MLU Improvements for the 2016 Season

Ahead of this weekend when Major League Ultimate's third season begins, below are areas of improvement for MLU's 2016 season.

1. Consistency of the Live Stream for Broadcasts

The stream is back up as the @BostonWhitecaps lead the @PhillySpinners 18-14 with 9:08 left in the game! http://t.co/UPKDlGnFBy

— MLU (@MLUltimate) July 18, 2015

The stream was a constant issue again and again during live broadcasts. (NOTE: The stream is a regular issue for any live streamed event) The stream would drop, the audio was off, and overall the technical issues made it challenging to watch the intermittent feed.

2. Use Data Visuals during Broadcasts
MLU wonderfully collects lots of game data and has shown they know how to use collected data. Adding these visuals during the broadcasted game would add value for the viewing audience.

3. Better MLU Podcasts
2014 was the year of MLU podcasts, but then they disappeared. There was a 6-month gap in between episodes until Cleats & Cufflinks returned. Now, with Nic Darling and Dusty Rhodes, C&C has been steadily entertaining - especially episode 38. Looking forward to listening to more MLU insight on future podcasts.

4. Find a better camera angle without obstructive views
Yes, that's a pole blocking your view of the disc.

screengrab of Seattle game footage

The camera setup at Seattle Rainmakers' games must find a better angle to avoid obstruction(s). That is all.

5. Move MLU Championship to the West Coast
For the past 3 years, the championship game has been hosted in/near Philadelphia. MLU should either find a West Coast venue or allow the Western Conference winner to host the championship game. First, it's time to share the joys of the MLU Championship game with the left coast. Second, a team from the West has never won the MLU Trophy. Travel may be a factor (maybe not); let's find out.

NOTE: I'm first & foremost a fan of ultimate. I attended MLU games in DC and followed the 2015 season. These suggestions are meant as constructive feedback to aid the sport.

MLU Cleats and Cufflinks Podcast Delves Deep

Episode 38 of MLU's Cleats & Cufflinks is a heavy dose of Frisbee Zen led by The Dusty Lama. Dusty focuses on the pivot foot, disc spins and the sphere of catchability.

Warm up your ears. Open your mind. Breathe In. Listen. Breathe Out. Repeat.

Dusty re: pivot foot [17:55]: "It's almost like a limit function in math. Where it's like you decrease to this point where it's essentially zero. And the last thing that is touching the ground - that's your pivot. Until you get to the last thing you have multiple pivots. So, you are constantly decreasing the number of pivots you have until you're stuck with one spot."



Forward to the 22:05 mark of the podcast or video to hear Nic Darling's reaction: "We're running the risk of perhaps annoying our audience."

Rethinking the Boston Whitecaps Jerseys

Coca-Cola was announced as the title sponsor for the Boston Whitecaps (2-time winner of Major League Ultimate) in 2015. The familiar red Coca-Cola logo was seen on Boston's 2015 jerseys.

Though, based on Boston's team name, DASANI bottled water (a beverage of The Coca-Cola Company) would have been a better product choice for Whitecaps' jerseys.

Jersey mockup by SLUDGE

Has a certain "flow" to it, no?

Rethinking the 2016 NY Rumble Jersey

US Coachways was the jersey sponsor for the 2015 New York Rumble. The 2016 jerseys are likely to be updated with the BusRental.com (a US Coachways company) deal.

Here is a mock-up for the Rumble's 2016 tops.

Shifting the BusRental logo to the underarm gives its hairy appearance an anatomically correct location - similar to Jimmy Fallon's Hands High sports apparel.

Ultimate Peace Tour Visits DC

Ultimate Peace is visiting Washington, D.C.

WHAT: The Ultimate Peace Friendship Tour

WHEN: Thursday, April 7 @ 6:30pm - 8:00pm

WHERE: Busboys and Poets (near Takoma Park)

INFO: Rare opportunity to meet and interact with exceptional and diverse teenagers from the Middle East, including Leaders in Training and UP staff.

Bay Area Women's Ultimate All-Star Game

The San Francisco FlameThrowers are hosting an All-Star game for women ultimate players in the Bay Area. The game will be played prior to their regularly scheduled AUDL game versus Seattle Cascades.


When: Saturday, April 9 @ 4:45pm PT

Where: Laney College (Oakland, CA)

Info: "While we are incredibly excited to compete in the AUDL, the players, staff, and management of the Flamethrowers recognize that the opportunity to play professional ultimate is not available to all. In particular, we acknowledge that the professional leagues' focus on a predominantly male version of our sport exacerbates the existing gender inequities in ultimate. In recognition of this fact, we join others around the league in committing to advocate for the growth of women’s and mixed ultimate, to showcase the extraordinary female talent in the club game, and to vocalize our support for women's professional ultimate. We intend to honor these commitments in ways that are both visible and meaningful."

Also: The Spiders will be making a $1.50 donation to Bay Area Disc for each attendee to the All-Star game.

Teams:

Team 1 & 2 rosters via

[h/t Fury] UPDATED 2:15pm. Hopefully, all up-to-date now.