Mets def Marlins

LoanDepot Park

~ Mets def Marlins 10:4

Getting into the parking garage is super difficult – long wait at traffic light, then the traffic itself. There are sections in the garage that are corned off for the valet parking. Seriously, where are the valets? We’re late for the game – for me, the national anthem is the highlight. So I’m pretty mad.

The game is very much one sided. A grand slam home run in the 5th inning by Mets 1st baseman Pete Alonso (1994-), his first of the year, which is kind of sealed the outcome. Mets would defeat Marlins 10-4.

The LoanDepot park is an arena with retractable roof. It’s air conditioned tonight. At Miami Open because there isn’t roof, so the finals are affected by the element.

We’re on the upper deck and there are no cup holders (!!!) – for Pete’s sake, even Van Wezel has.

The small box of popcorn is very much appreciated.

There are these letters on the ground – do they mean anything, or just a decor? A, N, O could be Loan but M or W?   … Some fans said it’s a nod to the Orange Bowl.

 

 

… and the parking and the park

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Morning swim

My morning swim at InterContinental Doral in Miami is great: cool water temp (high 70s?), empty and the pool length is about 35 or 40 yards.

  1. free n back
  2. free

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Miami Open, 2025


… oh … the grunts!

We normally go to the earlier rounds, like in 2023 and 2024; but this year, due to meeting up with friends and they’re in Miami during the final. So women’s final it is: Jessica Pegula vs the screamer.

Very unfortunate.

What’s new in rackets? The blues

Mens doubles final plays first: Marcelo Arevalo & Mate Pavic def two Brits, Lloyd Glasspool & Julian Cash. Arevalo (1990-) is a 34 years old journey man (2012, US $3,362,558) from EL Salvador. He got emotional after the last point, and held his son (?) when receiving the trophy.

 

The match is straightforward. We endure the animal like grunts … How it is fair that the spectators are required total silence, not a peep, while the players are screaming their hearts out, out there?

The Open, the 40th edition, since 1981, is March 18-30; singles winners take in $1,124,380, runner up $597,890.

Parking: over the last two years, we paid $35 each time, discount for SunPass holders. The full price is $40. we’ve been parking in lot 18 orange. Prepay is $30 but park in #14 yellow, which is farther, we’ve to walk on the street to get to the overpass by #18. There are golf carts that offer ride by #14. I didn’t ask how much.

Itau (Itaú founded in 2008 in São Paulo, Brazil) is a private bank …

People, especially women, are dressed nicely and sexily.

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The final of MLP 2025

the winning team

We won the final of our 2025 MLP at 9:5 over the 2nd place team Linda’s Dinkers Anonymous. All seven teams (4As, 3Bs) play at the same time 6:30. Bracket A is a tie at 4:4 and Bracket B won 5:1.

The third place is Hell’s Kitchen, 4th is Gherkins 2.0 (Sally & John A and their lineup; I played my first playoff with John in 2023), and the last is Dinkers & Drivers who failed to make the playoff.

A little pat on the shoulder: we B bracket won all our matches: 4 regular weeks and two playoffs. It’s not an easy task but we managed.

Today, my partner and I won both games for the B bracket:

  1. w/ Inez def Diane and Donna 25:10
  2. w/ Inez def Diane and Donna 25:19

Since it’s rally scoring and I’m on the right hand side, so I served out both matches. The first match was a forced error and the second match I ended it with an overhead.

Kim‘s birthday 

The second match when we were at 24, I missed four points, including a serve: what was going on with me???

One good thing about this tourney is I learned a lot, from my partners and from spectators, who are just more critical, which is good.

Mixing it up: as I was going to warm up in the pool, I saw my ex partner and mistaken her as my current. She said, “Irene, we’re not playing together.”

Me, “Yes we’re.”

She, “No, we’re not.” then showing me the lineup, did then I realize she isn’t Inez. Irene, get a grip, will you?

I,  “oh well, all the white girls are look alike.”  … to cover my embarrassment.

A few players picked on my serve, often. So I practiced it on the tennis court before the match.

Was I nuts? Yes I was … both captains Linda and Ed told me “just forget about it” and go to play as I normally do. “There’s a player who goes into kitchen all the time and no one said anything …” But I’d rather to change my serve because I want to win fair and square. AND I did, which is more satisfying.

Both opponents are very nice. I called their ball good when I wasn’t sure, early on, which is what I always do: 99% out is still 100% IN. It was probably out because my partner asked about it. Then it was Donna who gave us a close baseline call. At the second game, Diane called an out ball good. I’m generous on line calls but I won’t contradict a call during a competition – the cardinal rule.

My partner  has experience and is awesome. During many long rallies – that is what Irene does who knows not much, Inez would come in and put it away. The practiced we’ve yesterday helps.

If there is one thing that I take away from this tourney is how much I learnt from everyone, my teammates, my partners and spectators: thank you all. Some are more critical than others but I benefit from it nevertheless.

In the second match, I returned the ball without bouncing – feeling utterly dumb and inadequate. My partner said that she does that too: a great partner who’s supporting you however they can. Kim is forever complimentary, which gives me confidence.

All in all, thanks to the organizers, my captain, teammates and the spectators: it was a great run.

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The last practice

For the final, I’m teaming up with Inez, which is the first for us.

My serve needs improvement.

   

We play well together, don’t we?

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The semis


Getting into the mood – one of our opponents  

The regular weeks are over (I didn’t play the last week due to the book event), here comes the semis: us against Gherkins. The last two weeks’ playoff score is independent: winner takes all.

Our A bracket did well (6-2) but our B bracket swiped (6-0), winning all six matches.

  1. w/ Kim def Shmulik & Pattie (s)
  2. w/ Kalina def Shelly & Pattie (s)

Next week is the final, we’re playing against DD ..

 

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NT bid & response

No Trump is the 5th suit in bridge, and it’s the highest of the four.

To bid

  • 1N: 16 hcp, balanced hand
  • 2N: asking for major suit
  • 3N:
  • 4N: asking for A
  • 5N: asking for K

Response to NT bid

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NT bid – 2 clubs

Tonight, it felt like a losing game because we failed more than succeeded. But after counting closely, out of 15 hands, I played five and won four; collectively we only made 8.

The 4♦️hand: I’ve 14 hcp and my P has 12, with a void of spade ♠️. I couldn’t remember what was the reason to land us in 4 diamonds, which I’ve 3 and P has 4. But her void of spade helped a lot.

The last hand, I’ve 19 hcp, my P has 12 hcp. I dealt and opened with 1NT and my P respond w/ 2C:

A “2 club” response to a “1NT” opening in bridge is typically a Stayman bid, which means the responder is asking partner if they have a 4-card major suit, prompting the opener to bid their longest major suit if they have one; if not, the opener should rebid 2 diamonds to show no 4-card major.

  1. me 1 NT; p; PT 2♣️: asking for a major suit
  2. Pass; me 2♥️; pass;
  3. PT 4H

So 4 hearts it’s, and I made 5.

 

 

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Week #3 of the MLP

A good evening for my team: we swiped the 2nd time: Bracket A and Bracket B, which puts us in the lead, with 5 wins. Although our wins is the same as Dinkers Anonymous but we’ve one more week to go and they don’t: next week is their bye week. We definitely will be in the playoffs: the rest of other 3 teams have the win of 1, 2, and 3.

The B Bracket played first. It’s a tie, so we played the tie break – the Dream Breaker – the skinny singles.

Each player rotates to play four point. The first team reaches the 25, wins (albeit on their own serve.)

Our A Bracket played Dream Breaker during the first match, unfortunately lost.

  1. w/ Carlos v Angela & Ava – 25:22
  2. w/ Chris E (sub) v Tony & Carol – 13:25

25:22 seems close but we were comfortable from the beginning. The second match loss, luckily again, was absorbed by the dream breaker 25:19.

The second match I played with a substitute who’s a beginner: her athletic ability made her a bigger liability. However, she did marvelously well at the Dream Breaker – winning all her serves at the first round, and served out at 24 and won. In the dream breaker, I broke even with Angela (2-2) in the first round and won 3-1 the 2nd round.

The unsportsmanlike conduct occurred in the 2nd match when the opponents messed up with scores. Instead serving to me, the serve went to my partner, resulted in a winner. Tony was nice who timidly offered to replay but his partner said NO righteously. I was going to offer them a concession even we were behind. In tennis, concession is always offered. During the match, there’s a sea of red (the color of their t-shirt) and they yelled loudly when they won a point from Chris. It’s beneath me to cheer for a point that was won over a weak. I only applaud for a worthy point. They won the battle but lost the war.

Regarding this, I asked the coach Byron Freso who replied:

Hi Irene,

I appreciate your thoughtful questions—they always keep me engaged! It’s great that you ask for clarification rather than making assumptions, so please don’t hesitate to continue.

Regarding the scenario you described, I understand why a player might feel upset. Here’s how the rule applies:

1. Incorrect Score Called Before the Serve

If the server calls the wrong score and serves the ball, the receiver has the option to hold the ball and not return it. In this case, the rally is replayed.

2. Incorrect Score Called, But Rally Played

If the receiver returns the serve, the rally continues, and the outcome stands. The reasoning is that the rally was played in good faith, even if the score was called incorrectly or the wrong player served. In such cases, there is no replay.

3. Mid-Rally Interruption Due to Score Dispute

If a player stops the rally midway to argue that the score was incorrect or the wrong server was in play, that player is at fault. As a result:

The opponent wins the rally.

Depending on the format, this could mean a point for the opponent, a second serve, or a side out.

In Major League Pickleball (MLP), this results in a side out and a point for the opponent.

While the partner’s decision might have seemed harsh, it was correct according to the rules—there was no basis for a replay.

I hope this clarifies the situation for you! Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

After the tie break, which we clinched the win, Tony said

“Oh, you’re a good player.”

Kim praised me also. and I said, as usual, humbly “it’s everyone’s effort.” Tony said, “just take the compliment.”

Yes Sir.

Today, it’s the first time the opponent questioned my rating. Ava asked if I’m tier 2. When I replied that I’m a mere 3, she said, that’s not fair. Well, that’s my rating from Byron Freso.

皮卡球比赛 我们队是第一.  还剩2个比赛周

Go team [偷笑]

So 今晚的吃相难看是

对手打乱了比分. 出现了不道德的行为. 这很重要, 因为他们发球给不同的球员 – 我的搭档非常差. 对手托尼很友善, 胆怯地提出重发, 但他的搭档理直气壮地说不. 我没有出声.
比赛期间,一片红色(他们的 T 恤颜色)的海洋, 当他们从我的搭档克里斯特手中赢得一分时, 他们大声喊叫 – 助威. 我很不肖 – 我只为值得祝贺的分鼓掌.

其实大妈的体育精神挺不错 很少争 而且总为好球鼓掌 尤其为对方的 (上个星期一对手在赛后 谢谢俺为她们鼓掌 I was like, seriously? Where were you from …)

So 可以想象当我们大获全胜后 我的开心.
为了区区一 2 分而失去人格 是在不划算

但有些人不觉得失人格是回事儿… win at all cost
Oh well – that’s SO not me 俺的人格也没什么了不起
只是自己有底线

附带说一下 克里斯特娃在tie breaker 打的非常出色

Good night n sleep well 💤

顺带说一下 2: 我们的队长是老公 他的媳妇是另外一个强队的队长… oh well

 

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A NT night

Tonight 18 hands were played, 5 were no trump. I played 7 hands, only won 1. A big fat Waterloo night.

   

好牌不断
连输不断

魂断南桥

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