Shuffleboard | Some changes are coming to Florida Shuffleboard rules

On March 12 at Sebring, the spring meeting of the Florida Shuffleboard Association resulted in a few changes for next season.

Beginning Oct. 1 rule C3 was amended to say that 12 Frame Non-Walking Singles will be changed to 16 Frames or 75 points, whichever comes first. This will make non-walking more like 75 point games. We only had the 12-point games for about 10 years.

Also, in walking singles players are now free to use either alley to walk to the opposite end, for example, to avoid posts or to not disturb an intense match on one side.

Beginning with the next PREVIEW, the center-spread will be labeled "Open" rather than "Pro" tournaments because all are eligible to play except the Tournament of Champions and the Masters, for which one must qualify. Some players have falsely believed only Pros could play in the Upper Division,. (Pros cannot play in the Lower Division).

Article 9a. and 9b. is amended so that in small tournaments, no points will be awarded to a player who places without winning a match.

C.20c. is reaffirmed: if players shoot excessively hard and endanger the safety of others, tournament directors may penalize them. Safety is important.

C.7 says players must remain seated when the other end is shooting, except discs may be removed from gutters to avoid skipping another disc to the next court.

Article 7(a) Byes may not be grouped in State Tournaments, but are permitted in District Play at discretion of Directors. (Not overly popular in our district, anyway).

All these changes will be highlighted in the 2016-2017 PREVIEW, and, it is hoped, will be worthy improvements.

Tournament results

FL 23B Feb. 29 at Zephyrhills Betmar. Ladies Consolation: 3. Nancy Sclafani. Men Main: 2 Dave Kudro-Dave Minnich.

SWCD D-20 March 10 at Trailer Estates, Mixed Doubles. Main: 1. Marilyn & Jerry Everett, 2. Ron & Pam Nurnberger, 3. Arlene McCague-J.R. Rathburn, 4. Dave Kudro-Terri Smith. Consolation: 1. Jim Miller-Judy Taylor, 2. Jane Baldwin-Dwayne Cross, 3. David Welsh-Margaret Hartzler, 4. Marlene Coburn-Ben Coy.

SWCD A-1 5 March 11 at Trailer Estates, Any Amateurs/Any Doubles. Main: 1. Ken & Carol Maxwell, 2. Cindy & Steve Slaughterb eck, 3. Arnie Congdon-Gary Lindsay, 4. Ned Fogarty-Kay Thoreson. Consolation: 1. Linda Irwin-Frank Marderosian, 2. Richard McCowan-Bill Biereman, 3. Barbara Young-Norman Mead, 4. Rita Marderosian-Neal Baum.

Manatee League Results of March 9. Palmetto-7, Village on the Greens-11 (Terry McLain/Benny Martino); Paradise Bay-11 (Marilyn Rotman/Al Holliday), Terra Siesta-7; Golf Lakes-12 (Charlie DeVries/Frank Marderosian), Sea Breeze-6; Bradenton Tropical Palms-Bye. Standings: Terra Siesta 120, Bradenton Tropical Palms-116, Paradise Bay-103, Golf Lakes-99, Village on the Greens-91, Palmetto-89, Sea Breeze-84.

Petticoat League Tournament March 7-8. Main: 1. Beth Hatch-Village on the Greens, 2. Paula Jacobson-Mt. Vernon, 3. Sandy Kolasinski-Village on the Greens, 4. Jane Ross-Paradise Bay. Consolation: 1. Char Bowers-Paradise Bay, 2. Charlotte Fischer-Village on the Greens, 3. Barb Young-Trailer Estates, 4. Teresa Kenyon-Trailer Estates.

Future tournaments

Today is the second day of FL P-24A at Clearwater and P-24B at Avon Park, M/L Division, 75 points. No play Tuesday at Avon Park, play continues Wednesday.

Today is also the second day of FL A-22A at St. Cloud and A-22B at Clearwater. This is the last Florida Lower Division Tournament for Amateurs only this season.

Notable

In our present 2016-2017 schedules, one change is in order. Because of the general election, FL A-02 will be held at Sebring on Oct. 31 and FL A-03 will be held at Lakeland on Nov. 7. The new PREVIEW should have it right.

Last week's announcement about Gold & Black should be thought of as Yellow and Black for the summer at Bradenton, according to Sue Daidone. Our apologies.

This columnist has been named Historian of the Florida Shuffleboard Association, probably because he has been shuffling for nearly 70 percent of the 103 years of the FSA.

On Saturday at Bradenton Shuffle Club, a full day of activity will lead to the induction of several more members in the Southwest Coast District Hall of Fame during the official establishment of the Hall of Fame.

At 9 a.m., a Hoss Collar game will be played, $5 entry fee and a trophy prize. At 1 p.m. the ceremonies begin. All are welcome to this joyous occasion. Bring your own lunch

We also look forward to Wednesday, March 23, the Masters. This year 48 players will be entered.

The top 8 ladies and top 8 men in each division will play the other 7 in their respective tournament There will be a District Amateur, State Amateur and Pro division.

Happy Shuffling.

This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 11:15 PM with the headline "Shuffleboard | Some changes are coming to Florida Shuffleboard rules ."