Well, here it
is: time to turn our thoughts to the indoor season, and for all of you
scorekeepers, that means clinics, fellowships, and recertification tests.
Everything you need to know should be listed in this issue. Do three things
before you call to ask questions:
1) read the Digs,
2) read the Digs, and,
3) read the Digs.
After that, feel free to call or e-mail if you have questions! (E-mail
is the preferred method of communication, because I can return your message
from wherever I am at any hour of the day - a faster answer for you!)
Changes to Scoresheets
BIG NEWS FOR 1998!! Significant
changes have been made to the scoresheet for the coming season. This will
mean that all scorekeepers must attend a recertification clinic this fall.
If you are are a certifying referee, you will attend your recert clinic
as you normally would, and will be given the scorekeeping updates in conjunction
with that clinic. If you are a Provisional scorekeeper, upgrading to Regional,
you will be given this new information in the recert clinic you would normally
have to attend. IF YOU ARE A REGIONAL “SCOREKEEPER ONLY,”
meaning that you are not also certified as a referee, you MUST ATTEND
A SCOREKEEPER RECERTIFICATION CLINIC THIS FALL, regardless of your
current recertification status.
What are these changes, you ask? Basically,
a series of boxes in the comments section to record sanctions in a similar
manner to the international sheet. The intent is to simplify the procedure
for recording comments. There are also a number of changes to the
headings and areas other than the actual scoring section. These changes
have been made to “clean up” and simplify the scoresheet.
Along with these changes, we have again been
promised new tests for new and recertifying scorekeepers.
And looking ahead, there may be more changes
coming. Some regions may test 31-31-7 scoring this year. (First two
games to 31 points, deciding game to 7 points, all rally).
Regional Issues
Congratulations to our two successful National
Scorekeeper Candidates: Gwen Sanford and Kelli Auletta. They did
a great job and enjoyed their visit to Tucson.
As for our other National Scorekeepers – please
plan to help out this fall with clinics, tests and ratings.
Contact me to volunteer!
Fall Clinic Review - What you need to know
New Scorekeepers
Elsewhere in this issue of the DIGS you should
find additional information about becoming a certified official. If you
are interested in becoming a new scorekeeper or a new referee, and need
a recap, please check out this clinic information.
The certification requirements for new scorekeepers
are as follows:
-
Attend the scorekeeper’s portion of the clinic (8:00 am to 12:30pm).
-
Successfully complete the written exam for new scorekeepers (score 90 or
higher)
-
Obtain two passing ratings on actual matches worked at Fellowships.
More information on this process will be handed
out and discussed at the clinics.
Recertifying Scorekeepers
First and foremost – everyone must attend
a recertification clinic to receive instruction on the new scoresheet.
Provisional Scorekeepers: just
a reminder, you must attend one of the Refresher Scorekeeper Clinics, offered
in conjunction with the New Referees and Scorekeepers clinics. See
the Clinic Information on page 5 (or click on Clinic
Schedule) for dates, sites, and times.
Regional Scorekeepers: if this is your
normal year to recertify, you will be receiving a test in the mail and
must complete and return it to Dixie Collins, my Recertification Assistant
(address, etc. page 3). The test is intended to be taken open book, and
I can’t stress enough how much easier it is on everyone involved if you
take the time to look up answers in the Rule Book if you are not familiar
with them and get a passing grade (90) the first time around.
The deadline for recertification tests to
be returned (corrected if necessary) with a passing grade is December 1st.
If you submit your recertification test after December 1st, Dixie will
only grade it if a $5.00 bill (or check made payable to Dixie Collins)
is attached. After January 1st, it’s $10.00. After February 1st, it’s $100.00.
(just another way to say, after February 1st, don’t bother, although personally,
I’ll grade your test after February 1st if $100.00 is attached!) This is
hopefully a fairly friendly way of reminding you that we are all volunteers,
swamped with paperwork from October through November, and after a certain
point we all want to get on with our lives. So be considerate, and get
your recertification test out of the way as soon as possible!
“Expired” Scorekeepers
If you were previously certified (1997 or
earlier) and have let your certification expire, you MUST start
all over again as a candidate! This means attending a clinic and obtaining
two passing ratings at Fellowships. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
All Scorekeepers!
If anyone has moved since the last time you
received mail from me, or changed his or her name, please
contact me with the updated information. Unfortunately, the mailing
lists for Region registration and scorekeepers are separate - so scorekeepers
let ME know if you have moved. We waste a lot of time and postage sending
out mail that comes back with the infamous “FOE” stamped all over them!
Also, allowing your certification to lapse because you failed to update
your address will mean that you must start all over again as a candidate!
IMPORTANT!!
Pages 7 and 8 of this issue contains our list
of all certified Chesapeake Region Scorekeepers. ALL
Scorekeepers - please check this list for your name!! If your
name is not on the list and you think it should be, you MUST contact me
and get the issue resolved or plan to show up at a New Scorekeepers clinic
and get certified from the beginning.
Note to CHRVA Referees
It is a requirement in this region that all
referees, Provisional and above, be certified scorekeepers. I noticed several
referees’ names on my list of those who did not recertify for 1997. Check
the list of all certified Chesapeake Region Scorekeepers
(Pages 7 and 8). If your name is not there, and you wish to continue to
work as a referee, you must show up for a candidate’s clinic this fall.
Rating Team Volunteers
Looking for volunteers for the Rating Team.
Any Regional scorekeeper who would like to donate a half
day (or more) here or there, please contact Debbie Reed, our Fellowship
Committee Chairman (address, etc. below) and/or plan to attend a Raters
Meeting, held from 11:00 am - 12:00 noon at each of the clinic sites and
dates listed elsewhere in this issue.
Other Volunteer Positions Available
I am also looking for help with reviewing
scoresheets after tournaments. This will involve checking for obvious errors,
non-certified scorekeepers etc., as well as sending follow-up form letters
as applicable. If you would like to help, please let me know. The more
volunteers we get, the fewer sheets each person must review.
National News
US Open Championships will be held next year
in San Jose, CA. If anyone is interested in becoming a
National Scorekeeper candidate for 1999, please let me know. However,
before raising your hand, please
understand that becoming a National Scorekeeper is not a trivial matter.
Anyone interested must not only prove their competence through keeping
score during matches, but must also show their commitment to the region’s
scorekeeping program by serving on the Rating Team and serving as a non-playing
scorekeeper at the Regional Championships, or other volunteer position.
Important Names and Numbers
Dixie Collins : Recertification Assistant
6321 Fallingbrook Drive, Burke, VA 22015
(703) 323-5283
Debbie Reed : Fellowship Committee Chair
1311 Aintree Rd, Towson, MD 21286
(410) 825-2849
Sue Wainio-Oato : Scorekeeper Chair
3605 Turbridge Drive, Burtonsville, MD 20866
Sue.Wainio-Oato@Toro.com
(301) 890-7229 (301) 890-6583 fax
|
