Inaugural Wii Championship Series Set

As most of Ohio already knows, this weekend marks the first of what is sure to be many Wii Invitational Tournaments. This Saturday night roughly 12 local residents will go head to head in an elimination style bowling championship series. It has been widely documented that an event of this caliber was never expected to come to fruition. When all variables are factored in, this weekend’s experience will be like a dream turned into a reality for all those involved. The committee designed to throw this inaugural bash was formed less than two months ago and there were no guidelines given to them. All they knew was that a tournament “had to happen sooner rather than later.”

I recently had a chance to sit down with one of this weekend’s contestants and ask him a few questions as he gets prepared both mentally and physically.

WTI: Good afternoon. Could you please state your name and give us a brief description of your background?

SW: “My name is Scott Webster. I live here locally with my beautiful wife, Angel and our wonderful son, Alexander. I’ve been playing Wii for just over two months now. My favorite Wii game so far is Super Paper Mario.”

WTI: How much time do you spend playing Wii Bowling?

SW: “To be honest, maybe a few hours here and there. Not as much as I should and definitely not as much as I will have needed to prepare fully for this weekend.”

WTI: How do you like your chances Saturday night?

SW: “For winning? Well, I’m not sure I deserve to be there with some of these other guys. I doubt I will win or even place second. My son really put things into perspective for me the other day. We just got our invitation last week and I was discussing with my wife how I didn’t know if I was going to be 100% for it. My son overheard us talking and could obviously see the concern in my tone. He pulled me aside and said “Dad, I just want you to do the best you can. I’m proud of you either way.”

WTI: Just a quick rundown of some names involved, I’m requisite to say you’ve got your hands full. Right off the top of my head I see Jamie Hunter, Trevor Paisley, and John Weston. Aren’t you nervous at all?

SW: "Am I nervous? No. Anxious maybe. I'm not sure anyone involved in this tournament really knows what to expect come Saturday night. I think the general consensus among the participants is that things are being skewed to accommodate the parties throwing the event. I just want to go out there and do the best I can. It's not about accolades for me. It's a privilege to be able to go out there and do what I do for a living."

WTI: What can you lend to the discussion around the alleged doping and performance enhancing chemicals that Jamie is rumored to be using?

SW: “I don’t really want to get into that too much. It’s not for me to decide or judge. I just want a level playing field for everyone out there. He’s probably going to walk away with it, but I’d like to see a few people make it hard for him. The guy is a natural beast. Have you seen the video out there floating around online? Holy crap!”

WTI: We had a copy sent to our office last week. There’s other raw footage out there that most of the public has yet to see. One scene involves him curling a Mini Cooper and yet another has him throwing kettle balls distances of over 130 yards. I venture to say that you and everyone else will need to do all you can to try to knock him off his game.

SW: “Yeah, no kidding. The worst part about this whole thing is that we’re on his field when we play this thing.”

WTI: Tell us a little bit about the way this tournament will unfold.

SW: “I can’t”

WTI: Are you not allowed to speak about it?

SW: “No. That’s not it. I would, but I don’t know much more than ‘Be here at this time and be ready to bowl.’ It’s not the best put together series I’ve been involved with. To me, it seems like it was put together haphazardly and last minute.”

WTI: Aren’t you one of the committee members who help organize it?

SW: “Yes and no. I was there when the idea was tossed around but that’s about it. I think other people started to push their weight around and really took over the whole thing. Please don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. I think the next time this goes down, it will be a lot smoother.

WTI: What are you doing to get ready for Saturday?

SW: “What can I do? I don’t even know who I am going up against in the first round! I don’t have the time to sit around and watch tapes of everyone. Instead, I am focusing on myself for now. My regimen includes lifting stuff with my right arm and squeezing my finger and thumb when applicable. Typical stuff. I want to make sure the basic mechanics are there and hopefully muscle memory takes over and helps out.”

WTI: Are you in contact with other contestants as you ready for the games?

SW: “It’s kind of hard for me to stay away from some of them. I mean we’re talking about some of my best friends here. The relationships we’ve built over the years can’t just be put on hold.”

WTI: What do you plan to do if you win? What will you do with the purse?

SW: “I’d love to take my wife out to dinner and maybe see a movie. Then again, I don’t even know if the purse will be big enough. It goes back to being kept in the dark when it comes to this thing. I’d like to think that if I win it all, I’ll have enough to see a movie. We’ll see.”

WTI: Do you think it’s deliberate? Keeping the players guessing as the event nears?

SW: “I hope not.”

WTI: Are there mind games being played?

SW: “Always. I’ll let you know when I think they’re not being played. How’s that sound?”

WTI: Sounds like you’re used to seeing this.

SW: “I see it all the time. One or two guys figure out how they can get the upper edge on the competition and do everything they can to keep the other players from playing on the levels they are fully capable of.”

WTI: For instance?

SW: “Well, look at the situation now, Tony. We’ve got a guy who’s already on the juice. Now we’re going into his house for this. Literally. His house! Then, he doesn’t let us know who we’re up against at any level of the series. For all I know, if I don’t throw a strike the first frame, I could get eliminated. I have no idea what the rules are. You think I want to take my wife in there? This guy is doing everything he can to distance himself from the rest of us.”

WTI: I noticed you said he was on the juice. For someone who doesn’t want to judge other people, those are bold statements.

SW: “I didn’t mean that. Can you please not print that?

WTI: One more question and then I will give you the last word. Knowing what you do now, would you agree to do it all over again?

SW: “Yes, definitely. Any chance to play Wii, I’ll take it. Whether it’s new releases and cutting edge games or classic games of yore from the Virtual Console. I might sound a little agitated or on edge regarding this weekend, but it’s just because I am so passionate about it. The Wii is my life. I don’t know what I was doing for 30 years prior to getting mine. It was like a dark cloud lifted and the scales fell from my eyes. And now, given the opportunity to earn money from playing, who wouldn’t be chomping at the bit? I’d like to say hello to my friends and family members pulling for me and thank them for all of their undying support. Without them, I wouldn’t be sitting here with you today.”