I propose a rule change for the championship committee. If someone misses their heat at USMS Nationals due to general stupidity and day dreaming, they should be allowed to swim in an open lane in that same event.
John Smith
(2006 psuedo champion, 50yd back)
I wonder ...
If this were, oh, Gary Hall Jr. (or even Sr.) missing his heat of the 50 fly because he was gabbing away, would we (swimmers, spectators, officials) allow him to swim in an empty lane in a subsequent heat because -- oops! -- they missed their heat?
I have a feeling no one would mind it. Spectators would line the pool as they did in Indianapolis to see Gary churn out a 50 fly. They'd cheer loudly, applaud the amazing time, and fight to make sure it gets recognized as a record/first-place ranking in the meet results.
But if it's John Smith, or some guy who is not expected to place, we'll say it's their fault and they should have paid attention.
You miss your heat, you miss the event. I don't care if it's 15 years from now and Michael Phelps makes his first USMS nationals appearance and gets stuck taking autographs. Pay attention. You have hours to trash-talk or please your fans after the race.
That said, if John wants to lobby for a rule change, so be it.
Why not just make sure to be ready on time?
I am really not trying to be a jerk, I apologize if it seems that way, but the issue seems cut and dry to me. Be on time.
I *almost* missed an event at one of my meets this spring. It was 50 back, and I jumped into the water as the starter was saying "Take your marks."
I think knelson's idea of having a few extra heats at the end is a good idea. To make life easier for the computer people, people who swim in the extra heats should be ineligible to place or score points in those events. Otherwise, it would be a nighmare trying to go back through and rescore those events.
I am all for giving all opportunity for a swimmer to make their heat. And I have been running the table when I have watched my children not pay attention and not get to swim for something I have paid for. And we did not let them, or anyone else swim if it was in the meet information not to let them.
That said, if anyone wants to ask for rule change, fine, but I bet the history of why the rule is in there is because it was causing problems with scoring and slowing down the meet. I also think it does not happen much because the rule is there.
Now the sad fact is, if the starter looked at his heat sheet and saw John Smith, or Dorothyrde, and looked up and saw an empty lane, and looked around and did not see anyone who looked this person, and would not know what the person looked like anyway to even know where to look, they would pause, and then start the heat. If the starter looked down, saw Gary Hall Jr was missing, the advantage the starter has is he/she knows what Gary looks like and would be able to look around and see this person, so yes being famous most certainly would have helped John.
Sounds like John may be famous from now on for this anyway as it sounds like he has taken quite a bit of ribbing! :)
john didn't you write your
events heats and lanes
on your hand
what were you doing that was SO important to cause you to miss the 50 back?
raz
Originally posted by TheGoodSmith
I propose a rule change for the championship committee. If someone misses their heat at USMS Nationals due to general stupidity and day dreaming, they should be allowed to swim in an open lane in that same event.
John Smith
(2006 psuedo champion, 50yd back)
Originally posted by dorothyrde
...The easiest catch is someone jumping into a lane that truly was empty on the seeded heat. That is when I start asking meet refs, who swam in lane such and such, I have a time, and no name!
"I've been through the backstroke on a swimmer with no name.
"It felt good to be out of the rain.
"On the backstroke you can't remember your name,
"'Cause they're lots of idle yakkers there to give you a pain.
"La lala la lalala, la lala la la..."
You know though, it IS a National Championship meet, not just any Masters meet, so I can understand not letting you swim when you missed your heat. They could have gotten real crabby and scratched you out of your next event. That is what happens to the age groupers!
I guess I look at things on the other side of the table. The table that runs the computer and timing system and what a nightmare it would be if it were allowed to let people swim when they miss their heats, especially if it happened a lot. That is when big mistakes happen and times get recorded wrong. At a championship, there should not be leeway for this IMHO.
And on the lighter side, first meet I ever swam at the humble age of 40......I missed my 50 back heat. And I was thinking, geez, I get on my kids for doing this.
Originally posted by Jeff Commings
I wonder ...
If this were, oh, Gary Hall Jr. (or even Sr.) missing his heat of the 50 fly because he was gabbing away, would we (swimmers, spectators, officials) allow him to swim in an empty lane in a subsequent heat because -- oops! -- they missed their heat?
I have a feeling no one would mind it. Spectators would line the pool as they did in Indianapolis to see Gary churn out a 50 fly. They'd cheer loudly, applaud the amazing time, and fight to make sure it gets recognized as a record/first-place ranking in the meet results.
But if it's John Smith, or some guy who is not expected to place, we'll say it's their fault and they should have paid attention.
You miss your heat, you miss the event. I don't care if it's 15 years from now and Michael Phelps makes his first USMS nationals appearance and gets stuck taking autographs. Pay attention. You have hours to trash-talk or please your fans after the race.
That said, if John wants to lobby for a rule change, so be it.
Your feelings are wrong about me Mr. Commings. I don't care if the swimmer is Phelps, Vendt, or Crocker. The bottom line to me is that you have a heat and lane assignment and you had better be there if you want to compete. I am all for giving a few announcements and allowing a minute or so for an absent minded swimmer to get on the blocks (or in the pool in this case) but after that warning period has passed your chance is gone as far as I am concerned. A rule is a rule.
The last two sentences of your statement I support wholeheartedly. There will be plenty of time for goofing off after your race and if John wants to lobby for change I support him.
