haberdasher Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jamie Location: Chucktown, SC Posts: 4,120 Trading: (94)	Re: Know When You're Old.... That's funny EJ. We play BB weekly with a group of pickups. Usually about 4-5 games to 15 or 3 to 21. Full court. We've all been playing together for around 8 years. Guys come and go, but we have a solid core of 6-8. We range in age from 30 to 50. Everyone is in semi-decent shape. I'm quickly approaching 44. Some times a HS kid or two of one of the guys comes out (he may bring a buddy or two) when they're on break and those buggers can cook it. Like you said, they can run and jump like they're on the moon. Us old guys have patience and smarts and that often goes a long ways. They usually get gassed in the first couple of games and the old guys start pouncing them. We also split up ages to make it more competitive, but we have beaten those youngsters (old vs young) on occasion. My ankles and legs hurt more than anything else on my body and I know one day I'll have to give it up, but until then, let her roll! __________________ Somebody has to go back and get a chitload of dimes

03-15-2013, 08:33 AM	#4
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Know When You're Old.... Take joy in the fact that these kids will see the same thing happen to themselves in 20 years __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

03-15-2013, 09:30 AM	#5
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: Know When You're Old.... Thanks for that, E.J. I got a good laugh over it. I was laughing with you, though. They may have whipped your asses, but you can lie comfortable in the fact that those little boogers have 20 years of misery ahead of them while they learn the stuff you already suffered through. That's enough to make ya cringe, isn't it? __________________

03-15-2013, 07:33 PM	#6
GWN Snow City Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Barrie, Ontario Posts: 898 Trading: (10)	Re: Know When You're Old.... Main thing is to keep playing. I wear knee wraps and an ankle brace and I've sure lost a step (or 10) from when I played ball as a kid, but I'm still swinging for the fences __________________

03-15-2013, 09:47 PM	#7
BHalbrooks Have My Own Room Join Date: Nov 2011 First Name: B Location: Texas Posts: 1,122 Trading: (5)	Re: Know When You're Old.... (Coming from a 24 year old)

03-16-2013, 07:04 PM	#8
riverdawg Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: Jamie Location: Brushy Mtns, NC Posts: 109 Trading: (0)	Re: Know When You're Old.... But you weren't home laying on the couch. Good on ya!!!