We have 5 Courts, 4 of them are the same size one of them is wider. Its where all the final matches will be held.
Bid NAHBPC 2010: Boston, MA
Sponsor commitment:
70-80% of these listed sponsors are guaranteed. They have repeatedly donated goods to races and competitions in the region, and both support and are supported by an active biking community in Boston.
The sponsors that have been approached at this time are committed to advancement and awareness of the biking community as a whole. In Boston, the bike community is quite close, with continuous support for races as well as polo competitions. Events are well-attended and these sponsors are those most well-known and respected for community support. The above-listed sponsors advocate bicycling in general, although more polo-specific sponsors will be sought out before the event takes place. This event is a great opportunity for these very local artisans to have their work observed and authenticated by polo enthusiasts and the Boston bike community in general.
Sponsors:
Open Bicycle will donate tubes, prizes, and mechanical support. The shop will also offer 10% off most goods for polo players.
Photographers and Videographers will document the event: Keena Photography and Quarter Productions will be shooting and filming the event.
Local graphic designer: Dan St.Germain to create website for the event
Pursuing 3 Local Frame Builders willing to make frames for the winners or MVP.
Local artisans including Recluse, Pedalstrike, Seedsewn, Cassette.
--hats
--t shirts
--custom leather goods
--tool/hip pouches
--top tube protectors
Local Engineer will produce custom original polo chain ring
Local jewelry maker to make custom head badges
Massbike, a statewide advocacy group, will provide promotional support
Local breweries to donate beer
Area Restaurants to Cater Lunch
Earth Wind and Rider (Cambridge-based clothing company) is on board for sponsorship
We have gotten past sponsorships and expect continued support from:
Redbull
Redbones
Narraganset
Chipotle
Harpoon Brewery
Pretty Things Brewery
Anticipated cost of registration:
The anticipated cost of registration is expected to be $60 per team. Included in the cost of registration is a tournament booklet, water bottle, t-shirt, and NAHBPC patch for each team member.
Proceeds :
It is not our goal to make a profit as organizers. Any proceeds will be returned to the polo community; some in the form of cash purse prizes, and any significant proceeds will be donated to the 2011 NAHBPC's
Finances:
We are looking at a cost of around $8000 to host this tournament. This includes the permits, constructions, insurance, materials and printing of posters and pamphlets. We will be able to cover the tournament costs with team registration, sponsers, advertising, and the sale of merchandise at the tournament. We are working to secure breakfast and lunch sponsors, so that food will be provided for all players and volunteers.
Format:
We have not yet locked down a fromat for the first day of the tournament. The organizers of this event will be in close communication with North American Hardcourt Organizing Body as well as organizers of Euro and Worlds to establish a format that is most fair and offers the most playing time for each team. Our goal in this competition is to provide the most playing time for all teams, while still allowing for a competitive event throughout the two days.
We realistically expect 50 teams, and our 5 courts will provide plenty of pickup time for all teams in addition to the competition games, allowing all teams to shuffle and experience playing styles of different cities.
The second day will consist of a 64 team double elimination, seeded from the previous day.
Eligibility:
The organizers have decided to cap the event at 64 teams. Any team that wins one of the six regional tournaments will win free entry into the North Americans. We would like offer the opportunity for the most cities to participate in the competitions, without the classification of an Invitational. We will be conducting a first-come, first-serve registration, after the regional tournament winners.
How many teams will you have capacity for? :
We will have to capacity for 64 teams.
Long term goals:
The Boston NAHBPC will help laydown a foundation on how tournaments of this caliber should be run. We will be the first North American tournament being held with backing of the newly formed North American Hardcourt Organizing Body. We will be working hand-in-hand to help them lay a foundation for their mission of a unified sport. The organizers will be in close communication with NAHOB to establish a "how to run a tournament" document, that will be used for future tournaments to establish legitimacy. I will be relaying all information and resources used to organize this event with the Organizing Body.
We also hope to improve the sport in general, by providing a well-organized tournament for the players as well as an interesting and diverse spectator sport.
What else do you want to add? :
There are more pictures of the courts on the flickr link below.
We just made a new video for Boston Bike Polo, its on the main website, along with the vimeo link.
Location
Arsenal St
Watertown, MA United States
See map: Google Maps
Sounds solid.
This is more of a question for the organizing body rather than the proponents: How will block sponsorship and local sponsorship work for these tournaments? Some larger sponsors will want exclusivity to ensure maximum exposure (ultimately, as much as we'd like to think they support us because they love us, they support us because they get exposure) - at least I can see this happening in the future.
Its my understanding that block sponsorship is one of the goals behind the organizing body, which I don't disagree with, however, how do we keep a balance between attracting and maintaining some sort of control over larger sponsorships, while still encouraging and having a two way street of supporting local sponsorship? Perhaps this isn't an issue at all, but thought I would float it out there.
Thorough proposal Boston - looks like a great location!!
Bid: WHBPC 2010 in Berlin
By captain_morgan - Posted on 09 November 2009
General
Proposed dates:
August 6,7,8 - preferred
or July 30, 31, August 1s
It would be really hard to make it to both of these if there in the same month
This is something that will need to be figured out as soon as possible. The Recreation department that we are getting the permit from will need solid dates before Christmas time. I do have plenty of freedom to get whatever dates I need, however we need to have enough time before worlds and euros for the regional tournaments to happen.
Its going to be hard until we have more info in general about dates for all the major tournaments. I think the timing for NA's and Worlds this year worked out well, and if we could try to copy that for next year, that would be the most ideal. But I know Berlin has some issues with pushing their tournament back.
This looks like a nice set-up; I especially like the number of courts in one place. Pick up between games hellz yea! How's the condition of the courts, surface and what not? Would there be boards to round out the corners? Boards around any chain link? Is this where you usually play? Central location?
Never been to Boston, look forward to the to visit if this is indeed where it goes down...
As far as considering dates with regional tournaments goes, I say NAHCBPC takes precedence and tournaments should revolve around it and the worlds.
How much time should there be between NA's and worlds? I like the format we had this year. Gives us time to go home and regroup.
Kite
EVBP
There a couple cracks in the surface, they are not big enough to disturb play. We will be covering any chain link with boards. We are going to build them in such a way that the ball will not get stuck in any corners. The only way the ball should go out, is a stray bounce from someones mallet or bike.
They will be very similar to the courts at NAHBPC Seattle '09.
I updated the bid to show what dimensions the courts and boards will be.
This not where we usually play, we play in Allston, which is a short mile ride from the park where these courts are located.
home? the whistling kite can be found almost everywhere.
now that you kicked martin off your team who are you playing with?
p.s. ppprrrrrrr
x3
I'd love to come back to boston. I suppose the dates on the worlds are a difficulty.
I'm glad to see this bid put in. A little competition is nice. I like seeing the organization you've already put into it too.
Good luck, You'd have my vote. Shady backroom deals aside.
_______
Marco!
I am the Duck.
Where will the voting take place? Does everyone post their vote to these threads, will there be voting threads, or do we contact our reps and they vote for us?
The "reps" will vote. This brings up a good question though. As these reps have been consulted and appointed who are they representing? How do they "represent" the voice of their constituents? I figure that once cities elect city reps this question will be answered as city reps would have to ensure that they gauge the will of their cities (a far less cumbersome undertaking than what these regional reps would ostensibly have to do). But, right now, whose interests are these reps representing. Sorry if this sounds a bit cynical - that isn't my intention and I do appreciate the hard work Ben Schicago and crew have put into this - but I do think some of this is relevant no?
BOP: Eating Little Split Pea's shit for years.
Check my post in response to the same question in the Madison thread.
The Falcon raises some fair and appropriate questions. I will ask for the opinion of everyone I can get a hold of. It's a tough choice.
Lay your cynicism behind you. Look at it like this...how can we go wrong? 2010 looks like a polo dream to me.
Good job Boston sounds like you have put a lot of work into all the details. I was wondering if you can post the rules you would be playing by. Also the refs if there would be any and What type of a role they would take.
Leon
Seattle Bike Polo
Refs will be there only in case of a dispute. And they will be keeping track of time during the game. Players will have to ref themselves.
During the double elimination we will be having two goal judges per court.
Here is a rough draft of the rules we will be playing with:
Rules
This is a preliminary set of rules. Rules will available as soon as the website goes up. Rules will be set in stone 1 month before the tournament.
Helmets will be required.
The 2 courts will be approx 60’x100’.
The goals will be 5’4” apart.
• Bike:
• You can ride any bike that works for you.
o Provisions
• Handlebars must be plugged
• You are required to have at least on brake
• Fixed gear counts as a brake
o Bike must be in working condition at all times
• The game will not stop for a mechanical problem
• If the opposing team chooses they may stop until the mechanical is fixed, but for timed games the clock will still run
• Spare tubes and tires should be brought by each player
• Mallet:
o Mallet heads should be made of any material that will not chip, shatter, or splinter
o Mallet heads cannot be made of metal
o The handle end must be securely plugged
• Ball:
o Balls will be Mylec super high density, non-water filled.
o Balls will be replaced before the start of the game
• They will sit on ice until that point
o Players can request a cold ball only during time out periods.
Players
Players must wear helmets.
• Teams:
o Teams will consist of 3 players each
o During a match, equipment can be substituted but not players. After or before a match, only an injured player can be substituted and only by someone who is not a registered player. This substitute player must finish the rest of the day but could again be substituted by the original player on the following day.
o Offensive team means the team that possesses the ball in their opponents half of the court or defends the goal which the ball is not in the same half of the court. Whichever may be the appropriate case.
o Defensive team means the team that does not posses the ball or defends the goal which the ball is in the same half of the court. Whichever may be the appropriate case.
THE GAME
Start of the Game:
• Players will start in their goal area with the ball placed at center court. At the referee’s shout of ‘3,2,1, Go!’ any or all players from either or both teams can charge the ball for possession.
Play of the Ball:
• Play of the ball is considered to be anything directly related with, or within one maneuver of, the process of blocking possession, gaining possession, passing, traveling with and putting the ball into your opponent’s goal.
Goals:
• Goals will be cones space 165cm apart on center.
• Goals will be clearly outlined so that they can be replaced quickly and accurately during the course of the game, if they get moved.
• A goal will scored if a legal shot crosses the center of the goal area.
o There will be a clearly drawn out line.
Shuffles & Hits:
A ‘Hit’ is only made from the end of a player’s mallet.
A ‘Shuffle’ is hitting the ball with the broadside of the mallet or the shaft of the mallet.
• An offensive shuffle does not count as a goal. If the ball is shuffled into the goal by the offensive team, play continues uninterrupted. Either team can take control of the ball but the team that shuffled cannot score until any second player has possessed the ball.
• If a team puts the ball into their own goal, it is a goal for the opposing team.
• An offensive hit directly into the goal is a goal.
Reflection & Deflection:
Reflection means a hit coming off of a offensive player’s bike or person whether purposeful or accidental.
Deflection means a hit coming off of a defensive player’s bike or person whether purposeful or accidental.
• If an offensive player adds momentum or direction purposefully to a reflection it is not a goal. All other reflections are goals.
• Deflections, not starting from an offensive shuffle, count as a goal for the offensive team.
Ball Joint and Lobs:
• It is legal to lob the ball (’throw’ the ball with the mallet)
• It is legal travel with the ball using the ‘ball joint’ cupping style of carrying the ball but you cannot score with either method.
o You may score after a ball joint or lob if you can add momentum and/or direction using the end of the mallet.
After a goal is scored/resetting the game:
The scoring team is the team that has just scored a goal.
The conceding team is the team that has just allowed a goal to the opposing team.
• In case of the ball ricocheting from the goal past half court, the conceding team must possess the ball before scoring team can possess it. The ref can instruct for the ball be passed back across half court
• After a goal is scored, the scoring team must return to their own goal area and cannot come back across center court until the ball or any player of the conceding team has come past center court.
• The conceding team takes possession of the ball. No conceding player with or without the ball can then pass half court until at least two players of the scoring team have returned to their goal area, one of these players can be a ‘goalie’ who was already in the goal area. In the case of the scoring team taking undue time returning to their goal, the referee can call ‘game on’. Likewise, in the case of the conceding team taking undue time taking the ball past half court, the ref can call ‘game on’.
• A player is not required to tap out for a foot-down after a goal has been scored but must return to their goal area.
Tap outs
• Tap outs are on both sides of the court at half-courts.
o There will be 2’ diameter target to tap
• You must hit the target, or will be asked to circle around and hit it again.
Fouls:
• Players must not touch the floor with their feet. Touching the sides of the wall or barrier with your feet is allowed. A foot touching any mallet or ball on the floor is considered a foot-down. Each time a player does foot-down, that player is out of play and may not play the ball until they touch either sideline at center court. The player must immediately tap-out and not purposefully obstruct play. Intentionally obstructing play after foot-down will be considered a strong penalty. A possible goal that is blocked by a player out of play due to foot-down is not a goal.
• Throwing your mallet is not allowed at any time and will be considered a strong penalty.
• Overly aggressive behavior such as unnecessary elbowing, grabbing, pushing, punching with hands, pushing or kicking with feet, and head butting will be considered a strong penalty.
• A ‘T-bone’ or charging, intentional, forward moving bike contact that is perpendicular or near perpendicular (resulting in a maneuver similar in shape to a letter ‘T’), can be considered a strong penalty.
‘Like’ contact that is allowed:
• Non-aggressive Body to body, mallet to mallet, and bike to bike. Apart from the fouls listed above.
• Contact is only permitted within the play of the ball. Contact away from the play of the ball can result in a penalty.
‘Non-like’ contact that is allowed:
• Ball to body, mallet or bike.
• Body to ball is allowed if the player is sat in the saddle, feet on the pedals, hand holding mallet, other hand on bars. Players should not intentionally restrain, nor add momentum to the ball with your body. This can result in the ref calling a tap-out.
• If the ball becomes trapped within a player’s bike or person play continues but please be aware that any legal play towards the bike or person will be considered as play towards the ball and therefore legal.
Time outs:
• Refs can call and extend injury and mechanical failure timeouts over and above these rules, but is under no obligation. The ref will call game-on when appropriate and if the timeout is unnecessary.
• Can be called by a player only after a goal is scored.
• May be called in order to tend to physical injury.
• May be called in order to tend to a mechanical failure.
• Will be limited to maximum five minutes, one per game per team.
Referees and Penalties:
Above all, the players have the responsibility to keep legal play on the court. In the case of disputes there are three referees that will be appointed per game. The referees’ duties will be:
• Have the final word.
• Determine what is and is not a goal.
• Determine what is and is not a foul that can result in a penalty and what the penalty is for such foul.
• Correct the goal if it is moved.
• Keep track of score. Score must be called out after every goal.
• Keep track of time.
• Call injury time outs for major injuries.
• Provide an extra ball at point of exit if the ball is knocked out of play.
Penalties can be:
• Tap out at either the sidelines or either goal line.
• Give possession of the ball over to the opposing team.
• Be removed from the game until the next goal is scored or for a set time or even permanently. Timed games; 10 minute game=30 second penalty, 15 minutes = 45 seconds, over 20 minutes = 1 minute.
• In extreme cases any form of public humiliation can be considered proper punishment for offenders.
what if you remove momentum from a ball after a ball joint or lob, does that count?
I would assume if you remove momentum you are not trying to shoot a goal. I would say you need to add positive momentum to make it count, otherwise It could look like you are just trying to control the ball rather than shoot.
The rules are in rough draft format, they can and will be debated before the tournament.
Very nice bid Boston! you sound more organized than we were. May the best bid win!
Messmann
bikepologuru
seattlebikepolo
since 1998
Speaking of that custom frame bizness. I never got mine. Can someone go remind Arnie I won that about 1/2 a year ago. I really need a damn bike!
Good looking courts!
Wade
Seattle BIke Polo
YES, good looking courts
Doug D
Brooklyn, New York
hardcourtbikepolo.com
Response to the Madison Bid:
We have two excellent bids for next years NAHBPC.
I will be able to push the dates forward 2-3 weeks to give more room for Worlds. I have spoken to the Recreation department that will be giving us the permit, and I will be able to add another day onto the tournament. We will be able to have two days of Swiss round robins. Then a Double elimination tournament on the final day. This will allow every team to play at least 16 games over the course of the weekend. We will be sticking to the 64 team cap.
hopefully i read thoroughly enough not to have missed it but I didn't see mention of the light situation...how/when are the courts lit?
FTL BIKE POLO...
We are working on getting a sponsor to provide lighting for the courts. We did not get it locked down enough to include in the bid.
The lights on the courts are not working. We are also working with the parks and rec department to get these lights working.
However all calculations we did for determining how many games we would be able to play were without the lights on.
This means each team will get to play 7 games on Friday and Saturday. And at least 2 games on Sunday.
assuming you guys have read the other NA bid, what key organisational advantages do you think boston has over madison?
more kenball played by more people in more places more often
We have read over the other bid. I have years of experience running events, not necessarily polo or bike related, but events non the less. These events have a lot of different elements such as, food, music, beer, sanitation, getting security, and all the smaller details. Boston has also hosted many major bike messenger events, such as the NACCC's this year. I have the organizers that worked on that helping with sponsors and media. They are an invaluable resource to have.
We will be making this the best tournament that has happened. We will allow the players to come to our city, and all they have to think about is bike polo. We are going to provide the courts, the food, and the parties. Along with having all the information that players need to know centrally located so they can get to their games on time and know where all the after events are being held. We are working towards a hassle free weekend, and good polo.
We have the community support that we need to pull off a major tournament, we will be able to house people within 2 miles of the courts, all the parties will be a stones throw away, and we will be providing good food throughout the entire weekend. Boston has a smaller bike scene, but the core of that bike scene is very supportive, and with that support will be able to throw the best tournament.
Holy crap!.. that was a lot of reading .. uh what is a "Championship court"?..
...BallAholics...Multiple Scoregasms...Thundercock...