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May/June 2008 Featuring wise words and advice from one of Arizona’s most visible dart icons, Mike Bates. If you’d like to pose a question to Mike for publishing, please email us at editor@themedallion.net Q: What’s up with the dart players? They don’t go out like they used to. It’s time for Vegas and no one shows up to anything. The Stinger’s turnout featured 24 players! What is your idea? Where did they all go? Will it ever be big again? Signed, Tyler Every tournament I have heard of lately has been down for awhile. Is it the smoking ban? I think not. Most places have built patio’s or at least done something to consider the smokers. Is it the tough DUI laws? Maybe a little, but how do you explain some days with 50 shooters and others with just 14? It can hurt a little, I know everyone is being a little more careful and that is great. As we enter the spring and into the summer months, players are doing other things; traveling on weekends, etc. But I feel the main reason for the slow down is the economy. I know lots of people have lost jobs and it is ridiculous how many houses have been foreclosed on. When money is tight, people stay home more. You can’t hit every tournament if you are worried about money. You also have many things coming up. You mentioned NDA Vegas. That is a huge expense, especially if you stay for the whole week. In years past, if you didn’t book a room by December, you would have to call every week to see if someone canceled. I got my room two weeks ago with no problems and the rate was lower than ever. That tells me AZ isn’t the only state with all these problems. You also have the Bullshooter coming up with a couple of big steel shoots, Medalist Nationals and the Desert Classic in Laughlin. Lots of events means lots of expenses. The bars are going both ways on this. Some have raised prices to compensate and others have lowered them to ridiculous levels. I don’t think anyone knows exactly how to handle what is going on, but I hope it gets better soon. Thanks for the question and as usual, I may be wrong, but I doubt it.
April 2008 Mike, I heard you have been playing soft tip darts since the beginning, what changes or differences are there today as opposed to then? Since the beginning? Wow, that would make me old. Not sure about since the beginning, but close. The biggest difference in the players is that the percentage of top players is unbelievable compared to 1980s. We played with six people on a team. Most teams had their top guy, a couple real good players, a couple medium range and one-less than-average player. You would set your lineup so your best played their three best and so on. We only played 301, so a match could be over in 45 minutes playing 18 games. If you tied 9–9, your best player would play their best player for the win. With the win came the money. Before each match every player would put in $3, making the win worth $36 total. Winning team took the cash. You could split it up or save it. We would put it in the safe at the Benchwarmer until the end of the year. You played 18 weeks with four weeks of playoffs, so you would have a lot of cash if you won most of the time, and have a great payout at the end of the season. Everyone played leagues. In just the Tuesday night league there were 120 teams – when you won the championship, you truly earned it. If you were a top player, everyone knew you; they would try to find you and challenge you. We would spend Saturdays going from bar to bar looking for players to play for money. What is strange is that even average players would play for $20 at the drop of a hat. They would lose $100 or $200, no problem. If someone challenged you to a money game it was for $100 a man or $200. We would do a race to five games. Now $5 games are hard to come by. There also weren’t many soft tip tournaments, maybe one every two months. The first big one I remember was a $1,000 shoot at MacArthur Park on 19th Ave. and Peoria. After that, the Golden Spike on Cave Creek did a Thursday shoot and all the good players would show up. All of a sudden tournaments were everywhere and the rest is history. I will say, there was more etiquette back in the day. For the most part, the players respected the game and the other players. Not always the case in today’s world. Just my thoughts and I may be wrong, but I doubt it. Please direct your questions to Mike at: dartmasterinc@qwest.net
March 2008 Mike, I know there are some great dart stores in the Valley, but Wal-Mart and others have stuff really cheap, why not go there? Ninety percent of the time, I would say you get what you pay for! For a while, Wal-Mart was trying to go in the right direction with some of its products, but then went back to the stuff made in China. Stores in our area, like Shoot the Bull, Phase II and Dart Force, have a much larger selection and people who are knowledgeable about the sport. You can take the darts out of the case, look them over and throw them, or at least see how they feel. They all carry the top brands from the USA and around the world. I have always been a buy American guy, but I also feel we should support our Arizona dart stores as well. You have great people like Ken and Barb at Phase II, Jeff at Shoot the Bull, and Patti at Dart Force, who not only cater to the dart players, but also back the dart players with ads in the papers, sponsorship of the AZ Open, and in a lot of other great ways. If there is a charity event, these three local establishments are the first to donate things for raffles and help in any way possible. This is their business, and they are our friends. I guarantee that if you ask any one of them for something specific, they will get it or help you find it somewhere else. The large stores can buy 5,000 dart boards and put six in every store and sell them cheap. Our local places can’t compete in quantity, but you have to consider the human aspect you don’t get at any of the large stores. Ask one employee which darts are better for you and see their response. I have seen guys throw for hours at Shoot the Bull trying to find the right set of darts, with the right flights and the right shafts. That won’t happen at the large chain stores. You also will not find great American made darts like the Bottelsen or Lazer Dart lines. What you will find is cheap darts at a low price that are made in China. With the economy suffering, we need to stay loyal to all our local businesses, in every aspect. Support for our dart establishments, dart suppliers and all Arizona businesses is very important. I know that buying online can save you a few pennies, and buying out of someone’s car saves the hassle of going to the dart stores, but let’s make sure the local places are there for us when we need them. Let’s ride this brutal economy out together, and hopefully we are all still around when things pick up again. Buy local, Buy American, buy Arizona. If this sounds like an ad for these great dart stores, so be it. They have come through for us, now let’s come through for them. By the way, with darts and everything else on a downward trend, all three of these businesses have already stepped up with sponsorships and donations for your AZ Open in March. These are my opinions and I may be wrong, but not this time. Please direct your questions to Mike at:
February 2008 will be back next month! Please direct your questions to
January 2008 Mike, what is the history behind the Don Henson tournament? This is a special subject for me. It starts with Don Henson, a great man and a great friend to many. For those that didn’t know Don and wonder why we would do a tournament in his honor, here are some reasons. Don was a special person; he never had a bad word to say about anyone. For those of us who knew him, we learned a lot from him. He was the gentleman of darts. He never complained about a draw, he never gave up on a game or his partner, and he always shook your hand after the match. Don was also a great player, but made sure every partner he had felt comfortable. Every year, we present someone with the Don Henson Award, and it goes to a player who represents Class, Dignity, and Sportsmanship, because that is what Don was about. Was Don competitive? You bet he was. Did he like losing? No way. Did he understand you don’t win every time? Yes he did. He was a “Class Act” and I was proud to be his friend. Don had a presence about him that made him someone you would look up to. His famous touch on your back seemed to make everything all right. He was a quiet leader who never wanted the spotlight. Don loved great darts, and when he wasn’t playing in a match at a tournament, he was usually watching his friends play and encouraging them. Don passed away while most of his friends were in Vegas for the NDA tournament. Knowing Don, he did this so he wouldn’t make people go out of their way for him. When he was diagnosed with Leukemia and was in John C. Lincoln hospital, I remember talking with Don and saying to him, “Don you are such a good person, why would this happen to you?” His response was, “Better me than one of my friends.” Don was a mentor to many of Arizona’s greatest dart players in the 80s and early 90s. Players like John Gray, Brad Halley, and Richie Finn all played with Don and learned from him. Don never wanted a “Memorial Tournament”, so we named the tournament “The Don Henson ‘Class’ic”. The tournament is a celebration of his life and how he touched all of us and continues to be a part of our lives. We need this reminder to tell us that darts is just a game, and the friendships we make and the great times we have are what matters most. I encourage every dart player to come out, even if you didn’t know Don, you may learn something from the people who did. With the holiday season winding down and the New Year before us, we need events like the Don Henson “Class”ic to remind us to look in the mirror and remember to have fun playing the game we all love. These are just my thoughts and words and I may be wrong, but I doubt it. Happy New Year to ALL! Please direct your questions to Mike at:
December 2007 Q: Mike, how do you make the rules in the Masters League? I heard there is a committee. Is there a committee, and if so, what do they do? A: Actually, I just make up the rules as we go along, making sure any decision benefits my team or my best buddie’s teams. NOT!! That is the craziness I have heard. The committee, including myself, makes rules and decisions based on what is best for the league, not any team or individual. It is pretty funny when someone tries to tell me what the rule is in the Masters League. Most of the time they are wrong. We are now in our 18th year and 43rd season; we have pretty much covered everything you can think of. We have seven members on the committee, and we meet before each league, if needed, to go over anything that may have come up in the prior season. If we need to tweak a rule, we do. If we have to vote on a player who has had problems, we do that as well. We don’t just meet have some drinks and say, “Mike you make the rules and we will agree.” We have had some long conversations on rules, players, locations, etc. After the discussion, we vote; it is hardly ever unanimous. What we do agree too is that the decisions made by the majority of the committee will be final and we all will back it, even if we were on the other side of the vote. We can’t have a committee member going out after the vote and telling people who voted on what. We are united in the decisions and that keeps the league from being divided. Our Masters League is talked about all over the country. It is the strongest league in the country, even when several top players sit out; the league is the best around. Players in other places around the country have to drive three, four, even five hours to just play against some good competition. Most of our Masters players are within 45 minutes at the most. Most of the problems or questions that come up are about subs. One important rule that many people get confused on is that a lot of players think the opposing captain has to approve of the sub. This is NOT THE CASE! If a sub is lower than or equal to the player he is subbing for, no approval is needed. It is however, a good idea to let the opposing captain know as a courtesy. If a player is within .30 of the regular player, he is a legitimate sub. We do have players who at the beginning of the season who can only sub for captains. Does the committee vote on everything, subs, etc? No. If the rule is in place and the captain calls me, we don’t need seven calls or emails, especially at 6pm on league night. Bottom line is: right or wrong, we make the decisions for the league based on what is best for the league. And remember, this is the Masters League, not level 3 – any player can shoot a 4.0 and 30 ppd on any given night. These are just my thoughts and I may be wrong, but not this time…
November 2007 Q: Mike, could you explain to me what you think a tournament director’s job includes or does not include? I have been arguing with a couple buddies about this. A: Thanks for the question. We have covered TD’s before, but never really their job. October 2007
Q: Mike, I am sure you have addressed this before, but it seems more and more dart players are pointing excessively, is this necessary and what are your thoughts?
September 2007 Mike, I heard you have been playing for 30 years and I know you have 41 straight Masters Seasons, yet you still seem to love to play. How do you keep from getting burned out? I play almost every night and sometimes I don't feel like playing. Actually it is 27 years of playing… I do love the game and I can honestly say I have never played a Masters League game not wanting to be there. I have played 407 out of 410 weeks over 17 years and can't wait to play number 408. Win or lose, I love the competition. I love the fact that every single game is different; you can throw a 21.8 and come back with a 41.3. I also like the guys I play with and the guys I play against. I like hanging out playing warm-ups and playing money games afterwards. My wife, Julie, thinks I hate coming home; that isn't it at all. I just like to have fun. Mondays are my night out during the week to play darts. I look forward to it all the time. I also usually play one tourney a week, which may be why I don't get burnt out. When I first started playing, I played nearly every night. I couldn't get enough, but I also played softball, basketball and chased women (I was single). I got home, ate dinner, and was at the bar to play darts at 6pm. If I had league, we were done by 9pm and would try to get money games going. Not like today, where $5 scares everyone; I mean $200-a-person with a race to 5 or $100-a-person, best of 7. It was crazy, but lots of guys would play. If no games were going, it was to the club to chase the women. After basketball or softball games, we would head to the Benchwarmer to play darts. Throw some darts and go bowling, throw some darts and head to the dog track, throw darts and play league. It was a great time. I would like to play more, but I have grown up just a little and have other responsibilities. But when I can, you know I will be there to toss a few back and smack some bullseyes. I know players start taking time off and their darts aren't as good, then they pressure themselves to play like they used to and that never works. So they end up not playing anymore. I would suggest backing off a few leagues or tournaments until you get the itch back. The worst thing is to get burnt out so bad that you can't get it back. Hope I gave you some good information. Again, I may be wrong, but I doubt it. You may submit your questions to Mike anonymously if you'd like, or include your name. We may just publish your question and answer in the next issue of the Medallion! Please direct your questions to Mike at: dartmasterinc@qwest.net Mike at work: (623) 847-2077 Mike's Fax: (623) 847-2377
August 2007 Mike, I have gotten a lot better in darts lately and want to play in more tournaments like Laughlin, Vegas, etc. How do I pick First, you have to get someone who is in a similar level as yourself. You don't want to feel like someone is carrying you. It may happen, but you don't want it to be before a dart is thrown – that just puts pressure on you. Also ask someone who is reliable and will show up. Several times in big tournaments I have seen guys not show for one reason or another. If you don't know them that well, ask around and see if there is any previous events that may keep you from asking that player. I have seen guys go to Laughlin, lose all their money the first night and head home, leaving their partners in the cold. I have seen guys get so hammered they couldn't wake up to get to the match the next day. I have also seen teams and players waiting for guys to show who never did. So be careful in that respect. Next, you need someone that you feel comfortable playing with. There are some great players that I just can't play with because of their strategy or style of play. If you hate when people tell you what to shoot at, don't get someone who can't shut up. The worst thing for me is having in my mind what to shoot and getting to the line and you hear, “All trip 20's.” Two things – either it is the obvious shot that even a beginner knows, and you're thinking, “Does he think I am a moron or what?” Or you were going 19's and now your train of thought is gone. If you get someone like that, before you go to the line ask them what they think. If you agree, shoot it. If not tell them I want to shoot this, and do it, unless their idea makes more sense. You should always communicate as partners, but not when one of the players is at the line. Get a partner who doesn't get down on you or themselves. If every time you miss, he is shaking his head, you will know. The last thing would be to get someone you like. I have heard players say so many times, “I don't even like him or her, I don't know why I am playing with them.” It is not always the best player that makes the best partner. It is the best player you feel comfortable playing with. Good luck. These are just my thoughts and I may be wrong, but I doubt it… You may submit your questions to Mike anonymously if you'd like, or include your name. We may just publish your question and answer in the next issue of the Medallion! Please direct your questions to Mike at: dartmasterinc@qwest.net Mike at work: (623) 847-2077 Mike's Fax: (623) 847-2377
July 2007 Mike, what has happened to darts over the last few months in the Phoenix area? Are they down because of the new smoking law, or do you see some other reason or reasons? I wish I could answer that for sure, but there is no way of knowing unless we poll a lot of darters. Do I think the smoking ban has hurt bars? Absolutely; but darts in general, I don't think so. The real test will come in the fall and next spring when leagues and tournaments are normally the busiest. Right now, some reasons include: 1) The heat. I have heard so many people say they worked all day in the heat, or did stuff in the heat and are worn out. Many stay home and rest, sleep or cool off. 2) Vacations. This goes with No. 1 as well. People take their families on vacation, go up north for the weekend, head to San Diego for a few days, go party in Mexico as well as lots of other things. 3) Kids are out of school and you can do more stuff during the week that you can't do when they have to get up the next day. 4) Work. I know a lot of businesses that change their hours to get workers in earlier to beat the heat. It is hard to play darts until midnight or later and then get up at 4:30am to get to work. 5) Time off from darts. Lots of players also take off time in the summer. In years past, the NDA, Medalist and Bullshooter tournaments were all in May. After all those, you need a break, even if you only went to one of them. 6) Holidays and get-togethers. You have Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day, all in the summer months. People plan things around these holidays, like parties, barbecues, etc. They hang by the pool with friends and family. In the dart community, we all know that players bring players. (No, Yogi didn't say that, I did). Bob calls Jim, “Are you going to play tonight?” Jim is too tired; Bob calls Tom, Tom has work to do; Bob calls Mike, Mike is coaching softball… Bob stays home. Brad calls Bob and wants to know if he is going and he says, no, everyone is doing other stuff, so Brad stays home too. It works the other way as well; it should be known as the “Scooter Law”. Scooter has a knack for trying to get guys to tournaments by name-dropping. It usually works and gets a lot of people out playing. Scooter says, “You coming tonight?” Dick says, “I might… have you heard of anyone going?” Scooter says, “Yeah, Mac's going, Mike's going, Jay's going, and they are calling other guys to go.” So Dick goes and no one shows. (I know that rhymes.) You get the idea. People show up when people are going to be there. I have received calls over the years saying, “If you don't go, no one will go.” That is crazy! I, too, have a life away from darts and have things I must do. So get out and help these bars if you can and when you can. Let's get out and play some darts. These are just my opinions and I may be wrong, but I doubt it… You may submit your questions to Mike anonymously if you'd like, or include your name. We may just publish your question and answer in the next issue of the Medallion! Please direct your questions to Mike at: dartmasterinc@qwest.net Mike at work: (623) 847-2077 Mike's Fax: (623) 847-2377
June 2007 Q: Mike, I think I am a solid Masters player, but I seem to get passed up, when players put teams or doubles together for big tournaments, like NDA, Medalist and Laughlin. What are your thoughts? I have been around a while and players know me, so what is the problem? A: Maybe that is the problem, they know you! Just kidding, and I understand why there was no name to this fax. But I guess I can do something general. First of all, I have heard this from other players. “No one asks me to play,” “No one wants to play with me.” I ask them, have you asked anyone to play? Their answer is usually no. So first, don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself because no one asks you. You have a mouth, use it. They can only say no! Then move on to the next guy or team. You will find a fit, but not unless you look. If you are getting a lot of “No thanks”, “Sorry I am going to ask Mario,” etc, then look in the mirror. If it doesn't break, ask yourself a few questions:
• Am I a team player? • Do I show up on time ready to shoot? • Do I follow through on my commitments? • Would I want to play with me?
If you answer “No” to any of those, then there is your reason. I have gone to NDA for 17 years in a row, Laughlin for 10 years in a row, and various other big events. I would rather play with a lower rated player that I know will show up, won't ever give up and will try his best no matter what. I have shot like crap at times and shot over my head at times. We have all done it. It happens, even to the best players. Everyone has a bad day or bad week; heck some have bad years, and others are just plain bad. But they show up on time, give everything they have, and respect the game and their opponents. OK, so maybe you are a great guy or gal; show up early, play well, play team darts, and you would like to play with you (Okay, stop it). Well, if that is the case, people would be begging you to play. So re-check some of the above questions. Maybe you drink too much, goof around too much, or are annoying. If so, stop it or continue to get overlooked. If none of those apply either, then you must not be as good as you think! These are just my opinions and I may be wrong, but I doubt it. You may submit your questions to Mike anonymously if you'd like, or include your name. We may just publish your question and answer in the next issue of the Medallion! Please direct your questions to Mike at: dartmasterinc@qwest.net Mike at work: (623) 847-2077 Mike's Fax: (623) 847-2377
May 2007 Mike, why do beginning dart players pay $25 to play in $2,000 guaranteed tournament?
I don't know, next question… Just kidding... I probably don't know, but I will try to look at this objectively and from both sides. First, unless it states a player must be a certain rank to play, anyone is welcome to enter a tournament. Is it crazy for them to pay $20 or $25 to play? I think so. Now here is why I say that. If a beginning player draws the best player in the place, do they have a shot to win? Back in the day, maybe; in Nebraska , maybe; in Arizona , no way… You don't have a shot of winning, and getting in the money will be nearly as tough. We have too many good shooters for that to happen. We have too many up-and-coming players to let that happen. We have too many average players who play better in tournaments to let that happen. It won't happen, so don't argue. Yes, at Joe Smoze Bar & Grill's $5 shoot it is a possibility; in a $2,000 shoot, sorry, no way. It is about as likely to happen as that one hot place has of freezing over. I saw this happen to a player at the last $2,000 tourney: he hit 8 out of 9 bullseyes in 01 and shot a 6.5 in Cricket with two nine marks in the game, and lost two straight. OK, you get my point. I think it is great for beginning players to play in tournaments – just start with the little local ones and move up as you get better. I have heard of at least three people in the last month who chose a big tournament to get their feet wet. I am a firm believer in a blind draw – you get who you get, but come on! There are also lower rated players who get in these tournaments and you could argue that they shouldn't be in as well, but at least they have experience. Now, trying to look from the other side of things... I am a beginner and I play at home and I beat my buddies. I see a big tournament and know lots of good players will be there. I can gain experience and possibly learn from a top shooter. I don't care about the money or winning, I just want to see what this is like. Ok, you make some points, but are they valid? I say, of course they are, NOT… Go and watch a big tournament. Watch the players play, and not just the best players. Watch the average players, watch some of the good lady shooters; can You hang with them? If you think so, go ask them to play a game or two. If you win one out of ten, go practice and try out a small tournament; see how you do. The scariest words your partner can hear are, “This is my first tournament.” As a beginning player or lower player, you must look at a couple things. Most of the players who play in big events are there early and have about 20 games of practice under their belts. They practice at home, play in leagues and work on their games to get better. They get you as a partner and their game now changes, their attitude changes and they must now grab the movie section and see what movies are playing that night. Having said all this, if it isn't for a lot of lower Players getting in these events we wouldn't have $2,600 payouts. These are just my opinions and I could be wrong, but I doubt it… Good luck at NDA… You may submit your questions to Mike anonymously if you'd like, or include your name. We may just publish your question and answer in the next issue of the Medallion! Please direct your questions to Mike at: dartmasterinc@qwest.net Mike at work: (623) 847-2077 Mike's Fax: (623) 847-2377
April 2007 I have had the pleasure of playing darts for 15 months now and I absolutely love the game and people you can meet. I am in my first season of Masters and I have felt that the Masters always set the example and shows the new players what the game is about. I have been disappointed with the lack of respect for the game and sportsmanship involved from some of the players. When I bring it up I am told, “It is because the competition is tougher and we care more.” What do you think the game is all about, and should the senior players hold themselves to a higher standard? I am here today because of players like Tom McCartney, Lucky, Kix, Pete, Dave, Pat and numerous others who took time with me to teach the game, and they teach that there is more to the game than throwing good darts. Your thoughts? Gary Erwin
Gary , Good question, but a little vague; I am not sure who you are talking about – Masters A players, Masters B, or other players. It appears to be the top players, so here goes. First, some of the guys you have named above are the biggest offenders. When they are having fun and winning, everything is great; when they aren't, a different side comes out. Not all of them, but some. The Masters league is more competitive than any other. Besides playing for a lot of money, it is an honor to be first in the league. Being the best of the best is pretty cool. Does that mean they should throw sportsmanship out the window? Heck no. I have refused to shake someone's hand because I was a bad sport after a match. However, I have had players not shake mine when I offered it. I am as competitive as anyone, and if you do something I don't think is appropriate I will let you know. After the match, it is over – shake hands and move on. I take the game serious, but I also have fun. When the game isn't fun for me, that is when I will quit. When you say a lack of respect for the game, I don't know what you mean. Do they point excessively? Do they talk when you are shooting? There are leagues in which you go grab a couple buddies, get drunk, throw some darts and have some fun. The Masters league is not that league. Most of the guys prepare for Monday night; they get there early, practice ahead of time, and want to do their best. It is tough to win and many of us take it more seriously than a Friday open blind draw. I'll be honest, I expect my teammates to be there early and be ready to play when the match starts. There are very few players who can walk in and be at the top of their games. Having said all the above, the “senior players” as you call them, or us, should definitely set the example. Unfortunately some of the top players are the biggest offenders. That doesn't mean you have to be a choirboy; play the game to win, respect your opponent, and when it is over shake hands and move on. We all got Masters' 40th season shirts this season, you should wear it with pride, knowing that for 16 years and 40 seasons, many great players have paved the way for you to become a better dart player. The bars sponsor us by putting in money, contributing to the shirts and putting money into tournaments. Respect the other people who are in the bar. At most of the bars, we have eight players there on Monday nights. There may be 50 other people who don't need to see arguments, cussing and rude conduct. My advice would be to treat the bar, the game, and the equipment like you own it. If you owned the board would you kick it or punch it? If you owned the bar would you be arguing, fighting or cussing loudly? I doubt it. What the “senior players” should realize is that the newer players do look up to them and watch their actions. I have heard players say, “I don't want to get real good If I am going to act like those guys”. They are 100% right! I take pride in the Masters league, and all the players in it should as well. It is the best league in the country and the players should act appropriately. One other note I would like to touch on is that you are playing a competitive sport; and that means it is intense. I have no problem addressing someone if I feel they are disrespecting me, my team or the game. If I have a 100-point lead on you, am three numbers ahead with two bulls to win, and I hit a trip 20 first and then close the game, you should have a problem with that. I do. And I don't want to hear guys say it wasn't a stat shot, it is. Any Dart at that point that isn't at the bull is either stupid or a stat shot. I was born on a Friday, but not last Friday. In baseball, if you are up 9-0 in the last inning and you steal a base, your batter is going to get one up around his chin. You can't really retaliate in darts; most players try to do the same thing and end up losing worse. Play your game, pummel them, and maybe next time they won't do it. Hope this helps: don't take all comments personal… I don't. I may be wrong, but I don't think so.
Reader responds to March Ask Mike I would like to make a few comments about last months “Ask Mike” column. Though Mike hasn't been a Medalist player for at least ten years now, he supports me in my efforts to help Medalist leagues, although he is a strong promoter of NDA. So as both a Medalist and NDA player, I would like to add my opinions on why NDA is bigger than Medalist in the Phoenix area. The first subject Mike wrote about was the league payouts. The average league fees for NDA are $50-65 greater than Medalist leagues, excluding Masters' leagues. So if you get $130 at the end of your NDA season, you really only made $65. Compare that to Medalist, where you pay $15 for a league and you get $90 for a payout – you have made $75. I know these figures depend on the size of the division and number of players, but it will always come out about the same in the end. I have placed first and have been extremely happy with the payout, and I have also won and been really disappointed. The only exception is the Masters league, where the payout has always been a step ahead of the rest. In the end, the money is great no matter how you do the math. Mike also spoke of the payouts for Vegas being higher with Medalist. I have heard many reasons why this is the case. Some make sense, some do not. As a dart player, does it matter where the money came from as long as it is there? Does it make sense to play NDA in Vegas for seven days only to get your gas money back? Now, aside from the money, I do like the fact that NDA is a little more relaxed on some rules, like the dress code, which makes you more comfortable while you are playing. So, Medalist has a shorter tournament with a bigger payout and NDA had a longer tournament with a more relaxed environment. You decide. Now for the big one: Sandbagging. Medalist and NDA both have problems with this and I think they both are doing a great job to control it. NDA has the Masters league here in Phoenix , and as Mike said, you cannot sandbag and get picked again. I would like to see Medalist put something similar into place to help with this. Sandbagging is something that will hurt any league, and no matter what league you play you should shoot your best every time you get to the line. In the end, I do think Mike said it best. There is a place for you somewhere, no matter what your skill level is. I think every league is set up on the basis of hanging with your friends, having fun and hopefully getting some cash back in the end. Support one or support them all , just play somewhere . Kenny Wright
March 2007 Q: Mike, why is NDA more popular than Medalist in the Phoenix area?A: Good question (that I should avoid,) but here goes. First, the NDA has been in the Phoenix area since 1988, which was years ahead of Medalist. There are also more NDA operators than Medalist. The NDA system was in place long before Medalist, and when people get used to something it is hard to change. There are still steel-tip shooters who refuse to play soft-tip because it is not “real darts.” Now here is what I feel is the big difference. The vendors that run the NDA leagues pay out more money for leagues. Most pay everyone in the league. The league fees, bar sponsor money, and even some added money gets paid out three or four times a year. Since most of the players do not travel and are average dart shooters this is the league to play in. I believe Medalist is set up for the big money at the big tournament. I also believe this is the reason that most of the Medalist players in Arizona are higher-rated players. Most also play both. The lower-rated players don't want to play league and win nothing, then have to travel out of state to get any money. I hear it all the time, that Medalist pays out way better than NDA. Of course, the payouts are higher, the fees are higher for the operators, and the league money goes to the main tournament. If they paid out every season it would be a different story. Now here is where I get into trouble... Because all the ratings are in place, you have more sandbagging going on in Medalist's leagues. I know they have worked very hard to police this, but in the past especially, it was on a huge scale. I knew players that would carry around cards that would tell them what to shoot to keep their average down. I know players who have played one Medalist league, got a low rating, went to the main tournament, and won thousands of dollars. Sure they got bumped up, but they were so low it didn't matter. It is not just Medalist either. NDA has their share of sandbaggers as well, but at least in our area, I don't know any players who sandbag for the NDA event. Because the league is just a formality in Medalist, you don't have to shoot your best. Keep your average down and get the big money at the main tournament. In our Masters league, which is an NDA league, you are playing for a lot of money, not to mention bragging rights. You can't sandbag or you won't get picked next season. You have to shoot your best every time. Now, does that mean everyone who plays Medalist is a sandbagger? Of course not. We have some great players who are very high rated that shoot as good as they can and have had great success and won lots of money. But there are lots more average shooters or players that shoot great but are just playing leagues to have fun. PDI Darts, Tag Darts, Northern Darts and Troy Vending have lots of leagues for players who want to have fun with their friends, shoot some darts, pay their fees, and in the end, win some cash back. The great option for these players is that they also have the option to go to NDA and shoot with players of their level. All these leagues have been in place for many years before Medalist was in the Valley. They enjoy it, and some things are hard to change. In closing, both NDA and Medalist have good and bad sides. Choose the one that fits you best and play it, or play both. Just have a good time and shoot your best… These are just my opinions and I may be wrong, but I doubt it... Everything we offer is on our Web site, and you can check it all out at www.stardust-country.com. In the mean time, come on in, have a drink and a good time. We can't wait to meet you!
February 2007 Q: Mike, why do you think some bars have bigger turnouts for their tournaments, even though they don't have a better setup?A: Good question, and I don't think it has been asked before. Here goes. If I knew the answer for sure, I could sell my services to the bars that aren't getting the turnout. But here are some things I think affect it. First the bar owner or manager. We have some great bar owners who I really feel care about the players. You have Randy (formerly owner of Stardust and now Jimbo's), Dale and Dana of Stingers, JR the manager from Six shooters, Pam from My Ole Mans, and many more. If the players feel you want them there, they will come. Sure, if you put up the money you usually get a big crowd, but I feel most dart players have some loyalty to certain locations as well. I think that makes the biggest difference. If they are around making sure things go well, the players notice this. They don't have to be buying drinks for everyone, but just being there and mingling is enough. Sheila, formerly owner of The Bar was great, because she was always around and had a great time at her events. She made things fun for all. Joe at Joe's Grotto seems to live there, and takes an interest in all that goes on. Players and other patrons really notice this. A good tournament director can make or break a bar as well. Just the mere thought that things aren't on the up and up and you will lose lots of players. Start as close to on time as possible, treat the players with respect, and they will do the same (most of the time). You don't have to speed through the tournament, but run it in a timely fashion. If you have 10 teams, take a little time. If you have 50, get 'er done. You can run a tournament too slow, but you can also run it too fast. I was at a tournament not long ago; we lost our first match and played seven more in a row, without a break. I felt like I was running a race; it was a workout. If you mess up the draw or something, be honest, don't try to hide it. If there is a simple solution, fix it. If not, no one is perfect, so do it over. Next, have good equipment; every machine breaks at one time or another, but sometimes it is ridiculous. If you are having a big tournament, check out the boards beforehand. It will save you trouble later. And the fourth reason some go well and others fail is – the service. Yes the service… Have enough people to handle the crowd. Not just their buddies, but everyone. Not just the guys if you're a lady, and not just the ladies if you're a guy – everyone. I will see waitresses give guys their drinks even if a lady order hers first. You need everyone there. Ok, the girl is crabby and the guy tips more. Well, guess what, neither one will be there next time if you don't take care of her. Most guys will go anywhere to play darts. So take care of the ladies and they will bring the guys. In recapping: Have an owner who cares and is there; have a good TD who makes things run smoothly and respects the players; make sure your equipment is in working order, and have enough staff on hand to handle the crowd. The money added helps as well. If these aren't the answers, I don't know the answer, which I doubt. These are just my opinions and I may be wrong, but I doubt it. On a sad note: Speaking of excellent bar owners, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mick, the owner of Champions. Although I hadn't seen him in a while, I have nothing but good memories of him and Champions. I know all the loyal Champions players and patrons will miss him dearly. He was an innovator in the dart world, always looking for new boards or something to make it better for the darters. My thoughts are with his family and friends; Mick, you will be missed. You may submit your questions to Mike anonymously if yo u'd like, or include your name. We may just publish your question and answer in the next issue of the Medallion! Please direct your questions to Mike at: dartmasterinc@qwest.net Mike at work: (623) 847-2077 Mike's Fax: (623) 847-2377
January 2007 Q: Mike, I heard that players (including you) and bar owners get upset when other bars run tournaments against theirs. Isn't that the idea? What if they don't know? A: Ok, good question I guess. I usually don't like to answer when you don't put down your name, but here goes. First, let me address your last part about them not knowing. Give me a break. Certain tournaments run all the time – Enoch's and Sixshooters on Saturday night, My Ole Mans Saturday afternoon, Cheers on Bell every third Friday, etc. You get it. Also when you run an ad in the Medallion about a tournament, you can ask what else is going on that day and Dawn will let you know. Even if you don't ask, she usually calls you back and lets you know. The bar owners know what's going on and when, or they can easily find out. So don't go with the, “What if we didn't know.” Pull your head out and find out. Next, I only get upset if I think someone is deliberately trying to wreck another tournament by doing a bigger event on the same day. Let's say Stinger's is doing a $1,000 tournament on Saturday the 15th, Sixshooters decides to do a $500 guaranteed added the same day, the same time. Is that smart? If you say yes, you're a moron. That is not the idea, to top another event and grab their players. What happens is, the dart players get divided. Some go to one place, some go to the other and some decide to avoid both because they like both places. So you get 28 at one, 34 at the other and the bars lose their you know what. The idea is to co-exist; you don't have to like the other place, but trying to ruin his event with yours is wrong. Have it the next week and you both get 60 players or more. If there are four big tournaments a month, work with the others and I guarantee 1) the tournaments will be bigger and better, and 2) they will promote your event if you promote theirs. Weekly tournaments are different; players go where they like to go. But in the same instance, if you have three successful Friday night tournaments, why would you run a big event on a Friday unless you want to steal their players? I know this question originated because of the Toso's Friday event and my view on it. First, let me make a couple things clear, if I think something is wrong, I will tell you, whether you are my best friend or my worst enemy. I usually speak my mind. I also say my peace and we go on, have a beer or whatever. I have known Dave Dilettoso and his brother, Sam, for about 30 years. I went to Backtracks, Sidetracks, Big Daddy's North, when I could. Now Dave has Toso's, and I am sure I will go there as well. Do I consider Dave a friend? Yes! Would I like the bar to succeed? Of course! Do I think Dave makes all the right decisions, no! That is my opinion; he has a business to run and needs to make the decisions he deems necessary to succeed. He could probably care less what I think anyway. Regarding last month's Friday night fiasco, Dave and I have talked, I gave him my side, he gave me his, we have moved on. Life is too short to let things linger; say your say and move on… I hope most of the bars can get on the same page and we can have some great tournaments in the coming year. These are just my opinions, and I may be wrong, but I doubt it. I wish everyone and their families a great New Year… Stay safe… Mike Bates You may submit your questions to Mike anonymously if you'd like, or include your name. We may just publish your question and answer in the next issue of the Medallion! Please direct your questions to Mike at: dartmasterinc@qwest.net Mike at work: (623) 847-2077 Mike's Fax: (623) 847-2377
December 2006 Q: Mike, why should I go to the NDA tournament or the Medalist finals? I probably won't win, and I spend too much money. A: Is it all about winning or making money? For some it is, but for most it is about playing competitive darts and having a great time. Name me a hobby or leisure sport where you make more money than you put in. I don't think that there is one. I hear guys tell me how much money they make playing darts and most of it is B.S. No matter how many tournaments you play, it is so hard to make a profit. Those who tell you they do are usually on heroin. If you really consider your time, quarters, drinks, gas money, etc., are you really going to make lots of cash? I doubt it. Maybe on a weekend or at a major tournament you win, but think about all the times you don't win. Playing darts and going to major events is awesome. The great thing about darts is that you can go no matter how great you are. In some sports you have to qualify in city, state or regional to go to a major championship. Not in darts – you can be level 13 and still be a champion or compete against players at that level. You also meet players from all over the country and the world. I have friends (and enemies) from places in the USA and other countries. I met them playing darts in Vegas. I know people who have met in Vegas and have great friendships. You should go into a major out-of-state tournament as if it is a vacation. Go to have fun first and win second. Winning and making cash is just icing on the cake. Yes, your right, I go to win; but if I don't, it isn't the end of the world. I want to compete as well as possible – and live with the results. I don't look at it as a money thing. If I can't afford to go, I don't. Never go with your last money planning on winning because you beat Tommy last week in league. I know those who take their rent money and go to Vegas and lose and then borrow money to pay the rent. That is idiotic. The best thing about the afore-mentioned tournaments is that you are in Vegas! You can lose at darts and win at the machines or tables. Or, you can lose at both. Bottom line is, go to compete on a higher level against people you don't see every day, and test your skills, make friends, and have fun. Don't ever go with scared money or go only to win. I have great memories from big tournaments and they aren't always because of winning. These are just my opinions and I may be wrong, but I doubt it … Happy Holidays …
November 2006 Q: Mike, sometimes when I draw a top shooter, they treat me like I don't know how to play. I shoot almost a 3.0 and like to play my own game; what do you think about this? A: I can go a couple ways with this, so here goes. First of all, some of the top shooters are goofballs, to put it nicely. I guess they think that because they are good dart players, they have an open invitation to be arrogant, rude, loud and obnoxious to whomever they please. This is not the majority, but a few idiots give all the so-called “Masters Players” a bad name. Ninety percent of the top players and Master League players are good guys; they treat their partners and others with respect, as well as others (waitresses, bartenders, and cohorts). But all it takes are a few bad apples to sour players from participating in tournaments, going to certain bars, and wanting to play the better players and improve their games. This is not exactly your question, but it is in the same area. I am tired of it. These few need to grow up and act like adults; however, with some, this will never happen. Now, more about your question . . . Treating you like you don't know how to play is wrong, unless you show that you don't. You like to play your own game; well, I have news for you – it is a team game. Your own game is great in singles, but doesn't work in a team concept. Think of it this way – you and I are partners; I shoot near a 4.0, you shoot near a 3.0. You want to shoot first because you want to play your way. Is that smart? No, it isn't. I have drawn players who are very low shooters and they will say, “I'll start 501, you start Cricket.” Does that really make sense? I am not trying to be cool, but I should start – period. We are trying to win; yes, we are there to have fun, but we paid money, and winning is more fun than losing. When you are partners, you should communicate. Talk about the numbers you like, and those you don't. I like the player who tells me, “I can hit anything.” Oh yeah – that 2.0 tells me that! You have to be on the same page, and some players are smarter players than others. I play with many players better than me, and they ask me what to shoot at. We talk – who is up next, point or close, what number should I shoot to leave you an out you like, etc. What I am getting at is that you should put yourself in the “top player's” shoes once. He arrives, draws a 2.8 shooter who wants to shoot a trip-17 instead of bulls, wants to start, and tries to close 17 when you have 19 closed and are down 70 points. This can be frustrating. On the other hand, they should at least give their partner a shot and not have an attitude right off the bat. In closing – yes, some of the top players are also the top idiots. But most are great guys who want to play and want to help. However, it goes the same way with some of the lower players as well. Communicate, and your dart career will be much better. These are just my opinions and I may be wrong, but not this time . . .
October 2006 Mike, how do most people start playing darts; how did you start; and, I am 40 – is it too late too start now? It is never too late. I really can't answer how most people start playing darts; only from some of the people I know and myself. I think most of the players who started in the 80's and before had a parent who played. The parent had a practice board and the kids played; some stuck with it and some didn't. I know lots of guys who played pool first and then got into darts later. I believe Lucky Newbury started after he was 40, and he is still one of the top shooters around. I started when I was 25. We would go to the Benchwarmer after we got done playing softball or basketball and have a few beers. We were always creating games to see who would have to buy the next round. One night, there was a new electronic dart board in the bar with a cup of darts next to it. We decided we would all throw the 12 darts in the cup at the Bullseye, and whoever missed the most would have to buy the next round. I was hitting the bull on nearly every dart. After three or four times, a guy at the bar named Mike Allen said that his top player in league was gone and he needed a sub the next night. I said I can't play darts; he said, “Yes, you can – I just watched you hit about 40 out of 48 bulls – you can play darts.” Mike let me use his darts and showed me the game of 301. I went out the next day and bought a set of darts from Shoot the Bull. Josie, who owned it at the time, was not fond of plastic-tip darts and only had a small selection. She asked what weight or flights I wanted. I said I would take the blue darts with the Coors Light flights. She asked if I wanted to try them, and I said, “No, I've never played before so it wouldn't matter.” She shook her head and I was on my way. I won all three of my games that night, and only lost two games the whole rest of the season. We won the city championship and the rest is history. I wish I threw that good now! And it was so easy “back in the day.” I believe you can start anytime. Guys and ladies play into their sixties and are still competitive. If you're having fun, do it! It is different now than it was 20 years ago. Almost everyone started with steel-tip darts and moved to plastic later. I think most of the soft-tip players now started with soft-tip. Either way, darts is great and you should start now. We can always use more players. These are my stories and my opinions; I may be wrong, but I doubt it. . .
September 2006 You could probably write an article a month on TDs, good and bad; but many people have been asking about them lately, so here goes. What makes a great tournament director? Well, everyone complains about re-draws, so let's start there. Marty wrote a few months back about an excellently run tournament Joe did at My Ole Mans. Then I heard that the next week they had two or three re-draws. So, even top-notch TDs have problems. Is a re-draw really that bad? If there is a legitimate reason for it, why rag on the TD? People make mistakes; you can check all you want, but no one is perfect. A chip could have been missing, a player could have been skipped, or a number written down wrong. It is like a misdeal in cards. So what if you had a pair of kings? If it had been dealt right, you wouldn't have had them anyway! Who cares if you drew Joe Blow, who just hit three Ton-80s in a row? Isn't the idea to have it run right? It is frustrating and I rag as much as anyone, but sometimes it is unforeseen. So give them a break. Not everyone is cheating. On that note, as a TD, try to do whatever you can to avoid messing up the draw. If you are missing one chip, don't just say, “re-draw.” Find the number missing and that is the last person! That is fair. Find the problem for sure before you draw. One night, instead of writing “Fat Ass”, they wrote “Matt S.” Fat Ass, of course, is Bill Beard (although he has trimmed down in other areas). Bill had been there playing for four hours and didn't see his name on the chart. The TD went ballistic and walked out before even looking for an error. We found it pretty easy when we looked at the names. Don't try to hide things, but keep as many people away from the draw area as possible – they can only mess you up. So, here are some guidelines I would follow if I were a tournament director: • Be above-board on everything – calling names, drawing numbers; do it in an open area, not in a little corner where it appears you are hiding something. • If there is an out shot or special of some sort, make sure everyone, or the majority, is paying attention in the event you have to stop the matches – sometimes there is lots of money involved; people need to know what is going on. • Get help, but only from two or three people. Don't try to do everything yourself. Have someone hold the draw bucket, someone write, and someone double-check. The same goes if you are picking their chips for them. Have one hold the bucket, one draw, one write, and even have someone watching to check. All others should be out of the area. • Sell the bar. By that I mean, get people to like the bar – promote the other activities and back the owner. Most TDs get paid or get free drinks, so you are basically an employee for that night. Act like it. If you think the payout isn't right, talk with the owner privately, but the final word is his and you have to sell it. Even if you disagree with his answer, you still back him and talk more later. Don't say to players, “It should be $400, but he is only putting in $320.” Let them know you will try to get a bigger payout next time. Most of the dart bars are small and can't afford to overpay for tournaments, etc. Give them a break! • Be honest. If you messed up, say, “I messed up; sorry.” If you try to hide something, they think you are cheating in some way. There are lots of players who have been to and have run thousands of tournaments – nothing will be new, so handle it the best way you can and move on. • Start on time, or close to it. If you are going to be late, let people know. Most of the time people don't mind waiting for more players. • Run a fair tournament. Move people around on the boards; your best buddy doesn't get the best board ‘cause he likes it better! • Be cordial to people, even when they are being idiots. You don't want problems, and you want people to come back. There are plenty more things to discuss, but the paper is only so big. So those are some of my ideas – and as usual, I may be wrong, but I doubt it.
Please direct your questions to Mike at: Mike at work: (623) 847-2077 Mike's fax: (623) 847-2377
August 2006
June 2006
February 2006
Q: Mike, I have noticed that the tournaments I go to keep starting later and later. What do you think is the problem? What are your thoughts? A: Great question! You are right; I can’t remember the last tournament that started on time. The main problem is that once you start letting it slide, it snowballs. An 8pm start means what, 8:15 or 8:30. I heard last week one tournament waited until after 9pm for people to show up. There are some reasons why a tournament starts late, but waiting for one or two players should not be one of them. We had an incident where the bracket sheets got misplaced and we didn’t have a big enough bracket to accommodate all the players signed up. We had a delay and it was my fault. I should have checked a lot earlier to see that everything was there. Sometimes a daytime tournament (that probably started late) has run a little late and most of the shooters are regulars and want to shoot. Most players understand this and will wait. You should however make an announcement to those waiting and let them know what is going on. You must also set a drop-dead time. Get names of players definitely (not maybe) coming. Let them know that drawing starts at 8:30 and play starts at 8:45. If they can’t make it, they are out. I know this has been and issue for a long time and it has been addressed before. For myself I don’t really think about it because if it is late I get to warm up more, play more money games and hang with my buddies. Besides, when I go out to play darts as most of you know, I am there for the duration, win, lose or draw. However, I do see the other side. Some have to pick up children, get babysitters home or work early the next day. These are the people a tournament director should be aware of. You will lose them if you continue to run late. You also have the old grouchy guy who is there for what ever reason, to shoot and get out of there. He is asking 15 minutes early why you haven’t started the tournament. He expects the first dart to be thrown at 8pm sharp. Is this fair? Maybe, but I think not. I feel that if you start the draw within five to 10 minutes after the posted start time, you are good to go. After it is set, get it going. If your best buddy is a little late, get the other matches going. I also feel it is OK to take over the phone sign-ups under these conditions. If you don’t really know the person, then they must be there for the draw. If you do know them and know they will be there, make sure they are there within 10 minutes of the start time. Here are tips I would give a tournament director to maybe get started on time - - Start taking sign-ups early. The earlier the better. - Get help with it if you are running late yourself. (Preferably someone you trust.) You do that, and guys will call their friends and tell them sign-ups have started, and it may get them there quicker. - If someone calls in that you know and are absolutely sure they will be there, put their name down. If Tom Slivka calls and says he is in and will be there by the draw, sign him up. Some of us old school players do this to help you in case we get there right on time. If you don’t do this, you end up with an odd number of players many times. - Set a time to close sign-ups. If a player comes right afterwards and you have an even number, they must get another player in order to play. I see many times when a tournament director is left out or has to find another player so they can play, just because they were a nice guy and let someone else sign-up late. The director was there two hours early, why should he/she sit out? - Know what the bar expects and be on the same page. If you have one set of rules and the bar another, it doesn’t work. For instance. I tell the players that sign-ups close at 8:10 and the bar owner/manager says 8:20. We have a problem. The bar should give the TD the power to make that decision and stick by them. - Avoid re-draws at all costs. Have a set rule. It is better one person is mad than 36. - Last but not least, have a good attitude; explain things, nothing is perfect. Admit you messed up and do the best you can. We are there to have fun and play darts. These are just my opinions and I may be wrong, but I doubt it… January 2006
Q: Mike, I was at the Master’s League banquet last Friday. There were about 80 people or more there at the beginning; when the tournament started only 34 players stayed to play. Why is that? A: I hate to start off a new year by ragging guys, but I will. Lots of guys had legitimate reasons for leaving, but many didn’t. Nothing against Stingers, but I hear many shooters went there to play instead of the Master’s Tournament. And they did this why? One reason I heard was the Master’s Tournament entry fee. It was $10 plus $5 for the out shot pot, which someone was guaranteed to win. But, what they didn’t take in to consideration was that Sixshooters put out about $300 or more worth of food and added in $300 for the tournament to keep the players there. I guarantee that alone is more than the other tournaments paid out total. Most brought wives or friends to eat all the food, collect their winnings and then go spend it elsewhere. That’s just bull crap. Many players have no loyalty. A lot of work goes into the banquet – set up, stat sheets, awards, food prep, etc. Sixshooters even canceled their Friday poker tournament to accommodate us, and we slapped them in the face. They also added waitresses and bar staff. Another reason I heard was that the lower-rated players have a better chance at other tournaments. Are you stupid or what? Fourth place in the tournament paid more than 90% of all tournaments first place and if more players had stayed, it would have only been better. No matter what tournament you go to, there is only one first place. How about this – all 17 teams got money. It was a $1300 added tournament. Plus, the out shot winners got $170 more. The guys who split it finished in sixth place. Yes, there are great shooters out there and if they draw they will probably win. Isn’t that how it is at every tournament? If two of the top players there draw, they should win. At least two teams were two and out that had two Masters A top players on them. You can never tell. I keep hearing guys tell me how good they are playing and that they want to get into the A’s. Heck, I even talked good stuff at the banquet about several guys stepping up and not being afraid to play the top players; and then all of them left and went to Stingers. You know who you are. Wouldn’t it have been smarter to get in, maybe draw an “A” captain and shoot well, make some money and maybe even improve your game? Or was it more important to beat up on some beginners at Stingers and take home $30? Talk to JR Castillo, Scooter, Jay Moredock and a few more. They are all solidly in the ‘A” Division because they took there lumps, played the better players and learned the game. All came around when they were in the “B” Division. Even if you don’t care if you are in the “A’s” or if you get better at darts, use your head. Someone paid for the food; someone added money to the tournament; someone worked hard to make it successful; someone put in sponsor money so the payouts were better. We were also set up to run a ladies tournament, or as always, a non-Masters tournament with 200% added. So that excuse is gone. This is not about Sixshooters, I don’t care if it’s Santisi’s, Stingers, The Ox, The Bar or wherever. If they put on a big event, put out food, drink specials, and money added – support them. Take care of who takes care of you. These are just my opinions and I may be wrong, but not this time. Oh Yeah! Happy New Year! Mike Mike Bates, if you don’t already know, is the resident smart guy when it comes to darts in the greater Phoenix area. Each month, the Medallion features “Ask Mike” and we encourage everyone to submit those questions about the game that have had you scratching your head all this time. You may submit your questions anonymously if you’d like, or include your name. We may just publish your question and answer in the next issue of the Medallion! Please direct your questions to Mike at: dartmasterinc@qwest.net Mike at work: (623) 847-2077 Mike’s Fax: (623) 847-2377 November 2005 Q: Mike, with the Ladies Draft League finishing soon, do you have any suggestions on how to make it bigger and better? A: First, I would like to say that the
girls who got this going did a great job. It has been a long time since
the ladies had this type of league and with eight teams and 32 players,
you did excellent.
September
2005 A: Hey Jim, thanks for the question – or questions.
Here goes.
August
2005 A:
Dave, thank you for the question, I was asked by the editor of the Medallion
to answer as best I can. First, as far as a Chaplain in the Phoenix Dart
Area.
Q: How do some players throw great darts without warm-ups and others,
myself included need to warm up? |
