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I'll Kick it Off -- Recording Controversy in Atlanta
Posted By: Rich Munitz In Response To: I'll Kick it Off -- Recording Controversy in Atlanta (Bill Riles)
Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009, at 2:01 a.m.
It is a challenge to run a backgammon tournament. It is a greater challenge to run one for the very first time. It is a greater challenge still to run an event when none of your primary staff have experience doing so. The director and staff were nice people and they cared. But when show time came, they were clearly overwhelmed. Carol and Jeb and Gregg were there, but apparently in a consulting roll. They could be called upon if they were around if needed. But there was nobody with experience engaged on the front lines to ensure smooth operation and function as a mentor. All things considered, I think the tournament as a whole went reasonably well. Problems were to be expected. My previous post from the NY Metro event is proof that even with a highly experienced staff, problems can still occur.
What makes for a well run tournament is when the staff is prepared and are anticipating and are being proactive about heading off problems, that someone is always taking ownership of any situation, being decisive and following it to conclusion. That was not the case in Atlanta.
There were inefficiencies taking registrations. There were delays getting draws done. Delays getting payouts calculated and posted. To my recollection, there was never any kind of announcement to explain the tournament format (e.g. that Last Chance was progressive) and that everyone had to lose 3 matches before they could leave. I had a Last Chance opponent that had gone home without knowing he had a match to play. The match was delayed by nearly 40 minutes because everyone was too busy to help me find my opponent after I asked; nobody took ownership. I had to find someone who had the guy's cell phone number and would call him. And when I finally found the director, there was no sense of urgency. I expressed concern about delays and matches starting after midnight and what happens if my opponent is still not here after another 30 minutes and finally a penalty point clock was started. This is all simply a lack of experience. And I saw this pattern of confusion and indecision amongst the staff at various time when issues would arise. But the staff was very receptive to feedback and did express a genuine desire to learn and to improve next year.
I was actually plaing in a Chouette with Carol (who was playing) when the Ray G. / Malcolm situation arose. I don't know how long it had already been under discussion and where the director was this whole time, but someone on the staff came over and told Carol "we have a situation that may need a ruling soon". When the game was over, Carol got up and walked across the room and was having a discussion. A few minutes later she came back towards the Chouette and I heard her say to someone "we're going to have them roll dice". So let there be no doubt - there was no indecision on Carol's part; a few minutes total. We kept playing and eventually I walked away and learned what was going on. I had spoken briefly with Ray, and with Malcolm. Back to the Chouette. It was seemingly an hour later after Carol had been first approached and the match was still not being played. Finally I see the director talking to the two of them. Perhaps he had left and had to be summoned back? I don't know. But I walked over and heard much of the discussion which pretty much are the points Bill had already described. The director did make a statement about next year's brochure being explicit about allowing video, but that lacking a statement this year, it would be determined by dice roll. It seemed that further discussion was endless and where any experienced director would have simply cut it off immediately and said this is the decision, end of discussion. Anyway, he finally got back to the decision. Malcolm reiterated that he felt strongly and was feeling compelled to withdraw from the event and would like a moment to think about it. He was serious. I could see it. Malcolm walked away and I followed him. He stopped over by the draw sheet looked briefly and then turned to me and said "I have to forfeit; I need to make a statement here". I pleaded with him and told him that he can't do it. That he can't let his opponent benefit from this situation and that attitude. That the director had already committed to publishing a video friendly policy for next year and that was really the goal. That he had to simply obtain his justice via a match victory. Neil wandered over shortly after that and conveyed a similar opinion. Finally Malcolm decided to listen to reason and informed the director he would play.
I expect the staff will be a bit battle hardened next year, and I think the tournament will be more prepared. The venue was fabulous and aside from the distance from the airport, you can't beat the simplicity and cost of a $1.75 train ride and a 7 minute walk to the hotel (for those who can't be bothered with the free shuttle). I know these guys understand that they have some work to do and I believe they are committed to make the effort to solve their problems. I would certainly return.
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