Articles of a broader interest to Flyball enthusiasts are published in The Finish Line .
Copyright © 1996 by NAFA. Contents may be reproduced for use by members of teams associated with NAFA. Others may reproduce providing credit is given to NAFA.
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Among the many items on the agenda of the NAFAreg; Board of Directors at their regular meeting held in Toronto, was a new rule to replace the existing Rule 5.5, on seeding. While this is a new rule to NAFA, it represents official acceptance of a practice that has been followed in some parts of N. America for some time.
The rule is intended to prevent the perceived practice of some teams to submit low seeding times to get themselves into or out of a particular division. The new rule, as approved by the Board, reads as follows:
Replace Section 5.5 Seeding
(a) Tournaments will be seeded by the times submitted with the team's entry. After the closing date, the Tournament Director will divide the entered teams into divisions. Each division's break-out time will be one (1) second faster that the top team's seed time. Except in Division 1, a team running more than one (1) second faster than the top team's seed time will "break-out" of the division, and will be declared the loser of the heat. In the event both teams in a heat break-out, no winner will be declared, no NAFA points awarded, and the heat will be rerun. If the Electronic Judging System fails, this rule does not apply. (b) In the event the Electronic Judging System will not be used in a tournament or ring, teams will be seeded based on the best available information. Final seeding shall be approved by the Regional Director.
In addition to this rule change, the board also changed rule 5.3 as follows:
This rule change is effective May 1, 1996.
Revise Section 5.3, Format, as follows:
The tournament format shall be approved by the Regional Director. Each team participating in the tournament (and the Head Judge) shall be notified no less than 48 hours prior to competition of said format.
Please take note of these rule changes. It might be a good idea to copy this page and stick it in your rule book for future reference.
In other business, the Board announced the criteria for selection of Regional Champions. These criteria are:
"A single team (not a club) must compete in a minimum of 4 regional tournaments. Each team's top 4 placements will be awarded points as follows: First highest in region 3 points Second highest in region 2 points Third highest in region 1 point In the event of a tie, the team's best time in their 4 qualifying tournaments will be averaged. The fastest average wins. Teams from any club put on probation for misconduct will automatically be disqualified."
A qualifying tournament must consist of at least 12 competing teams (except for Region 6 - a minimum of 8 competing teams, and Region 9 - a minimum of 6 competing teams).
The Instant Replay White Team was selected as the 1995 North American Multi-breed Champion.
The Board named Committee heads and assistants to look after specific areas of interest to NAFA. The Hall of fame election results were also announced. These items are covered elsewhere in this issue.
Far from the seemingly chaotic activity at the start finish line, two
officials appear isolated from the action taking place at the other
end of the race track. The Box Judges as they are called,
observe the conduct of the box loader and the dog catching the ball. A dog
must trigger the box and carry the ball back over the remaining jumps. The box
loader is not allowed to signal or aid the dog, other than giving verbal
encouragement, and he must remain in the upright position until the outcome of
the heat is determined by the head judge. If a box loader determines that his
box has malfunctioned, then he must indicate to box judge that a malfunction
has occurred. According to the rules, the heat must be stopped and the head
judge must examine the box to determine if the box has malfunction. If so,
then the heat will be restarted. The best way for a box judge to indicate to
the head judge the box has malfunctioned, is to stand in the racing lane in
front of the box and get the attention of the head judge. At the same time the
box judge should inform the box loader not to reload or touch the box in any
way. Box loaders, it is up to you to indicate a malfunction. Get the
attention of the judge, and do not attempt to reload or otherwise tamper with
the box unless the head judge has indicated that it is OK to do so.
The most effective way for a box judge to observe the race is to first
watch the box loader while the dog is running up the track keeping an
eye out for the approaching dog, then insure the dog triggers the box
and then carries the ball over the jumps on the return. As the next
dog crosses the start finish line then the judge should return his
attention to the box loader repeating the process until the heat is
completed. By focusing on the loader as the dog is approaching
enables the judge to observe the box loader and any loose balls or
dogs coming from the other lane. Watching the dog at the box and
returning over the jumps enables the judge to see any missed jumps or
balls that been dropped behind a jump. This is especially helpful
when the electronic lights are not being used as the line judges must
focus more attention on the passes and the finish.
Please remember that the fee for a CRN is $15 in U.S. funds.
I have been receiving several checks for only $10. A copy of the CRN
Form is enclosed with this copy of the NAFA NEWS. Please make copies
for your team members. Use of this form will help ensure that we are
getting the proper information from the dogs' owners. This will help
me to process your requests for CRNs more promptly. Thanks, Melanie.
In this and the next few issues I would like to relate some examples a
of what is and what is not interference.
Recently, I was questioned about an incident that occurred at a recent
tournament.
During the second heat of a race between Team A and Team B, Team B's
1st and 2nd dogs had already completed their runs. While the 3rd dog
was going to the box, Dog #1 got loose and followed Dog #3 down the
course. Dog #3 continued on to the box, triggered the box, got the
ball, and returned over all 4 jumps. Dog #1 was caught and Dog #4
successfully completed its run.
In this incident, because all 4 dogs successfully completing their
runs, this is considered a legal heat for Team B, interference should
not have been called on Dog 1 as long as it did not cross over and
interfere with Team A.
If you have any questions regarding this or other rule
interpretations, please contact me.
We are happy to announce the new inductees to the 1995
NAFA Hall of Fame. Vesta, a black lab.
owned by Marty Fulton, and Zeke, a Border Collie owned by Phyllis Askew, are
the newest Hall of Fame members.
Vesta runs with the Animal Inn team from Minnesota.
Zeke runs with the Front Runners team from Michigan.
Both dogs are Onyx award winners.
Congratulations to both dogs and handlers who will join the Hall of
Fame members from the past. Cisco, owned by Pam Schultz 1986. Damien
owned by Nancy Little 1988., and Sapphire owned by Faye Guest 1988.
We all hope both dogs enjoy another great year of racing in 1996.
This month I have a couple of things to discuss with all Flyball
participants and especially all tournament hosts and directors.
At the recent board meeting the board passed a new rule change to help
solve one of our last remaining barriers to fair and equal competition
in the lower divisions of tournament competition. Our board is to be
congratulated for their effort in this matter. This new rule, if
effective, should solve our age old problem that always occurs at
least once at just about every tournament. This is where one or two
teams, no matter how well the Regional directors know their teams and
successfully seed the tournaments, always manage to run too fast for
the division they are seeded in. This rule is basically designed to
punish these teams on the spot, rather than the next tournament.
Now I would like to stress a few must do's regarding the use of the
EJS which we all want to function properly at our tournaments.
As of this time of the year NAFA has more tournaments sanctioned
thanever before. I'm sure this will mean more dogs, more teams and
many more people. This is a good time to read "Chapter 1 Section 1.1
Objective" Quote - "The objective of NAFA shall be to further the
sport of Flyball and to promote co-operation and good sportsmanship in
the sport of Flyball through its committees, rules and policies,
tournaments and other activities". Every so often it's good to
remember how much fun the dogs are having.
The teams that are hosting tournaments are to be congratulated. If it
were not for their hard work, lots of dogs and handlers would have no
place to race. The head table workers have already done a lot of work
preparing for the tournament, and of course do a lot of work during
the tournament. The judging crew work long hard days, the clean up
crew, set up crew and the list goes on. Don't forget to acknowledge
them.
Concerning the electronic light systems that are now 2 and 3 years
old, now more than ever before need "Tender Loving Care" both during
the tournament, packing and unpacking and shipping.
Good racing and be sure to have fun.
From the Starting Line
by Dennis Wieske
A Note from Melanie
by Melanie Davidson
The Final Word
Steve McAvoy
Chairman, Regulatory Committee
Hall of Fame Election Results -THE VOTES ARE IN!!!
by Noel Kujawski
NAFA Committees
Recording Secretary: Susan Borup
Secretary/Treasurer: Melanie Davidson
Finance (Vice Chairman): Katie Kaylor
By-laws & Trademarks: Noel Kujawski and Susan Borup (Assistant)
Regulatory: Steve McAvoy
Marketing & Promotion: Katie Kaylor and Alan Weiner (assistant)
Membership: Alan Weiner
Judges & Guidelines: Sue Borup and Val Culpin (assistant) Alan Weiner
(assistant)
Lights (US): Clyde Moore
Lights (Canada): Vacant. (Interim: R Murray)
Hall of Fame: Katie Kaylor
Public Relations: Glenn Hamilton
Executive Director's Corner
by Clyde Moore
Words from the Chairman
by Bob Murray