We are only two weeks away from the Golden Llama, the Dizzy Llamas annual award and casino night. For those who will be going for the first time, a flat fee covers your dinner in chips. We eat, play, drink and have fun. It is the greatest “Green Tie” event in town.

For more details and award nominees, check out the information post on the message board here: http://members.dizzyllamas.com/index.php?topic=1487.0

We also have a set of awards call the Llamas choice awards. Separate from the player-of-the-year for each sport, the Llamas Choice awards are a chance for all our athletes to select their peers in categories like captain of the year, most improved and Rookie of the year. You can find the link on the information post or you can vote here: http://www.dizzyllamas.com/sports/awards/2009/

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The winter season is mostly underway, despite a few weekend snow storms. If you’re still interested in playing some sports we’ve have some mid-season openings. Check out the about page on the DL website and email that’s sports coordinator to get started.

We are also fielding a pair of basketball teams this January after the success of our Summer basketball league, but we are still looking for players. If you played in the summer or would like to play indoor on Wednesday nights, signup on the message board here: http://members.dizzyllamas.com/index.php?topic=1492.0

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Some changes are afoot with the Llamas! Three Llamas were recently presented with numbers. Adny Hatin will now don number 34, Sean Morgan 55 and Greg Martinage (Don’t tell him. He doesn’t get it until Tuesday). Also, Soccer Veteran Mark Goodman will be taking over the club’s soccer program for Mike Bizier, whose teams earned a championship and finals appearance during his year at the helm.

Congratulations to all of you and good luck in your new roles in 2010.

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Finally, our Little Llamas sports equipment was a huge success. A lot of thanks to go around once again, but we easily topped last years total. Well done everyone. There will be a lot of happy tykes once the weather warms.

See you on the Field!

2009 kicked off with a bang as nearly fifty Llamas packed the Verona Restaurant in Watertown to celebrate the 2008 Golden Llamas award winners. Thank you for everyone one who made 2008 great, and here is looking to 2009 as a year that will eclipse it.

If you were unable to make the festivities, here is a rundown of the 2008 Golden Llama recipients:
Llama of the Year - Thomas Boates
Dodgeball Player of the Year - Shane Knowles
Softball Player of the Year - Jen Kuzmick
Soccer Player of the Year - Andrea Nykiel
Volleyball Player of the Year - Caitlyn Cassara
Basketball Player of the Year - Patrick Brown
Rookie of the Year - Scott Tarentino
Captain of the Year - Dave Claffey
Most Inspirational - Caitlyn Cassara

Most improved:
Dodgeball - Mike Bizier
Softball - Victoria Catalan
Soccer - Mark Goodman
Volleyball - Thomas Boates
Football - Danielle Sullivan
Ultimate - Erin Calamari
Basketball - Matt Guerra

Hey Llamas,

We are getting close to the start of the Winter season, and a few of our teams are still looking for players. Flag Football, Soccer, Volleyball and Floor Hockey will be starting up in December. If you haven’t signed up yet, take a look at the details here: http://members.dizzyllamas.com/index.php?topic=786.0

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December also brings Llamas, Llads and Llasses, a charity drive that aims to keep kids active by donating sports equipment to children’s organizations. We are looking for new sports equipment like balls, bats and other gear a child could use, and used books that we will sell to fund youth sports clinics in the spring.

From December 1st to December 21st, your Dizzy Llamas captain will be accepting donations at your games. Any donation of new sports gear is welcome, from a Nerf football to an aluminum bat. For more information, check out the message board here: http://members.dizzyllamas.com/index.php?topic=805.0

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The Golden Llama Casino Night and Awards Banquet is scheduled for Friday, January 9th, 2009. This “Green Tie” event will offer food, fun, gaming and prizes. At the end of the night, we will name the 2008 Llama of the Year among other awards.

Like all DL events, friends and family are always invited. As we get closer we’ll release more details, but save the date. It should be a lot of fun!

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Congratulations to Cameron Stewart for winning the October Llama of the Month.

See you on the field!

The numbers are flying fast and furious lately in Llama-land.

Just days after dodgeball and football standout Jared Calise earned the #2 shirt, Llamas Allie Greer and Mark Goodman were administered the #6 and #10 shirts, respectively, prior to the Llama soccer team’s 4-1 win Friday night.

Both athletes joined the Llama organization in December 2007 for indoor soccer. While the team struggled in the standings, Greer and Goodman both became stalwarts for the team with consistent attendance and enthusiasm.

Greer, a former college lacrosse player, has branched out to become one of the most involved Llamas. She turned in an excellent season for the EMAAC Ultimate frisbee championship-winning Blouses, and is a key member of the much-improved Dizzy Llama Blue dodgeball team. Greer is also occupying her Sundays with Llama football.

Goodman - who chose #10 to honor his favorite soccer player, Lionel Messi - has been a jack-of-all-trades for Llama soccer, playing primarily forward for the indoor teams before establishing himself at fullback during the full-field outdoor season. The 26-year-old Quincy native also brought his spark and trademark profanity-laced, self-criticizing tirades to the Ultimate scene this summer with the highly successful Disc Jockeys.

While continuing their involvement in outdoor soccer this fall, both are also set to compete in the 2nd Annual Dizzy Llama Invitational at McGolf in Dedham on Oct. 18.

Congratulations to both.

Dodgeball and Football star Jared Calise was honored last week before the season with a signature Dizzy Llamas ringer with a bright number “2″ on the back.

Calise joined the Dizzy Llamas as a Dodgeball player in late 2007, and quickly made a name for himself.  He learned alongside a veteran Green Dodgeball team and  helped win a silver championship in the winter of 2008.  Jared then joined Captian Mike Bizer as founding members of the Dizzy Llamas Blue Dodgeball team.  He was an integral part of this burgeoning new squad, leading by example and helping the team’s new players learn a difficult game. Now, in his third season on Blue, the team is a championship contender.

In Addition to Dodgeball, Jared was part of the winning team at LlamaRace 2008 and is the starting cornerback for the Dizzy Llamas White Football team.  His perform over the last year has been noteworthy, and we look forward to seeing what the newest numbered Llama can do for the organization in the future.