May 18th thru 20th
Tropical Park
Part of the 3Wallball Cup Series
Tropical Park
Part of the 3Wallball Cup Series
Posted: 04/18/12
in Outdoor. Score: 0 Megaviton 2012 Florida Championships, presented by Gearbox 9 replies
Username: Vic Heat Fan
Reputation: 6756
Joined: Friday, June 30, 2006Last here: Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Birthday: Not Given
Location:
Gender: None Specified
No profile entered for this activity.
Dear fellow Meet and Play lunatics,
If you like what someone has to say in a post, why not give them a "LIKE" ? It wont cost you anything, and could very well put a smile on someones face. Tell them how you feel! It wont take but a second, so please take the time to "like" the posts you enjoy reading. That's exactly why the Tiltons installed that feature. Be generous. If you are on the fence, go ahead and give it a like.
Except for my posts, especially THIS one. I have too many points already, and would prefer to give them back to the system to be used by others. So, if you like what I am proposing here, please DISLIKE this post. Seriously! I know after a big handful of negs this post might dissappear, but I am OK with that. I would consider it a show of support.
So please, take time to Like your fellow posters that you enjoy, and dislike this post if you respect what I am trying to do.
If you like what someone has to say in a post, why not give them a "LIKE" ? It wont cost you anything, and could very well put a smile on someones face. Tell them how you feel! It wont take but a second, so please take the time to "like" the posts you enjoy reading. That's exactly why the Tiltons installed that feature. Be generous. If you are on the fence, go ahead and give it a like.
Except for my posts, especially THIS one. I have too many points already, and would prefer to give them back to the system to be used by others. So, if you like what I am proposing here, please DISLIKE this post. Seriously! I know after a big handful of negs this post might dissappear, but I am OK with that. I would consider it a show of support.
So please, take time to Like your fellow posters that you enjoy, and dislike this post if you respect what I am trying to do.
http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=9264
This weekend host the very first event at the sweetest courts in the entire country! Fleischmann Park in Naples is absolutely gorgeous! Clean painted walls and floors, no shared lines between courts, gorgeous park and air conditioned rest rooms!
Some of the biggest names 0f Florida outdoor will be in attendance, each hoping to take home the $700 prize money. Joe Young and Chris McDonald headline the outdoor draw, each hoping to carry a partner to victory. BUT - Indoor stud and State Champion Mike Harmon and long time partner Toby St Pierre have plans of their own.
Personally, I cant wait. I have my fingers crossed that the event directors put Me and Chris in the same pool with Mike and Toby! I want some!
It's not too late to sign up. Call the event directors, or State directors Chris Young or Mike Bernstien to get signed up, or to hook you up with a partner.
From what I understand, Joe Dorner is looking for a partner in the Pro/Open. This might be a great way for someone to have their first taste of outrdoor! You'll get a bunch of pool play games in, without the pressure of thinking you might advance! (Sorry Joe, I couldn't resist!)
How sweet are these courts?:
This weekend host the very first event at the sweetest courts in the entire country! Fleischmann Park in Naples is absolutely gorgeous! Clean painted walls and floors, no shared lines between courts, gorgeous park and air conditioned rest rooms!
Some of the biggest names 0f Florida outdoor will be in attendance, each hoping to take home the $700 prize money. Joe Young and Chris McDonald headline the outdoor draw, each hoping to carry a partner to victory. BUT - Indoor stud and State Champion Mike Harmon and long time partner Toby St Pierre have plans of their own.
Personally, I cant wait. I have my fingers crossed that the event directors put Me and Chris in the same pool with Mike and Toby! I want some!
It's not too late to sign up. Call the event directors, or State directors Chris Young or Mike Bernstien to get signed up, or to hook you up with a partner.
From what I understand, Joe Dorner is looking for a partner in the Pro/Open. This might be a great way for someone to have their first taste of outrdoor! You'll get a bunch of pool play games in, without the pressure of thinking you might advance! (Sorry Joe, I couldn't resist!)
How sweet are these courts?:
It's time!
Contact Yelandi Rivero, Tommy Ale or Chris Young with questions.
http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=9205
Contact Yelandi Rivero, Tommy Ale or Chris Young with questions.
http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=9205
From "Holiday" Jeff Wright's wall on Facebook:
Thank you everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate it. It would be really difficult to call each of you back so I'm sending this out as a thanks.
RIP: Jonathan Allen Wright-November 17th, 2011
Wish we could've nurtured you into a man. So many thoughts and dreams for you.
Parents: love your children, each one of them is a miracle. Be the person that you are in their eyes and the world will be a better place.
Jeff's wife was in her third trimester with their 2nd child. On November 16th, they went to the emergency room due to complications. At 10:48pm that night, Jeff posted they were home, and everything was OK. The next day, they lost Jonathan Allen.
Jeff is truly one of the nicest, most giving guys I have ever met. He has no enemies.
Heartfelt condolences to Jeff and his family.
Thank you everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate it. It would be really difficult to call each of you back so I'm sending this out as a thanks.
RIP: Jonathan Allen Wright-November 17th, 2011
Wish we could've nurtured you into a man. So many thoughts and dreams for you.
Parents: love your children, each one of them is a miracle. Be the person that you are in their eyes and the world will be a better place.
Jeff's wife was in her third trimester with their 2nd child. On November 16th, they went to the emergency room due to complications. At 10:48pm that night, Jeff posted they were home, and everything was OK. The next day, they lost Jonathan Allen.
Jeff is truly one of the nicest, most giving guys I have ever met. He has no enemies.
Heartfelt condolences to Jeff and his family.
Posted: 11/23/11
in Obituaries. Score: 0 Holiday Park loses a future star: Jonathan Allen Wright - RIP 0 replies
JANEL TISINGER pulls the trifecta! Singles, Doubles and Mixed! Janel is nails under pressure, and fun to watch play. She was unstopable all weekend!
Rocky Carson paired with Alvaro Beltran and were the unstoppable force against all opponents in the doubles. Rocky and Alvaro again met in the Singles finals, with Rocky taking out Alvaro in two. As a team, these two are scary good. I can just imagine what happenes if they keep playing together...
Robert Sostre had a pretty good weekend, playing in SEVEN divisions in the 100 degree heat! Racquetball, Handball and Paddleball..... Robert made it to the Pro rcquetball Finals (with Jose Rojas), won the CPRT doubles with Mike Peters, and made it to the paddleball finals as well!
Geoff Osberg dominates the A division, winning the singles, and the doubles with long time partner Warren Pettit. It's time fella's. Welcome to the Open division and say goodbye to A's!
Its been a few years since Rob Mijares has lost a match in the 40 singles. Thunder serves dominating the division.
I caught some great matches. Brandon Davis/Jesus Ustarroz vs Matkel Rodriguez/Rob MIjares was an awesome mtach to watch. I know all 4 guys and call it "pick'em" beforehand, and they didnt disappoint. Brandon and Jesus took a well fought tiebreaker.
Daniel De La Rosa. Thats a name we are all going to remember for a long time. That kid is a joy to watch.
On a personal note, me/Tim Hansen ve Dale Valentine/Steve Belmonte was a lot of fun.
Soda Man and Brett Harnett with the Open Dubs, and Maykel Rodriguez wins the Open Singles.
OK - who else saw matches? Speak up!
Rocky Carson paired with Alvaro Beltran and were the unstoppable force against all opponents in the doubles. Rocky and Alvaro again met in the Singles finals, with Rocky taking out Alvaro in two. As a team, these two are scary good. I can just imagine what happenes if they keep playing together...
Robert Sostre had a pretty good weekend, playing in SEVEN divisions in the 100 degree heat! Racquetball, Handball and Paddleball..... Robert made it to the Pro rcquetball Finals (with Jose Rojas), won the CPRT doubles with Mike Peters, and made it to the paddleball finals as well!
Geoff Osberg dominates the A division, winning the singles, and the doubles with long time partner Warren Pettit. It's time fella's. Welcome to the Open division and say goodbye to A's!
Its been a few years since Rob Mijares has lost a match in the 40 singles. Thunder serves dominating the division.
I caught some great matches. Brandon Davis/Jesus Ustarroz vs Matkel Rodriguez/Rob MIjares was an awesome mtach to watch. I know all 4 guys and call it "pick'em" beforehand, and they didnt disappoint. Brandon and Jesus took a well fought tiebreaker.
Daniel De La Rosa. Thats a name we are all going to remember for a long time. That kid is a joy to watch.
On a personal note, me/Tim Hansen ve Dale Valentine/Steve Belmonte was a lot of fun.
Soda Man and Brett Harnett with the Open Dubs, and Maykel Rodriguez wins the Open Singles.
OK - who else saw matches? Speak up!
It's been awesome!
"Entry fees" is the actual net number after all R2 fees, comps, refunds etc... We had $4950 in comps. Many of those comps helped keep the event affordable, and some were just the right thing to do.
WOR Membership is not part of the event income or expenses.
About 1/2 of the players signed up in the last 4 days before deadline. We picked up the last $1500 in sponsors in the last couple days.
The really exciting news is that we still have about 100 event sweatshirts left over. $20.00 each and that includes shipping! Send me an email with your address and shirt size! Make the check out to 2011 WOR Championships. Discounts on multiple shirts available!
WOR Membership is not part of the event income or expenses.
About 1/2 of the players signed up in the last 4 days before deadline. We picked up the last $1500 in sponsors in the last couple days.
The really exciting news is that we still have about 100 event sweatshirts left over. $20.00 each and that includes shipping! Send me an email with your address and shirt size! Make the check out to 2011 WOR Championships. Discounts on multiple shirts available!
World Outdoor Racquetball has converted to a 12 month rolling average for rankings.
Season rankings will now be based on a rolling twelve months average. Updates will happen after the first of each month.
Event directors will have these rankings to use in their tournaments.
Event directors have the right to do their own wrinkle with the seeding their events, as long as it's fair and posted in advance.
WOR Season dates:
Starting in June 2012, each WOR season will end after the second weekend in June.
Men’s Pro/Open - changes to rankings and procedure:
For singles and doubles, Mens Pro and Open divisions will have a new rankings process and calculation.
If an event uses the consolation of Pro as the Open Division, There will be no change at all from existing procedure. Pro points are earned for all in the division. The consolation bracket is considered Open, and all points earned count in Open Rankings.
When an event offers a separate Pro and Open division, ranking and points earned will be exactly as you signed up for.
When there is only one top division (most shootouts), then players will earn ranking points in both Pro and Open divisions.
PRO/OPEN is the top division of WOR shootouts or other smaller events without a separate Pro and Open division. Players will get duplicate points in both Pro and Open divisions for shootouts, and other smaller events that don’t have separate divisions.
Seeding for WOR/IRT singles are based on a combination of WOR and IRT seeding. Specific details explained elsewhere.
Combined divisions ranking points:
Players earn ranking points in the division they signed up for, regardless of if it was combined with another division.
Skill Divisions - New Policy:
Anyone who is in the WOR Championships Finals 2 years in a row, and one of those years included winning, that player(s) is not eligible to play in that division for at least one full season.
WOR – IRT
Ranking Points Earned:
When an event is co-sanctioned by WOR and IRT, participants in Men’s Pro Singles will earn ranking points in both the WOR ranking system as well as the IRT ranking system.
Men’s Pro Singles participants in the 2011 WOR Championships will receive IRT Tier 4 ranking credit, in addition to WOR ranking points
Participants in future WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events, including 2011 3Wall Ball Championships, will receive the appropriate Tier of IRT ranking credit, based on prize money.
Seeding for WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events:
For all WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events, seeding for Men’s Pro Singles will be based on a combination of IRT rankings and WOR rankings.
Top 8 IRT players will be the #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, #14, and #16 position based on IRT rankings, unless they earned a higher seed based on WOR rankings.
Ranking Points Earned:
When an event is co-sanctioned by WOR and IRT, participants in Men’s Pro Singles will earn ranking points in both the WOR ranking system as well as the IRT ranking system.
Men’s Pro Singles participants in the 2011 WOR Championships will receive IRT Tier 4 ranking credit, in addition to WOR ranking points
Participants in future WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events, including 2011 3Wall Ball Championships, will receive the appropriate Tier of IRT ranking credit, based on prize money.
Seeding for WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events:
For all WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events, seeding for Men’s Pro Singles will be based on a combination of IRT rankings and WOR rankings.
Top 8 IRT players will be the #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, #14, and #16 position based on IRT rankings, unless they earned a higher seed based on WOR rankings.
WOR – IRT
Ranking Points Earned:
When an event is co-sanctioned by WOR and IRT, participants in Men’s Pro Singles will earn ranking points in both the WOR ranking system as well as the IRT ranking system.
Men’s Pro Singles participants in the 2011 WOR Championships will receive IRT Tier 4 ranking credit, in addition to WOR ranking points
Participants in future WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events, including 2011 3Wall Ball Championships, will receive the appropriate Tier of IRT ranking credit, based on prize money.
Seeding for WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events:
For all WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events, seeding for Men’s Pro Singles will be based on a combination of IRT rankings and WOR rankings.
Top 8 IRT players will be the #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, #14, and #16 position based on IRT rankings, unless they earned a higher seed based on WOR rankings.
Ranking Points Earned:
When an event is co-sanctioned by WOR and IRT, participants in Men’s Pro Singles will earn ranking points in both the WOR ranking system as well as the IRT ranking system.
Men’s Pro Singles participants in the 2011 WOR Championships will receive IRT Tier 4 ranking credit, in addition to WOR ranking points
Participants in future WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events, including 2011 3Wall Ball Championships, will receive the appropriate Tier of IRT ranking credit, based on prize money.
Seeding for WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events:
For all WOR/IRT co-sanctioned events, seeding for Men’s Pro Singles will be based on a combination of IRT rankings and WOR rankings.
Top 8 IRT players will be the #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, #14, and #16 position based on IRT rankings, unless they earned a higher seed based on WOR rankings.
Posted: 08/16/11
in Men's Professional. Score: 0 WOR/IRT Co-sanctioned event rankings, seeding... 1 replies
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/article/213191/3/Two-People-Transported-to-Shands-After-Accident-on-I-95
Stormin Norm McNutt and Gabe Fuentes were in this car on way home from playing some outdoor ball at Flagler Beach. Both are at Shands Hospital.
Stormin Norm McNutt and Gabe Fuentes were in this car on way home from playing some outdoor ball at Flagler Beach. Both are at Shands Hospital.
Posted: 08/02/11
in Outdoor. Score: 1 Stormin Norm and another baller in serious car accident 14 replies
From WOR Executive Director Hank Marcus:
As part of the new 18 month agreement between WOR & IRT each player in the Pro Division in the 3WB World Championships in Las Vegas and the 2012 WOR Championships will need to pay $5 IRT pro dues. These dues are paid at all sanctioned IRT events but a larger amount. The fee has been discounted for outdoor. For those players who also play indoor events the dues will be credited to your seasonal dues with IRT. All players in these 2 events will be included in a new WOR-IRT Pro ranking system that will appear on both associations websites & Racquetball Magazine.
As part of the new 18 month agreement between WOR & IRT each player in the Pro Division in the 3WB World Championships in Las Vegas and the 2012 WOR Championships will need to pay $5 IRT pro dues. These dues are paid at all sanctioned IRT events but a larger amount. The fee has been discounted for outdoor. For those players who also play indoor events the dues will be credited to your seasonal dues with IRT. All players in these 2 events will be included in a new WOR-IRT Pro ranking system that will appear on both associations websites & Racquetball Magazine.
So Manny, please tell us about your first experience playing outdoors!
Posted: 07/20/11
in Outdoor. Score: 0 Newsflash - Coach Manny Rodriguez played his first WOR event last weekend! 3 replies
So Manny, please tell us about your first experience playing outdoors!
Posted: 07/20/11
in Outdoor. Score: 0 Newsflash - Coach Manny Rodriguez played his first WOR event last weekend! 5 replies
The 2011 Racquetball Warehouse WOR Championships, presented by Ektelon was last weekend, and I have a lot of folks to thank. The staff did an outstanding job, and sponsors are what makes the event possible.
Starting back in February, Son Nguyen has been putting in serious time and effort to make the event happen. In between securing sponsors, Son handles all the local logistics that would be a nightmare for an out of towner like me to work through. Son is the single most invaluable person to the WOR Championships - year after year - its its about time he is recognized for all the tireless work he has been putting in. Thank you Son.
Steve Cohn handled the phones,last minute entries, and all the matchmaking before we got started. HUGE. Thank you Steve.
And then the games began.
Mike Bernstein, Chris Young, and Steve Fitzsimons ran the desk and kept us running on time. I have worked with Mike and Chris on many events, and together they knock it out of the park time and again. Steve Fitzsimons jumped in whenever they were playing or needed a break, and it was as if these guys had been together for years. Well oiled machine. Everyone knows how much I love Mike and Chris and how hard they work, but this past weekend made me appreciate just how lucky So Cal is to have Steve Fitzsimons in the midst. Thank you Mike, Chris and Steve. You guys kicked ass.
Bill George was supposed to have a short shift at the check-in desk, and then hand off his seat after an hour or 2 each day. Bill would not let me give him breaks, and just took control of check in the entire weeknd. Thank you Bill. You are so damn efficient and complete you have set the bar pretty high! I appreciate how hard you worked all weekend.
Mary Goweter Schoumaker sent me a Facebook PM many months ago offering to help with whatever we needed. I asked Mary to take ownership of the VIP tent. I gave her carte blanche regarding what should be in the VIP tent, and she ran with it. Did all the shopping, kept it neat and clean, and just made that tent an outstanding oasis for all VIP's. Once day was a lot of work, but 4 days in a row was above and beyond. Mary, it was a pleasure working with you, and I hope to see you in Florida some day.
There are a ton of other folks who helped out all weekend with reffing extra games, picking up trash, set up, take down etc... A few folks of note who each chipped in to make it happen: Dorcy Norton, Rob Mijares, Mark Maupin, Tonya Nofs, Team Ohio, Team Michigan, Jesus Ustarroz, Dave Tedeschi, Dillon Silver, Greg Solis, Geoff Osberg, Warren Pettit, Lan Hyun, Thao Le, Gabe Medina, and Rick Sandello's son. I know I am missing a ton of folks. I am sorry if I missed recognizing you here, but rest assured I appreciated everyone's help all weekend.
And I really need to thank my wife Patty, who put up with me being even crankier than usual for months now. I love you Baby!
Starting back in February, Son Nguyen has been putting in serious time and effort to make the event happen. In between securing sponsors, Son handles all the local logistics that would be a nightmare for an out of towner like me to work through. Son is the single most invaluable person to the WOR Championships - year after year - its its about time he is recognized for all the tireless work he has been putting in. Thank you Son.
Steve Cohn handled the phones,last minute entries, and all the matchmaking before we got started. HUGE. Thank you Steve.
And then the games began.
Mike Bernstein, Chris Young, and Steve Fitzsimons ran the desk and kept us running on time. I have worked with Mike and Chris on many events, and together they knock it out of the park time and again. Steve Fitzsimons jumped in whenever they were playing or needed a break, and it was as if these guys had been together for years. Well oiled machine. Everyone knows how much I love Mike and Chris and how hard they work, but this past weekend made me appreciate just how lucky So Cal is to have Steve Fitzsimons in the midst. Thank you Mike, Chris and Steve. You guys kicked ass.
Bill George was supposed to have a short shift at the check-in desk, and then hand off his seat after an hour or 2 each day. Bill would not let me give him breaks, and just took control of check in the entire weeknd. Thank you Bill. You are so damn efficient and complete you have set the bar pretty high! I appreciate how hard you worked all weekend.
Mary Goweter Schoumaker sent me a Facebook PM many months ago offering to help with whatever we needed. I asked Mary to take ownership of the VIP tent. I gave her carte blanche regarding what should be in the VIP tent, and she ran with it. Did all the shopping, kept it neat and clean, and just made that tent an outstanding oasis for all VIP's. Once day was a lot of work, but 4 days in a row was above and beyond. Mary, it was a pleasure working with you, and I hope to see you in Florida some day.
There are a ton of other folks who helped out all weekend with reffing extra games, picking up trash, set up, take down etc... A few folks of note who each chipped in to make it happen: Dorcy Norton, Rob Mijares, Mark Maupin, Tonya Nofs, Team Ohio, Team Michigan, Jesus Ustarroz, Dave Tedeschi, Dillon Silver, Greg Solis, Geoff Osberg, Warren Pettit, Lan Hyun, Thao Le, Gabe Medina, and Rick Sandello's son. I know I am missing a ton of folks. I am sorry if I missed recognizing you here, but rest assured I appreciated everyone's help all weekend.
And I really need to thank my wife Patty, who put up with me being even crankier than usual for months now. I love you Baby!
Does Southern California still have internet access?
World Outdoor Racquetball is converting to a 12 month rolling average on our rankings.
So, at the end of June each year, the National Team winners would still be based on exactly the same events as the old system. But, now events during the season will look back 12 months to have rankings for seeding. Updates will happen after the first of each month.
For example, the 2011 3WB Championships in Las Vegas will have rankings for seeding that will include all WOR events from September 2010 through August 2011. Would not include events held earlier in September 2011.
This give’s a better sampling to determine a meaningful seeding. This should cut back on the abundance of ranking ties across all divisions.
Another new twist is that we will be tweaking slightly the point values available. Too many ties when everything is in nice round numbers. For example, we might change the points awarded to a 1st place winner at the WOR Championships from 700 points up to 711 points. The exact point value to be used for the entire season will be posted shortly, and will still be extremely close to the current values. Just going to break up the nice round numbers that continue to cause ties in the rankings.
Event directors will have these rankings to use in their tournaments. Event directors have the right to do their own wrinkle with the rankings, as long as it’s fair and posted in advance. For example – it is tradition at the WOR Championships to seed the finalists as top two seeds, even if the year end rankings are different. Last year at 3WB, CPRT seedings were used, rather than WOR seedings for the CPRT doubles division. (Remember – WOR CPRT rankings last year were one single event, for players 40 or older, yet 3wb was 35 and older.) Those are just samples of Event director discretion. Fair, and posted in advance.
For the record, this year’s WOR Championships will continue to seed the previous year’s finalists as the #1 and #2 seed in all divisions. After that, WOR rankings will determine position until the latest rounds where there is typically an abundance of ties.
So, for a division with 35 teams, I will seed the top 2 from last year first, then the next 14 teams exactly as the rankings fall – even if it creates some unique situations. The only discretion I will have in the top 16 teams is if there is a tie. Barring a tie, I will have no discretion on the seeding of top 16 in any division. After that, I will round out the draws based on start time availability and common sense. Typically there is not enough actual data in the round of 32 or later to be useful.
There has also been some discussion about sandbagging, and what are the actual parameters for picking a division. Contrary to popular belief, we have on many occasions required players to move up from what they initially signed up for. That said, winning the Championships does not necessarily mean you must move up a division. Neither does making the National team. Currently the event director makes the call, lacking a previous ruling by a WOR Director. For example, if a State director, Big Daddy or I deem someone too good to play in a certain division, the event director cannot override that call. Barring that, the current system requires common sense and leaves the final decision to be made by the event director, unless someone appeals to State Directors and requests they look closer at a situation.
Although we don’t yet have a formal system on place, Greg and I are considering making a couple of parameters part of WOR policy going forward. One would be the “One defense” policy for the WOR Championships. If you won last year, you can come back and defend this year. If you make the finals, next year you move up. Another parameter would be the “drop 1” rule. Meaning, nobody can drop more than one division converting from indoor to outdoor. For example, if you are an Elite player indoors you can drop to A outdoors, but no lower. These two seem like a good start, and both Greg and I welcome suggestions as to how we can standardize this further. We’ll have something in place in the next 45 days, so send us your insights!
So, at the end of June each year, the National Team winners would still be based on exactly the same events as the old system. But, now events during the season will look back 12 months to have rankings for seeding. Updates will happen after the first of each month.
For example, the 2011 3WB Championships in Las Vegas will have rankings for seeding that will include all WOR events from September 2010 through August 2011. Would not include events held earlier in September 2011.
This give’s a better sampling to determine a meaningful seeding. This should cut back on the abundance of ranking ties across all divisions.
Another new twist is that we will be tweaking slightly the point values available. Too many ties when everything is in nice round numbers. For example, we might change the points awarded to a 1st place winner at the WOR Championships from 700 points up to 711 points. The exact point value to be used for the entire season will be posted shortly, and will still be extremely close to the current values. Just going to break up the nice round numbers that continue to cause ties in the rankings.
Event directors will have these rankings to use in their tournaments. Event directors have the right to do their own wrinkle with the rankings, as long as it’s fair and posted in advance. For example – it is tradition at the WOR Championships to seed the finalists as top two seeds, even if the year end rankings are different. Last year at 3WB, CPRT seedings were used, rather than WOR seedings for the CPRT doubles division. (Remember – WOR CPRT rankings last year were one single event, for players 40 or older, yet 3wb was 35 and older.) Those are just samples of Event director discretion. Fair, and posted in advance.
For the record, this year’s WOR Championships will continue to seed the previous year’s finalists as the #1 and #2 seed in all divisions. After that, WOR rankings will determine position until the latest rounds where there is typically an abundance of ties.
So, for a division with 35 teams, I will seed the top 2 from last year first, then the next 14 teams exactly as the rankings fall – even if it creates some unique situations. The only discretion I will have in the top 16 teams is if there is a tie. Barring a tie, I will have no discretion on the seeding of top 16 in any division. After that, I will round out the draws based on start time availability and common sense. Typically there is not enough actual data in the round of 32 or later to be useful.
There has also been some discussion about sandbagging, and what are the actual parameters for picking a division. Contrary to popular belief, we have on many occasions required players to move up from what they initially signed up for. That said, winning the Championships does not necessarily mean you must move up a division. Neither does making the National team. Currently the event director makes the call, lacking a previous ruling by a WOR Director. For example, if a State director, Big Daddy or I deem someone too good to play in a certain division, the event director cannot override that call. Barring that, the current system requires common sense and leaves the final decision to be made by the event director, unless someone appeals to State Directors and requests they look closer at a situation.
Although we don’t yet have a formal system on place, Greg and I are considering making a couple of parameters part of WOR policy going forward. One would be the “One defense” policy for the WOR Championships. If you won last year, you can come back and defend this year. If you make the finals, next year you move up. Another parameter would be the “drop 1” rule. Meaning, nobody can drop more than one division converting from indoor to outdoor. For example, if you are an Elite player indoors you can drop to A outdoors, but no lower. These two seem like a good start, and both Greg and I welcome suggestions as to how we can standardize this further. We’ll have something in place in the next 45 days, so send us your insights!
Posted: 06/28/11
in Outdoor. Score: 0 NEW WOR Ranking system, Sandbagging, and other fun stuff 3 replies