Well we won the Big dawg title for the summer session. We have won the title 3 out of the last 4 sessions, so I am really proud of my team. Unfortunately, it is getting to the point where we are "improving" too much.
I started the team 4 years ago as a way for me and 4 of my buddies to get out of the house and play someone other than ourselves. Today, 3 of the 4 original members are still with me. My philosophy from day 1 has always been to play your best and try to win each match, and not worry about skill level or handicaps.
Well now my 3's have all moved up, along with everyone else. My team now consists of SL 7, a 6, (2) 5's, and (4) Sl 4's. It is getting harder and harder to get everyone matches. For example, the only way my SL 7 can play is if all of my SL 4's play the other matches. Not only does that cause problems with bad matchups, but all four are rarely all there on the same night, so my 7, who has been with me from the beginning, rarely gets to play.
I know that the APA model forces teams to splinter off from each other and form new teams, but this sucks. I am going to have to tell 2 of our newer players, who have practiced, worked hard, and improved greatly to get to SL 4, that they need to start looking for a new team. Either that, or tell one of my oldest friends that handicap rules dictate that he find a new team with some SL 2's and 3's.
Anybody ever had to deal with this? Hell of a dilemma.