Difference between revisions of "2020 North American SCRABBLE Championship"
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| − | ''' | + | == 2020 North American SCRABBLE Championship Canceled == |
| + | |||
| + | With the coronavirus pandemic still affecting the daily lives of so many of us, the [[Championship Committee]] has concluded it would be both unwise and irresponsible to move forward with this summer’s event. We are, therefore, canceling the '''2020 North American SCRABBLE Championship (NASC)'''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Unable to definitively look 90 days into the future, we must use the data we have available and the most compelling is this: the State of Maryland today still forbids an event of our size from taking place. Furthermore, the City of Baltimore is prohibiting all gatherings of over 250 people through August 31st. | ||
| + | Absent those restrictions, NASC would almost certainly become a “super-spreader” event where just a single asymptomatic attendee could infect hundreds of others. Upon leaving the event, those members could easily infect others on their way home and those in their home. Our signature event is important, but not more important than your safety. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Those of you who have registered have the option to be issued a refund or to roll your registration over to next year’s event, which we do plan to hold in Baltimore. | ||
| + | |||
| + | While we did set an attendance cap for this year, it is conceivable that next year’s cap will be more restrictive due to social distancing, and as a result, we may need to increase fees. Should you choose to roll over your registration, not only will you be guaranteed a seat at the 2021 NASC, you will also not be subject to any fee increase. In addition, you will be gifted with a set of tiles at the registration desk. | ||
| + | |||
| + | You are responsible for canceling your hotel and travel reservations. | ||
| + | |||
| + | While we are disappointed about the cancellation, we look forward to seeing all of you, safely, in years to come. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Thanks, | ||
| + | Art Moore | ||
| + | NASC Director | ||
| + | |||
| + | May 28, 2020 | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Cancel Registration == | ||
| + | |||
| + | You have the option to be issued a refund or to roll your registration over to next year’s event, which we do plan to hold in Baltimore. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Click the [http://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/nasc-cancel.pl Cancel button]. You will then be prompted to enter your NASPA ID (or name), the amount you paid, and your choice: Refund or Defer to NASC 2021. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[File:Cancel-Button.png |200px|center|link=http://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/nasc-cancel.pl]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | * '''The deadline for requesting a refund is June 30, 2020.''' | ||
| + | * Refunds will be issued to the credit card with which you paid for the registration or via check if you paid by check. | ||
| + | * Credit card refunds can sometimes take up to several days for banks to process. | ||
| + | * If you defer your registration to 2021 and then decide that you want a refund, you can do so until June 30, 2020, without incurring a cancellation penalty. You also have the option to transfer the registration to another player or to defer another year if you cannot attend in 2021. | ||
| + | * If you take no action, your registration will be rolled over to NASC 2021. We prefer, however, for you to fill out the form and declare your preference. | ||
| + | * You can click [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/reglist.pl?event=NSC2020 here] to see if you have not yet canceled your registration. | ||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | If you encounter issues, you can contact the Championship Committee at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Hotel Information == | ||
| + | |||
| + | The official event hotels were: | ||
| + | ;The Radisson Baltimore - Inner Harbor | ||
| + | :101 Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201 | ||
| + | :[https://www.radissonhotelsamericas.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-baltimore-downtown Radisson Website] | ||
| + | : 1-410-752-1100 (Hotel) / 1-800-333-3333 (Central Reservations) | ||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | ;The Crowne Plaza Baltimore - Inner Harbor | ||
| + | :105 Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201 | ||
| + | :[https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/baltimore/balwb/hoteldetail Crowne Plaza Website] | ||
| + | :1-410-347-5707 (Hotel) / 1-877-227-6963 (Central Reservations) | ||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | <!-- | ||
| + | |||
| + | <font color="red">On March 12, the Governor of Maryland imposed a ban on gatherings of more than 250 people. The Championship Committee is monitoring the situation closely and will make a '''decision no later than May 31st on whether the NASC will proceed as scheduled.''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | If we need to cancel the NASC, NASPA will refund all registration fees without penalty. | ||
| + | |||
| + | If we proceed with the NASC, registered players can cancel without penalty until June 15th. | ||
| + | |||
| + | We are '''extending the registration period through June 30''' so that players can register without paying a late fee after the final decision is made.'''</font> | ||
| + | |||
The '''2020 North American SCRABBLE Championship''' (previously known as the National SCRABBLE Championship) will take place on August 1-5, 2020 at the Radisson Hotel Downtown - Inner Harbor at 101 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201. | The '''2020 North American SCRABBLE Championship''' (previously known as the National SCRABBLE Championship) will take place on August 1-5, 2020 at the Radisson Hotel Downtown - Inner Harbor at 101 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201. | ||
;[[Image:ScrabbleVisual.jpg|right|200px|NSC 2020 logo by Lena Markley]] | ;[[Image:ScrabbleVisual.jpg|right|200px|NSC 2020 logo by Lena Markley]] | ||
This webpage will be updated regularly as additional details became available. | This webpage will be updated regularly as additional details became available. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Important Dates == | ||
| + | * February 29, 2020 - End of free T-shirt with registration | ||
| + | * <del>May 31, 2020</del> June 30, 2020 - End of early registration (base entry fee increases $50) | ||
| + | * July 4, 2020 - Room block closes | ||
| + | * July 14, 2020 - Close of registration (no refunds granted after this date) | ||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | ''Cutoffs effective 11:59pm EDT'' | ||
== Registration == | == Registration == | ||
| − | + | [http://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/register.pl Online registration] is open now. A list of [http://www.scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/reglist.pl?event=NSC2020 registered players] is available on this website and on cross-tables.com. | |
| + | |||
| + | The rest of this section describes in detail the various terms and conditions of registration, most of which are also discussed on the registration form. | ||
==== Attendance Cap ==== | ==== Attendance Cap ==== | ||
| − | Attendance is '''limited to the first 400 entrants.''' Should registration reach this cap a Waiting List will made available. Those on the waiting list will be contacted as vacancies open and will be given a limited opportunity to claim entry or it will be offered to the next on the list. | + | Attendance is '''limited to the first 400 PAID entrants.''' Should registration reach this cap a Waiting List will made available. Those on the waiting list will be contacted as vacancies open and will be given a limited opportunity to claim entry or it will be offered to the next on the list. |
The rest of this section describes in detail the various terms and conditions of registration, most of which are also discussed on the registration form. | The rest of this section describes in detail the various terms and conditions of registration, most of which are also discussed on the registration form. | ||
| Line 21: | Line 94: | ||
==== Qualification Rating ==== | ==== Qualification Rating ==== | ||
| − | Placement into respective divisions is determined by your Qualification Rating (QR). Your QR consists of the '''highest | + | Placement into respective divisions is determined by your Qualification Rating (QR). Your QR consists of the '''highest rating attained at the end of any NASPA NWL or Collins''' rated tournament (or segment of a split-rated tournament) which finished during the period from July 20, 2019 to July 14, 2020 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you have a rating, but do not play during this period, your QR is the higher of your unchanged current NWL or CSW rating. For players who have ratings in both lexica, '''the higher peak or current rating will be used.''' For example, a player whose computed QR is 1810 in CSW and 1600 in NWL will use 1810 as her QR for division placement in either CSW or NWL. |
==== NWL Divisions ==== | ==== NWL Divisions ==== | ||
| − | If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to play using the NASPA Word List 2018 (NWL), you may do so. Four NWL divisions will be offered, divided by [https://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2020_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship#Qualification_Rating QR], with unlimited play-up available. If your [https://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2020_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship#Qualification_Rating QR] is 1800 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1. If your [https://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2020_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship#Qualification_Rating QR] is in the range 1450–1799, you must play in Division 1 or 2. If your [https://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2020_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship#Qualification_Rating QR] is in the range | + | If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to play using the NASPA Word List 2018 (NWL), you may do so. Four NWL divisions will be offered, divided by [https://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2020_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship#Qualification_Rating QR], with unlimited play-up available. If your [https://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2020_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship#Qualification_Rating QR] is 1800 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1. If your [https://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2020_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship#Qualification_Rating QR] is in the range 1450–1799, you must play in Division 1 or 2. If your [https://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2020_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship#Qualification_Rating QR] is in the range 1150–1449, you must play in Division 1, 2 or 3. If your [https://www.scrabbleplayers.org/w/2020_North_American_SCRABBLE_Championship#Qualification_Rating QR] is below 1150, you may play in any of the four divisions. |
==== Collins Divisions ==== | ==== Collins Divisions ==== | ||
| Line 43: | Line 116: | ||
Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after August 1, 2020, may pay $100 to play in any division. | Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after August 1, 2020, may pay $100 to play in any division. | ||
| − | The above fees will be increased by $50 after | + | The above fees will be increased by $50 after May 31, 2020. For example, a non-youth player signing up on June 1, 2020 would pay $250, while a youth would pay $150. |
Players accepted after the close of registration on July 14, 2020 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a non-youth player signing up on July 18, 2020 would pay $325, while a youth would pay $225. Acceptance of registrants after July 14, 2020 is not guaranteed, and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven. | Players accepted after the close of registration on July 14, 2020 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a non-youth player signing up on July 18, 2020 would pay $325, while a youth would pay $225. Acceptance of registrants after July 14, 2020 is not guaranteed, and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven. | ||
| − | '''Players not booked IN THE ROOM BLOCK at either hotel for the duration of the event must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum).''' | + | '''Players not booked IN THE ROOM BLOCK at either hotel for the duration of the event must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum).''' Players booked at either hotel but outside of the room block will be subject to the commuter fee. The commuter fee does not apply to those local to the Baltimore (metropolitan statistical)area. Verification of status as a hotel guest will be performed at registration/check-in and throughout the event. Players staying at the host hotel for only part of the event must pay the full commuter fee, and may then apply for a refund of $20 per day stayed at the host hotel (to a maximum of $100) after the conclusion of the event, by providing the Championship Committee with hotel confirmation number and dates of stay. |
Fees payable are computed based on when (Eastern Time) funds are received in full. If you are not paying right away online at the moment when you register, please be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach us. | Fees payable are computed based on when (Eastern Time) funds are received in full. If you are not paying right away online at the moment when you register, please be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach us. | ||
| Line 59: | Line 132: | ||
* Fee will be waived if request is sent within 24 hours of initial registration. | * Fee will be waived if request is sent within 24 hours of initial registration. | ||
| − | * After registration closes on July | + | * After registration closes on July 14, 2020, if your division change would increase the number of players who may potentially have to have byes (if you would make two divisions odd, or would make a smaller division odd), you will be waitlisted until this is not the case. |
If your rating rises above the limit for the division in | If your rating rises above the limit for the division in | ||
| Line 74: | Line 147: | ||
If you decide you need to cancel your registration, we will | If you decide you need to cancel your registration, we will | ||
| − | refund your entry fee (and commuter fee, if applicable), if you so request by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July | + | refund your entry fee (and commuter fee, if applicable), if you so request by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 14, 2020. |
=== Conditions === | === Conditions === | ||
| Line 115: | Line 188: | ||
:105 Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201 | :105 Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201 | ||
:[https://www.crowneplaza.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=CP&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=BALWB&_PMID=99801505&GPC=SPA&cn=no&viewfullsite=true Book online] or call 1-877-666-3243 and mention the North American Scrabble Championship room block | :[https://www.crowneplaza.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=CP&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=BALWB&_PMID=99801505&GPC=SPA&cn=no&viewfullsite=true Book online] or call 1-877-666-3243 and mention the North American Scrabble Championship room block | ||
| + | :(note: the majority of Double Queen accommodations will be found here) | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| − | Room rate of $119/nt for King or Double Queen accommodations is applicable to either hotel. | + | Room rate of $119/nt plus applicable taxes for King or Double Queen accommodations is applicable to either hotel. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
'''Room block closes July 4, 2020.''' | '''Room block closes July 4, 2020.''' | ||
| Line 137: | Line 208: | ||
IMPORTANT: When you get your roommate, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing. | IMPORTANT: When you get your roommate, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Justin Radist''' is seeking a male roommate - non-smoking, non-snoring, neat, and under 40 - to share a room at the Radisson - Inner Harbor from 7/31 to 8/5. You can reach Justin by email at jrad31green@gmail.com. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Lois Lockhart''' is seeking a female roommate - quiet and non-smoking - to share a room at the Radisson - Inner Harbor from 7/31 to 8/5. You can reach Lois by phone at (917) 514-8515. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''James Flomo''' is seeking a non-smoking male roommate to share a room at the Radisson - Inner Harbor from 7/31 to 8/5. You can reach James by email at jflomo29@gmail.com or by phone at (301) 404-2893. | ||
=== Ride Wanted === | === Ride Wanted === | ||
| Line 174: | Line 251: | ||
; 4:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M. | ; 4:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M. | ||
: Committee meeting for Division Leaders, Division Assistants, Auxiliary Staff (Poe) | : Committee meeting for Division Leaders, Division Assistants, Auxiliary Staff (Poe) | ||
| − | ; 7:00 P.M.– | + | ; 7:00 P.M.–8:00 P.M. |
| − | : Reception (Promenade) | + | : Player Reception (Promenade) |
=== Saturday, August 1, 2020 === | === Saturday, August 1, 2020 === | ||
| Line 187: | Line 264: | ||
: Rounds 1–4 (International Ballroom) | : Rounds 1–4 (International Ballroom) | ||
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M. | ; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M. | ||
| − | : | + | : Committee lunch meetings (Poe) |
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M. | ; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M. | ||
: Set up for play (International Ballroom) | : Set up for play (International Ballroom) | ||
| Line 212: | Line 289: | ||
: Rounds 8–11 (International Ballroom) | : Rounds 8–11 (International Ballroom) | ||
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M. | ; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M. | ||
| − | : | + | : Committee lunch meetings (Poe) |
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M. | ; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M. | ||
: Set up for play (International Ballroom) | : Set up for play (International Ballroom) | ||
| Line 236: | Line 313: | ||
: Rounds 15–18 (International Ballroom) | : Rounds 15–18 (International Ballroom) | ||
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M. | ; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M. | ||
| − | : | + | : Committee lunch meetings (Poe) |
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M. | ; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M. | ||
: Set up for play (International Ballroom) | : Set up for play (International Ballroom) | ||
| Line 244: | Line 321: | ||
: Rounds 19–21 (International Ballroom) | : Rounds 19–21 (International Ballroom) | ||
; 7:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M. | ; 7:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M. | ||
| − | : After hours room open (Hall of Fame) | + | : After hours room open (Hall of Fame) - Board Games Night |
; 8:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M. | ; 8:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M. | ||
: Town Hall meeting (Carroll) | : Town Hall meeting (Carroll) | ||
| Line 259: | Line 336: | ||
: Rounds 22–25 (International Ballroom) | : Rounds 22–25 (International Ballroom) | ||
; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M. | ; 1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M. | ||
| − | : | + | : Committee lunch meetings (Poe) |
: [[2020 NASC Directors Meeting|Directors meeting]] hosted by Ted Gest (Mencken) | : [[2020 NASC Directors Meeting|Directors meeting]] hosted by Ted Gest (Mencken) | ||
; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M. | ; 2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M. | ||
| Line 295: | Line 372: | ||
=== Thursday, August 6, 2020 === | === Thursday, August 6, 2020 === | ||
| − | ; 9:30 A.M.–12: | + | ; 9:30 A.M.–12:30 P.M. |
: [[2020 NASC Late Bird|Late bird tournament]] (International Ballroom) | : [[2020 NASC Late Bird|Late bird tournament]] (International Ballroom) | ||
| + | ; 9:30 A.M.–2:00 P.M. | ||
| + | : Tear Down (International Ballroom) | ||
== The Rose Award == | == The Rose Award == | ||
| Line 312: | Line 391: | ||
the championship, please contact [[John Chew]]. | the championship, please contact [[John Chew]]. | ||
| + | == Vendors == | ||
| + | |||
| + | If you have a product to sell to SCRABBLE players, this is the place to do it. Hundreds of the most avid fans of the game will be in one place with money ready to spend at your table. To become an NSC vendor, print out, date and sign two (2) copies of the [[Media:NASC_2020_Vendor_Agreement.pdf|NASC 2020 Vendor Agreement]] and send both executed copies to Art Moore, P.O. Box 1217, Ocoee, FL 34761, along with the required payment for extra tables, if you wish to exhibit on more than one table. | ||
| + | |||
| + | If you have questions about becoming an NSC vendor, please contact the Championship Committee at [mailto:nsc@scrabbleplayers.org nsc@scrabbleplayers.org]. | ||
== Staff == | == Staff == | ||
; '''Director''' | ; '''Director''' | ||
| − | : [[Arthur Moore]] | + | : [[Arthur Moore|Art Moore]] |
; '''Assistant to the Director''' | ; '''Assistant to the Director''' | ||
: [[Diane Moore]] | : [[Diane Moore]] | ||
| Line 322: | Line 406: | ||
: | : | ||
; '''Division Leaders''' | ; '''Division Leaders''' | ||
| − | : Division 1: [[ | + | : Division 1: [[John Robertson]] |
: Division 2: [[Daniel Stock|Dan Stock]] | : Division 2: [[Daniel Stock|Dan Stock]] | ||
| − | : Division 3: | + | : Division 3:John Merlau |
| − | : Division 4: | + | : Division 4: [[Kieran O'Connor]] |
| − | : Collins: [[ | + | : Collins: [[Jason Idalski]] |
: | : | ||
; '''Division Assistants''' | ; '''Division Assistants''' | ||
| − | + | : [[Jim Pate]] | |
: | : | ||
;'''Webmaster''' | ;'''Webmaster''' | ||
| Line 342: | Line 426: | ||
: [[Jeffrey Nelson]] | : [[Jeffrey Nelson]] | ||
: [[Sarah Rosenbaum]] | : [[Sarah Rosenbaum]] | ||
| + | : [[Lisa Kessler]] | ||
| + | : Kristen Chew | ||
| + | |||
: | : | ||
| Line 351: | Line 438: | ||
:[[Conrad Bassett-Bouchard]] | :[[Conrad Bassett-Bouchard]] | ||
: | : | ||
| − | |||
== Volunteers == | == Volunteers == | ||
| Line 422: | Line 508: | ||
* | * | ||
* | * | ||
| + | |||
| + | --> | ||
Latest revision as of 08:40, 12 May 2021
2020 North American SCRABBLE Championship Canceled
With the coronavirus pandemic still affecting the daily lives of so many of us, the Championship Committee has concluded it would be both unwise and irresponsible to move forward with this summer’s event. We are, therefore, canceling the 2020 North American SCRABBLE Championship (NASC).
Unable to definitively look 90 days into the future, we must use the data we have available and the most compelling is this: the State of Maryland today still forbids an event of our size from taking place. Furthermore, the City of Baltimore is prohibiting all gatherings of over 250 people through August 31st. Absent those restrictions, NASC would almost certainly become a “super-spreader” event where just a single asymptomatic attendee could infect hundreds of others. Upon leaving the event, those members could easily infect others on their way home and those in their home. Our signature event is important, but not more important than your safety.
Those of you who have registered have the option to be issued a refund or to roll your registration over to next year’s event, which we do plan to hold in Baltimore.
While we did set an attendance cap for this year, it is conceivable that next year’s cap will be more restrictive due to social distancing, and as a result, we may need to increase fees. Should you choose to roll over your registration, not only will you be guaranteed a seat at the 2021 NASC, you will also not be subject to any fee increase. In addition, you will be gifted with a set of tiles at the registration desk.
You are responsible for canceling your hotel and travel reservations.
While we are disappointed about the cancellation, we look forward to seeing all of you, safely, in years to come.
Thanks, Art Moore NASC Director
May 28, 2020
Cancel Registration
You have the option to be issued a refund or to roll your registration over to next year’s event, which we do plan to hold in Baltimore.
Click the Cancel button. You will then be prompted to enter your NASPA ID (or name), the amount you paid, and your choice: Refund or Defer to NASC 2021.
- The deadline for requesting a refund is June 30, 2020.
- Refunds will be issued to the credit card with which you paid for the registration or via check if you paid by check.
- Credit card refunds can sometimes take up to several days for banks to process.
- If you defer your registration to 2021 and then decide that you want a refund, you can do so until June 30, 2020, without incurring a cancellation penalty. You also have the option to transfer the registration to another player or to defer another year if you cannot attend in 2021.
- If you take no action, your registration will be rolled over to NASC 2021. We prefer, however, for you to fill out the form and declare your preference.
- You can click here to see if you have not yet canceled your registration.
If you encounter issues, you can contact the Championship Committee at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.
Hotel Information
The official event hotels were:
- The Radisson Baltimore - Inner Harbor
- 101 Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Radisson Website
- 1-410-752-1100 (Hotel) / 1-800-333-3333 (Central Reservations)
- The Crowne Plaza Baltimore - Inner Harbor
- 105 Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Crowne Plaza Website
- 1-410-347-5707 (Hotel) / 1-877-227-6963 (Central Reservations)