THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER
Monday July 14, 2003                                                 Vol.105

     Hi, hello and welcome back fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to your
long lost occasional reading.  We would like to aplogize for our long
intermission, but the staff here at the "oo" could not pass up the getaway
to Acopulco with all expenses paid by the always loyal Michael Brinkman.
But we're back and ready for tournament time.


                      **** 'Boys Finish Up Spring Season****

     The Space Cowboys concluded the Spring/Summer season with a victory of
the "thuggy thuggs" of Monk, who our lead by former PWA star "Lil Wang"
aka, Donger.  These two teams faced off in the season opener with the homne
team pulling out a ten (10) point lackluster win.
     The 'boys would come away with a much harder fought win this time
around.  The 'thuggs, who had a stellar fill-in took the lead early on and
held it for most of the game.  With fifteen (15) minutes remaining in the
second half the lead ballooned to its largest at seventeen (17) points.  It
was at this point that the 'boys realized there was little time to act.
     They slowly began to chip away and soon found themselves in the lead.
With a one (1) point lead the 'boys went to the free throw line for one (1)
plus the bonus.  The first was missed and the rebound went the other way.
The 'thuggs would have one last chance to pull out their second victoryu of
the season.  The "Donger", who had a very productive game, drove the lane
on Lance Schickling, but his layup attempt rolled off the rim as the horn
sounded giving the home the victory ninety-one (91) to ninety (90).



    **** Revolving Roster Door Makes for Successful Season ****

     With the conclusion of the 2003 Winter Season the Cowboys roster took
quite a hit losing three (3) long time members.  Michael Ash, James Boyer,
and Jeremy Jeffries all decided that it was time to take a bit of a break
from the Space Cowboys leaving the team in the proverbial "pickle".  During
the brief offseason all their efforts were focused on rebuilding a
successful squad.  This was thought to have been accomplished, but with a
few indesisive baketball players the Cowboys roster was a bit in shambles.
Thus began the revolving roster.
     Since play began on the 6th of May, thirteen (13) people have dawned
the Cowboy orange.  Some for just a brief cameo, others taking on a pivital
role.  Those players are as follows: Core - Nick Lubbers, Lance Schickling,
Ben Keene, Josh Beiting.  Pivital Role - Nick Bibbins, Joe Stevie, Rob
Feldman.  Two Pump Chump - Adam Carr, Nick Fisher, Ryan Hayes.  One Hit
Wonder - Eric Gastright, James Boyer, Kevin Brinkman.
     All of these thirteen guys have contributed to the team in one way or
another and their help is defintely appreciated.  But when you put together
those who make up the team today, you have a lineup that is one to be
reckoned with.  Beiting, Bibbins, Carr, Feldman Keene, Lubbers, Schickling
and Stevie are all expected to be present for the always exciting, always
exhilarating Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Championship.  With
these Holy Cross "All-Stars" the Cowboys are threatening now more than ever
to come away with their first ever leage title.
     Although this rotating roster has shown some success, don't look for
the team to be run similarly in the upcoming seasons.  During their brief
offseason upper management will be taking a hard look at th way the team is
run and decide on a more permanant roster.  The largest rumor heard around
the halls of Cowboy land is the Mr. Boyer will be seeking to regain his
permanent spot on the team.  We'll keep you posted as details become
available.


                          **** Season in Review****

     From the tipoff of the first game this was anticipated to be a good
season for the Cowboys.  EVen with the afreoementioned revolving roster
showing its ugly face, the goal coming in was a perfect thirteen and zero
record with a league championship.  Although the season had a few rough
spots, it was still good one for the organization.
     With last week's victory the 'boys finished with seven (7) wins and
three (3) losses.  This record can largely be attributed to a few key
components of the team.  First off Lance Shickling, although his play at
point guard has been average at best, he manufactured this team, signing a
huge free agent in Josh Beiting and pulling the deal for Joe Stevie at the
trading deadline.  Mr. Beiting can be looked at as the source for quite a
few of the 'boys wins, but also one of the losses as well.  Mr. Beiting
failed to show up to the team's loss against the "thuggy thuggs" of Simon
and they fell by the slimest of margins without a legitimate inside
presence.
     Mr. Stevie can be looked at for the team's resurgence after dropping
two (2) straight.  He has provided at big lift to the team with his
electrifying dunks and long three pointers.  Joining him for as formidable
acquisitions are Nick Bibbins and Adam Carr, both of whom have made their
contributions and will continue to play in the postseason.
     A bit of a disappointment for the season was Rob Feldman.  After
attending the first few gmaes Rob enrolled in a Tuesday night class at
Northern Kentucky Univeristy, thus forfitting the remainder of the regular
season.  But with his class complete, Mr. Feldman is expected to attend
this weeks tournament action.  AS far as the duds for the season go, Nick
Fisher can definitely be put in that category.  Brought on by Mr. Feldman
he showed up for a mere two (2) games performing well below the expected
level of play for Space Cowboys.  Also getting on honorable mention for the
"duds" was Eric Gastright who was somewhat of a fill-in for the first game
of the season, but played below average at best.
     Back to the season, the revolving roster created some problems.
Mainly a lack of players at game time.  One one occasion just three (3)
'boys were on hand just minutes before tipoff when loyal Cowboys Kevin
Brinkman and James Boyer showed up to lend a hand.  Also providing a nice
fill-in was Ryan Hayes.  The 'boys still pulled off the victory.
          One of the losses on the schedule came at the hands of long time
rival "thuggy thuggs" of the Smokies.  This had to be the most
disappointing loss of the season.  This was the one game the 'boys were
most hungry for a victory, their first ever against the 'thuggs.  The game
began well, and the home team even knocked in a two (2) at the buzzer to
give them a one (1) point halftime lead.  But the revolving roster and lack
of players killed them once again.  With no one on the bench the team tired
in the second half and fell by nearly twenty (20) points.  After this loss
the play of the star of the Smokies was appreciated much more.  It was
thought that with two (2) high school "all stars" in Josh Beiting and Joe
Stevie Mr. Smokie would have been slowed down, even just a little.  But
their defense was just enough to agitate him and provoke a monstrous game.
     Overall the season was still one of the better in the teams history
and hopes are they can cap it off as no others have done before them.



          **** S.O.A.S.T.N.L.C.  Tuesday July 15th, 2003 ****

     The Space COwboys will next be in action this Tuesday, tomorrow, July
15th at Sports of All Sorts in Florence.  They will begin play in the post
season at 6 P.M. against the "thuggy thuggs" of Dauwe, whom they defeated
somewhat handily in the regular season.  With a victoryu of the the 'thuggs
the team will play again at 8 P.M. and with yet another win, compete in the
championship game at 10 P.M.
     Needless to say hopes are very high for this particular installment of
the S.O.A.S.T.N.L.C.  The team is finnally coming together after their
remarkable offensive performance in the come from behind win last week.
     Although we have nothing to offer, with all of our budgetary fudning
being spent in Acopulco, we would like to invite one and all out to the
"big arena by the highway" to witness Space Cowboy history.  Come root the
'boys to the organization's first ever league championship.  That's
tomorrow July 15th at Sports of All Sorts in Florence.  Doors will open
extra early at 5:15 with the "fabular" and "spectaculous" pregame
festivities beginning shortly thereafter.


                    **** Softball Cowboys Trudging Along ****

     The Space Cowboy Softball teams have once again been less than
successful as their league play winds down.  Although specific numbers are
not readily available the combined records of the Sunday Thursday and
Friday teams is well below .500.  And with just a couple games remaining
there is not much time to turn things around.
     As far as individual performanes go Jeremy Jeffries hits the ball far
and Michael Ash high.
    One last Softball note: The team will be accecpting applications for
1st baseman of the future.  It appears that the preseason plan of playing
one unnamed player at first failed miserably and it has become a revolving
door at the "one B."  Said unnamed player has flirted with success playing
"LO", but a permanent position has not been found.  Send applications along
with a two (2) minute video to Space Cowboys Softball
c/o Michael Ash

It will find its way into his hands.  For more information concerning the
Softball Cowboys check them out at
http://www.geocities.com/softballcowboys.


                              **** Birthday Wishes****

     Two (2) names that have long been associated with the Space Cowboys
celebrated the big two 92 one (1) in the last couple weeks.  Michael Ash
and Kevin Brinkman each turned twenty-one (21) on July 5th and 8th
respectively.  Both had a marvelous time, Mrl Brinkman mde an appearnce at
the big arena on his special day although he was still not fully recovered
from the previous night of partying with his Hooter's friend.
     A Cowboy Congratulations to both of you on your special days!


                              **** News and Notes****

      Injury Report: Nothin....No numbers have been recorded for the
Cowboys just completed season.  The Space Ranch is anticipated to be
rejuvinatned with statistics as soon as the Summer/Fall season
begins...."Larry" the fish passed over the weekend.  Services were held and
then, welp...seeya later....Michael Joncas has been named the Space Cowboys
official songwriter.  Rumor has it he will be attending the tournament
tomorrow to begin "brainstorming" song ideas.




     That concludes this long awaited edition of your occasional reading.
Once again we apologize for the lay off, but hope that this edition
brightened your day.  Not reason to check out the website, but come on out
to the "big arena by the highway" for tournament action tomorrow at 6 P.M.
Feel free to email an questions, comments or suggestions to us here at
occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com.  Until next time...





                                                      Editor-in-Chief

                                                   Nick "Stud" Lubbers

                                   Michael Joncas forever....Leapin Leo Never