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Talk about a roll of the dice! As we enter our 15th year providing ADA members Championship level competition we do so with great anticipation and a mission. We are boldly going where no other national dart club has ever gone before …..television!
No doubt about it, this year has been an exciting one for the ADA in regards to the “tube”. This spring I met with Fox exec’s in Hollywood who outlined how the ADA can bring our Championships to their network. This summer ADA members witnessed first hand the production by ESPN of our National Championship. So close, yet so far away!
Actually darts are already on television aired by Fox Sports Net (FSN) and their nationwide affiliates. I’m pleased to report the ratings remain very popular!
That’s the good news. However the episodes aired are consistently won by a handful of foreigners (over 90% reside in the United Kingdom). Rightfully so, they are the best darts players in the world. No disrespect intended but the fast growing fan base of American viewers would prefer watching American darts players! And we have plenty of them! With 18 million darters in this country there is certainly enough talent to bring compelling televised darts competition to American living rooms and sports bars. Our ADA Certified Pros will help when they enter the “picture” from American Dart Leagues beginning in January 2006.
Be that as it may the problem is not locating the talent but providing a “stage” for them to compete on. I’m pleased to announce beginning with the 2006 ADA Regional Championship Series this problem is solved! ADA members reaching the finals in selected Open Events will compete on a stage formatted for television! Television is not guaranteed, the ADA is simply setting the stage for it.
The first formatted event is the Mid West Regional scheduled for February 2-5 in St. Louis. Soft and steel tip events begin on Thursday afternoon with singles 501 best of 3, best of 3 sets! No other US darts tournament offers this format. Cricket singles follows on Friday afternoon with the same format. This format allows no excuse for losing as members play a minimum of four games and a maximum of nine. Needless to say it will produce the best competition for television!
In addition to the Open events American Dart League members can look forward to a variety of Neutralizer (handicapped) events throughout the four days of competition.
Sponsored by Michelob AmberBock, the beautiful Pavilion Hotel (formally the Downtown Marriott) plays host to the Mid West Regional held during the Super Bowl weekend. On Sunday they’ll be converting the Pavilion ballroom into a huge sports bar where members and guests can view the game on the ADA’s Leader Board! The Pavilion is offering a great low rate of $86. including breakfast! For additional information contact your local ADA Representative or ADA headquarters.
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