Category Archives: Columns

Pong Wins Above Replacement, Part 2

Last month, I wrote a blogcat detailing the basic logic behind a computer-simulated pong game, and how we can use this logic to calculate Wins Above Replacement (WAR) for a given team. This time, I will present the results for this analysis, as performed on the data gathered during NogFest 2015. Before you read this, you should probably make sure Read more [...]

Pong Wins Above Replacement, Part 1

In case you haven't figured it out, we here at Bobcat Territory really like beer pong. Since we started the site in April 2012, we've had 8 blogcats dedicated to the subject. That's a veritable blogclowder (yes, apparently a group of bobcats is called a clowder)! In any case, this will be Part 1 of an ongoing series dedicated to trying to look Read more [...]

Green for Green

Two years ago, my wife and I were scheming for ways to eat healthier, and she challenged me to go vegetarian for a whole month. Pulling this off ended up being incredibly easy - other than, of course, the four times that month I caved and ate meat. To be fair, I'm not the only one who struggles transitioning to a no-meat diet. Of the 320 million Read more [...]

Cups for Ants

I went to Five Guys earlier today for lunch, and ordered my go-to Cheeseburger with Fried Onions, Mushrooms and Hot Sauce. The cashier asked if I wanted any fries or drink to go with that, and I countered with a request for a cup for water. This lilliputian shot-glass is what she gave me: After putting in some ice, it took less than Read more [...]

Beware the Dark Side

There is very little for me to say that has not already been said concerning the recent election of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America. It is a result that many of you find shocking, revolting, terrifying, bewildering, and any other number of emotions. There are even some of you who, justifiably, feel personally endangered Read more [...]

NogFest 2016

Entering the second annual NogFest, one player in particular was flying under the radar. After famously squandering a 15-2 lead, then following that performance with an unsurprising yet still demoralizing defeat in the Brother Pi semifinal - to the same team, no less - some questioned whether he or his partner could ever come back, mentally. When Read more [...]

Norman Reedus Needs Our Help

No, but, really: I think Norman Reedus really needs our help. He needs an intervention from someone, at least. Because something has gone horribly wrong. Earlier this summer, AMC decided to air six one-hour long episodes of Ride with Norman Reedus as part of their Sunday night line-up, immediately following their new 'prestige' drama Preacher. Read more [...]

Pokemon Go Away

As anyone who has browsed the internet, used a phone, or gone outside in the past week is likely aware, Nintendo and Niantic recently partnered to create Pokemon Go, an augmented reality mobile-game that tasks players with roaming the real world to catch the virtual, titular creatures. Already, the game has been a meteoric, shocking success by Read more [...]

Pale Problem Solved

Bula, Blogcatters! I'm here to propose a brilliant invention that would forever alter the course of history. I recently went to Fiji on my honeymoon, and much of our time was spent relaxing on the beach, laying by the pool, playing tennis, jet-skiing, and going on waterfall hikes. Given that it was 85° and sunny 13 of the 14 days we were Read more [...]

Poems

The Siege Right-angled hydrangeas blind the windowframe to the bitter rotten clot of light over wrought iron chairs perched like insects beneath constellations of coffee stains while the red eyed frenzy of the night fast implodes in steam and speed: beleaguered soldiers boiling oil for the castle walls. * Read more [...]