[Bracket updated on 6/19]
Are you ready for some ping pong? After months of planning, we’re excited to get the spins, serves and geeky silliness going for the big GeekWire Summer Bash next week, including our highly anticipated ping pong and foosball tournaments.
But before we take over the Showbox SODO on June 21 for what’s shaping up to be an epic party, we’ve got an important piece of business to resolve. That’s right. It’s Selection Wednesday.
Today we’re unveiling the field of 64 players in the intermediate ping-pong tournament, the largest of the three competitions. Registration ended yesterday, and we fired up our selection algorithms to place players in random order on the bracket. Click on the thumbnail image below to see the full lineup of first-round matchups, or download it as a PDF here.
Tomorrow, we’ll follow-up with the bracket for our expert division, followed on Friday with the teams in the foosball competition.
In the intermediate ping-pong bracket, we’ve got our eyes on some key first-round matchups, including left-handed whiz Aran Dahl of Acquisio against Decide.com’s Ryter Von Difloe (You may recall that I got crushed in an earlier warm-up match against Decide.com’s Ian Ma). We’re also eager to see if players from SEOmoz, Parallels, Zillow, PayScale — which has already unleashedsome trash talkin’ — can bring it.
What’s at stake? Bragging rights among your fellow geeks for one. But if that’s not enough to get you motivated, we’ve got a fantastic slate of prizes for the winners. Also, each participant will get a limited edition GeekWire T-shirt.
We’ve still got a few openings left in the foosball tourney, so if you want to show off your skills, grab a partner and sign up here. Also, if ping pong or foosball aren’t your thing, we’ll be hosting plenty of other activities throughout the afternoon, from new games like GeekBall to classics like Beer Pong to the ever-popular Golden Ping Pong ball scavenger hunt.
We’ll also be awarding two special “Geek Pride” prizes for the attendees who fly their corporate colors in the most creative fashion. (Yes, dressing up to support your teammates will not only be encouraged, but rewarded).
Plenty of prizes and good times are in store, so make sure you get your tickets for the bash today.
For those ping pong players coming out next Thursday, here’s a guidebook for things you’ll need to know. Make sure to read this carefully, and come prepared to strut your stuff in the geek sporting event of the year.
FAQ
What is the GeekWire Ping Pong Tournament? The biggest, baddest geek ping pong shindig you’ll ever see.
Where is it being held? The Showbox Sodo at 1700 1st Avenue South in Seattle, just south of Safeco Field. Here’s the map. (And don’t worry, there isn’t a Mariners or Sounders game that day).
What time should I arrive? Doors will open to players at 3 p.m. All ping pong and foosball players must be checked in by 3:45 p.m. We’ve got nearly 100 ping pongers competing, so we’ll need your cooperation to move through the brackets as quickly as possible.
Where can I park? Though there is no validated parking for this venue, there are various parking lots and street parking (if you are lucky) surrounding the Showbox SODO. We recommend the Safeco Field parking lot as it has 2,000 spaces. It is just south of the ballbark and the entrance is off of Edgar Martinez Drive. Come prepared with your cash/credit card for this prepaid lot.
What should I wear? Comfortable clothes, tennis shoes, and a towel to dry off. And don’t forget to fly your corporate colors in an effort to win the coveted “Geek Pride” award.
Are personal paddles permitted? Absolutely. But if you don’t have your own bat, we’ll be providing some at the door upon check in.
How will matches be scored? Each match will consist of a best of three-game series. Games will be played to 11 points, with players alternating serves after every two points. Games must be won by two points. For those who need a refresher, here are some basic rules of ping pong. Players will get a three-minute warm-up prior to each match.
What happens if I lose my first match? You will be eliminated from the tournament, but as tables open up throughout the evening you’ll be able to challenge your friends and co-workers to “friendly” matches in open play. (Doubles, anyone?)
Why are you doing this? We love ping pong and geek culture, and thought it was time someone married the two.
Thanks to sponsors Kobo, Filter, Barokas PR, Gist, Korrio, Tableau Software, Turnstone, Waggener Edstrom, Exsilio Solutions, ThePlatform, Zipwhip, SEOmoz, PayScale, and Christensen O’Connor Johnson & Kindness for making the event possible.
