Congratulations to Ash—PUFF's April Player of the Month!

Editor's note: After a brief hiatus, our Player of the Month profiles are back! Special thanks to Nate Semm for getting them back up and running. Do you know someone who should be featured? Email us at webmaster@portlandultimate.org.

What is your full name?
Ashish Narendra Shah

Nicknames
Prince Ali

What is/are the current/past teams you have played for?
Columbia University Uptown Local 1997-2001
Psychic Friends Network 2001-2005
Shotgun (Rainbow) 2006 & 2007
Dogfight 2009-2011
Breakers Mark 2012-Current
Burnside 2012-Current

Favorite Tournament?
Ultimate Fiesta in Acapulco. It's actually two hat tournaments in one. You are assigned to one beach team and one grass team. It's at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico on the beach...in January. It is insanely fun. The Mexican players are so nice and welcoming it's like you've instantly made 60 new friends. And they all add you on facebook within a week, so it's legit. The U.S. players, however, just show how they are all terrible at dancing and fun in comparison. 

Favorite O/D strategy?
Just one for each? Tough one. Let's see, on offense my absolute favorite thing is to catch my defender not looking at me. Then I just start sprinting in the opposite direction. One out of every two times I do this I hear an audible expletive as they turn to find out where I'm going. Hearing people curse at themselves is a highlight of the game for me.

On defense, not a strategy per se but I like it when there is a chance to try and D a super tall dude. It makes me feel tough (even if it looks ridiculous).

Highest level of play you have achieved?
I think in 2005 my Spring League team made it past the first round of the Spring League tournament due to forfeit. Lost in the second round if I remember correctly. Also, quarters of Masters Nationals in 2012.

You have been integral to the onset of Men's Masters becoming a legit program here in Portland. What have you enjoyed the most out of helping to create this program? 
The jokes. Also it's fun to finally be playing with all these guys that I've had to play against in the past. But mainly the jokes.

Say you are only allowed to drink one of these beverages in and around ultimate for the rest of your career, which do you choose? Beer, water or whiskey? Why?
Water. I'm horrible at drinking booze and playing ultimate. For some people, drinking doesn't affect their playing style. I am not one of those people—I've tried. 

*Note: This realization has not stopped me from continuing to try. 

**Note: I would also prefer tequila or gin. Whiskey makes me angry. You wouldn't like it when I'm angry.

A young ultimate player comes to you and says "I want to have a great long career like you Ash, what tips can you give me?" What would you say to them?
I was blessed to start out and play most of my career as a short, slow guy who couldn't jump.* Learning to play this way you quickly gather tricks/strategies in order to see different angles/cuts and you learn how to get open on people that are bigger/faster/stronger than you (or you stop playing because you are never open). So I suppose one tip I would say is that ultimate can be more than just running super fast in a straight line or out-jumping everyone.

That's not very concrete is it? Here's something useful: Most, if not all, handlers are extremely arrogant and egotistical. They all have a favorite breakmark throw or huck that they are just dying to show off. If you can find out what their preferred break/huck look is (just ask, they're more than willing to tell you) you can start to set up your cuts to be available for that particular throw. Cutting to the breakside is a lot easier than you think. And you already think it's easy, don't you?

*I'm still short and I can't jump, but I'm arguably faster than I used to be.

You are widely regarded as one of the top hecklers in PDX ultimate. Who is your favorite person to heckle and why?
First, I don't agree with with your premise of me being regarded as a top heckler. You obviously should be getting out more. However, if I had to choose a favorite "type" of person to heckle it would be players that just made an extremely good or athletic play and then get cheered for it. I like to make sure their egos are well balanced. For example, Nick "Spidey" Atwell is constantly throwing his body around and making ridiculous plays like this. However, he also has about 3% body fat. So after each amazing play he makes, I let him know he should be eating something, like a steak or a brownie. Now that I think about it, it's not really a heckle—I'm legitimately concerned about his ability to move those limbs around.

Anything else you would like to add?
A few things:

• First, thanks for giving me this honor again. I was upset when my original POTM profile was taken down (after the old site was hacked) as I believe it was some of my best work. Also, the Portland community has been good to me, otherwise I would have to make friends on my own.
   
• Second, I've attached a photo of me and my brother (Neelay) for two reasons. 1: My brother introduced me to the game of ultimate. I was forever changed and I'm eternally grateful. 2: This picture embodies how I feel every time I play. It's a pretty awesome feeling.
   
• Lastly, shout out to my wife, Mindy. She's been putting up with my constant barrage of ultimate-related topics for a long time now without too much complaint. Plus, she's the best heckler in our house.

It's time to register for Spring League. Men: You have until March 9 to pre-register. Women: Register by March 20. Details and registration links are available on the Spring League page.

It's time to register for Skillz League! Skillz League is a great place to meet new folks and learn how to play ultimate in a co-ed setting. If you know anyone looking to learn and have a great time, please spread the word! Learn more at the Skillz League page.

A handful of goaltimate enthusiasts have reserved Buckman Field for nighttime goalty this winter! Games run from 6-8pm (lights on at 5:45), Tuesday nights through January 29. Bring $5 (any extra money will go to future field rentals). That said, no one will be turned away for being broke. Beginners and all-star super pros welcome—there will be two hoops set up. (Note: This is not a PUFF-sponsored event.)