North America's favorite Rotisserie Contest is back again! SCRABBLE® players, friends, and fans everywhere are invited to enter this popular handicapping competition in conjunction with the 2009 Boston Area SCRABBLE® Tournament. Last year we had 152 entries and handed out more than $1300 in prize money. We expect another major turnout this year, so don't miss out. Join in the fun and show off your handicapping skills by picking the BAT winners!BAT 2009 home/Rotisserie Picks Page
The rules are as simple as 1-2-3:
1. Choose two players in Premier,three players in Division A, and two players in Division B. Those seven players form your entry, or "team." Feel free to name your team, give it a mascot, colors, a fight song - whatever makes you happy. 2. In each division, one of your selections must be from a different portion of the division (top and bottom for Premier and Division B; top, middle, and bottom for Division A). These portions are clearly marked on the entrant list. 3. For each game won by one of your players, your team earns 1 point. The team that racks up the most points wins! (And once again we'll be breaking ties with cumulative spread.)
If your picks do well, you do well! The Rotisserie entry that collects the most wins will take home a generous first prize; the total number of entries will determine additional prizes (we'll announce early in the weekend how the pot is being divided up).
Pick your friends, pick your favorites, or, if you're feeling confident, pick yourself! If your selections pan out, you'll be rewarded with fame, glory, gobs of cash, and a permanent place in the annals of BAT Rotisserie lore.
The preferred payment option is to send money via PayPal to k8fukawa@yahoo.com ( from a checking account only, as a fee is charged to the recipient of credit card transactions). You can also pay me at the site, please see FAQ #2 below for more information on that. If your payment is not received before the event begins, your entry will be voided. The sooner you send your picks in, the better. Your entries should be sent to me, Kate Fukawa-Connelly, at batroto@gmail.com (note - different e-mail than paypal address!). I'll send you a confirmation email when I receive your picks/payment, so be on the lookout for that--it's essentially your receipt.
Stay tuned to this page, as we'll continue to update it with details, a full list of "teams," and complete results!
You have questions? We have answers!
Rotisserie FAQ
1. I'm not playing at the Boston Area Tournament this year. Can I still participate in the Rotisserie?
Please do! We're always seeking as many "remote" players as possible, to give the pool a truly national (if not international) feel. If your friends or family want to enter, they're welcome to join us as well. Of course, you are heartily encouraged to play in the tournament if you can!
2. What is the cost and how do I pay?
Each entry costs $10, in US funds please. The strongly preferred method of payment is via PayPal, a simple and secure way to transmit funds electronically from a checking account only (www.paypal.com; my paypal address is k8fukawa@yahoo.com). If you will be attending the BAT, you may pay in person prior to the event if absolutely necessary, no later than 6:30pm on Friday. If you are a remote entry, acceptable arrangements must be made to pay in advance. We do trust everyone, but hey, good luck finding a Las Vegas sportsbook that agrees to let you pay your bet after the game.
3. When are my picks due?
Picks and funds are due by 6:30pm on Friday. I will be at the venue by then - track me down. I'm 5'10, asian, and female - I can almost promise that I'm the only one who will be there who fits that description.
4. How much of the entry fees are going towards prizes?
Ninety percent. That other 10% goes to keeping you happy with planning, organizing, promoting, coordinating, e-mailing, updating, tallying, and otherwise taking care of participants. This small administrative cut has the approval of the directors; it was initially instituted in 2003.
5. Do I have to pick myself?
We think it's more fun if you include yourself on your team, though you are not obligated to do so. Incidentally, you'll also find it's quite an ego boost when other people pick you for their teams; that's just one reason why this is so much darn fun.
5. Can I have more than one Rotisserie entry (sheet)?
In past years, players have often picked two or more sheets, allowing them to cover more bases and root for more players. Trust us, it's addictive! Create themed teams, consult your magic eight ball, whatever makes you happy. Even if you play twice, it's still a bargain at $20. If you want to play more than twice, we won't stop you. If you want to play five or more sheets though, we'll refer you to Gamblers Anonymous or force you to watch the Pete Rose SportsCentury piece over and over. Unless you win.
7. Who won the Rotisserie last year?
Ember Nelson is our reigning champ. Cecilia Le won in 07, and Dielle Saldanha in 06; Ron Tiekert was just one pick off a perfect sheet in 2005; and David Pearl and Jamie Ryan split the big prize in 2004. Frank Tangredi won in 2003.
8. Ok, so how will I know how my team is doing?
Regular updates at the site will be available courtesy of the fantastic Mr. John Chew. I'll also have results available to remote players via a CGP post after every full day of completed play.
9. When and how will the winners be paid?
Even though the scorekeeping has become infinitely more efficient with John Chew's TSH program on board (many thanks, JJC), I will maintain a 72-hour waiting period before the winners will be paid. Simply put, I want to be 100 percent sure we have the right teams and scores in place before I cut any checks (the last thing I'd want to do is pay someone mistakenly on Sunday).
10. Why are the upper and lower halves of Division A not equal in size?
There are two goals with setting arbitrary rotisserie lines for Divisions A and B, rather than having it be a constantly changing line that simply splits the divisions in half: 1) it makes it easier for people to make "early" Rotisserie picks, without worrying about if the line has changed or not with respect to new entries, and 2) it allows for us to attempt to break up the divisions in such a way that the pool will receive the most unique amount of entries. Time will tell if I've set the line in the right place (this must be how Vegas feels on a daily basis).
11. What if one of my picks drops out late or shifts within the roto placement late?
If one of your players can't make it to the event via some last-minute mishap or change of plans, or if they move up or down a division, that Rotisserie selection will automatically default to the highest-seeded player in that pool of players (per the April 1 ratings). If you want to choose back-up picks in case of cancellations or division switches, please include them in your entry, or notify me *before the tournament starts.* I'll allow you to alter your team in either of these ways. Once the tournament begins, no one will be allowed to change rotisserie selections. Ratings from BAT NAST won't affect roto standing.
One other key rule to be aware of--if one of your picks starts the tournament (plays at least one complete game) but does not finish the tournament for any reason, your roster will not be adjusted to another player. Handicap carefully!
12. What qualifies you to run this roto?
I've been an enthusiastic if poorly-performing roto player for many years. I am constantly online, and keep good records, so customer support should be efficient (and friendly)! I have the blessing of last year's roto director, and he has offered his support. I know that it's important to pay people money when they win it, rather than take it to [insert locale with warmer climate than Maine here]. Between that and John Chew's automation of much of the roto (which I will double-check by hand on Sunday), I think we're good to go! Resume and references available upon request.
13. Anything else I should know?
Void where prohibited. Should any controversy of any kind arise, the final decision of tournament director Sherrie Saint John is final. Your mileage may vary. Roto side affects may include insomnia, headaches, double vision, fever, and acute endgame errors. Play early, play often, and have fun.
You have more questions?
Contact Kate Fukawa-Connelly at batroto@gmail.com! Good luck.
