Off The Wire -Sep/Oct 2008
Off The Wire
The HALEX@ 2008
Darts Series! “Bigger Is Better!”
The 2008 Halex® Dart Series began in January with the Pennsylvania Open and has grown to 16 tournaments in the US and Canada. The tournaments included in the 2008 Halex Series are listed below:
Pennsylvania Open Jan 11-13 $25,000 PA
K-W Tri City Open Feb 8-10 $10,000 ON
Syracuse Open Feb 15-17 $15,000 NY
Camellia Classic Feb 15-17 $10,000 CA
Virginia Beach Classic Mar 21-23 $35,000 VA
Charlotte Open Apr 18-20 $20,000 NC
Moose International Apr 18-20 $12,000 VA
Le Skratch QDPO May 9-11 $29,000 QC
Niagara Falls Open May 30-31 $10,000 ON
Houston Open Jun 20-22 $20,000 TX
USA Dart Classic V Aug 8-10 $20,000 CT
Atlanta Peachtree Open Aug 22-24 $52,000 GA
30th Windy City Open Sep 12-14 $52,000 IL
Colorado Open Sep 27-28 $15,000 CO
Buckeye Open Nov 21-23 $15,000 OH
Great Lakes Challenge Dec 5-7 $13,000 MI
Each fully sponsored tournament features a booth demonstrating Halex® products along with various contests and games players participated in between tournament matches. Prizes were awarded to winners throughout the tournament, adding additional excitement to the event. All proceeds raised from the contests were donated to the ADO Memorial Scholarship Program or the designated tournament charity, helping the host association to contribute to their community needs.
Through the years, the Halex® Dart Series program has generated $8,008 for the ADO Memorial Schorlarship Fund. These contributions would not be possible without the host associations of all the Halex® Dart Series tournaments and the support of the many players trying out the Halex® games.
Winning a Halex Phantom Electronic Steel-tip Dartboard at the 2008 Canadian Open was Tim Prokop, of Calgary, Albert. Winning a Halex Cricketview 5000 was Bill Gooder of Niagara Falls, Ontario. At the Houston Open, Darin Burns of Chalmette, Louisiana, and Denise Yinger of Jones, Oklahoma, each won Halex Phantom electronic dartboards.
Photo Caption: Darin Burns of Chalmette, LA, with his new Halex Phantom Electronic Dartboard won at the Houston Open in June. (right)
Photo Caption: Tim Prokop of Calgary, Alberta, with his new Halex Phantom Electronic Dartboard won at the Canada Open in Winnipeg, Manitoba, this past June. (left)
Photo Caption: Denise Yinger of Jones, Oklahoma, won a new Halex Phantom Electronic Dartboard at the Houston Open in June, but her husband claimed the prize. (right)
Photo Caption: Bill Gooder of Niagara Falls, Ontario, traveled all the way to Winnipeg, Manitoba, for the Canada Open and won a Halex Cricketview 5000 Electronic Dartboard. (left)
DR. DARTS IS MADE RESEARCH FELLOW
Following his award of PhD by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Cambridge, England in December 2006 and his formal graduation in November 2007, Dr. Patrick Chaplin’s unique research into the social history of darts has been further recognized by the university.
Professor Monika Pruetzel-Thomas, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences at ARU recently confirmed his designation as Research Fellow in History.
This designation gives Patrick, a regular contributor to BEN, a formal affiliation with ARU and, although it is a nominal title, it does of course give him the authority of the University; the value being that when he visits libraries, archives, etc., it provides him with serious academic credentials. Patrick is also keen to share his knowledge with students at universities the length and breadth of the country (and aboard) through lectures or the presentation of papers on his unique study of interwar working class popular culture.
Photo Caption: Patrick Caplin, PhD, Doctor of Darts, is made a Research Fellow in History by Anglia Ruskin University.
Popularly known as ‘Doctor Darts’, Patrick told BEN, “Clearly I am thrilled and honored to have my work recognized in this way. I will also be able to use my new title in the ‘blurb’ on the back of my book, Darts in England 1900-1939 – a social history – the monograph of my PhD - which will be published next Spring by Manchester University Press as part of the prestigious series ‘Studies in Popular Culture’.” He then added, “Clearly the title of Research Fellow in History will enable me to continue my darts research at the highest level (whilst also pursuing my research at a more ‘local’ level too). Being a Research Fellow will not only raise my personal profile and that of ARU but also the profile of the sport of darts.”
In addition to his academic publishing success with Manchester University Press, Patrick has previously ghosted popular autobiographies for top darts players and former world champions, John Lowe and Trina Gulliver. He has also recently advised John Lowe on his latest work, a darts tuition book entitled The Art of Darts, and has his own Complete Guide to Darts being published in New York in early 2009.
His popular and authoritative darts history website HYPERLINK "http://www.patrickchaplin.com" www.patrickchaplin.com has recently been upgraded and keeps all darts fans up to date on all aspects of Patrick’s work and the latest news from the darts world. Patrick is currently working on his next book, with the working title The Sport of Pints – The People’s History of Darts. He is also looking for a US brewery and possibly an on-line betting company to sponsor his website, to complement the sponsorship he already receives from the WINMAU company. Patrick told BEN “Financial sponsorship from the US would enable me to widen my darts research to other countries and improve further the already high profile of my work.”
Great Changes on The BullShooter Tour !
The New BullShooter Tour has started with some MAJOR changes! Already ten Qualifying Regionals have been set up in Florida, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Ohio, New York, Texas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Georgia with more in the making. Some exciting new rules have been initiated this season and money added to the Finals.
New Rule When You Qualify At Any BullShooter Regional
Starting now with the first BullShooter XXIV Regional, the new rule states:
“Once you qualify as a Pro player, or Women’s A player, at a BullShooter Regional, you move into that classification after the BullShooter XXIV 2009 Finals.”
In other words, if you play in Men’s Singles, win 1st place and qualify as a Pro player, you won’t be considered a Pro player until after the BullShooter Finals. You will be considered a Men’s player at the BullShooter Finals in June and can play in all “Men’s” events. You will become a “Pro” player after the Finals. You will be added to the “Pro List” and considered a “Pro” player the day after the BullShooter Finals, May 26, 2009.
The same applies to women that qualify as a “Women’s A” player at a BullShooter Qualifier. You will not be required to play in Women’s A events at the Finals. The day after the BullShooter Finals , May 26, 2009, you will be considered a “Women’s A” player.
New Classifications At The
BullShooter Finals
A great new change in classifications has been made. There are now three classifications for both men and women players. We believe more classifications will give all level of players a better chance to be competitive at the BullShooter Finals. These new classifications will only take place at the BullShooter Finals, NOT at any of the BullShooter Qualifing Regionals. The new classifications are:
Men’s Women’s
Pro Women’s A
Pro AA Women’s AA
An additional $5,000 has been added to the BullShooter Finals payout for a total of $125,000 to be awarded over Memorial Day weekend, May 21-25, 2009.
Pro AA
The new “Pro AA” classification will be determined on how a male player placed at the BullShooter 21, 22, and 23 Finals, Bulls-Eye News Top 50, ADO National Points Standings Top 50 and the Euro BullShooter. Like the “Pro List”, all players will remain on the “Pro AA” list for three years. Arachnid management reserves the right to adjust a players classification based upon known ability. See Page 5 for the complete list of achievements that rank a player as a Pro player or a Pro AA player.
Women’s AA
The new Women’s AA classification will be determined on how a female player placed at the BullShooter 21, 22, and 23 Finals, Bulls-Eye News Top 50, ADO National Points Standing Top 50 and Euro BullShooter. See Page 5 for the complete list of achievements that rank a woman as a “A” or “AA” player.
There will be no changes this year in the events at BullShooter Regionals. The three classifications will be used only at the BullShooter Finals. The Men’s, Pro, and Women’s events rules and regulations will remain the same at all Regionals as in the past. Women’s events won’t be classified into separate events and men’s events will still be divided into Pro and Men’s events.
CLASSIFICATION RULES
Pro Player Qualification
Placement at a BullShooter Regional
1st Place--Mixed Triples & Mixed Doubles
Top 3 Places--Pro Singles, Pro Doubles 501, Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles 501, Men’s Doubles Cricket, Pro/Am Cricket (Pro player)
Placement at The BullShooter Finals
Top 4 Places--Mixed Doubles Cricket, Mixed Triples 701
Top 8 Places--Men’s Top Gun, Pro Doubles 501, Pro Doubles Cricket, Pro Mixed Cricket, Pro Luck Doubles, Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles 501, Men’s Doubles Cricket
Top 16 Places--Pro Singles
National Dart Association – Masters Level with 30 PPD or 3.5 MPR at Las Vegas Tournament
*The players that qualify at a BullShooter XXIV Qualifing Regional this year will be posted on the Arachnid Pro list the day AFTER the BullShooter XXIV Finals, May 26, 2009.
Players already on the Pro List are prohibited from playing in a Men’s event at either a Regional or at the BullShooter Finals. Players remain on the Pro list for 3 years.
Pro players can play at all BullShooter Regionals in the three Pro events. Certificates will be passed down in Pro events, if already qualified.
Pro AA Player Qualification
Placement at BullShooter 21, 22 and/or 23 Finals
Top 4 Places--Men’s Top Gun, Pro Singles, Pro Doubles 501, Pro Doubles Cricket, Pro Luck of The Draw, Pro Mixed Cricket (male)
European BullShooter
Top 3--Singles Master, Pro Cricket Team, Doubles Master
Bulls-Eye News – Pro Top 50 Ranking last 3 years
ADO – National Points Standing Top 50 last 3 years
PDC – PDC Order of Merit last 3 years
These players qualified as “Pro AA” as of 6-02-08, and will remain on the Pro AA list for 3 years.
Pro AA players can play at all BullShooter Regionals in Pro events. Certificates will be passed down in Pro events, if already qualified.
Women’s A Qualification
Placement at a BullShooter Regional
Top 3 Places--Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles 301, Women’s Doubles Combo
Placement at The BullShooter Finals
Top 8 Places--Women’s Top Gun Singles, Women’s Singles A & B, Women’s Doubles ‘01 A & B, Women’s Doubles Cricket A & B
A player that is already on the Arachnid Women’s A list will remain on the list for 3 years.
Women’s A players can play in Women’s events at any BullShooter Regional until you qualify.
Women’s AA Qualification
Placement at BullShooter 21, 22, and/or 23 Finals
Top 4 Places--Top Gun Women’s Singles, Top Gun Triples (female), Women’s A Singles, Women’s A Doubles ‘01, Women’s A Doubles Cricket, Pro Mixed Doubles (female)
European BullShooter – Top 3 Places--Women’s Doubles, Women’s Singles
Bulls-Eye News – Top 50 Ranking lst 3 years
ADO – National Points Standings Top 50 last 3 years
These players qualified as “Women’s AA” as of 6-02-08 and will stay on the Women’s AA list for 3 years.
Women’s AA players can play in Women’s events at any BullShooter Regional until you qualify.
AMOA NDA Welcomes New Board Members
INDIANAPOLIS – The AMOA-National Dart Association elected its 2009 Officers of the Board of Directors during the NDA Board meeting July 23-24. The meeting convened immediately before Dart Summit, NDA’s biennal educational conference. New officers for 2009 include President-elect Robert Tolliver; Vice President-elect Chris Warren; and Secretary/Treasurer-elect Maggie Jones.
Robert Tolliver is the General Manager and Dart League Coordinator for TNT Enterprises, Wagner, South Dakota. He has served in this position for 13 years running 13 leagues and sanctioning over 800 players per year. He also serves as the Tournament Director for the South Dakota Singles & Doubles Tournament. Robert is a Certified Referee at the South Dakota State Tournament and serves as a Master Referee for the NDA. He is very involved in his community, serving as Past Chief and current member of the Volunteer Fire Department. Robert is married to Lisa and has two children, Branson and Brooklyn, and a dog named Scooby.
Photo Caption: Chris Warren (right)
Chris Warren entered the business as a partner in Capital Music in his hometown of Helena, Montana in 1981. His company tapped into the industry’s video game boom and the state’s legalized gaming operations that started during the mid-1980s. In 2005, his firm was acquired by Century Gaming of Billings, MT. Chris currently directs the company’s Helena-based operations. Chris is a past AMOA President and for the past four years, Chris has been the AMOA liaison to the NDA. He has also been a tireless and successful fundraiser for the Wayne E. Hesch Scholarship Program, and has completed both the AMOA-Notre Dame Management Development Program and its successor, the AMOA-Notre Dame Masters curriculum. He is married to his wife Danette and they have one son. Currently, his life revolves around his son, Jeff, his daughter-in-law, Kim, and his three granddaughters, Cassie, Rylie and Josie.
Photo Caption: Maggie Jones (left)
Maggie Jones is the Dart League Coordinator and League Team Leader for Blackhawk Music Company in Sterling, Illinois. She has been in the coin-op business for ten years and involved with the dart leagues for eight of those years. Blackhawk has a player base of approximately 450 players and runs nine leagues each year. Maggie also participates in her leagues so she is able to get instant feedback from Blackhawk’s players. She enjoys working at the Illinois State Pool and Dart Tournament and Team Dart in Las Vegas. Maggie also works each year with various charities including the Sauk Valley Marine Corp League by running a dart tournament with the proceeds going to their annual Toys for Tots program and she is also the Chair Person for a local golf tournament for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. She loves spending time with her family and friends, especially her daughter, Laini.
The NDA also welcomed the following new Directors to the Board to begin their duties January 1, 2009: Marcia Peterson, Vend Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska and Judy Mehle, BMW Billiards, Ft. Collins, Colorado. Jason Paterchak, Ohio Vending League Systems, Elyria, Ohio was re-elected for a second term.
Other current Board members include: Dawn Orloff-Niesen (American Amusement Arcade – Bloomington, Minnesota); Kenny Mahoney (C & M Darts – Longwood, Florida); Stefan Reichert (DSAB e.V. - Waldalgesheim, Germany); Robert Nisbet (Bullshooter SL – Madrid, Spain); Manufacturer Sponsor Sam Zammuto (Arachnid, Inc. - Rockford, Illinois); Manufacturer Sponsor Dave Kristal (Shelti, Inc. – Bay City, Illinois); Manufacturer Sponsor Chris Peppard (Medalist Corporation – Pacific, Washington); Manufacturer Sponsor Helmut Schneller (NSM-Löwen Entertainment – Bingen, Germany); and Manufacturer Sponsor Mate Vukoja (Cyberdine d.o.o – Sesvete, Croatia).
The NDA is an International trade association of coin-operated vending companies representing approximately 300 members and 250,000 players worldwide. The NDA was formed by and for coin machine operators to promote the sport of electronic darting exclusively on operator-owned equipment. The Association offers a variety of programs, materials, and supplies to support its members in increasing the profitability of their dart operations. The NDA and Team Dart is sponsored by the Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA), Arachnid, Inc., Cyberdine d.o.o., Medalist Corporation, NSM-Löwen Entertainment, and Shelti, Inc.
For more information about membership in the NDA, its annual international Team Dart competition or biennial Dart Summit educational conference, contact NDA Director of Membership, Alyssa Pfennig, at 1-800-808-9884 x202 or visit the NDA Web site at www.ndadarts.com.
NDA Dart Summit Attendees Build Success, Take Home Business Solutions
PITTSBURGH - Owners and employees of coin-operated vending companies from six countries and 16 states across the nation attended the National Dart Association’s Dart Summit to build business solutions and take advantage of the best training built specifically for the coin-op industry.
Over 80 representatives of NDA Charter Holders and Sponsors met in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 24-26. Also in attendance were several prospective members from Pennsylvania. Attendees discussed pertinent issues with fellow members at small groups, and also soaked up advice from experienced operators in panel discussions. Seasoned leaders led sessions covering youth leagues, online presence, branding, smoking bans, shaping and revitalizing league systems and more.
In the opening seminar, Think. Plan. Win., Keynote Speaker Michael Getlan engaged attendees with his dynamic personality and interactive approach to the session. As a third generation operator, consultant and avid game player, Michael shared a unique perspective on the operational side of the coin-op business. “I thought this seminar was great – a terrific speaker I would like to hear again,” said a Dart Summit attendee. Another attendee said the seminar was “very educational and entertaining.” Getlan enouraged the audience to focus on one goal and follow seven simple steps to achieve success.
During the First Time Attendees Session, attendees were introduced to fellow conference participants and learned new and creative ideas to encourage players to be sanctioned by the NDA. The session, Smoking Bans and Other Legislative Issues Affecting the Industry, drew a large crowd and positive feedback. “I learned how to make a smoking ban an advantage instead of a disadvantage,” commented one attendee. In the small group discussions, the hot topic was the great need for youth leagues to build a new customer base in locations. Dart Summit attendee and NDA Board member Jason Paterchak saw great value for Operators and company employees: “I would absolutely attend Dart Summit again in two years. It is a must-do. This is the biggest benefit for Charter Holders.”
The NDA is an international trade association of coin-operated vending companies representing more than 300 members and 250,000 players worldwide. The NDA was formed by and for coin machine operators to promote the sport of electronic darting exclusively on operator-owned equipment. The Association offers a variety of programs, materials and supplies to support its members in increasing the profitability of their dart operations. To view photos of this event, visit www.ndadarts.com or visit NDA’s MySpace page at www.MySpace.com/ndadarts.
For more information about the NDA, its annual Team Dart competition or biennial Dart Summit, contact Alyssa Pfennig, Director of Membership, at 1-800-808-9884 ext. 202 or visit the NDA Web site at www.ndadarts.com.
NDA Honors Top Gun Award Winners at Dart Summit
PITTSBURGH – The AMOA-National Dart Association honored five Top Gun Award winners at the NDA Dart Summit July 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The NDA Top Gun Awards are designed to recognize member activities and programs that are making a difference within the Association and the community. The awards give the NDA a chance to honor the best and brightest ideas, projects and people in the industry. Eligible NDA members submitted nominees for Dart League Coordinator of the Year, the Rising Star Award, Best Web site, Best Publication and the Golden Pen Award.
Pat Webb, City Amusement Enterprises, Portsmith, Ohio, was honored at Dart Summit with the Dart League Coordinator of the Year Award.
Pat truly goes above and beyond for all of his players. He has worked diligently to grow leagues for City Amusement Enterprises in Ohio. Operating in a small area, Pat has worked hard to build relationships with location owners, beer distributors and players, especially getting them out of their houses and into the bars to play.
Jason “J.L.” Hudson, honored with the Rising Star Award, has been with Blackhawk Music Company in Illinois for three years.
Over the years, J.L. has developed a very strong relationship and trust with the dart players and location owners. Every year J.L. amazes everyone with his ideas for different formats for Blackhawk’s tournaments. When the players start getting bored of the same old tournaments, J.L. puts his thinking cap on and always comes up with ideas that the players love. J.L. puts great effort into all he does, including volunteering at Team Dart for the past three years. He is an asset to Blackhawk Music as a staff member and as a volunteer for the Association.
Lucky Toss Darts, Saskatoon, Canada, was honored with the Best Web site Award.
Designed with a player’s viewpoint, Lucky Toss Darts’ Web site, http://luckytos.sasktelwebsite.net/, is easy to navigate and full of important information. The site facilitates communications with their players and keeps them informed with league schedules, statistics and upcoming events.
This year’s Top Gun Award for Best Operator Publication went to Fede-Adreim SL, Spain. Players love to see themselves in action and their name in lights. FEDE-Adreim realizes this and goes the extra mile to recognize their players by highlighting their achievements in their publication, Dart Mania.
Harlan Tasaka, The Gamemaster, Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded the Golden Pen Award. Though hundreds of miles separated The Gamemaster office and the NDA office, Harlan still provided the NDA with exemplary communication and correspondence.
BOB ANDERSON CROWNED LEAGUE OF LEGENDS CHAMPION
Reported by Patrick Chaplin, Photos by Chris Sargeant
Bob Anderson justified his billing as favourite throughout the Betfred.com League of Legends by capturing the inaugural title (and a £15,000 winner’s cheque) with a 10-4 final victory over Keith Deller at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Essex on Friday 22nd August.
The 60-year-old from Clevedon, Somerset, produced a sparkling display at the Circus Tavern that at times was reminiscent of the years when he reached two World Championship semi-finals at the same venue.
Photo Caption: Bob Anderson, the inaugural Bedfred.com League of Lengends Champion, defeated Keith Dellar in the final.
In the first of the best of 17 legs semi-finals of the evening, 1988 World Champion Anderson tamed the 1989 World Master and 1996 World Matchplay Champion, Peter The Fen Tiger 9-6. The Limestone Cowboy made the decisive breakthrough in leg 10, which he took against the throw on double four to lead 6-4, and from that point on he was always in command. In the eleventh leg Anderson consolidated his advantage by opening up with a 180 on his way to going 7-4 up, and the next two legs were shared to put the Clevedon professional on the brink of victory at 8-5.
But Evison was not finished - just yet - and kept his hopes alive with a brilliant 141 checkout, hitting treble 20, treble 15 and double 18. But in the next leg Evison could not go one better by taking out a 142 and Anderson capitalized, pinning the double nine to clinch his place in the final. Evison admitted he had been well below his best. “I was shocked. That was upsetting, but Bob played proper darts. He pressurized me at the right times and when I was in I didn't get in quickly enough. If I had taken out the 142, I would have been back in the match without a doubt, but fair play to Bob.”
Anderson then awaited the outcome of the second semi-final between the 1983 Embassy World Champion, Keith Deller and Big Cliff Lazarenko.
Keith Deller claimed the second spot in the final when he eventually overpowered his close friend Cliff Lazarenko in a see-saw encounter 9-4. Deller, who had needed to beat Dave Whitcombe in Stoke the previous week just to secure a place in the last four, stormed clear again after the Wellingborough ace had fought back from 5-1 down to 5-4.
After the first two legs had been shared, Deller struck a rich vein of form by winning four legs in succession. Then Lazarenko produced some of the quality that had earned him his semi-final place and played himself right back into the match at 5-4. However, Deller was unfazed by the fight back and pulled away again with five legs in a row to clinch a shot at the £15,000 first prize.
Big Cliff admitted he had not been on his game and that he lost a little patience when he was trailing. He said, “I knew Keith would come out with all guns blazing. He took command early, I missed a few doubles and I started to get frustrated. I didn’t really let myself flow.” At the start of the tournament back in May, Lazarenko had set himself a goal of achieving a top four place and this he had done but he added, “I’m not really disappointed, but I am upset with my performance. It wasn’t my year this year, but maybe it will be next year.”
During the short interval between the second semi-final and the final, the capacity crowd were entertained by a special best of three legs doubles tournament that pitched Dave Whitcombe and John Lowe against Eric Bristow and Bobby George. It was an easy victory for Whitcombe and Lowe 2-0 as Old Stoneface found the form that had practically eluded him during his previous matches in the League.
Less than thirty minutes after his semi-final victory over Cliff Lazarenko, Keith Deller was back on the stage to face Bob Anderson in the best of 19 legs final to decide who would win the inaugural Betfred.com League of Legends title.
Unfortunately, Deller could not replicate the excellent form he had shown in the semi-final as the Limestone Cowboy flew out of the blocks and, thanks to crisp finishing, established a 4-0 lead. Deller was never able to bridge the gap and Anderson, who had been favorite to win the title from Day One, ran out the winner by 10 legs to 4, Del Boy having to be satisfied with the runner's up cheque.
Deller acknowledged he had simply been outplayed by a better opponent on the night. “In the first six legs everything went to plan for Bob,” said the 48-year-old from Suffolk, “That was the form of someone who could be ranked in the top 16 in the world. His first six legs were absolutely fantastic. Bob admitted to me afterwards that he had hit absolutely everything and that’s what you have to do in a final.” But Deller admitted, “I wasn’t expecting Bob to play as well as that, but he is a great champion and at the end of the day the best player won it. I can’t argue with that.”
Afterwards the victorious Anderson, £15,000 the richer, told Bull’s-Eye News, “There is no finer medicine known to mankind than victory. I was determined to live up to my pre-tournament billing as favorite, and I achieved that. My mind set was, as always, to focus and endeavour to play the best that I could. Perhaps not all participants had that determination, but both finalists certainly did.” He added, “It has been 20 years since I won the World Championship, and this feels just every bit as good. I am very proud to be the inaugural League of Legends champion, and hope this leads me to new darting heights and challenges.”
When asked to comment about his opponents on the night Anderson said, “I was particularly delighted with the way I played in the semi-final to get past Peter Evison. He is a tough nut to crack. Keith had just had a tough game against Cliff and I’d had a rest so maybe that explains why I started as well as I did.”
Of the overall tournament he said, “To play against these guys on a regular basis again has been fantastic. It’s really woken me up and told me I can still do it and be up there and compete. At the age of nearly 61 I’m very pleased to be in the League of Legends and I’m looking forward to next year.”
All eight players were unanimous in thanking Betfred.com. As the inaugural winner of the Betfred.com League of Legends title, Bob Anderson told reporters, “We’d all like to say a very big thank you to Betfred because without them the League of Legends wouldn’t have happened.”
Fred Done, founder of title sponsor Betfred.com told Bull’s-Eye News, “I am delighted with the success of the League of Legends this year. I always thought it would be massive and that is how it turned out.” Confirming that the sponsor is already pressing on with organizing next year’s tournament (the second year of a three year deal), a Betfred.com spokesmen said, “Provisional dates for 2009 have already been pencilled in although the intention is that the series will be more compact, time-wise next year thus avoiding the lengthy gaps that were experienced this year.”
When asked if the same eight-man line-up would feature in the 2009 League of Legends, the spokesman added, “This will be reviewed over the coming months.”
It will be interesting to see if, following on from the success of the Betfred.com League of Legends in the UK, the concept eventually finds its way ‘across the pond’. In the meantime, BEN readers are invited to nominate their personal legendary darters.
Friends Lost
Lil Coombs • 1923–2008
The darting community lost a dear friend this past summer when Lil Coombs passed away at the age of 85. Lil began her darting career seriously at the age of 55 and by the time she was 62, she was the number one ranked women darts player in the world.
Though Lil was never selected to play for her country on the British Team, Lil traveled the world competing in International darting events and making friends. Lil was very close to the American darting community, coming to America for many of the larger events during her darting career. She will always be fondly remembered and will be missed by her many long time friends throughout the world.
Photo Caption: Stacy Bromberg and Lil Combs. Of Lil Stacy said, “She was and always will be, by far, the greatest influence on my competitive darts career. She was my partner, my mentor, my competition, and, most importantly, my friend. I will miss her...."
Liam Cooke • 2008
Liam Cooke was a great dart player. If you played darts in Chicago, you knew him. It did not matter if you hadn’t played in 30 years or just started six months ago, you knew Liam. And Liam knew you.
Liam passed away suddenly in April, at a young age – fifty, I think. He never did tell me his real age. Coy until the end. I thought I met him when he was 17, but I found out he could have been as young as 14.
He and his father Bill were born in Ireland. Bill would travel to the big dart bars in Chicago, taking Liam with him. “Let the kid play,” he’d ask of the owners and bartenders and they obliged. We all called him “the kid.” He had an amazing stroke. He’d step up to the line and set his hip a certain way, rarely moving after that and deliver his dart, smooth, swift and soundless, with deadly accuracy. At the height of his skills when he was in his 30s, if he had 160 or less left, we packed up our darts, because the game was most likely over.
I’ve played with him and against him hundreds of times over the last three decades and win or lose, he was always the same, a gentleman and a good sport. He played for the pure love of the game and cheered for great shots – it didn’t matter if you were his partner or opponent, a good game was to be celebrated.
I met him in 1974, at Chicago’s first city championship. I didn’t want to go, as I’d only been playing for a few months, but my teammates dragged me there anyway. Liam was the first person I met outside of my small nucleus of teammates and division opponents. He was ready with a smile and a handshake. That weekend, I gained a new friend and our friendship lasted 34 years.
Photo Caption: Liam Cooke, one of Chicago’s best!
He had a huge smile and an infectious giggle. He would light up a room when he arrived. Someone would always announce, “Liam’s here,” as he rushed through the doorway, with his Groucho-Marx like walk. He had a wonderful way of taking some of the most mundane incidents and making them sound like the most exciting thing that happened all week. “Hey, guess what,” he’d say with child-like innocence, and launch into some anecdote. As someone recently told me, “how could you not have fun when Liam was around.”
Although I knew he was well-liked, I never realized until now how well-loved he was by hundreds of people. His memorial service was standing-room-only and we all cried over the loss of our dear friend.
He never had a bad word to say about anybody. He loved people and people loved him. He had more friends than anyone else I know. We will miss his jokes and his laughter, his sweet nature and gentle soul. He was truly one in a million.
Liam Cooke was a great dart player, but a great dart player isn’t just about winning. Liam didn’t win all the time. After all, he was competing during the time when some of the best payers in the country lived in Chicago: Dan Pucillo, K.C. Mullaney, Jerry Pavlik, Jim Damore. Liam and these guys would take turns winning local tournaments.
A great player is about loving the game, nurturing, teaching and encouraging, and leaving behind a legion of teammates and friends who feel your loss every day. Liam did all of these things. He was the greatest player I have ever known.
—Nancy Visocki
Thomas W Sammarco • 2008
Thomas W. Sammarco, 60, of Mills and Center Conway, New Hampshire, formerly of Needham, was tragically killed in an auto accident in Portland, Maine, on June 30, 2008. He was the beloved husband of Cheryl J. (Evans) and a loving brother of Leonard Sammarco and his wife Elise of Clarendon, Vermont, Peter Sammarco and his wife Gail of Westford, Paul Sammarco of Needham and Carolyn A. Sammarco of Framingham. Uncle of Amy Carvalho of Boulder City, Nevada and Erin Sammarco of Rutland, Vermont.
Funeral Services were held at the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave., Needham on Monday, July 7th at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends were kindly invited.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's name may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 85 Astor Ave., Suite 2, Norwood, MA 02062.
Tom was a graduate of Needham High School, Class of 1965. He was a resident of Needham for 55 years before moving to Millis and Center Conway, NH. Tom was the General Manager at Genalco, Inc. of Needham for over 30 years and Co-owner of the Sportsman Lounge in Millis for 32 years.
Tom was a long time member of the Minite Man Dart League who serviced on the Board of Directors and was instrumental in the growth and development of the League and Witch City Open tournament in earlier years. He will be greatly missed by many.
Wayne Weinheimer • 2008
Sacramento native Wayne Weinheimer succumbed to cancer on Thursday, July 10. Though Wayne was an avid and excellent darter, his first love was baseball. A multi-sport athlete at Sacramento High, Wayne was drafted by the Chicago Cubs out of high school. Wayne elected to go to community college where he achieved All-America honors as an outfielder. Wayne then signed with the Cubs for whom he had a distinguished minor league career.
Services for Wayne were held on Saturday July 19th at the Turn Verein in Sacramento.
The family has requested that any donations should go to the Wayne Weinheimer Memorial Fund, C/O Safe Credit Union, 2901 "K" Street Ste 100 Sacramento CA.
Our condolences to the entire Weinheimer family. Such a good man and so young. On behalf of the SVDA Board.
