The Maine Games

Good Morning All,

A week ago today was my first Games as AD. What a wonderful opportunity for personal growth it turned out to be. Because of in-house problems I was doing more Games Chairman work then AD stuff and was not prepared well enough. The athletes did cut me some slack and it turned out ok.   Bill Crawford and Dana Florence were a BIG help and I can’t thank them enough. I have about a million questions to post on this site, but I’ll start with just a few.

1. Is there a standard scoring form?

2. Is there a scoring program for my laptop?

3. How do all of you feel about the spin for WOB?

I look forward to hearing back from this site. Take care and pull hard. Bruce

A nice scoring program on a laptop, hooked up to a big plasma display with up to the instant scoring and placements, would certainly be kick ass.

 

Bruce,

I like idea number 5. Maybe we can get some into next years program.

I also feel very strongly about number 2. Wearing the kilt is a more important piece of equipment than the weights and cabers that get thrown around (in my opinion...but then again I biased about wearing a kilt). I believe it to be important. The problem exists though for newcomers and can you afford spare kilts of various sizes in your budget???

A program in a simple excel spreadsheet will work well for scoring. I was actually (I kid you not!) talking to Sue about that on the way home. I use excel a lot at work. We should talk. Having this would have meant that the guys could have finished off in the main parade ground and awards could have been a lot more public. I believe athletes should be recognized in a big way. A lot less pressure on the AD too to get everything done in time!!!

Regards

 

Nigel 

Bruce,

things that might change for next year.

1) if a athlete has no KILT he doesn't throw. this is the most important rule in my book. things to think about, buy some sport kilts and rent them to the athletes that dont have them. I believe Ft Wayne indiana rent theres for 15 dollars for the day.

2) need to change your WOB/SHEAF standards to a better set up. Also with the standards you have need a tape at the end of the bar. If a change is going to happen do a search on NASGA for standards. Jeff L. had a great set up for under 130.00. which I made as well.

3) scoring was the craziest I seen but we all made it and when it comes to scores athletes dont like when its confusing or has the posssiblity to get messed up.

4) maybe get a bigger field for next year to throw the light/heavy hammer. Again, Lowe's or Home depot have section of fence which make for a prefect hammer cage.

5) DONT CHANGE anything with NIGEL. absolutely awesome. 

6) starting earlier would be great. I didnt get to see an vendors.. but I ususally dont anyways.

7) may even consider moving the event to a different location whereas, the society is losing money by paying a % to Thomas point and Rumor has it she making ALOT of money of it. St. Andrews Society needs to make the money not T.P. just my .02.  It would be better to pay a flat fee.
a) check colleges
b) Air-Base (already paid for the field with our FEDERAL TAX MONEY).

8) you need to purchase a 42# wfd. the athlete that brought it might not make it next year then ur S.O.L.

9) Talk with Subway and other store mechants to get free goodies. and by doing this NIGEL will announce there name over the PA system or give plugs to there business. I get free subs every year at subway and water for a locale Party store. as well domino's pizza gave 8 x-lg pizza for a snack. :)

10) Bruce remember its the athletes that will bring the crowds in NOT THE PIPERS or the DANCERS. Its us!! People enjoy watching us throw large objects So, You might have to step it up as an AD and take the bull by the horn.
Yes, you are alloted so much money for the games. but try and get as much free stuff as possible. goto http://budk.com/Default.asp and start early. get swords for next years games. Get them engraved by a local engraver and place his name on the back of the athletes shirts. local car dealership love CHEAP advertisment. WAL-MART loves to hand money out. So, many roads to take you just have to take a step out side the box.

11) BEER TENT is a MUST!! To much money was lost that day.

12) Guniness another great sponser. they always give FREE T_SHIRTS, HATS, KEY RINGS, FLIP-FLOPS, BOTTLE OPENERS. ALMOST FORGOT...FREE BEER TOO!. (SMITHWICKS, HARPS AND GUNINESS)
to the athlete tent.

13) a Bigger althete tent

14) the message therpist were life savors. next year a must too

15) ZOLKIEWITZ is not allowed to talk to other athletes that have to fly on a plane. NOW, I have to see a proctologist, Urologist, pyschologist and a biologist and any other "ologist" that might get rid of the CURSE of the ZOLK




Edited by Snider

I agree about the kilt thing - and you could even make a little scratch by
renting out sportkilts or other brands.

Another thing I think is a good idea is marking out the distances for the
distance events. A nice chalk line every 5 feet or so arcing out in front of
the box will give the crowd the instant feedback they need to see who has
the best throw.

I am not a morning person, so, for me the 8:30 am time is out, plus all
the dew on the grass makes the stone all wet. If you want to speed up
the day, then getting a new wob and sheaf apparatus would help - make
the starting heights relatively high, and make big jumps. 10ft for the wob,
and 18ft for sheaf, with 1ft and 3ft jumps.

While swords are nice, your claret jugs are excellent prizes, and I would
not change them - I have been wanting to win one ever since the first
time I came to these games, and am very proud of mine.

COLEWINE wrote: Is there a scoring program for my laptop?

At least three associations, that I know of, have lap-top programs available.  SAAA, RMSA, and SHA.  At Enunclaw, we inherited a very good one from SHA.  It was created by RAMWrite Consulting.  Check it out!

On the issue of kilts, an easy way to handle it is to just require everyone to wear one with the exception of the Amateur C men!  Gives them a chance to get hooked on the sport before having to make some sort of outlay for gear.

COLEWINE wrote:   by the way Chris, reading the saying at the bottom of your posts makes me wonder, how did you know my mother?)

LOL. you are the first one to question my gaelic writing styles.

now I will change it :)

Good Morning,

For the record, my mother wore glasses. Are you going to be at Loon? Take care.