BLUE BALLS III

It was the best of weather and it was the worst of weather! That is the only way to describe the 2005 Blue Balls International Ice Cube Shoot. Although Blue Balls was originally designed as a foul weather endurance airgunning game, today's balmy 47 degrees and clear blue sunny skies revealed a whole new aspect of the Blue Balls competition. With such warm weather came warm breezes in the sun and this resulted in fairly quick melting of the balls. On average, it looked like balls at the end of a 15 shot course of fire were about 20-30% smaller than those at the beginning of a course of fire due to melting. Slippage also became a problem as the balls tended to slide to the base of their supports as a result of the quick melting conditions. Consequently, near-rapid fire became a distinct advantage in this year's Blue Balls competition! But given the windy conditions, this made shot placement quite difficult for the 30 shot match that consisted of rifle shooting at 25 yards and pistol shooting at 10 yards.

When all was said and done, Gerry Lempicki of Ashfield, Mass emerged as the 2005 Blue Balls winner edging out DDay of Fairfield, CT by one point to take home the coveted Ball Of Fame for 2005. Gerry's score was a very good 21/30 given the prevailing shooting conditions of the day. Following the shoot, the participants gathered in the WLOPA clubhouse for a fine lunch of a variety of Chilis, Shepards Pies, Ice Cream, and a new Blue Balls standard introduced by Joe Dennis - English Ice Lollies!!! (AKA popsicles). Lots of good talk and comraderie ensued about....well..... our favorite subject.....Airgunning! Everyone is now looking forward to the FT and sillhouette seasons which begin in a few months.

2004 Ball of Fame winner, Robb White (left) presenting the Blue Balls 'Ball of Fame' award to 2005 champion, Gerry Lempicki (right).

The Blue Balls - course of fire - 15 shots rifle @ 25 yards and 15 shots pistol @ 10 yards.

Blue Balls 2005 Participants

Third consecutive year Blue Balls father and son participants Collin and David Day

Blue Balls participants Tommy Lo and Robin Lempicki observing a course of fire to better plan their shooting strategies

George Blass (front) and Gerry Lempicki during the rifle phase of competition.

Third consecutive year participant, Joe Dennis, reflecting on the sanity of shooting ice cubes in the middle of winter.

The line of fire

Don't ask - don't tell - Bill and Sev Pratt were plagued by problems at the BB 2005 event but managed to keep it all in perspective.

Hogan Eng (left), Tommy Lo and Robin Lempicki on the rifle course of fire.

Charlie B (left) and George Blass discussing the possible advantages of a 9mm CZ in Blue Balls competition

Robb White on the pistol line

Collin Day traveled from Boise, Idaho to attend Blue Balls. With a score of 17, his travel cost per Ball was $28.89!

p.s. - Only 364 more days until the Ball of Fame returns to its rightful home in Connecticut!