So What did we miss?

Well well well…here we are again. It’s nearly time for the first ACL National event of the 2023 season! And we are back! Unfortunately, it’s cornhole, and there was zero drama or storylines in the offseason…just kidding. We all know how much grown adults (mostly men) love them some drama. So let’s kick off another season of content with some thoughts on random storylines that have popped up since we last chatted….

Sophomore Slump?

When we last left each other we saw a Notre Dame loving, PE teaching, awe shucks kinda guy, absolutely dominating the cornhole scene. Mark Richards had the most successful season in the history of the pro division… but can he do it again? History says no. And to top it off the Notre Dame basketball Coach retires…I feel like the universe is trying to tell us something. Bag changes, high personal expectations and walking with a target on your back will be hurdles to overcome early in the season. He proved people wrong last year…and until I see him lose, I’m not betting against him.

Partner Swaps??

Listen, in the pro division, changing partners after a season is pretty much the norm these days. But changing partners before a season starts??? Kinda weird.
Who doesn’t love a good bromance story?!? Camba and Baldwin..peanut butter and Chocolate…meatloaf and mashed potatoes…you get it…it just sounds right. When we last saw these two, they were winning world championships together. It’s hard not to be excited for this duo to be back. But why the change?? Who called for the change? You can hear Camba tell his side of the story here in this bonus Big Asp Cornhole Podcast episode. So if it wasn’t Camba, who then? Was it truly a sponsor decision? Was Cheyenne upset that Baldwin gave up a huge round to lose at an open event days before the change?? Coincidence? Of course…I’m sure it was.Who knows….anyways.
Cheyenne and Frank make for a team with certain top 10 potential. Two crazy consistent slick bag players should prove difficult to get passed in most rounds. When all is said and done, the change looks like it will be best for all parties involved!!

No more Holland father-son dynamic. Rumor has it Josh was less than pleased with the bags performance at a recent open event (it’s always the bags for me too Josh…I feel you). Apparently he and the AAR bags just weren’t clicking. He longed for the soft, furry touch of his beloved Cornhole Scenario bags. Well, he got them back…so in singles his stock rises dramatically. Doubles? It’s hard to see that route. Josh will be playing with fellow kitty cat kid, Nate Voyer, who is determined to shine on the big stage. But what is their ceiling? Top 15? Still too early to tell if the move will be a smart one.

Hey the Rookie class is really good…again

Ever since the ACL developed their pro division, the rookie class has overshadowed the successes of their predecessors. This year, the potential is there. Highlighted by Fisher Hamilton and Ryan Wiedenfeld, this class seems destined for big things. Do I see a sure fire absolute lock to win a National? No, not yet…but who saw Richards coming last year?!? I’ve said many times that there are two guys coming out of the Southwest conference that deserve some light. Gavin Cano is right up there with the best bag manipulators in the game. I’ve witnessed this dude hitting shots that just seemed disrespectful in hindsight. But his game now reminds me of early Devon Harbaugh. We all saw the potential…The skill was ridiculous…but sometimes it takes a lot of knocking on that proverbial door before you’re allowed in. The other is Justin Burton Jr. This tall, lean glass of water throws a beautiful bag. He has all the shots and plays smart…but he’s relatively new to the game (in the grand scheme of things) so I think he needs time grinding out wins against elite talent ALL DAY. Wouldn’t shock me to see any of those four names mentioned make a broadcast or even win an event (bonus content** Burton Jr at +7000 is a STEAL). But at some point, the rookie class just can’t keep winning…

ACL video game released!!!

After just 142464466 days the ACL Pro Cornhole game was released on Xbox, PlayStation and PC. Early feedback on the game was surprisingly negative. I, being a giant cornhole loser, of course downloaded the game. My honest thoughts? I had fun playing it. It is difficult at first and you quickly realize starting off on the hard level is nearly impossible. After some practice and getting a feel for the game, the wins started to come. That first time Seto Soto hits an airmail over a pathetic blocker left by Matt Guy or when Brandon Corwin “and 1’s” Noah Wooten right off the board…well you’re hooked. Is it a bit glitchy/clunky. Yeah. Was I hoping for better graphics? Yes, that too. But as a fan of the game and someone who has invested time into promoting the game, I think it’s awesome. We can only hope it does well enough to warrant future games and improvements. Just wait until the online multiplayer comes….CASH GAMES….now go practice.

acl teams event returns

The ACL is bringing back the Teams event after an electric finals event held at the world championships in 2022. Fresh off a new draft, this year’s players have the opportunity for increased broadcast exposure and can earn additional prize money. The addition of trading and allowing the drafting of PDC players makes this concept even more intriguing. As the season progresses, keep an eye out for potential big time moves. I can’t help but think that we are seeing the future of professional Cornhole. Armed with the majority of the best players in the world, the ACL teams event has the potential to make a big splash

A New Professional Cornhole League Announced

There’s a new professional Cornhole League starting up. The Major League Cornhole (MLC) is boasting it will pay its’ players to play and cover all travel expenses. Their team based format (sounds familiar) will consist of a blend of singles and doubles matches with a unique airmail twist to finish matches and they are holding combines across the country to scout talent. *Record scratch* Yep…you read that right. What will they be looking for in their athletes? Well obviously I would imagine players would gain a composite score based on good looks, 27 ft dash time, DPR (because that’s all that matters right??), 12 oz curl reps and more.
All jokes aside, the concept is different. The idea of players getting paid to play is great, but when the owner/commissioner of a league sells that league/dream/vision after only a few months…before anything actually happens. I think it’s more than fair to point out red flags. I for one will be keeping an eye on their process…and busy training for the combine.

I want to thank everyone for reading and the words of encouragement to fire HDP up again. The content team and I look forward to bringing you more weekly content! Drop your comments below and let us know your thoughts!!! Cheers!