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The Sal "Scoop" Palazzo Weekly Column
When you scroll through this website, you'll notice on the Masters Roster page that there are currently 2 divisions. Eastern & Western. The west you all know about--complete with player bios, pictures, and years of stats. You've probably played against them in Madness tournaments and even call some your close friends. But the East? Aside from a list of unknown names and a few photos of middle aged out of shape men sitting at a table, you ask the question "Who the fuck are these guys?!?" It's sadly a question that the NPPL asks as well. Fact is, the Eastern "Division" is nothing more than a glorified beer league, with no leadership, organized tournament, and even less passion for the game.
STRONG BEGINNINGS
It wasn't always like this. A few short years ago, the East looked to be a strong league with the possibility of someday challenging the west for pig supremacy. It had a founder, Elvis Greene, that had initially started the original West division. It also boasted on it's roster Lou Nocella, the winner of the Inaugural Pig Madness, and Tom Haley, a loyal dedicated West Master who would fly to Los Angeles at will to participate in the pig goings on there. There was even an East Coast Pig Madness at the end of 2005 that, by all accounts, was well attended and loads of fun. The future seemed bright........
A LACK OF LEADERSHIP--THE THREE STOOGES
........and since then......nothing. Silence. Oh sure, you'll see something on this site about an East Coast Pig Masters tourney that took place recently, but from looking at the pictures, the league looks about as interesting as watching paint dry. An even bigger problem is the absence of Nocella & Haley. Which begs the question: "Where the hell are they?" As with anything that goes on in the east, there is lots of accusations back and forth between the 3 men that hold the keys to the future of the league. Nocella claims to have never been invited, Greene says that he sent out repeated invitations and was ignored, and Haley just isn't speaking at all. Which fully explains the problem here: There is no organization at the top. No one monkey that runs the show. Every league needs a strong leader. The west has this with Rago & Day. The East? Well, many will look to blame the de-facto leader Greene. And sure, he certainly shoulders some of the blame. He's not the best communicator & seems a little out of sorts with the other guys, but it's not all his fault. Despite his shortcomings, he's actually gotten a tournament rolling, no matter how minor or off the radar it seems. The true blame lies with Nocella & Haley, who couldn't organize a trip to Wawa. Nocella was recently quoted as saying "In the east, we work & have lives" but this is nonsense. The west organizers have lives that are just as busy, but have numerous events every year. The sad truth of the matter is that there is no one that wants to take the ball & run with it. It just doesn't seem a priority over there.
HOPE FOR RE-BIRTH?
It doesn't have to be this way. There was a great madness that was held once--it can be held again. Otts Bar & Grill in Washington Twp, NJ is as fine a site as any to host a tournament, along with Haley's basement. There are 3 strong players that could make it happen if they put their heads together. And there are more than a few willing people that would love to play in the league, if nothing else than to break up the boring, miserable existence that is their southern New Jersey lives. The east has even been given back Adam Meyer, the most recent Pig Madness champ that has recently moved back to the area & loves the game dearly. Meyer has even boasted that he has "30 Guys" that are willing to play on the spot, which unfortunately sounds more like a comment that echoes another type of league--A Fantasy League.
Take it easy, Meyer. Just getting The Three Stooges to play with you would be a big accomplishment.
---Sal "Scoop" Palazzo, May 10 2008The Eastern Division--Real or Myth?
---When he’s not hung over or at the strip joints, Scoop has been a freelance writer for the NPPL for many years, and now…he has his own weekly column. A dedicated fan of the Pigs and the NPPL for many years, Scoop has always voiced his true feelings of the league – good or bad. His no-holds-barred approach and unmerciful opinions have led to almost-chaos throughout the entire league and its fanbase. Why would the NPPL hire an alcoholic, mobster wanna-be, blow-snorting writer that hates most of human society… for his love of the Pigs. That’s right - The Love of the Pigs. Check back every week to read his new columns and see who’s life he fucks up next!
---Disclaimer: The opinions or comments expressed by Sal “Scoop” Palazzo in this column are those of the author only, and not of the NPPL, nor should it be a reflection thereof.
Check back next week to read Scoop's next column: "Hillary vs. Obama - who would win at Pass the Pigs?"
Scoop has been frequenting the strip joints the last few weeks and hasn't had time to write about the news of the NPPL. But given he's putting all his cash in the crease of strippers asses, we expect an article very shortly since we're pretty sure he might need to eat soon. To read his article from almost 4 weeks ago... see below...
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