Nationals Weekend ...A 5 Star Event
by Jamie Starr, special correspondent to the MWS.com

The idea of ballers coming together to play a "video game" seemed to be a bit far fetched to some in 1997. But fast forward 8 years and not only is it common for many players to travel across country to compete, but more and more are bringing their families, and/or significant others along making Nationals weekend a vacation getaway for many.

The first Nationals boast about 32 ballers soaking wet ....a far cry from the 180 from Nationals 6 last year. But as the tournaments grew, ballers began to arrive to the tournament a little earlier to take in sights and enjoy the city.

For the first two Nationals, most of the ballers arrived the day of registration, which is Friday. That is also the day before the round robins begin. By Nationals 4 (Los Angeles) a few ballers were arriving as early as the Wednesday before the tournament. Today, some are coming in as early as a full week before the tournament begins to spend time in silky smooth south Florida. Others are arriving on the Thursday before Nationals begin, and staying a few extra days after the tourney. Because of the festive nature that Nationals brings, in addition to its unparallel excitement when it comes to Madden competition, the Nationals has become an event, more so than a competitive tournament.

Now with the addition of the Hall of Fame Ceremonies and the presentation of the inaugural Maddy's, this just adds more spice to a weekend already filled with exciting activities.

One of the more popular traditions that Nationals has developed is the Friday afternoon fellowship reunion. It goes all the way back to Nationals II when D. Rob of the BFL coined the phrase.."Nationals Friday is like a reunion." Its the time where ballers get to see who has been hiding behind the key pad at the message board, putting faces to the names they have seen and read about over the year. Its also a time to meet, greet and fellowship with some of those same guys, and really get to know them. What most ballers find is that the guy behind the screen name is not that bad after all. It is the place where friendships are developed that last years, if not a lifetime.

By Nationals III, the Friday social was tabbed, "Swammi's Ballers Reception." Held during happy hour at the Embassy Suites for Nationals 3 and 4, it was the perfect environment for ballers to meet and greet, talk about their round robins, review their packets, and get their last minute game plans in tack.

Nationals 5 & 6 saw the scene shift to Miami, where ballers now just hang in the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel and enjoy the 5 star eye candy that parades through the hotel lobby. Nationals Weekend is also Zo Summer Groove Weekend, which brings out not only the top celebrities, but some of the most beautiful women the world has to offer in one place, on one weekend.

For the single guy, Nationals Weekend, combined with Zo's Summer Groove, combined with South Beach is in itself a 5 star trip guarantee to create memories that will last a lifetime. Throw in the fact the Black Film Festival will be in Miami the same weekend this year and its like Madden Ballers heaven.

Another great thing about Nationals is that you can compete early, and be out of the arena in plenty of time to get fresh, and check out all the sites. Round Robin games are usually wrapped up on Saturday by 7 PM, unless you don't plan ahead and you get stuck in the twilight rounds ...which don't start until 7 PM. Do yourself a favor, and pre register. The last thing you want to do is be sitting in front of some TV at 10 PM at night, while everyone is taking in the sites of South Beach.

A typical itinerary at Nationals 7 may look something like this:

Thursday
Arrive Thursday early so you can check into my a sweet room at the Intercontinental and get familiar with the surroundings ....scout South Beach Thurs night so you know what's up for Friday.

Friday
On Friday, its all about reunion....At Swam's reception, you holla at all the ballers you haven't seen in a while, catch up on lost time, and put some faces with all the new names. Afterwards, pick up your shirt and registration packet and check out your schedule, what time you play, who you have and what TVs you are on. Check out the Hall of Fame Banquet and see who gets the first Maddy's! Blaze out of there at about 9:30 - 10PM and get clean...and head to South Beach...Get back from South Beach like 3 in the morning and try to catch some of the eye candy that's passing through the lobby. Your plans may be different however, if you make other arrangements while at South Beach that may require you to perform your manly obligations!

Saturday
On Saturday, you wake up about 8:45, bloody red because you just fell asleep about 45 mins ago.. You scramble to get cleaned up, because you know if you are late for your Nationals start, Swam will forfeit your game...(ala Manny Fresh, Nationals 5) Then its on! The tournament begins.

You wrap up playing at about 6...in between games, you run up to the room and get a few power naps in. Take a short nap Sat eve, and you roll out Sat night, and try to have more fun than you did on Fri. You catch all the Zo's Summer Groove parties, or all the happenings with the black film festival....Need I go further.

Sunday
You kinda repeat what happened on Saturday, only this time, it feels 10x worst because you are running on like 5 hours sleep in 3 days. You catch the championship game, at about 10 PM Sunday...and its all down hill from there.

Monday you either sleep until check out, or you are hustling to catch a super shuttle to the airport to get back home so you don't get fired, so you can get to back to work to pay for all your irresponsible fun for the weekend.

Married guys, you kinda do the same thing, except you have the old ball and chain with you. Family guys you do the same thing, except you are in the room by 10 PM, and instead of South Beach by night, you are going to Parrot Jungle, and the Miami Seaquarium on during the day Sunday, because if you are a family man, you probably went 0-3 or 1-2 in your round robins. So Sunday makes a great outing day for the family.

Other great things to do in South Florida at Nationals Time:

A trip to the Florida Keys - The overseas highway ranks up there with the pacific coast highway in terms of aquatic beauty.
Visit Key West - Your drive along the Keys will take you through some beautiful coastal cities, ending in Key West, a party community much like New Orleans.
Swamp Boat Rides in the Everglades - Get close up with the REAL Florida Gators!Everglades National Park is a spectacular beauty that is great for the family.
A trip to Orlando - DisneyWorld, Epcot, Universal, and much more awaits the family in Orlando, just 3 hours north of Miami
A day at the beach - Whether its Miami, Hollywood, or Ft. Lauderdale, the S. Florida beaches are clean and beautiful.
Dinner Cruises - Whether you want to take a dinner cruise for a spectacular evening on the ocean, or you want to do 3 days to the Bahamas, the port of Miami is located at the footsteps of the Intercontinental hotel.

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