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Scoresheet Now you need a scoresheet for this week's game; three copies for each pub (one for each team, and one for the Quizmaster. The one you supply to the teams should have the round headings already filled in. The easiest way to do this is to make one master each week and then photocopy it. Audio Tape If you decide, as we do, to have an audio round, you'll need to supply a cassette tape with the week's items on it. Again, we'll talk later about what to put on the tape and how to get it there. Recap Sheets We keep track of league standings and player records, and each week send out an updated recap sheet. How you want to do this depends very much on how complicated you want your league to be (not to mention your workload). Our league administration is very simple: we track wins and losses, and the average number of total points each team scores. One of the other local leagues uses a complex handicap system after the first couple of weeks, which assigns floating handicaps based on a team's average point score as compared to the leading team in its division. Then each match has two outcomes: a normal win-loss, and a win-loss result after handicaps are applied. At the end of the season there are two champions, one using handicap. If you want to go to all this trouble, it is a system that has much to recommend it, since it keeps teams interested even if they are getting blown away; they still can be the winner on handicap on a given night. We keep individual players' scores, too, using the number of deuces they manage to get each week. Again, we recap their total by matches and their running average; usually we show this broken down by team. The recap sheets are also used to convey notices and messages to everyone, as well as the results of any protests from the previous week. Sometimes dates get changed, or matches are moved from one venue to another. Last year, we found that a large number of our players were involved in local elections that were taking place on one particular Tuesday, so we cancelled that Monday's games with only a couple of weeks notice. Using the recap sheets to get this message out sure beat having to phone all the players (or even the captains!). Delivering the Goods Your next task, having assembled the packages, one per pub, is to deliver them. Our matches start at 8 pm, which gives everyone lots of time to get home from work, have dinner, and relax before heading out for the game. And since the game only takes a couple of hours or so, it still doesn't make a very late night. It also gives you time to get around to all the pubs and drop off the packages. Most pubs have some spot behind the bar area where they will be prepared to keep the envelope for you. Since we always have an audio round, our pubs also store a small portable stereo for us, along with an extension cord (vital -- the outlet is never very close to where you set up to play). |
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A League of Your Own (part 3) |