by Joe Graf
The RI Smallbore Rifle League started its indoor season this past Thursday, Oct 15th. This is the second year the league is using a handicap system to determine the team results, and I am really pleased with the handicap system that has been put in place. The handicap system rewards shooters that perform better than their year-to-date average. For the first match of the season, shooters use their average from the previous season.
This does a few things; first it allows newer shooters the opportunity to contribute by making the team. In the RI indoor smallbore league the top four scores are used to calculate the team score. Generally new shooters are improving more than their more experienced teammates, thus they are more likely to have their score contribute to the team score. Second, it encourages teams to seek out and recruit new shooters. It also levels out the teams in the league allowing a team with less experienced shooters to win matches. This helps generate excitement in the league as any team can win each week.
The first week of the season had the two better teams in the league both starting the season with a loss. In the first match Cumberland Beagle was visiting Smithfield Sportsman’s. Cumberland had three of their four shooters fire scores that exceeded their average from the 2008-2009 season. Smithfield had just one accomplish that feat. This resulted in a 2 ½ point win for Cumberland Beagle, a substantial win using the handicap system.
The second match had the Varnum Continentals hosting South County Rod & Gun. Varnum had three shooters firing scores better than last year’s average while South County had just one. Varnum took the match beating South County’s team score by just under 5 points. Looking at all of the team scores for the first week, last year’s league champion, Smithfield, had the lowest team score for the week.
While it is still early in the season, it appears that the handicap system will help level the playing field and make the league competitive. My hope is that this handicap system will help draw interest from new shooters and retain interest for the existing participants in the league. Consider using a handicap system to increase the number of competitors in your league.
Huge upset by Cumberland beating Smithfield, WOW the handicapping is working, good job Joe bringing in this new format. Smithfield is going to have to buckle down i they want to go 9 years in row as State Champs!