Grifball TotM: New York Pineapples

GrifballHub highlights a different group of Grifball players each month, and Halo Waypoint is helping to spread the word. This month, the spotlight’s on the New York Pineapples, a Grifball team that went from relatively unknown to having their name be synonymous with win. Superior skills combined with sheer determination earned them February’s title of Team of the Month. Check out GooseChecka's interview with the team below.

When did you first start playing Grifball?

SlimJimX50im: Seven seasons ago, Grifball Summer League ‘09. The original squad was me, joe eduardo, Homicide Santa, and Toughluck 44.

A Sappy Turtle: I don’t know exactly. I think I joined one or two seasons later, maybe Fall League ’09.

How did this team form?

SlimJimX50: This team formed when I got into Red vs. Blue (around season 4), and then they made the PSA about Grifball and I was really into it. Then I said, 'Hey joe eduardo, we should play Grifball.' He was like, 'Naw,' and I was like, 'We should.' Then he said, 'Ok, sure,' and I agreed. joe and I needed two new players and we knew Toughluck and Santa, so we got people we knew. As time went on, we picked up other people, but generally our players know each other in real life.

joe eduardo: Yeah, we all hang out with each other in real life.

What has it been like transitioning to Reach?

SlimJimX50: I guess the hardest thing was getting the Hammer right. Once you get that timing down, it’s all easy from there. When you first start, it’s not like regular Grifball. You just have to adapt.

joe eduardo: Once I got the timing down, it felt a lot like Halo 3.

A Sappy Turtle: For me, I had to start using the Hammer. In Halo 3, I sword tanked and always went after the ball runner, but that doesn’t fly in Reach.

SlimJimX50: I’ve been trying to make him not be a sword tank for a long time, but he doesn’t listen to his captain.

What was it like going so far into playoffs when previously you were a relatively unknown team?

SlimJimX50: It was very cool. Generally, you just play Grifball one game at a time; we never expected anything. We had a crappy start, but we got into the playoffs and we beat Green Army and Instant Classic. That’s when we thought we had a chance. After we won that one, we got the giggles and the excitement.

A Sappy Turtle: It was pretty intense.

joe eduardo: That last game against Way to Fail was the best game I’ve ever played.

What advice do you have for other Grifballers considering playing in their first league?

joe eduardo: Just don’t get discouraged. Just keep playing and you’ll get better over time. And that’ll turn into wins.

A Sappy Turtle: Get involved in the forums and talk with the older players. Get involved in scrims and get into the community-it’s a great way to improve.

SlimJimX50: It helped to get to know veteran players, like TacoPizzaHunter or RDG NHL, and trying to get into their scrims and customs and see how they play. The more time you put in with veterans, the more you’ll pick up and become a better player.

So far in your Grifball careers, what experience has been the best?

SlimJimX50: Playing this long and finally being recognized as a team that could win it. For the longest time, no one expected us to do anything and neither did we. We finally stepped up and people know our team now more than they did before.

A Sappy Turtle: The exact same thing. I haven’t been around as long, so it might not mean as much to me as it does to him, but after a few seasons without much results, it was great to get out there and hear our names on the Hubcast. You know, we could actually do this.

joe eduardo: This season’s been great, it’s been our best.

If you could change one thing about Grifball, what would it be?

joe eduardo: I want to wall hop in league games. I’d love that.

A Sappy Turtle: I think mutual beatdowns and improve the sword.

SlimJimX50: Grifball is perfect no matter what.

Does your team have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

A Sappy Turtle: Insult me as much as possible.

Joe eduardo: We talk about how bad he is and tell him to never take out his sword, but he never listens.

SlimJimX50: What I do is explicit, and I wouldn’t be allowed to say it.

Who would be on your Grifball dream team?

SlimJimX50: I guess me, of course, RDG NHL, TacoPizzaHunter and...I guess Green Team Tex. Tex is my dad, and he has a grandson now, which is ThePistachioKid.

joe eduardo: Myself, RDG, ThePistachioKid and A Sappy Turtle. But he’s only there so we can make fun of him.

A Sappy Turtle: I think I’d keep Eduardo...Who is the beastly tank we played against on Way to Fail? Redbaron? Yeah, I’d like him. And I want you, Goosechecka, you’d be the fourth member.

What has kept you around the league for so long?

SlimJimX50: Pure love of Grifball.

A Sappy Turtle: The fact that Slim would be mad if I stopped.

SlimJimX50: Naw, I’d be happy.

joe eduardo: I’ve never gotten tired of playing Grifball. I don’t think I ever will.

SlimJimX50: It’s one of the few games on Xbox where you can really feel like a team. It’s better than just playing Halo; it’s about being a part of a league and a part of a team, it really feels awesome.

Anything else?

SlimJimX50: Shoutout to all the teams I love: Green Army, Hot Bikini Guys, Haitakumaru, Hammerzeit, Grammaton Clerics, Ways and Means Committee, RDG and whatever team he’s on, and my son, ThePistachioKid. I love you all and may we play Grifball forever. And I’m in love with TacoPizzaHunter.

joe eduardo: RDG NHL is a seagull, and he’s mad MLG Pro.

A Sappy Turtle: I don’t really know anyone.

joe eduardo: Just say hi to your parents.

A Sappy Turtle: I want to shout out to A Baby Tortoise for that one time we were playing against each other and we squared off and crouched and hammered at each other. It was an epic turtle battle.