Portion of a letter I sent to P.O.P....
What Pokemon has done for me….
To: The Pokemon Community
From: Jimmy Ballard
Date: 10/16/2007
Hello everyone,
My name is Jimmy Ballard. I have been involved with this game since October 1998. I did not start playing the game until August 1999. I was an avid collector for nearly a year. I looked at every single card, during a trade, with such scrutiny. I wanted my collection to be perfect. I went to leagues on Tuesday nights, Thursday nights, and 3 different leagues on Saturday, all to TRADE! I was quite serious about my collection. I did complete every set, including first edition cards, prior to me playing my first game. The money I spent on this game was incredible. Today, I am more serious about my playing.
While attending my weekly leagues, I was approached by a 9 year old and asked if I would play a game with him. To my surprise there was an ACTUAL game that went along with the cards I was so crazy about collecting. Armed with that knowledge, I decided to make my first deck that night. I slapped together a Blastoise/Sandslash deck with about 6 trainers and 28 energy. I went to my league confident that I would just kill anyone who I came across. Needless to say, the 9 year old KICKED MY BUTT!!! I also ran into my nemesis, Jeremy. He was a 15 year old that had an extreme talent for this game. He also ran a card called Rocket’s Zapdos. Humbled, I staggered home to start my relentless search on how to become better at playing and building. I needed to find a way to beat them next week.
When I first started, I did not know that there was a community that surrounded this game. I was eager to learn more about the game. My thirst for knowledge, and drive to win, kept me pushing forward with this strong passion to be the best. The first website I came across was POKESCHOOL(dot)com. Turns out that Big Daddy Snorlax was one of the Moderators of that particular board. He has helped me in more ways with this game than he will ever know. To this day I continue to appreciate him for what he has instilled in me during my rookie years of playing this game. Thank you, I would not be the fanatic I am today without your initial push to be the best.
Armed with a new deck and knowledge about how the game was played, I ran a Clefable/Dark Vileplume deck. Needless to say, I won my first event. It was not easy, I studied all the cards that entire week to try and make something that would beat the decks I had seen the week prior. I still remember it to this day. The way I dedicated my time to the game and the commitment to excellence still stays with me today. Of course, after winning, I wanted to stay on top. Fortunately for me, many of the players failed to change decks from a week-to-week basis. I was on top for many weeks to come.
Well that was the beginning, now onto why I am writing this article.
I am not sure the kids today understand the profound influence this game is going to have on their lives. This is much more than just a game. It has been a life experience for me, and my children. I want to share with all of you exactly what Pokemon has done for me.
First and foremost it has allowed me to grow up with my kids. I did not have the typical childhood. I missed many things that normal kids were able to do and see. My childhood was cut even shorter with the arrival of my first child. Chelsey was born when I was just 19 years old. Determined not to become another statistic, I went to work to support my new family. As the years flew by, James was born to me when I was 23. I never understood what people meant by “don’t blink, they be all grown up”. I so understand that now.
We started playing Pokemon when James was 4 years old and Chelsey was 7. I looked forward to spending this quality time with them. I couldn’t wait to load them up and start our day at the first league. We even had a set schedule, with lunch and dinner worked in, so we could hit all 3 leagues. I loved spending this time with them. It was the funniest thing watching my 4-year-old challenge the 6’4” Dan Lynch to a battle. “Hey man, wanna battle?” says James. FUNNY STUFF!!!
After playing for several months, I discovered that there was an actual Organized Play tournament. We decided to take our chances and play in the STS qualifier at Pastimes in Niles. I built James a Crobat deck, Chelsey a Steelix/Sneasel/Muk deck and I played a Steelix/Muk deck. We get into round 7 for me, and Chelsey has already made the Finals, after losing the first game of the tournament to her finals opponent. It took me 20 minutes to get her to stop crying from that first loss. I was so emotional that she was in the finals; I quit my game and went outside to pace. I couldn’t even be in the room while she played, I was so nervous. Needless to say, She won giving her a trip to New York to play in the STS. Now I am really sucked into this game.
The Years flew by and the kids kept growing in life and with the game. I was proud to see this. I had grown closer to my kids by being there with them week in and week out. Playing, learning, meeting new people, and traveling to points unknown for tournaments were the highlights for them growing up. I feel I have succeeded as a father, by giving them all the things I never had. They allowed me to grow up with them. I cannot thank them enough for that.
In 2004, we decide to make a lifestyle change and move to Texas. Pokemon allowed us to make an easier transition. We met some great people there. Lynch mob, Soles, Kettler, Birch, and so many others welcomed us with open arms. Sure I had some typical Jimmy moments, for those who know me, but that didn’t change the way they helped me continue to grow. Unfortunately, things with my wife and I did not work out in Texas. The rest is personal history. I attribute me, as a father, being allowed to raise my kids after my divorce to the BOND MY CHILDREN AND I DEVELOPED PLAYING THE POKEMON TCG. PERIOD!
After we came home and got settled, we went on to have one of the most successful years in all of our time playing. 2005 and 2006 were the (outside of my kids being born) best years of our lives to date. I met my new wife, Debbie; James takes 2nd at Nationals, and 5th at Worlds 2 years in a row. Chelsey graduated 8th grade. My life has seemingly come full circle.
I would like to thank the Pokemon TCG for making my life fulfilling. I have experienced many things I never would have had the chance to otherwise. I have been to, Seattle, San Diego, Hollywood, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Hawaii and countless regional states in my area. All of which I never would have ventured to, had it not been for this game.
I would also like to thank the Pokemon TCG for accelerating my children’s learning. They have been outstanding in their academics, maintaining a 4.0 average thus far in there classes. The amount of mathematics and comprehension it takes to decipher the cards is incredible. People do not realize that this card game is amazing for struggling students. It has taught my children much more than any schoolteacher could have. I strongly encourage all parents to look at this game as more of a learning tool. It will reap great rewards.
Continued thanks to the Pokemon TCG for allowing me to grow as a person. I have gained so many new friends and close relationships, that I otherwise may not have. Mr. Lucas, Coleman, Vince, Bigginzz, My son James, and Daughter Chelsey, have all become such inspirational people in my life. Rockford folks, Jason, Alex, Pooka, Magnechu, Team Chicago, All my national friends, Lafonte, and so many others not named here. I would not have had the opportunity to meet them and learn from them had it not been for this game.
Final thank you to the Pokemon TCG for allowing me to grow up with my children. This game has allowed me to watch them grow up into mature teens. It has also allowed me to remain close to them as they grow. The bonds we share today are true and everlasting. Thank you for allowing me as a father to share the best years of their lives with them. I cannot repay you fully; you will forever be in my gratitude.
I will leave you with some of the accomplishments, I can recall, we have had in the Pokemon TCG and let you look deep down inside and ask yourself this one question.
AM I GETTING ALL I CAN OUT OF THE POKEMON TCG? This game means more to me than the prizes that are offered. Thank you.
We have so many I couldn’t tell you where they are all from... I will list the ones I remember, then a total trophy count.
2nd place at worlds 06 (jimmy) Trophy
5th place at worlds 06 (James)
5th place at worlds 05 (James)
2nd at nationals 05 (James) Trophy
5th at nationals 06 (James)
11th at nationals 05 (jimmy)
1st east coast sts qualifier 01 (Chelsey)
9th place Team Tournament Gencon(Jimmy)
Those are the ones that I remember most, and are dearest to me.
Now on to the others,
3 city medals, 2004
7 city medals, 2005
9 city medals, 2006
1 state trophy 1st, 2004 (Pikachu)
3 state trophy 1st, 2005 (Charizard)
1 State trophy 1st, 2006 (Mewtwo)
3 state trophy, (1)1st, (2)2nd, 2007 (Blastoise)
2 regional trophy, 1st 2005 (Charizard)
4 regional trophy, (2)1st, (1)2nd, (1)3rd, 2006 (Mewtwo)
2 regional trophy, (1)2nd place, (1)4th place (Blastoise)
We also won several Gym Challenges. At least 6 more that I can remember, including a sweep of all age groups in Minnesota 2005.
The highlight of my career was easily getting my red face paint DECK printed!
All the Best…
Jimmy Ballard
