[blml] Appeals Committees at ACBL NABCs

[Marvin French]

From: "Adam Wildavsky"

> Next week the ACBL's Board of Directors will consider a motion to
> replace Appeals Committees of players with Appeals Committees of
TDs
> for NABC+ events. These are our premier events such as the
Spingold
> and the LM Pairs. >
>
> This is the text:
>
> "Item 062-90: NABC Appeals
> ACBL Tournament Directors shall hear and rule upon all appeals
filed
> at North American Bridge Championships. All NABC+ appeals shall be
> heard by Tournament Director Panels in a manner similar to
regional
> appeal hearings (Ref: 983-02, 992-02). All conduct and Ethics
matters
> shall be referred to and heard by the NABC Tournament Committee or
to
> their assignees."
>
> I think this is a poor idea. I have posted a copy of my letter to
Jim
> Reiman, the chairman of the board's bridge committee, below. If
you
> are an ACBL member and you agree with me please drop Jim a line,
with
> a copy to your district director and to me. Jim's address is
> district11director at acbl dot org.
>
> A short note is fine. Motions like this typically don't get much
> publicity, so the board hears only from their proponents. I hope
to
> help demonstrate that there is no consensus on this issue.
>
> No doubt some will disagree with me

I suppose I agree, although I don't see that the NABC AC does such a
great job either, considering that they have much more leisure for
reaching a decision than do busy TDs. Comparing TD Panel and AC
performance disregards the fact that the cases from regionally-rated
and NABC+ events are apples and oranges.

Nor do I see why appeals can't be handled as they are at most
regionals, with an *ad hoc* committee comprising knowledgeable
players meeting immediately after the session. I have not heard of
any complaints regarding that method, which would save the money
paid to NABC AC members and eliminate the dubious practice of having
TDs adjudicate the rulings of TDs.

Marv
Marvin L. French
San Diego, California
www.marvinfrench.com