It *is* a great idea -- in theory. There are two big (but not insurmountable) problems, and one small but crucial definitions question, that I see as obstacles to running a junior bird trash tournament. The first problem is, where do you get the questions? Trash tournaments are either (a) written by one or two masochists willing to produce an entire tournament or (b) based on packet submission. Ever seen an unedited trash packet written by novice trash players? It ain't a pretty sight. Now I do have some ideas on how to get around problem #1 -- there seem to be enough people scattered around the country who are willing to write a trash round in exchange for the full set of questions afterwards. This leaves us with problem #2: where do you get the TEAMS? In 2000-2001 UTC ran five trash tournaments -- Big Lots, TrashMasters, ACF Detox, RC Cola, and Muck Masters. With the exception of the venerable TrashMasters, the field size for these tournaments was usually around eight teams. 80-90% of the players on those teams would be ineligible for a junior bird. Are there enough novices to form a big enough tournament field? Finally, there's the definitions question. Who is and who isn't eligible for a junior bird? Trash is generally open to former students and miscellaneous civilians as well as current college students. Do you determine eligibility by how many trash tournaments they've played, or some other standard? All that being said -- and I need my head examined for even thinking this -- UTC could hold a junior bird trash tournament the day after Sword Bowl if there were enough interested teams. Or we could hold one Sun., April 14 -- the day after our spring high school tournament (which might yield some novice teams too) and the weekend of TRASHionals. If you are seriously interested in bringing a team to a junior bird trash tournament, e-mail me at steinhic_at_... with your thoughts and we'll see what we can do.
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