Shuffleboard | Changes can be painful

The most talked about subject last week in the district was, of all things, how to handle the Merz Scoreboard Indicator. For the casual reader. George Merz of New Jersey and Hollywood, Fla., years ago came up with the revolving indicator spindle which shows who shoots first in about any possible choice of game in shuffleboard. It can be set for doubles, singles, yellow first, black first, etc. In recent years, because many old eyes can't see well at a distance many clubs have painted over some of the "black first" choices, which historically have not been often used in Florida. In the West, where 75-point games are seldom played, black sometimes goes first, but not here. An indicator side yellow half way down, then black at the bottom allows larger numerals for easier reading, with appreciation expressed by many old-timers.

Now, our district is more frequently playing limited frame games, 16 frames or 75 points, whichever comes first to save time and avoid long waits, which prove distasteful to a generation still imagining it is "on the go." As noted last week, we also are trying in district play to avoid lagging for color choice and playing the third game, if needed, eight frames on each color, regardless of the score. Thus if one color is favored on a court, or if one color of discs run better, each team has equal time on each color, assuring fairer play.

A sticking point is the controversy expressed recently about who goes first in the second half of a third game. One way is two exactly similar halves with yellow out first both times. The other way is to turn the Merz Scoreboard Indicator to "Black First" for the second half. The second way is favored by those who believe four hammers back to back at the change is an unfair advantage to the team playing yellow the first half. But wait, changing to "Black First" at the change gives the team on Black the first half (guess what?) First Hammers in the First Half and Last Hammers in the second half. Any thoughtful player can see these advantages are equal (four together or both first and last), so perhaps it does not affect fairness at all, whether the indicator is turned or not turned. It has been done both ways East of the Mississippi and both ways work equally well.

The Southwest Coast District has yet to vote on a final decision, but some strong opinions exist on what may be merely a "tempest in a teapot."

Tournament results

FL P-10 at Lakeland, M/L Open Doubles, December 8. Ladies Main: 1. Nancy Sclafani-Joyce Marquis. Men Main: 4. Dave Kudro-Mel Erb. Consolation: 1. J.R. Rathburn-Larry Toole. SWCD D-9 at Tri-Par, M/L Restricted Draw Doubles, December 10. Ladies Main: 1. Lois Wegner-Marilyn Everett, 2. Pat Tomko-Pam Nurnberger, 3. Terri Smith-Ingrid Broadhead, 4. Carol McLeod-Marlene Slosser. Consolation: 1 Bonnie Walker-Nancy Sclafani, 2. Shirley Bootsma-Kathy Boutwell, 3. Marie Hunter-Arlene McCague, 4. Adriana Cramton-Bet Pitts. Men Main: 1. John L. Brown-Jerry Stannard, 2. Mike Marquis-Ralph Lozano, 3. Don Gray-Bill Batdorff, 4. Larry Toole-Bob Grissom.

Consolation: 1. Clarence Gingerich-Ed Leonard, 2. Lowell Williams-Mel Erb, 3. John Roberson-John Mickle, 4. Bill Jenkins-Don Sprague.

SWCD A-6 at Tri-Par, December 11, District Ams/Any Draw Doubles. No Points for State Ams. Main: 1. Doris Mularz-Arnie Congdon, 2. William Hickman-Patty Yates, 3. Kay Thoreson-Ron Timmerman, 4. Ken and Carol Maxwell. Consolation: 1. Paula Jacobson-Gary Lindsay, 2. Mike Little-Larry Belsley, 3. Jan Gandy-Shirley Pendergrass, 4. Linda Irwin-Phil Montgomery.

Future tournaments

Today is the second day of FL P-11A at Ft. Pierce andP-11B at Betmar, Open M/L Doubles. Today is also the second day of FL A--08 at Palmetto, Any Ams/ Any Doubles.

Thursday, Dec. 17, is SWCD D-10 at Golf Lakes, Restricted Draw Doubles, M/L, 16 frames or 75 points.

Friday, Dec. 18, is SWCD A-7 at Golf Lakes, Draw, Any Ams/Any Doubles. No points for state ams.

Next Monday, December 21 FL P-12A at Lee County, P-12B at Clearwater, M/L Open Doubles, 75 points. Also December 21 at Clearwater, FL A-09, Any Ams/Any Doubles, 75 points.

Noteworthy

Fifteen players from SWCD received Roll of Champion pins last Monday. The top eight men and ladies received Gold, 9-16 received Silver, 17-24 received Bronze. Note the top lady and man are from the SWCD. Ladies Gold: 1. Judy Taylor 63 pts, 6. Nancy Sclafani 42 pts. 8. Terri Smith 40 pts. Silver: 9. Pam Nurnberger 39 pts, 13. Joyce Marquis 29 pts. Men Gold: 1. Jim Miller 58 pts, 5 Dave Kudro 38 pts, 8. Jerry Stannard 35 pts. Silver: 11. Jerry Everett 29 pts, 12. Ron Nurnberger 27 pts, 16. Charlie DeVries 20 pts. 16. Larry Taylor 20 pts. Bronze: 20. Gerry Curwin 16 pts, 21. Mel Erb 15 pts., 23 Ed Leonard 14 pts.

Petticoat League, December 7. Trailer Estates 4 at Paradise Bay 8, Village on the Green 3 at Mt. Vernon 9. Three game winners: Mt. Vernon- Jane Baldwin, Linda Irwin. Paradise Bay- Jane Ross, Betty Hall. Standings: 1. Mt Vernon 31 2. Paradise Bay 23, 3.Trailer Estates 23, 4. Village on the Green 18.

Happy shuffling.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 11:42 PM with the headline "Shuffleboard | Changes can be painful ."