[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums

A Very Tough Ruling in the Cleveland Finals

Posted By: Perry Gartner
Date: Wednesday, 30 March 2011, at 4:13 a.m.

In Response To: A Very Tough Ruling in the Cleveland Finals (Phil Simborg)

Phil says:I had hoped to do the same thing in Backgammon when I was made Rules Chairman of the USBGF, and I had an excellent committee that was in agreement and eager to do the job. We were shut down by the Board of Directors because they did not want to give the perception to the community that we were trying to make the rules or act like a ruling body. Even though our goal was not to change or dictate the rules but simply to write them down, others who were against the Federation would have accused us of being authoritarian and it would have hurt relationships. ("When you don't want to do something, any excuse will do.") I understand that logic very well, and as a result the Rules Committee was dissolved.

Phil, The Rules and Ethics Committee has not been dissolved. See our website for a list of members.

Here is a copy of your email about a year ago addressed to Chuck and copying the committee:

First, I agree completely with you....there are several rules which can be written better and several that could be changed for the better. I have been campaigning for this for many years. However, we have a couple of problems:

1. The world group just revised their rules, and we should take a careful look at those and see if there is any good reason why we should NOT use those same rules. It would be far better for the game if we all used the same rules. If we see rules there which we really don't like and would like to see changed, working with Steen, Chiva, and the others involved, let's see if we can make the changes there. 2. Rich and others have pointed out that until we have membership, our "authority" to make rule changes would be highly suspect. We have no true authority over anyone yet...no tournaments that we sanction and no players that are members of our organization. There is NO QUESTION that EVERY SINGLE RULE CHANGE we propose will be objected to by some players.....it is absolutely impossible to get agreement on these things, and even if our new rule is a great improvement, it will be resented by many simply because it is new and simply because they question our authority. So as much as I would love to see some rule changes, I really think the best we can do right now is go along with the WBF and other groups and try to influence change through them. 3. I do think, however, we can produce a Guide that explains the rules and their application better; we can submit a Standards of Ethical Practice that brings to the forefront the much needed values of good sportsmanship and ethics; and we can present some basic guidelines for tournament directors with minimum standards we would expect to be provided. In addition, why not a set of guidelines for spectators? (I have attached a draft of this by the way). 4. I do like having a set of rules for clocks, but I believe that is already incorporated into the WBF rules, but we can also add Pat Gibson's guide to be applied as well. Phil

You indicated it was premature for the USBGF to make rule changes since we were not yet well established. You did go on to spearhead a code of ethics which we endorsed. We still might be better off working with other Federations but that has not progressed very far. I'll see what I can do to engage committee members to spend some time on this subject again.

Perry

Messages In This Thread

 

Post Response
Your Name:
Your E-Mail Address:
Subject:
Message:

If necessary, enter your password below:

Password:
 

 

[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums is maintained by Stick with WebBBS 5.12.