Editing Bob Long (section)

== Oakland Assassins ==

=== Establishment ===

Long became associated with the '''[[Oakland Assassins]]''' during the development of modern professional X-Ball competition.

The Assassins competed in the [[National Xball League]] and other major tournament formats.

Long's involvement included team leadership, tactical planning and equipment development.

=== NXL competition ===

The Oakland Assassins competed in the NXL during the mid-2000s.

In August 2005, WARPIG identified the Assassins as the NXL Western Division champions at the PSP Northeast Open.[10]

The result placed the team among the leading competitors in the league that season.

=== 2005 World Cup ===

At the 2005 PSP World Cup, the Oakland Assassins advanced to the NXL championship playoffs.

The team defeated the Philadelphia Americans 13–4 during the quarterfinal stage.

The Assassins subsequently faced Baltimore Trauma in a semifinal series.

After losing the first game, Oakland defeated Trauma 15–5 in the second.

Trauma won the deciding game 10–7, eliminating Oakland from championship contention.[11]

The Assassins subsequently contested the third-place game against Detroit Strange.

=== NPPL competition ===

Long's organisation also competed in the NPPL Super 7 format.

In 2005, '''Bob Long's Assassins''' finished second in the NPPL semi-professional season standings.[12]

The team moved into the professional division for 2006.

At that time, it adopted the '''Philadelphia Assassins''' name.

The Philadelphia Assassins should be distinguished from the Oakland Assassins NXL entry when documenting results across the two leagues.