BAT 2008 home/Rotisserie Picks Page



25-27 April 2008

Scott's Rotisserie Contest
(Click here to see the ever-growing list of Rotisserie Picks)
(Click here to see the Rotisserie standings on Saturday night)
(Click here to see the Rotisserie winners after the event)


North America's favorite Rotisserie Contest is back again! SCRABBLE® players, friends, and fans everywhere are invited to enter this popular handicapping competition in conjunction with the 2008 Boston Area SCRABBLE® Tournament. Last year we had a record 232 entries and handed out more than $2,000 in prize money. We expect another major turnout this year, so don't miss out. Join in the fun and show off your handicapping skills by picking the BAT winners!

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

1.	Choose two players in Premier, three players in Division A, and two players in Division B. Those seven players form your entry, or "team." Note we are using THREE players in Division A again this year because it is so large.
2.	In each division, one of your selections must be from the "top portion" of the division, and one from the "bottom portion" (in Division A there's a top, middle, and bottom). These portions are clearly marked on the entrant list.
3.	For each game won by one of your players, your team earns 1 point. The team that racks up the most points wins! (And once again we'll be breaking ties with cumulative spread.)

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 (we'll announce early in the weekend how the pot is being divided up).

Pick your friends, pick your favorites, or, if you're feeling confident, pick yourself! If your selections pan out, you'll be rewarded with fame, glory,  gobs of cash, and a permanent place in the annals of BAT Rotisserie lore.

The preferred payment option is to send money via PayPal to spianow@comcast.net ( from a checking account only, as a fee is charged to the recipient of credit card transactions). You can also pay me at the site, please see FAQ #1 below for more information on that. If your payment is not received before the event begins, your entry will be voided. The sooner you send your picks in, the better, though most of the entries will filter in sometime in mid-April (you need to know who's playing, after all). Your entries should be sent to me, Scott Pianowski, at spianow@comcast.net *and* spianow@gmail.com. I'll send everyone a confirmation email when I receive your picks, so be on the lookout for that--it's essentially your receipt.

Stay tuned to this page, as we'll continue to update it with details, a full list of "teams," and complete results!

Read on for answers to all the questions you've been dying to ask...

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 always seeking as many "remote" players as possible, to give the pool a truly national (if not 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, in US funds please. The strongly preferred method of payment is via PayPal, a simple and secure way to transmit funds electronically (www.paypal.com; my paypal address is spianow@comcast.net). If you will be attending the BAT, you may pay in person prior to the event if absolutely necessary. If you are a remote entry, acceptable arrangements must be made to pay in advance. We do trust everyone, but hey, good luck finding a Las Vegas sportsbook that agrees to let you pay your bet after the game.

3. When are my picks due?

NEW THIS YEAR-- I'm shutting off roto entries at 11 p.m. eastern time on Thursday, April 24. Given the work and social obligations I have during this week, it's simply not a good idea to be scrambling around collecting up last-second entries. If you know prospective roto players who are not online, (a) welcome them to the year 2008, and (b) make them aware that players may NOT enter the roto at the site on Friday! Your understanding on this is much appreciated. 4. How much of the entry fees are going towards prizes?

Ninety percent. The overwhelming response to this contest in recent years has made it a victim of it's own success (especially in the Rod MacNeil era). Quite simply, it takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to run. Between all the planning, organizing, promoting, coordinating, e-mailing, updating, tallying, and responding to the always-friendly inquiries of concerned participants, it's a handful. This small administrative cut has the approval of the directors; it was initially instituted in 2003.

5. 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'll refer you to Gamblers Anonymous or force you to watch the Pete Rose SportsCentury piece over-and-over for 24 hours.

7. Who won the Rotisserie last year?

Cecilia Le is our defending champion, continuing her impressive resume of roto success. Dielle Saldanha won the contest in 2006; Ron Tiekert was just one pick off a perfect sheet in 2005; and David Pearl and Jamie Ryan split the big prize in 2004.

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

Regular updates at the site will be available courtesy of the fantastic Mr. John Chew. I'll also have results available to remote players via a CGP post after every full day of completed play.

9. When and how will the winners be paid?

Even though the scorekeeping has become infinitely more efficient with John Chew's TSH program on board (many thanks, JJC), I will maintain a 72-hour waiting period before the winners will be paid. Simply put, I want to be 100 percent sure we have the right teams and scores in place before I cut any checks (the last thing I'd want to do is pay someone mistakenly on Sunday). Past winners can attest that all payments go out immediately after this 72-hour period.

10. Why are the upper and lower halves of Division A not equal in size?

There are two goals with setting an arbitrary rotisserie line for Division A (and Division B for that matter), rather than having it be a constantly changing line that simply splits the divisions in half or in thirds . . . 1, it makes it easier for people to make "early" Rotisserie picks, without worrying about if the line has changed or not with respect to new entries, and 2, it allows for us to attempt to break up the divisions in such a way that the pool will receive the most unique amount of entries. Time will tell if I've set the line in the right place (this must be how Vegas feels on a daily basis).

11. What if one of my picks drops out late or changes divisions late?

If one of your players can't make it to the event via some last-minute mishap or change of plans, that Rotisserie selection will automatically default to the highest-seeded player in that pool of players (per the April 1 ratings). However, if you learn that one of your picks has been forced to cancel and you can notify me of a re-pick *before the tournament starts*, I'll allow you to alter your team in this way. Once the tournament begins, no one will be allowed to change rotisserie selections.

The above guideline will also be followed if players switch divisions. If you pick Sally Scrabbler and she happens to move up or down divisions, your individual pick of her is no longer valid and will be deleted in favor of a default selection (or you can contact me and make an alternate pick yourself if you do it before the beginning of the tournament). Note that this rule applies no matter which direction the player in question may be moving, up or down.

One other key rule to be aware of--if one of your picks starts the tournament (plays at least one complete game) but does not finish the tournament for any reason, your roster will not be adjusted to another player. Handicap carefully!

12. Anything else I should know?

Void where prohibited. Should any controversy of any kind arise, the final decision of tournament director Sherrie Saint John is final. Your mileage may vary. Roto side affects may include insomnia, headaches, double vision, fever, and acute endgame errors. Play early, play often, and have fun.

Questions?
Contact Scott Pianowski at spianow@comcast.net or spianow@gmail.com.



BAT 2008 home/Rotisserie Picks Page