THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Monday April 8, 2002 Vol.68 Hi, hello and welcome fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to the latest edition of your occasional reading. **** 'Boys Fall In SOASTNLC Opener **** The Space Cowboys lost their first game in the Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Championship Tuesday night. They fell to the "thuggy thuggs" of SOAS fifty-four (54) to fourty-six (46), in their lowest scoring performance of the season. The 'boys just went "cold" from the field in what was said to be one of their best chances ever to capture the elusive Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Championship title. But that's not the way it seemd early on in the game. TO begin with, the "thuggy thuggs" were missing quite a few of their regular players and it briefly thought they would have to forfeit and the 'boys would automatically advance into the finals. That wasn't the case however, but it didn't seem to bother theh home team to start the game. They went up by as many as eight (8) point in the early stages of the game and thought they were on there way. But a stingy three-two zone by the 'thugs limited the number of shots the 'boys could even take, and the number of offensive rebounds they were getting. Nonetheless, the Space Cowboys still went into theh halftime intermission trailing by just one point after "Big Man" Ben Keene connected in the lane and was fouled. He missed the free throw to tie the game. From the "get go" of the second half the'boys were playing as though they didn't hae a shot to win. They trailed consistently for the remainder of the game by around six (6) to eight (8) points. With just a few minutes left the cut into the lead and trailed by four (4) pointes at fifty (50) to fourty-six (46). Desperate to try and get the 'boys back in theh game, NIck Lubbers atttempted a long three that just missed and the home team failed to score for the remainder of the game. A "hat's off" to the "thugy thuggs" who playing short handed and with a female employee held off the Space Cowboysy to earn themselves a birth in the final game. We here at the Occasional Orbiter would lke to apologize for not haveing the results of the final game between SOAS and the undefeated Smokies, but we're pretty confident taht the Smokies won. A couple bright spots for the 'boys inthe final game of the Winter Season. One was "Big Man" Ben Keene stepping up and scoring some points in the first half when no one else could get anything going. Mr. Keene scored all six (6) of his points for the game in that first period. Also, Dave Iles, playing in his final game as a Space Cowboy, for the time being, was a perfect two (2) for two (2) from the field. On behalf ofthe entire Space Cowboys organization we would like to wish Mr. Iles the best of luck in his life after basketball. He is rumored to be persuing a softball career, but not within the organization. He is welcome back anytime. **** Box Score April 2, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Rasp 1 3 8 1 6 0 0 7 K.Lubbers 10 1 3 1 2 2 3 5 Iles 11 2 2 0 0 0 3 4 N.Lubbers 23 4 13 3 8 1 2 12 Jeffries 24 4 11 4 11 0 0 12 Ash 30 - - - - - - - Keene 44 3 6 0 0 0 2 6 Totals 143 17 42 9 27 3 7 46 46% 42% 56% Attendance: 15 (Andrea, Anna, Batsche, Jack, Keene, Keene (grandfather variety) Kidd, Mmrrr, Resing, others) Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Christina Batsche **** Spring Season Ready to Begin **** For the first time ever the Space Cowboys will begin their next season without a layoff. The 'boys will get the Spring 2002 season underway this Tuesday April 9th at Sports of All Sorts in Florence. Their opponent has not yet been identified, but they will be taking the court at 9 P.M. There are a few minor adjustment that have been mamde to the roster. As previously mention Dave Iles will not be participating in the upcoming season, but a solid aquisition has been made. Fred Hedrington, the same Fred who was MIA as an "emergency replacement" a few weeks ago, has been added to the permanent roster. Mr. Hedrington is currently the sixth member of the team, but that could change as the status of one John Rasp is still up in the air. Mr. Rasp has been ofered the chance to play "full time" for the first time in his career, but his academic studies may keep him from doing so. If indeed Mr. Rasp does decide to play he would make for a solid substitution off the bench. He has defintly shown he has what it takes to be a Space Cowboy. We are also excited to announce the return once again of the lovable Mr. Kevin Brinkman. Mr. Brinkman will be completing his studies for the year at Bellarmine University in Louisville, in the first part of May. And after much improvemnt once agaian in his game, the organization plans to use him with the "big club." We look forward to his return. Other news not directly involving the Space Cowboys is the announcment of the roster of one of their potential opponents. At some pointduring this Spring Season our Space Cowboys will face the intimidating likes of: Jeff "MMrrrilikeplaybasketball" Elsbernd, Dan "Im too good for the Space Cowboys" Resing, Bill "Hi" Aseere, Dan "Dunleavy" Gerwe, and Matt "Mr. McNick" Trapp along with a slew of "Remke's 'boys". When these two clubs meet there is bound to be a tense atmosphere, which in turn will most defintly create some solid fundamental basketball. We will keep you posted as to when these "titans of the basketball court" will meet in this upcoming Sprts of All Sorts Tuesday Night Basketball League. Note: Their first game is this Tuesday at 6 P.M. Doors will open for the first game of the Spring at 8:47 with pregame festivities following at 8:54. **** Ash Set to Return **** Michael Ash is scheduled to make his triumphant return to the Space Cowboys lineup after missing three (3) games with a severly sprained ankle. Barring any sudden setbacks he should be in the starting lineup when the 'boys tip off the Spring Season this Tuesday, the 9th, at 9 P.M. Mr. Ash, the second leading scoring in the Winter, will be counted on heavily in the Spring Season to get the 'boys back on the winning track. **** Space Cowboy Bobblehead Dolls **** The Space Cowboys have stumbled upon what could possibly become the most highly coveted sports collectable of all time; a Space Cowboys Bobblehead Doll. However, for this dream to come true we will need the support of you, the Space Cowboy faithful. Recently on the Bobble Dobble web site, it was discovered that you could purchase your own bobblehead dolls by simply submitting the image on the uniform adn a grid of the prefered face along with other details. Yes, this is one of the greatest opportunities to immortalize the Space Cowboys in porcelain. The only thing keeping these dolls from being ordered immediatly is a lack of financial support. Although a "per doll" cost can not be given until after the order is placed, there a few other perverbial hurdles taht need to be jumped. First off, there is a $300 mold fee. And the "27 Ft. hurdle" is the minimum one thousand (1000) dolls per order. This may be the hurdle that is too high to overcome with or without your support. Assuming just $10 "per doll", that still leaves the tab at an overwhelming $10,300. But, just if every subscribor of the "O-fficial Newsletter of the Space Cowboys" purchases their "fair share" of bobbleheads, it is a mere $294.29. That is for 28 Space Cowboys Bobblehead Dolls! An unbeleiveable deal when looked at in the right perspective. That number is just with sales limited to the thirty-five (35) subscribors. Imagine how far the price would drop if sold to the general public! These things will be the hottest collectables to hit the market since Pogs. If you are interested in purchasing one of these Space Cowboy Bobblehead Dolls, please send you money (cash ONLY) to: Space Cowboys Bobblehead Division Cowboy Towers 27 Buddy Lee Drive Suite 2659er We thank you for your support in advance. We would now like to take this opportunity to propose a more realistic way to remember our Space Cowboys. With the Cincinnati Reds opening their new facility, Great American Ballpark, next season we though it might be nice to imortalize the Space Cowboys therein. This can be done with the purchase of a brick. These bricks will adorn the "Crosley Terrace" outside of the ballpark. They sell for $75 for a 4" by 8" paver with up to 3 lines of inscription with 15 spaces on each line or $150 for a 8" by 8" paver with up to 6 lines of inscription. Replicas of the pavers may also be purchased for yourself at $50 and $75 respectivly. This is something that would be around for years to come. Since idea is all but finalized we are simply asking if anyone would like to contribute to the fund. If more than enough funds are donated we will look to upgrade the brick or purhaps purchase a second. If you would like to contriubute or have anny ideas for the inscription please email us here at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. **** Records Fall **** Several Space Cowboy records fell by the wayside with the completion of the Winter Season two (2) weeks ago. Check out all the numbers at the internet home of the Space Cowboys at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001/records.html. **** News and Notes **** Injury Report:Lookin' good....If it was noticed that the most controversial of the Space Cowboys fans was missing from the tournament Tuesday you were not mistaken. Mr. Michael Brinkman, on spring break from his teaching job at Holy Cross High School, was absent from the game because being the loving brother he is, flew himself down to New Orleans to visit with the only member of the immediate Brinkman family not to be connected with the Space Cowboys, Jeff Brinkman. Congratulations Michael one being a stand up guy....Michael Ash need to score in double figures in his return to action Tuesday night to break the record of consecutive games of doing so with his fourteenth (14) in a row. That will be all for this edition of your Occasional Orbiter. Any questions, comments, suggestions, or new subscribors? Email us at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. And dont forget to check out the most talked about website on the internet, the Space Ranch at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001. Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers Space Cowboy for Life