Sad State of Six Man

Yes, I know this post is over 3 weeks late.  Perhaps it's because this year's tournament was overshadowed by the Olympics.  Perhaps because the tournament was on a Tuesday.  Or perhaps it was because one of the greatest summer traditions in the South Bay was embarrassingly dull this year.  The courts weren't filled, the sand seemed empty, and most of the spectators did so from the pier or boardwalk above.  The normally packed bars were completely empty.  If I owned any of the establishments down there, I would certainly be upset that my biggest weekend of the year just got sacked.  Instead, now they must settle for a droll Tuesday crowd that won't bring in even 25% of last year's business.  Vendors outnumbered spectators, and only true volleyball die-hards had any enthusiasm for the event.  Even the costumes suffered.  But at least Richard Jefferson was there to make a celebrity appearance (and to play, as he does every year), thus saving the event from complete disaster.  Here's to hoping that Manhattan Beach returns to its senses and brings back the event in epic form next year.