Sand-Bagging - 2008/03/31 14:07
Seem to be a lot of SAND-BAGGERS in the ADV MASTERS division of the Masters Cup. What is it with that? Do you just wake up one day, and say to yourself “I want to be a sand-bagger when I grow up”? Or are you driven to it by years of torment? How many 1st place trophies does one need before advancing to the next level? There was a guy at the Otter Open who had a 955 rating, and 18 first place trophies, but he signed up as an Adv. Master. He has played as pro, in the past, but didn’t accept the cash. (Dirt-bag rhymes with sand-bag, doncha know?) Really, guys, if your rating is over 935, you shouldn’t be playing AM Master. That’s what the PDGA says, but they don’t seem to enforce it. Anyway…I feel better now.
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James Brennan
Grand
Re:Sand-Bagging - Not - 2008/04/01 08:15
Everett:
You seem to be a bit confused or uninformed about ratings and how they affect divisional qualifications. Not only are all the players currently registered for Adv. Masters completely within their rights to play that division based on the PDGA guidelines, none of them are even over 950. The actual suggested cutoff for Advanced divisions for 2008 is 970. Are you aware of the divisional ratings changes for 2008? If the guys in the 940s are worrying you, then play MA2 or MA3. MA3 is where your rating actually places you this year based on PDGA guidelines. Playing two divisions above your rating, while commendable from a competition perspective, should bar you from valid shouts of "bagger".
P.P.S. That guy you mention from the Otter Open didn't win, did he? Second? No. Third?... get the point?
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Everett Lyons
Master
Re:Sand-Bagging - Not - 2008/04/01 08:51
sure. I read that. Look at the bottom of the page "pros playing am". it says "requirement <935".
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James Brennan
Grand
Re:Sand-Bagging - 2008/04/01 11:46
These guys are not necessarily "pros playing Am". Of the players entered into MM1 for Masters Cup who are >935 rated, only one of them has played as "Pro" and he didn't "cash". It's more like "testing the waters" than actually being a "Pro" as far as I'm concerned.
For the PDGA requirement to which you're referring to even come into play, they must have accepted cash.
You wrote: "if your rating is over 935, you shouldn’t be playing AM Master".
I'm saying that's not a correct interpretation of what the guidelines mean.
While I do understand where you're coming from, I just don't see the sandbagging of which you speak. If any of these guys were rated over 955, I think you may have a point that, while technically the PDGA ratings rules do allow them to play in MM1, it's probably time to "step up", play with the big boys, and let someone else have a chance, but playing MM1 with a rating of 946 is simply not sandbagging. I hate sandbagging as much as the next guy, but yours is a "cry of wolf", imo.
The guy you mention from the Otter Open, btw, is a rather peculiar fellow in many respects and should not be used as an example. He seems to be all over the divisional board. Even still, he didn't win or even place. You know as well as I do who did that.
If any of these guys win the Masters Cup, we can shout "BAGGER" at them together when they accept the award, but I really don't think they are. I think they've just been "testing the waters".
- JPB
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Scott Kendall
Legend
Re:Sand-Bagging bastiches - 2008/04/03 15:09
I would like to commend Ruben for stepping up to Pro after only 3 years?, it's where he belongs, where he has a CHANCE, not a guarantee, just a chance. Right-On Rube! That goes for Bill Sherman as well, GO BILL! way to step up!
Guidelines are to help you understand the spirit of the divisions. Competition demands you step up when it's time, if you don't, WHY ARE YOU COMPETING?
There are ONLY two masters divisions, Advanced, and OPEN
If you are placing in Advanced, you will probably place in OPEN.
RESPECT the SPORT (if not yourself) - Play in the appropriate division.
Playing BELOW where you should only limits the growth of this sport by disc-ouraging newer players from competing and keeping the Open pool smaller with less money in it.
What other sport allows you to "test the waters"? and if you don't win the first time out you GO BACK? LOL that is a joke in any other "age protected" sport unless you get injured.
Burn your ships gentlemen....(or just play REC, you will kick ASS!)
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