NOW AND THEN:  A DECADE OF PIG PASSING

--- WHAT HAS CHANGED...HOW I SEE IT          by  Michael "elvis" Greene

Cherry Hill, New Jersey -   Sitting in the plane, trapped on the tarmac for two hours while a massive storm pushed through the Philadelphia area, I wondered about what the 2009 Western Division Pig Madness 5 event would be like and if this massive storm wasn't an omen.  After all, it's been nearly six years since I've moved back to the East Coast and this trip would mark my first visit back to LA for a pig tournament.  Although I have kept a close eye on the ongoing's of Pig society, I'll admit there was a concern.  Sure, I've played the Pigs in tournaments in the East, but what has the Pigs become?  Is it still the same game?  I asked myself out loud.  Then, the guy on the plane next to me looked like I was a lunatic so I decided to keep my thought bubbles to myself.

    My concerns were relieved however as, eventually, my plane took off and landed in LA.  Upon reaching the Madness event on Saturday I'll have to say I was nervous and excited all at once.   I could see right away that yes there were some pretty amazing changes and that it's one thing to hear about them... but another thing to see them.  A lot has changed in both the way the game is played, and perceived.  But, a lot has stayed the same.

    First of all, the most impressive change I see is the scope of the game.  The shear volume of people that enjoy passing the pigs as much as I do.  And also that they share my vision of an organized pig league designed to have a great time, be competitive in a ridiculous way, meet knew friends, and strengthen the bonds of existing friendships.  After all, we all have one thing in common.  We pass the pigs.

    Several people asked me how this came to be.  How did the scope of the game get so big.  Well, for the sake of time I'll direct you to the history of the pigs pages so you can read about the very infancy of the league, but what I will explain is how the Madness became truly possible.  Two words...Round Robin.

    The old school of pig tournaments was done with head to head elimination brackets.  Therefore you always needed 8 players, or 16, or 32, or 64.  If someone backed out last minute it would throw the entire game off.  And if someone showed up last minute and wanted to play they wouldn't be able to join the fun.  Neither situation was practical but that's the way it was.  For about 5 years anyway. 

    During this time period we often discussed the possibility of spreading the word about the game and including as many people as possible.  We wanted to copy March Madness and have a massive party with the game as the focus.  If my memory serves me correctly, Mark Rago was the one who really wanted this concept of play the most.  However, with the bracket system in place, we would need 32 or 64 people to give their word they'd show up.  If one person bailed it would mess up everything.  So Pig Madness was, at that time anyway, just a wish of a possible future with no real way of working logically.  Then I moved back to New Jersey and set up a fast Pig Masters tournament after only being in town for three months.  The problem...I only had six people.  That just wouldn't fly.

    I remember speaking with Perry Day, a longtime friend and Western Division Master Pig Passer, from my place by the Jersey Shore.  We discussed the possibility of a Round Robin style tournament and figured out the logistics together.  Essentially, instead of having a head to head match against one guy, then another, you would play ALL of the contestants and determine the best scores to see who would move on the the semi finals, finals, etc.  The first Round Robin tournament was held in 2004 in Sea Isle City, New Jersey.  And the best part, it actually worked. 

    Two months later the Western Division Masters Tournament revised their system and played their first Round Robin style pig tournament and the system worked perfectly again.  This changed the world of pigs forever and it opened up the door to Pig Madness.  I would credit Mark Rago and Perry Day for pushing the envelope and making Pig Madness a reality.  More and more people keep playing every year and I think it's amazing.  I fully expect to break 50 players next summer, and considering the track record thus far, I see no reason why it shouldn't.

    To be honest, what I realize is that what I thought up in 1998, and what my best friends supported and played, has absolutely turned into a freight train that is running at full steam.  It's great to see.   I think my favorite aspect of it all is the core values set forth a decade ago still remain.  People who play Pass The Pigs in the NPPL's tournaments do so with a bond of friendship and brotherhood/sisterhood that I've honestly never experienced anywhere else.  I was honestly concerned about it too.  I thought "How can so many strangers be about the pigs and the friendships?" but I am happy to say that, well, everyone gets it.  I heard many people saying how much fun they were having and how cool the environment was.  How nice everyone was.  Now THAT'S what I'm all about.  It's very important to me that these core values remain in the tournaments forever, and honestly, I am confident that the Masters (who organize and maintain the events) share my vision. 

    I would like to say though, the League's organization is at a level I've never imagined.  I mean, setting up a Pig Madness event that is catered and hosts 70 people, plus a little stage and prizes...that's a lot of work.  I would personally like to thank the Western Division Masters for their dedication to the game and their skills.  Most importantly I would like to thank Mark Rago, John Coscia and Johnny Derango for their hard work.  They really are responsible for the smooth sailing during the event.  I'd also like to thank Perry Day for his enthusiasm in the game and his willingness to spread the news about the league.  For those who don't know, Perry started a Chicago Pig Madness event that is doing well in its on right.

    Some things, however, never change.  Trash talking remains an important aspect of the game.  The most common jab is the infamous "Your Pigs Suck" line.  It's a useful and fun way of goofing on each other.  I also feel that, for the most part, everyone at the tournament used the trash talking appropriately and didn't push it too far or take it too seriously.

     Another thing that's the same...after a game, the players shake hands.  Oh sure, there might be a moment or two of self hatred, but eventually the opponents congratulate each other.  Much like 2 boxers who taunt each other before a fight, afterwards they are sportsmen through and through as they congratulate each other.

    My favorite aspect of the game that remains solid, the competitive nature of the beast.  Oh man, it gets intense.  Simply look at the photos and you'll see plenty of people laughing and cheering around the tables but generally speaking, the people passing the pigs aren't laughing.  The look on their faces is intense and you can tell people really want to win it all.   Pig passing is serious business.  Everyone wants to win and they play hard to get there.  And what a hilarious thing to be competitive in...pig passing.  It still makes me laugh.

    Perry asked me the other day to write this article about what I think has changed and what hasn't.  Well Perry, upon reflecting on the game and the tournament, I have to say that with the exception of the size an the organization, very little has changed about The National Pass The Pigs League.  It's still the same great organization it's always been and the values of friendship and strong ridiculous competition remain in the forefront of everything that occurs.  It's a great feeling to know that we did it right a decade ago.  Sure it was smaller then, less organized perhaps, but it's the same great game and at the end of the day, people get it.  It's been proven time and time again.

    And I'd also like to add that the game seems to be the same wherever the league spreads its wings.  As I understand it, that's how the game goes in Chicago too.  I know I've played several Tournaments here in NJ and a Pig Madness event, and although the events just didn't have the legs or dedication that it's Midwestern or Western partners have, the spirit was the same.

    I believe the game will continue to grow.  As people play it and go back to their own states they will inevitably form their own divisions and have them officially recognized by the National Pass The Pigs League.  And then, perhaps, one day my ultimate vision of the pigs can become a reality.   ...an annual National Pass The Pigs Championship Tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

   Thank you to everyone who has kept the game the same, and thank you to those who's insight into the game has led to improvements in the management of the game play.  To those who consider starting up their own divisions in other states, please do be sure to reach out to the NPPL first.  No, you don't need our blessing, but we can give you some pointers that might actually help in the original setup.  Also, it would be great to stay connected and spread the league under one common banner of the National Pass The Pigs League.

    Remember folks...it's a pig nation...pass it on.

THEN - 1998

NOW - 2009

PIG MADNESS I - 2005

PIG MADNESS II - 2006

PIG MADNESS III - 2007

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