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Breaking News #131
Arizona Pool Scene www.azpoolscene.com
No matter how you feel about the ratings system here in Arizona, it seems one thing is for sure. It has been around a long
time, and without it, all local tournaments would be open to all players. Without it, those 8 and under, 7 and under, and even 6
and under tournaments would be a thing of the past. Without the ratings system there would be no way to run a tournament
without opening the tournament up to all players.
So...... let's assume the system is not going away anytime soon. I suggest that the next time you decide to express your
dislike for the system, especially if you are a player rated below a 9, you might remember the old phrase, "Be careful of what
you wish for." In my opinion, the players rated 9 and above are the only ones who would benefit by not having a ratings
system. The 9 and above players would love it if the system were to disappear because then they would get to play in all the
tournaments. If you are a player rated 8 and below, ask yourself if that is really what you would prefer.
Now that I have made that point, let's move on to what I am really writing this article about. First, let me tell you how the
system is supposed to work. ............. The meetings are held every three months to add new players to the list and to raise or
lower players that are already on the list. When an unrated player walks into a pool room to play in a handicapped
tournament, he or she has to get rated in order to participate. The room is supposed to rate the player, add the players name
and rating to THEIR list, then add that player to the actual list at the next ratings meeting. Remember, there is up to a three
month period before those players will actually have their name on the actual ratings list. The way the system is supposed to
work, those players are supposed to get a card from the room to show that they have indeed been rated. Those players can
then use the card to play in all the local tournaments around the state while they wait for the new list, with their name on it, to
come out. .................. Unfortunately here's what is currently and really happening. Those players are not getting the cards to
allow them to participate in other tournaments while they wait for the next meeting and the up-dated ratings list to come out.
Those players are showing up for tournaments at other rooms and are having to be rated again, or sometimes, not being
allowed to play. All because we have way too many rooms that, for whatever reason, are not giving these new players a card.
I mean really, how hard is it to fill out the card, give it to the player, and avoid all the hassles associated with not giving them a
card to hold them over till the new list comes out with their name and rating?
If you are a room owner and you participate with the ratings system, why in the world would you rate a player, not give them a
card, and force them to jump through hoops just to play in another tournament held in a different room?
If you are a room owner and you are not following the system by handing out cards to your new players, you are hurting
no-one other than the players. Do you think that if you don't give these players a card that they will be forced to participate in
only the tournaments that you run in your rooms? I am here to tell you that is not the way it works. Players are going to play in
other rooms other than yours and it would benefit everyone, especially the new players, if you would follow the system, and
give these players a card.
I had a player, not on the ratings list, come into my room the other day to sign up for a tournament. I checked the ratings list
and saw he was not on the list. I told him that in order to participate he would have to get rated. He informed me that he was
rated a few days before and he had a piece of paper that was written out with his name and rating and was signed by a room
owner that does indeed participate in the Arizona Ratings Committee system. .... I am not suggesting that using a piece of
paper to rate a player is as good as using the actual card, but I am suggesting that it was definitely better that the alternative.
At least the player was not turned away and got to play in our tournament without having to be rated again.
I know the ratings system is not perfect. I did not write this article to suggest that it is. I do however, support the system
because, without it, tournaments as we now know them will become a thing of the past. I wrote this article in hopes of getting
the room owners to help make it as simple as possible when it comes to taking care of our new Arizona pool players.
Please.......... rate them and give them a card.
time, and without it, all local tournaments would be open to all players. Without it, those 8 and under, 7 and under, and even 6
and under tournaments would be a thing of the past. Without the ratings system there would be no way to run a tournament
without opening the tournament up to all players.
So...... let's assume the system is not going away anytime soon. I suggest that the next time you decide to express your
dislike for the system, especially if you are a player rated below a 9, you might remember the old phrase, "Be careful of what
you wish for." In my opinion, the players rated 9 and above are the only ones who would benefit by not having a ratings
system. The 9 and above players would love it if the system were to disappear because then they would get to play in all the
tournaments. If you are a player rated 8 and below, ask yourself if that is really what you would prefer.
Now that I have made that point, let's move on to what I am really writing this article about. First, let me tell you how the
system is supposed to work. ............. The meetings are held every three months to add new players to the list and to raise or
lower players that are already on the list. When an unrated player walks into a pool room to play in a handicapped
tournament, he or she has to get rated in order to participate. The room is supposed to rate the player, add the players name
and rating to THEIR list, then add that player to the actual list at the next ratings meeting. Remember, there is up to a three
month period before those players will actually have their name on the actual ratings list. The way the system is supposed to
work, those players are supposed to get a card from the room to show that they have indeed been rated. Those players can
then use the card to play in all the local tournaments around the state while they wait for the new list, with their name on it, to
come out. .................. Unfortunately here's what is currently and really happening. Those players are not getting the cards to
allow them to participate in other tournaments while they wait for the next meeting and the up-dated ratings list to come out.
Those players are showing up for tournaments at other rooms and are having to be rated again, or sometimes, not being
allowed to play. All because we have way too many rooms that, for whatever reason, are not giving these new players a card.
I mean really, how hard is it to fill out the card, give it to the player, and avoid all the hassles associated with not giving them a
card to hold them over till the new list comes out with their name and rating?
If you are a room owner and you participate with the ratings system, why in the world would you rate a player, not give them a
card, and force them to jump through hoops just to play in another tournament held in a different room?
If you are a room owner and you are not following the system by handing out cards to your new players, you are hurting
no-one other than the players. Do you think that if you don't give these players a card that they will be forced to participate in
only the tournaments that you run in your rooms? I am here to tell you that is not the way it works. Players are going to play in
other rooms other than yours and it would benefit everyone, especially the new players, if you would follow the system, and
give these players a card.
I had a player, not on the ratings list, come into my room the other day to sign up for a tournament. I checked the ratings list
and saw he was not on the list. I told him that in order to participate he would have to get rated. He informed me that he was
rated a few days before and he had a piece of paper that was written out with his name and rating and was signed by a room
owner that does indeed participate in the Arizona Ratings Committee system. .... I am not suggesting that using a piece of
paper to rate a player is as good as using the actual card, but I am suggesting that it was definitely better that the alternative.
At least the player was not turned away and got to play in our tournament without having to be rated again.
I know the ratings system is not perfect. I did not write this article to suggest that it is. I do however, support the system
because, without it, tournaments as we now know them will become a thing of the past. I wrote this article in hopes of getting
the room owners to help make it as simple as possible when it comes to taking care of our new Arizona pool players.
Please.......... rate them and give them a card.
So .......... where's your card?
By: Ron Merseal
| E-Mail azpoolscene@hotmail.com |