FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

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FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by No Rules Westbrook »

The University of Michigan will be the midwest site for FIST - an open tournament written by myself and Andy Watkins. The date is November 7, 2009. I'm hoping this site and date will attract a formidable field of old and new players alike; please let me know if there's anything I can do to make that happen.

PACKETS: Should be sent to me ([email protected]) and make sure you tell me your team's members. As I stated in the preliminary post, I'm shooting for around Nationals difficulty (last year's ACF Nats), so be advised that this will not be an easy or "regular" tournament. But, I will modulate difficulty slightly depending on the field, and in any event it will not be "experimental" or vanity-level difficulty. As I did when editing Chi Open, I'm going to be fairly laissez-faire about editing, so your team can choose a difficulty slightly above or below the target as long as the difficulty is internally consistent within the packet.

The distribution for submitted packets:

5/5 Literature (vary by genre and time, including American/Euro/World)
5/5 History (at least 1/1 American, 1/1 European, 1/1 world)
5/5 Science (at least 1/1 bio, 1/1 chem, 1/1 physics, 1/1 other sci)
3/3 Fine Arts (at least 1/1 art, 1/1 classical music)
3/3 RMP (at least 1/1 myth, 1/1 philosophy)
2/2 Social Science (no more than 1/1 from any area of soc sci)
2/2 Geography or Trash or "Your Choice" (no more than 1/1 of any of those things, and "Your Choice" refers to any academic subject)

$80 for packet submitted by 9/30
$120 for packet submitted by 10/10
$160 for packet submitted by 10/24
Packet after that: $180 and I get angry at you, or at least pretend to.
(Note: I price people individually rather than by team, when you're not being funded by a university - so if you only have a two-man team and your normal fee would be 120 - you'll still only pay $30 each)

-$5 for every buzzer used in event
-$10 for every moderator provided

FIELD:
Illinois
Minnesota
2+ Chicago
Matt Lafer/Michigan house team(s)
Wayne State (no, this does not mean I'm playing my own packets)
Free Agents: Rom Masrour

If anyone is interested in mirroring this in the south or west, let me know.

I'm also interested if anyone has a side event they'd like to hitch to this tournament.
Last edited by No Rules Westbrook on Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:12 pm, edited 9 times in total.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by millionwaves »

An Illinois team consisting of at least Ike Jose, Mike sorice, and myself will be there, possibly with special guest fourth.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by Auks Ran Ova »

We'll only attend if Ryan Westbrook promises to once again appear as if by magic from an alley and guide us to the tournament location.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by rylltraka »

Bizarre circumstances may have me being at Michigan on this date; if so, I'd be looking for a spot on one team or another.

EDIT: never mind.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by No Rules Westbrook »

About a week to get in your early-deadline packets, so I wanted to resurrect this thread from the bowels of the Announcements forum. I'd also like to get a feel for who might play.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by Quantum Mushroom Billiard Hat »

Also, we are hosting a mirror of TRASH Regionals on the 8th. A full announcement will go up soon, but teams should certainly come to both.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by MLafer »

If anyone needs a free agent, I'll be looking for a team.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by sds »

So you all know, this is a football Saturday - you may want to think about booking hotels earlyish.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by No Rules Westbrook »

So hey, bumping to say there's three days left to the normal deadline and so far I've received a total of zero (0) packets. Just to let people know, I'm committed to writing 4, maybe 5, blind editor packets for this tournament - but beyond that, it's submission, so you get what you get. If they need it, I'm willing to give people a few days' leeway with the normal deadline, but let me know.

I'd like teams to form and express interest, since as of now only Illinois and Lafer have done so - I expect this will feature a rather cozy field at all sites, and that's fine...but I'd like to get an idea of who's coming and in what quantity.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by grapesmoker »

Ryan, after we get done with our MO packet, some combination of people from Brown will write a packet for this.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by Auks Ran Ova »

Same for us, after we get done editing MO.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by marnold »

Chicago will be sending two (possibly three) teams to the main site, and one packet is under construction for either this deadline or the next one.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by EncyclopediaCDRom »

Since I will be driving back to Ann Arbor for TRASH regionals, I might as well arrive Friday night (or Saturday morning?) to support this FIST MW. As an uncommitted free agent, what should I start writing?

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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by Gautam »

There will be one Minnesota team at this tournament.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by No Rules Westbrook »

I see Sorice is in the exhorting mood in the IO thread, so why not me too.

Eh, I know the deal, these November-ish tournaments always have problems with submissions, cause most writers and schools already have a billion other qb commitments, most of which are of significantly greater personal importance than submitting to another tournament. It's not like Chi Open in the wide open summertime or even Minny Open at the outset of the season. But, I'd really like to encourage especially the experienced teams and players attending this tourney to dutifully work on their packets. If they're a little late, that's fine - let me know, and I'll make arrangements (within reason, as in, like a week of the tourney). But, and particularly if you're Illinois/Minny/Chi/Brown/Harvard - find a way to push through those packets.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by Auks Ran Ova »

We're working!
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by grapesmoker »

No Rules Westbrook wrote:But, and particularly if you're Illinois/Minny/Chi/Brown/Harvard - find a way to push through those packets.
Ryan, a packet from us is forthcoming, I promise.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by millionwaves »

I'm the tardy one on Illinois, I'm afraid, but I'll get my questions written absolutely as soon as THUNDER's finished.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by No Rules Westbrook »

So, Chi just informed me that it looks like they'll only bring one team to this tourney.

I'd like to milk 7 teams out of this site if possible, so I'll make a deal. Any team not signed up can come and play...you don't have to write anything, and I'll just charge you the regular 120 fee (or 30/person). Chi or Minny B team? Any other schools in driving distance?

Let me know, first come first served - you know, in case there's an unexpected rush of interest in this.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by marnold »

I think there's a 95% chance we'll be able to wrassle up a second team. There are some issues with logistics with TRASH to also be sorted through - I think we'll be able to figure it out by Monday.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by Mechanical Beasts »

Hey--

Chicago, Illinois, Minnesota, we all understand that you guys are writing packets. I have faith that they will come in.

I would love it--beyond my ability to express love, in fact--if you guys could let us know when to expect your packet. Actually, that goes for Matt's packet, as well as Brown's and Harvard-plus-Eric's.

That allows us (well, me, at least) to predict and plan out my work schedule. Is there a packet coming in on Sunday? Are all six outstanding packets going to come in on Thursday night? My mental health hangs in the balance!
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by marnold »

Hmm... to my knowledge we already submitted our packet. What an exciting development!
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by No Rules Westbrook »

My mailbox begs to differ, Marnold.

And, while I feel like Watkins uses the phrase "my mental health hangs in the balance" at least three times a week, I do sympathize with his plight.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by marnold »

Alright, I'll investigate what's going on with our packet.

Also, the Chicago A team will play this tournament as "I'm the Ziz and Nobody Beats Me"
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by Auks Ran Ova »

marnold wrote:Alright, I'll investigate what's going on with our packet.

Also, the Chicago A team will play this tournament as "I'm the Ziz and Nobody Beats Me"
minnesota will play as "the feast at the end of time"

(oh snap)

(also our packet will be in at some point mid-next week, hopefully)
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by sds »

Some logistical stuff: we're planning on registration starting at 8:30 AM, with rounds to start at 9 AM.

We'll be holding this in Mason Hall, as always (419 S. State Street). Registration will probably be in Room 3437. The best bet for Saturday parking is the structure on Maynard.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by No Rules Westbrook »

Oh, I see Surya posted before I sent out my email. Oh well, here's a copy of my email anyway.


Okay guys, here's some info on FIST.

The tournament will be held in Mason Hall on Saturday November 7, 2009. Registration will begin at 8:30 A.M. for teams, and I hope to start the tournament by 9:00 A.M. - getting started early should beat any rush of traffic for the football game. If you need directions to Mason Hall (it's the building connected to Angell Hall) or directions for parking - contact [email protected]

Right now, I have seven teams:

1. Chicago A
2. Minnesota A
3. Illinois A
4. Matt Lafer/Rom + Michigan players
5. Chicago B
6. Wayne State
7. Prehensile Tail Team from Michigan

We will play an intial round robin with byes. After that, the "Prehensile Tail" team of UM players will disappear - its members can be absorbed onto other teams if they wish. We will then play another round robin with 6 teams and no byes (since all packets will be blind). This means 11 games for each team in 12 rounds. I'm planning for 13 packets - this assumes that I receive the packets everyone promises me that they will send - if I don't, we'll have to work out something else. Thus, if everything goes well, there will be one finals packet available - it will decide the tournament unless one team is two games clear of every other team (with all ties decided by points per bonus).
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by Mechanical Beasts »

No Rules Westbrook wrote:this assumes that I receive the packets everyone promises me that they will send
The fun part is that this is still in flux just three days before the tournament. The next time i edit a packet-sub tournament (not that this makes me want to, but there's no chance I stop, like, ever), the packet penalties will make this strategy... less feasible. Also, I think I will necro that thread about how people should turn packets in on time. It will use MATHEMATICS (that everyone learns in gradeschool) to show that it actually isn't more work (not even a little!) to finish packets earlier.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by marnold »

Hey, right now Chicago B has 2 people - we're beating the drum to get another person or two to sign up, but we're definitely accepting of a free agent or two for those guys.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by sds »

We should have at least 1 Michigan person who could play with Chicago B.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by Quantum Mushroom Billiard Hat »

Minnesota beat Illinois in a one-game final.
Stats

Thanks to everyone for coming.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by marnold »

For what it's worth, the match with us against Lafer where we have 30.00 PPB is wrong. We actually got 10 tossups (Seth and Shantanu both had one more) which should make things a little more reasonable. The real tragedy is that this may mean we're no longer the Andrew Hart champions.
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Re: FIST Midwest - University of Michigan (11/7/09)

Post by Quantum Mushroom Billiard Hat »

Thanks. That should be correct now.
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