Roy Hobbs 2024 updates …

Belated Easter and April Fools Greetings …

We do hope that this Easter was a fulfilling day of renewal … and then, that April 1 was good for a few relaxing laughs!  

Moi? Drove 1300 miles in 19 hours, (no foolin’) arriving at our Texas headquarters about 8:15 pm and received my annual flower bouquet from my bride – thank you – she says it’s “my day” – hmmmm!

No foolin’ …

Work on the 2024 Roy Hobbs World Series has started, and we have made some decisions as we move forward.  Here is a look at those decisions and a peek at some of our reasoning.

RH policy / cheating

While we believe that overall the Hobbs RHWS is a very clean event, there is evidence of some managers/teams turning a blind eye to our guidelines, and there are some unsubstantiated rumors of organized malfeasance.  Nothing we can prove, but the rumors are disconcerting.

So here’s the deal:  Those in violation of Roy Hobbs Guidelines – including but NOT limited to the use of underage players or swapping game jerseys after lineups are given to game officials – will be dismissed from the RHWS immediately.  If the violation is deemed a team issue, the entire team will be dismissed, with no refunds.  There will be no appeal.  RH eligibility guidelines have been updated to emphasize ultimate sanctions for cheating, posted here: https://royhobbs.com/world-series/rules-guidelines/eligibility

RH policy / AAAA playoffs

In all age divisions, players on team in AAAA playoffs will be REQUIRED to be in the dugout during the Thursday playoff games for continued playoff eligibility.  They don’t have to play, but they MUST be in attendance.  (This is a team game!)  If not, they will be ineligible for the rest of the playoffs; Roy Hobbs will circulate a list of eligible AAAA players by the start of the second round.

Players may still contribute on Sunday and go home, but they MUST re-check-on and be back in uniform on the bench by 10 a.m. Thursday.  No exceptions.

RH policy / geographic rosters

Roy Hobbs is extending enforcement of geographic integrity guidelines to 65s and 70s, with NO grandfathering of players on 2023 teams’ rosters.  To wit, Vintage and Timeless teams are allowed a maximum of 6 players from outside their regional area.  This is the same guideline as in other divisions, and we admit we have been entirely too lax on enforcement.

The only exception to potential grandfathering will be if players in question hale from a state/region where there is no RHWS team in that age bracket.  If there is, that’s where they play unless those teams sign off on their playing elsewhere.  Roy Hobbs will require that in writing.

RH policy / 65-70 balance

Roy Hobbs continues to have concerns about the lack of level playing balance atop the 65s and 70s division.  This is not something that can be solved with laser-grading.

We know addressing and solving this issue may be painful, and we are looking at several scheduling options.  Please know that we are tired of good teams running up scores and then innocently saying “Who? Us? We couldn’t help it!”  Bull hockey!

There are solutions, up to and including not inviting those teams to compete. (We have similar thoughts about the Sunshine Classic.)  I guess those loaded teams should take a look in the mirror and decide whether they want to be a part of the competition solution or risk Roy Hobbs mandating a solution.

RH policy / age adjustments

Roy Hobbs is making some adjustments in the 70s and 75s.  

A second 69-year-old exemption will be allowed in the Timeless (70s) Division; however, that player MUST be a catcher ONLY; he may not be in the starting offensive order, but may share a position with required alternating of hitters.

In Forever Young (75s), teams may have 3 74-year-old players, one of whom, if designated before play starts, may pitch.  What is being added is a codicil that one of the underage players may be has young as 70 but MUST be a catcher only, with the same batting restrictions as the second 69-yo in the Timeless Division.

Age guidelines can be found here: https://royhobbs.com/world-series/rules-guidelines/underage

RH policy / 80s division

Given the issues Roy Hobbs encountered with the 80s Division in 2023, we suggest playing 80s during the first week:  a 5-day event, October 22-26.  

We evaluated 3 options:  1. Status quo along side 75s; 2. Tacked onto the end of 75s and lasting into Thanksgiving week; and 3. Significantly changing weeks.  (The previous week – 60s & 70s – is not feasible inasmuch as RH anticipates that week will be over-subscribed.)

Our goal is developing a viable 80s division, offering continued opportunities to play the game we love.  

Hence, we are looking at Veterans week, where we have plenty of field options.  We propose 4 teams for a 5-day event, Tuesday thru Saturday, with round-robin play and a 4-team playoff with each team guaranteed 5 games.  Fees would continue to be individually player based.

The simultaneous play with 75s and 80s last fall demonstrated 2 major issues.  First, the endurance of the 80s was not what they (or we) anticipated – many simply were not able to play 2 games in one day.  Second, 75s managers/teams were not happy with losing players to outside 80s play.

We believe the positives of placing the 80s in Week 1 outweigh the negatives.  In our view, the only real negative is the potential of 2 trips to Fort Myers if players want to play 75s too.

Conversely, there are no game conflicts, only 1 game a day, and 3 weeks to be ready for 75s.  Endurance then becomes a Forever Young issue exclusively.

Antiques

How about Antiques as a name for the 80s division?

No foolin’!