The biggest challenge in running an event like the Nationals is the myriad of small things that must be managed in order to ensure the event is both exciting for spectators and also meets the players' expectations. The USBA is a volunteer-centric organization... unless someone steps up to do it... it don't get done... "it" can be anything and everything. There are no paid positions.
In the case of schedules, charts and the like... the Tournament Director... and any helpers... primarily focus on ensuring that the information is produced accurately, quickly and is delivered to the players so they can plan their day and get to their matches ready and on time. Same thing is true about results... transcribing the results from sheets of paper into cross tables, getting everything correct, then publishing at the venue is very detailed work and the primary objective... To make things even more challenging, the people who are handling all these tasks are constantly faced with a barrage of questions and interruptions. Once done, getting it out to the web site is a whole separate task. But this year the web management is a defined task... that is... one volunteer is responsible for all things web! Uh... that would be me.
As I have stated in other threads here on AZ... it is my intention to report via Twitter as many of the scheduled matches, results and other news items that I can... as things actually happen. I will also be assisting with the live stream camera work, and producing live video with a pair of gopro action cameras. I also will set up a 2nd backup stream on a secondary table and if it goes live I will make that link available as well. AND I will be posting all the results that I can snare from the TD in electronic format on the USBA web site (home page)... with links to charts and pictures where available.
So think Twitter and think USBA home page and you are going to get the earliest look at what is happening at the Nationals.
Now... if any AZers want to help out... even if you can't make it to New Jersey... here are a few things you can do... right from the comfort of your easy chair or computer desk:
1. PLEASE... Join the USBA... we need members and we need money. Thanks goes to those who offer not just their comments... but who volunteer to work on events and projects... and who generously provide financial support. Put your helmet on and get in the game. I am having a blast doing this. Joining is easy, affordable and means a great deal to this small organization.
2. Follow us on Twitter. If you don't know how... at least go to the USBA home page and click the blue twitter bird up in the left corner... you will see ALL the tweets live even if you don't have a Twitter account. I have a Twitter app on my iPhone... so I can send out information immediately when I have it. If you follow us and put the app on your phone you can receive it all in real time. As a follower you will always receive a notice when a new article, tournament result or other item of interest about USBA takes place.
3. Spread the word to other billiard players... encourage them to check out the live stream... chat with the other members on line during the matches... follow us on Twitter... go to the USBA web site regularly and read the articles... check out the Tournament Schedule... make sure your local room is in the Where to Play directory... watch the videos in our multiple video galleries... check out our photo galleries... check out the online store... get involved... JOIN THE USBA!
Thanks to everyone for reading this reply... now... let's see how many new members we get... and let's make this the best Nationals event ever... whether playing or watching.
I guess I am just too busy getting stuff done and having fun!