From rpkyeung@lynx.bc.caSun Mar 16 22:45:03 1997
Date: Sun, 16 Mar 1997 16:35:35 -0800
From: Randy Yeung <rpkyeung@lynx.bc.ca>
To: Peter Teuben <teuben@astro.umd.edu>
Subject: Summary of some problems we encountered with league start-up

    [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set]
    [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set]
    [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly]

As you know we had just recently started up again a league
in the Greater Vancouver area.  As with any new task there
are a few kinks to get out and so to get everything running
smoothly.  Here are a few of the problems we encountered,
non unsurmountable.

1.	Since all the clubs are autonomous, with very little
inter-club communication, the focal point which is
Badminton BC seemed not to take a very active role in the
promotion.  Several clubs 'found out' about the league in
some cases purely by accident as did our club.  Definitely
a better inter-club communication has to be established so
that all clubs have an equal opportunity to participate in
the league.

2.	There was no standard of play level taken into account
for the division classification.  Hence, there are some
great mismatches within divisions where a team is obviously
in a wrong division.  This would probably sort itself over
a period of time, but as it goes now, some of the teams are
not having any enjoyment (which was one of the intents of
the league) because they are being thrashed very easily. 
The stronger teams also are upset since they had expected
better competition.

3.	The rules for ranking and team was not really clear and
left much to interpretation.  Unfortunately there was not
an official umpire during the evening to resolve any issues
that might arise, so much was left to the teams arguing it
out.  Since Badminton BC is responsible they should be
present or at least make sure that a designate will be
there to fairly resolve any issues.

4.	Several teams were no show on the evening of their
matches (entire team! not just one player).  Their
opponents had to sit around having wasted their time and
expenses (travel) for that evening.  That is very poor
manners and not sure how to rid of this.  Since there did
not seem to be a league coordinator (someone who calls
everyone up) this could keep happening.

5.	As yet it is unclear what happens at the end of all the
league season.  There is some playoff specified but has not
been defined as to what the ranking will mean.  (ie.
trophy, season banquet, bump-up to higher division etc..). 
I just assume that these are startup things that will gel
as we go along.  But it keeps us rather confused, and I
have heard some players (other teams) grumbling.

6. 	The cost was rather minimal all things considering. 
But the choice of shuttles was quite varied, and so almost
all teams had their own standard.  It would have been
preferred for the coordinator to buy a stock of one
'standards and we chip in for it (or pay for them in the
beginning).  If we finish off a tube during our tie which
is our designated one, then we would chip in our own.  This
would at least keep the initial shuttles consistent.  We
would also keep better track of shuttles used.

7.	The choice of the gym for B1 and B2 was not the best, so
a number of the players from VRC in the B1 Division
complained about why they did not get to use the VRC
facilities.  As a VRC member, but used to playing in all
environments, I found the gym rather dusty and we yet could
not find a janitor to sweep the courts.  There were many
slippery spots where we had to watch our footing.

So, hope these little startup things help you with yor
league.  If you ever get out to Vancouver area, give me a
shout!

Regards,

Randy Yeung
rpkyeung@lynx.bc.ca