BAT 2002 home/Rotisserie Picks Page



2002 Boston-Area Tournament
12-14 April 2002
Rod's Rotisserie Contest
(Click here to see the ever-growing list of Rotisserie Picks)
(Click here to see the Rotisserie winners)


"Word Freaks" and SCRABBLE® fans around the world are cordially invited to join us this April for the traditional Rotisserie Contest at the 21st Annual Boston Area SCRABBLE® Tournament. This event has become wildly popular. 2001 entries and prize money nearly quadrupled from the previous year, thanks in great part to the effort and enthusiasm of Scott Pianowski. This year, the baton is passed to me, Rod MacNeil, and we expect it will continue to grow! If you can buy more fun for $10, please let the rest of us in on your secret!

The rules are as simple as 1-2-3:

1.	Choose two players each in the Premier, A, and B divisions for your entry, or "team".
2.	In each division, one of your selections must be from the "top half" of the division, and one from the bottom half. Those halves will be clearly marked as the entrant list becomes finalized.
3.	For each game won by one of your players, your team earns 1 point. The team that racks up the most points wins!

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. All entry fees collected will be returned as prizes.

Pick your friends, pick your favorites, or, if you have enough confidence, pick yourself! If your selections pan out, you'll be rewarded with fame, glory, groupies, and lots of cash.

Last year's pool, as promised, was larger, more publicized and organized, offered record prizes, and was certainly more fun than ever before! With your help, we can match and exceed that success! Entries should be sent to ScrabbleNH@aol.com.

The best remote payment option is to send money via PayPal to ScrabbleNH@aol.com (please send from a checking account only as a fee is charged to me for credit card transactions). Monies can also be collected before games begin on the evening of 12 April 2002. Please note that remote entries will be cut off earlier this year (meaning, if I don't have your payment in hand before the event begins, your entry will be voided). Once the entrant list becomes finalized with 1 April ratings, the sooner you send your picks in, the better!

Keep your eyes peeled to this page, as we'll continue to update you with rules, regulations, and scores in progress when the tournament begins.

Read on for more answers to all your burning questions...

Rotisserie FAQ

1. I'm not playing at the Boston Area Tournament this year. Can I still participate in the Rotisserie?

Yes, absolutely; we're seeking as many "remote" players as possible, to give the pool a truly 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. That's US funds. Plug in the current exchange rates, and it's approximately $873.99 CAN. :) If you will be attending the BAT, you may pay in person prior to the event. If you are a remote entry, acceptable arrangements must be made to pay in advance. We do trust everyone, but let's just say I'd be laughed out of any Vegas sportsbook if I promised to pay my bet after the game.

3. How much of the entry fees are going towards prizes?

All of it; 100 percent. We are not taking any cut for running this contest. Such humanitarianism.

4. 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 sheets, allowing them to cover more bases and root for more players. Trust us, it's addictive! And 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 refer you to Gamblers Anonymous.

6. Who won the Rotisserie last year?

The defending co-champions are Jim Geary and Steve Pellinen. Both were remote entries last year. If you won't be making it to Boston, that's extra incentive for you to enter and follow in their footsteps! Geary's team consisted of Joe Edley, Lisa Odom, Mike Wolfberg, Richard Buck, John Scalzo, and Debbie Stegman. Pellinen's team was nearly identical, but chose Ian Weinstein instead of Wolfberg.

7. Why isn't every division included in the Rotisserie?

While we do consider all divisions important, it's a fact of life that people are most familiar with players in the higher divisions. Thus the contest has the broadest appeal this way. Besides, it's more fun to just keep this simple for everyone. Hey, I'm doing this for free, whaddya want? :)

8. Ok, so how will I know how my team is doing?

Round-by-round standings updates at the event will be pretty impossible. I'm also playing in the tournament, and will be keeping my primary focus on that. I'll do my best to keep you posted at the end of each day, both at the tourney site and on CGP, but we'll see what time permits. I gotta sleep sometime, ya know?

9. When and how will the winners be paid?

For the same reasons stated above, it's unlikely that prizewinners can be accurately (and carefully) determined in time for the awards ceremony. We want to make sure we get it right! Once the official results are confirmed, arrangements will be made to send the winners their loot within 3 days. At which point, prizewinners will be welcome to buy dinner and a round of drinks for the entire BAT staff.

10. Rod, are you Canadian?

No. I'm a native of the Boston area. Apparently there is (was) a Canadian player named Steven with the same last name, but he's been inactive since I arrived on the scene. I love Canada, I have many Canadian relatives (my grandmother was born and raised in Nova Scotia), and I live in close proximity to the Canadian border. I even play hockey, eh? But no, I'm not Canadian.

11. Speaking of you, who are you, and what qualifies you to run this contest?

I'm the Director of NSA Club #510 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Still relatively new to tournament SCRABBLE®; been at it about 4 1/2 years now. A sportswriter by trade, and successful veteran of scores of sports rotisserie leagues and other SCRABBLE® roto pools, I love doing this sort of thing. However, that doesn't mean I have any better a chance of winning this contest than a blindfolded monkey picking names with a dartboard.

Keep this page bookmarked for additional info as we approach April's Tournament. Let the fun begin!

Questions?
Contact Rod MacNeil at ScrabbleNH@aol.com

BAT 2002 home/Rotisserie Picks Page