Tag: gameplay

November 9, 2021November 9, 2021

Philly wins NSL Hope’s Cup Championship

On a cold November morning near Lake Chautauqua, NY, 10 Members of Philly Stones League gathered for the Hope’s Cup; a 2 day, 5 round team stones event. PSL members would take on SC Finger Lakes in 5 rounds spread across two courses and 5 different playing formats. The formats include Standard 2v2 Stones, 2v2 Matchplay, 4v4 Standard, 4v4 Matchplay and 3-Ball Singles. Each win earned you points, and the first team to 15 Points was the winner.

A frozen morning at Brewer’s Hallow- Southern Tier Brewery.

Round 1: Match Play- Federated Tracts- Hope’s Windows

Philly Started strong with a win in the first match and a surprising push in the second before dropping the next 2 games. Game 5 featured the best matchup of the Round with Harry Cusick and Bobby Bardsley of PSL vs Chris Kinka and Erik Johnson of FLX. The power team from Philly was victorious to tie up round 1. PSL secured an easy victory in the final game.
PSL-3.5
FLX- 2.5

Round 2: 4v4 Standard- Federated Tracts- Hope’s Windows

Round 2 was saw the most lopsided victories of the entire weekend. FLX took match 1 by a landslide followed but Philly doing the exact same in match 2. Match 3 was close until Philly took advantage of an error by FLX to go up heading into 5. Playing conservative backfired after 3 straight poor throws left Philly with only 1 stone to FLX’s 3. Ignoring the safe play, JY Halpin of Philly dropped his stone within 18 inched to put the pressure on FLX. An excellent throw game FLX the point, but needing a 6, they were forced at Halpin’s stone. An excellent knockout by Peyton Sivak almost made it happen, but his stone ended in the water, and the last chance for Finger Lakes in round 2.
PSL- 7.5
FLX- 4.5

Round 3: 2v2 Standard- Brewer’s Hallow- Southern Tier Brewery

With Philly up 3 points this early, FLX needed some wins. Starting off 1-2 in the first 3 games, FLX’s heavy back end player matches proved the right move as they took the next 3 including an epic game 6. Facing the power group of Harry Cusick and Bobby Bardsley from round 1 FLX threw 1st round draft pick and assistant Captain Lake Sivak and Brandon West. After a slow start for PHL, they battled back within striking distance on the 5th landing, an errant throw left Philly down to their last stone. Needing a reset- Cusick knocked the mark out from 18 feet away. The miracle comeback wasn’t ready to show yet, as Sivak and West kept the pressure down to win the next throw.
PSL- 9.5
FLX- 8.5

End of Day 1.

Round 4: 4v4 Match Play- Brewer’s Hallow- Southern Tier Brewery

Round 4’s 4v4 was much closer then Round 2. Match 1 featured some of the hottest players of the tournament all facing off and resulting an push. FLX stacked the deck in Match 2 looking for an easy win. A literal David and Goliath match featuring Philly’s youngest- Luke Wilk and Thomas Kinka partnered with Veteran Sean Smiley and 2021 PSL MVP Mark D’Alfonso. The Philly team battled hard and took the much higher ranked FLX team all the way to the 5th landing before falling just short. PSL rebounded with a much needed victory in Match 3 to stop the point bleeding.
PSL- 12.5
FLX- 11.5

Round 5: Singles (3-ball)- Brewer’s Hallow- Southern Tier Brewery

The weekend’s final round had 11 singles matches. The Chess match of player match-ups was highly debated when FLX chose to go with a back heavy line up- saving team’s top 2 players for 9th and 11th. With Philly only needing 5 wins to close it out, they might not even have a chance to play. After Bobby Bardsley continued his excellent weekend with a win in Match 1, it started to look like the gamble paid off. FLX won 5 of the next 7 including a major upset by FLX’s Wyatt Perry.

Game 9 featured 2 of the weekends top players with Lake Sivak facing Ryan Kinka. Kinka controlled the entire match, holding Sivak to 1 point until an unforced error gave Sivak a drop 5 pointer. Sivak carried the lead until the last stone of the match, and Kinka was able to score on a 30 footer downhill to earn the push.

PSL- 13.75
FLX- 13.75

Game 10 featured a heavily favorited Nate Priester (3-0-1) of PSL vs Rob DeBois (0-3-1) of FLX. Rob was able to shock the crowd and get out to a 9-0 lead. Priester was able to settle down, with a huge knockout and then scoring multiples on X to cut the lead in half. Riding the emotions of the crowd it looked like the fantasy win was going to fold around them, but Debois had other plans. Two great throws into the landing on 4 gave him the cushion he needed to hold on for the upset win.

PSL- 13.75
FLX- 14.75

Game 11 and final match of the event featured Erik “EJ” Johnson, FLX’s top player Vs John Janick a Veteran and Stones Founder who came out of semi-retirement for the event. Before the round, Janick requested the matchup. ” EJ is throwing lights out…. but if I throw my best game, I think I can beat him.” Janick was throwing great, but EJ was borderline unbeatable taking a 8-0 lead after 3. Janick tried to slow the game down on the 4th stretch, but EJ was having nothing to with it and knocked out the mark. Going straight from Base to landing, EJ landed the mark. With his first throw, his stone hit a tree and bounced harmlessly out of bounds. Making the safe choice, EJ attempted to lay up in a bunker but missed, and the stone bounded into the water. This was the opening Janick needed. He dropped for 5 points and was only down 3. Janick then went to X and scored 4- completing the comeback. 2 rounds later.. Janick was able to hit the landing of 5 from the 2nd stretch and put his final stone in play. After 3 impossible attempts to knock out the mark, one of the greatest matches in stones was complete.

PSL-14.75
FLX-14.75

After the completion of 5 rounds and 29 Stones matches, no team managed to get to 15 points. A SUDDEN DEATH match was to determine the winner. Both teams chose their top players to go head to head, Nate Priester and Ryan Kinka for Philly and Lake Sivak and Erik Johnson for FLX. After 3 stretches, this game looked identical to the last, FLX had the lead 8-1 after 3 stretches.

Lake Sivak went from Base to Landing on 4- the shot that doomed EJ. This time, Lake put his first one in the bunker- 20 inches away. Kinka’s first one went long, but Priester was able to land inside Sivak. 2 more stones by EJ and Sivak couldn’t beat it but with his last stone, EJ got redemption and knocked out Priester’s stone to lay 2. With the final stone, Kinka dropped it to 2 inches for 1 point.

Trailing 8-2 Philly had to to X. Priester’s first attempt was long, but managed to establish with his final mark throw. He then placed his first stone within 3 inches. Sivaks first attempt was on line, but long, and bounced hard off the rocks into the water. FLX remaining 2 stones couldn’t find their mark. The door was open for Philly. Kinka’s first stone was right on target, kissing the mark. The elusive “12” was not to be had though, both remaining Philly stones bounced harmlessly away.

Now only leading 8-6 in a game eerily similar to the last, EJ didn’t risk the final tough throw to 5 landing and decided to lay up on 4th’s bunker. After establishing close it was back to team Philly. Kinka’s first stone was on target and took the establishment. Sivak with room above the mark dropped it on top to flip the side yet again. Priester continued his precision play and knocked both Sivak and the mark. The mark ended up on the 5th stretch and Sivak’s dislodged stone stayed in play. With the mark on the crest of the 5th, there was almost no way to get close. Kinka threw a perfect touch low rolling stone that went through the 4th and the OB channel, but took the hill on 5 and rolled back into play, earning the establishment. With the need to be aggressive, FLX tried both long and short, but were unable to keep either of their final stones in play. Priester followed Kinka’s play with the touch low roller but this time, his stone bumped Sivak’s as it rolled back into play, knocking it out and securing 3 points for PHL.

The comeback was complete, leading 9-8 and needing to win by 2, all Philly needed was to control the next round. Kinka went straight to landing and DEEP. The mark ended only 6-8 inches from the back and on the crest of a hill. The following establishment was well played. Short, safe and slightly to the left but plenty close enough to force FLX’s players hands. FLX’s first 2 stones fell short then long OB, when Sivak stepped up and threw a high arching gem and landed 8 inches short of Kinka’s establishment and rolled forward to take it. The joy was short lived though when Priester stepped up with a similar shot that rolled inside. It was down to the final stone. Erik Johnson, FLX’s strongest player all weekend stood at the spot. As he released the the final stone of the tournament the air was silent, it hit and rolled out of bounds. The event was over.

PHL- 15.25
FLX- 14.75

August 23, 2021August 23, 2021

The Top 5 Base Throws I’ve played.

Ryan Kinka

Private Course in Port Hope, On, Canada.

There are a lot of different Stones Courses around and I have played most of them. Some of these courses were carved naturally by nature, while others were designed by man. The one unalienating truth about Stones is the earth is your course and you can play the game where ever you choose. Every course has its charm and I think you would be hard pressed to call out “the best” overall course in the world. I’m going to take a few weeks to try and document what are my Top “Features” of courses I have played. These lists are by no means all encompassing, just one Stoner’s favorite parts of the game he loves.

#5- Second Stretch- Original Private West Chester, PA Course

The first full permanent course built in the Philadelphia Area was on a private property in West Chester in 2012. The second Stretch was the first one designed. An uphill dogleg left that sloped hard at the corner this base throw was always interesting. Due to the Tree cover, you had to keep the throws low but with enough to get up the slope. With the right speed it would make the turn and roll down toward the landing. A redesign in 2014 added play to the right of a large tree- away from the natural movement of the stretch. This base throw was used in our first “How to Play Video” in 2015. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3bVmS8_hzg)

#4- Fifth Stretch- The Grove- East Goshen Park- West Chester, PA

Looking backwards toward the base of The Grove’s 5th.

The final Stretch at East Goshen has some of the most options available from a base. The first 15 feet the stretch has plenty of action with a nice slope and water if you go too long. It then turns 90 degrees to the left giving the base throw a full carry with multiple trees and targets. For the brave- the small elevated landing is reachable with a throw through multiple trees but it requires an impressive throw to close it out. This throw especially on the final stretch is 100% risk vs reward.

#3- Second Stretch- Brewer’s Hollow- Southern Tier Brewery- NY

View from the Base- Brewer’s Hollow 2nd.

Obviously the prettiest course ever built, Brewer’s Hollow has some amazing stonework as you can see. The 2nd Stretch has not only the best base throw, but is the best stretch overall. Standing at the base of the hill you are handed four major uphill throw choices. Two to the left side, protected by water if you go long and two to the right side with a stone wall that drops off to OB. This throw is as intimidating as they come and well designed. Plenty of games can be won or lost early here.

#2- First Stretch- Boxer’s Trail- Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA

The first stretch was one of the first breaks from traditional design with actual trees in the middle of it and some 15-20 feet wide in certain parts. Before this, stretches would tend to be only 3-4 feet wide. This elevated Base between two trees gave you an inspiring look over the entire Boxer’s Trail course. The downhill throw also allowed for a variety of distance plays, and a stone could end up at the bottom of this stretch some 150+ feet away. Easy to play, but difficult to master, it is a perfect blend for new and pro level players.

#1 First Stretch- River Course – Port Hope, ON Canada

My best base throw may not be the most technical, or the most intimating, but the feeling you when you stand there looking down the stretch is what Stones is all about. This private property rests on over 100 acres of “unspoiled” Canadian wilderness actually has 2 courses, The River Course and The Woods Course. You enter the course area by walking down a valley that has been carved by a stream over a millennia. The First base rests just 8 feet from a cliff to the stream below. The stretch is covered in moss, pine needles and forest loam yet rolls as smooth as a PGA golf green. The options here are almost endless depending on how aggressive you wish to be taking on the water on the right. No man could ever create this, this was created, destroyed and created again by mother nature and THAT is the Stones at its finest.

November 3, 2015January 13, 2016

The Three-Headed Monster – An Essay on Stones, By Chris Kinka

We play games. Whether it is strictly for entertainment purposes, to pad one’s ego by winning, or to fill time, we all play games. These games we play come in every shape and size. We play them by ourselves, against another, in pairs against other pairs, or with groups of people against another group. We play them inside or outside. Some involve gross physical movement while others are relatively sedentary affairs. Some are more of a mental challenge, some more physical, and most are some combination of both. Games, in all of their varieties, are as much a part of the human experience as anything else. To be human is to play them.

With all that could possibly constitute a game, it seems that there must be something that is in opposition to the player. This could be another player, it could be the puzzle itself that needs to be solved, or it could be one’s own mind. For instance, in chess, a player is trying to outwit his/her opponent. The opponent serves as one point of opposition. There is another though. If the player’s chess opponent seems to be a superior, the player must not allow themselves to be intimidated. They have a mental battle going on against both the opponent and against themselves. The same can be said of the reverse scenario. If the player’s chess opponent is deemed inferior, then it is easy for the player to let down their guard, play too relaxed, and then make a costly error. Chess is a game against two opponents simultaneously.

Then there is golf, a game that is equally as much of a mental challenge as it is a physical. In both, the opposition is still just one’s self. The self is the first point of opposition. Then, there is the golf course itself, with its rolling hills, thick fringe grasses, water hazards, sand traps, and sloping greens. A player may be in control of themselves, but a given course may prove too mighty of a challenge. These are a golfer’s two opponents. Now golfers may say that they are in constant competition with the other golfers in their round. This is true, in a way, but not directly. A golfer may play well, conquer a course and lose a round to another who played better. In this case, they lost to their opponent, but the opponent did not directly affect their round. The opponent did not knock the player’s golf ball away or stand in the player’s way, obstructing his/her vision. If the opponent’s masterful play affected the player’s round, it was that the player let it get to their head and they lost their own mental battle.

Most team sports such as football pit groups of players against another group both physically and mentally. This type of opposition is apparent, as players on both teams are engaged with each other physically and affect each others’ physical movements. This is also a mental game, as players are often battling with themselves, specifically after mistakes are made. One mistake often leads to another as they begin to “overthink.” The field, however, is flat, with uniform boundaries and a fairly uniform playing surface. This typically does not serve as much of an obstacle. This can change when mother nature gets involved. Strong winds, heavy rains and snow can quickly turn a benign playing surface into a fierce point of opposition. On days like this, players of these types of games clearly face three distinct opponents, but this is a special circumstance. It is not everyday that the football player faces the three-headed monster.

This brings us to the game of Stones. Once you play it, it becomes quite clear that the three-headed monster is staring you down every single game. Much like other games, it is critical that players keep their mental edge and confidence. A few bad throws and confidence can dwindle. The issue with stones is that even a strong throw that hits right where a player is aiming can become worthless as either the course does something nasty with it or the opponent does. The courses, as obstacle-laden as any golf course, can prove to be a ruthless opponent. Its steep slopes and unpredictable surfaces can quickly take a throw that appears on target and send it well off course and into the bottom of a body of water. Hanging tree branches and uneven footing constantly force players to throw in ways that are unnatural. Boulders, tree trunks and other visual obstructions make certain throws a mere guessing game. While players may enter a game as confident as could be, the course itself could quickly steal it. Then, of course, there are times when one believes that they have conquered their own mind and the course. They have thrown a perfect ball that even a great distance away is kissing (touching) the mark. In golf, this is equivalent to the tee shot on a par 3 that comes to rest at the edge of the cup. The throw seems perfect, but in this game, the monster can rear its third ugly head. After a player’s masterful shot, their opponent can throw one better, striking the player’s ball with their own, dislodging it from its spot and sending it well out of play. Right when a player thinks he/she has slain two of the heads, the third appears and conquers the player.

Imagine golf where your perfect approach shot could be knocked away by your opponent. Imagine football played on a field of stones, hills, and valleys. The three headed monster does not exist in most games. It does however, in Stones.