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If there is one constant, it is change! The ADA 2004 Championship Series kicked off with the Mid America Regional, one of the oldest on the ADA Championship circuit. A "constant" event with several changes, a new location, a new competitive event and a new format.
The Mid America Regional, held February 6-8, moved from one state, Illinois, to another state, Missouri. Yet the venues were less than a mile from each other separated only by the mighty Mississippi River! Hosted by the beautiful St. Louis Marriott Downtown, the hotel is located almost underneath the famous Gateway Arch and a walking distance from several other famous landmarks and many fine restaurants.
The new event and format were very much a question mark at the start of the tournament. Would players embrace them?
For the first time in the history of the ADA, members competed in Cricket singles for both steel and soft tip. The format, best of 3best of 3 sets, was also new to the ADA. ADA President Glenn Remick attended to witness the event and added, "The best of 3, best of 3 sets is an event I've wanted to add to the Championship Series for years. It is a common format found in Professional Bowling and Tennis Championships and the ADA is proud to bring it to darts."
To accommodate for the additional length of the matches, the Cricket singles took place, Friday afternoon. Over 100 members and guests attended. Friday night's blind draw doubles followed the new singles. Saturday's events were all doubles with Sunday a mix of triples, doubles and singles.
Sponsored by Michelob AmberBock beer and Coca-Cola, the weekend event offered $8,000 in prize money plus awards. The ADA's bar-coded Event Management System kept members busy throughout the competition. Once registration closed, computer generated racket pairings were electronically projected on the wall in the competition arena. Members were responsible for reporting to, their matches and forwarding the results back to the Control Center located across the hall. There was no calling of any matches (unless a member failed to show up).
Competition was held on Valley Cougar 8 soft tip and Vortex steel tip dart machines. This marks the third year members competed on electronically scored dart machines at ADA Regional Championships. No chalkers required!
The Mid Atlantic Regional, held in Hampton Roads, Virginia, is the next event on the Championship Series tour. Check for results of the Mid-Atlantic in the next issue of Bull's-Eye News.
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