Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Greater Toronto Area City Championships

As a player, league owner/leader and tournament host I like the fact that there were 3 tournaments on the same day. At our league in Oakville we have a large group of players who come out regularly and support our league by spending money. They pay $3 per week to play and they buy booster boxes, packs, starter decks and other Pokemon stuff. Their support has kept our league running for 2 1/2 years and getting stronger all the time. Our players love to play Pokemon. They have fun! It takes away some of the fun when players fly in from out of town, grab most of the prizes and head home. I am sure that the folks in Hamilton feel the same way. I am sure that the regular players in Barrie enjoyed their tournament a little more for the same reason. I have nothing against all the top players, they are my friends and I look forward to welcoming them all to our tournament. I am just stating another point of view on behalf of the silent majority. My first responsibility is to my league and all of the players in it. Space is also an issue, none of us could have hosted an 86 player City Championship. I agree with what PA said, though, for some of us it is about a lot more than just ranking points. I played in the Hamilton tournament because it was a short 15 minute drive from my house (sorry Garett and Marvin). I think we should be thankful that the TOs do the work that they do, as we could just as easily have no tournaments! With 86 players in the 3 tournaments last Saturday, I am just a little worried about the size of the room I have rented for this Sunday's Oakville City Championship. See you all there!
 
Paul, that was very true. None of us could have hosted 86 people. Even Angus - which does have the space, doesn't have enough tables and chairs. None of the current league stores could have either. It worked out good regardless of having 3 on the same day. I don't mind however if good players from other areas seem to swoop down to take the available prizes though since that helps the players learn, and become good themselves. I do agree though that it would be nice to see an all Barrie win, or an all Oshawa win, or Mississauga, Hamilton, Toronto .... etc. 2 of the 3 winners last Saturday ended up being from this area. Was that because they were good players, good decks, luck, or perhaps even the lack of competition? Who knows? Perhaps it was due to all those factors - or none of them. Regardless, a win is a win, and I'll celebrate their success regardless. Everyone, ...... Let's take advantage of what events we do have, or that we can attend, and help make them the most positive experience you can have at an event, and we'll all come out ahead.
 
Have you ever thought of getting a CC in Base Borden or any other place like that??? I don't know if they have a place to have a CC there but, they could. Also, you could do a tournament in Brampton??? I am pretty sure there are many places there. Just thoughts though.
 
Have you ever thought of getting a CC in Base Borden or any other place like that??? I don't know if they have a place to have a CC there but, they could. Also, you could do a tournament in Brampton??? I am pretty sure there are many places there. Just thoughts though.

Well, there are also many new Leagues that also appeared in the metro Toronto area recently as well, so I hope that there's some way to have a few of these locations to host CCs without date conflicts. I sometimes wonder if the conflicting CCs are some sort of conspiracy (Garret/Paul: let's face it, consider the way the scheduling is played out, I believe some will scream bloody murder on how the scheduling is done to screw them over on purpose)
 
just some thoughts:

Given close to the same opporunities as the US gets to gather points, I have shown that I can stay up in the race for rating, as I've been in the top 5 in the world forever. I went to 7 battle roads, compared to 8-10 of some of the more populated US areas.

For cities, I'm given way less opportunities because of this schedule. I can go to 3 CCs. People in the US can go to like 10. This is completely out of my control, and leaves me with virtually no chance to compete for ratings with anyone who lives in a decent US area now.

Not to mention my run through BRs was absolutely ridiculous and unheard of (you can't expect ANYONE to consistently go 29-3 =/), so theres no way I can maintain the pace that I won games at, meaning I'm likely to drop way more out of contention after CC's.

I thought that I'd have a shot at ratings without going X-0, X-1 or whatever throughout all of states, regs and nats, but I guess I'm going to HAVE to take at most 3-4 losses at those 3 events combined if I want any shot at ratings now..


It's going to hard for anyone in Canada to get a ratings invite again this year. They REALLY need to give Canada it's own like top 2 ratings invites....
 
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It's going to hard for anyone in Canada to get a ratings invite again this year. They REALLY need to give Canada it's own like top 2 ratings invites....

Unfortunately, according to the current situation, it seems that POP will probably not give out any rating invites for Canada and Mexico until someone from these two country can actually get someone to have a high enough rankings to justify giving us invites of our own (otherwise some of the US people will most likely complain how those who get ratings invites from Canada and Mexico have an easy way in). So sadly it will be an uphill battle for you (and Canada/Mexico in general) to realize this dream, that's probably the reason why I have been helping you as humanly as possible by driving you to as much event as you could so Canada (and hopefully Mexico too by extension) can get ratings invite on their own instead of fighting with our fellow American players for the spots.

While I understand the principle of the measures, people can and will accuse the TOs that the CCs are scheduled as an act of protectionsim so they can avoid the whole "certain players would come and take everything and then some" scenario. In addition, as a League Owner/player in a city where Pokemon is slowly re-emerging from the shadows*, I find having many different NON-conflicting CCs actually helpful for the new players as they might take an effort to travel around the city/region/etc. to partake in tournaments in different places, meet new people, and making new friends along the way. Heck, if it isn't for the fact that the both Battle Road seasons and the Prereleases were so well scheduled, I probably wouldn't have met as much people as I would have if the schedules were all conflicting.

PS. I really should not write after midnight as my brain winds down, I feel that whatever I said didn't make sense :tongue:
*Metro Toronto did not have a League from early 2003 to early 2007, so re-growing the game will be even harder ... I don't even want to start ranting about that.
 
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Have you ever thought of getting a CC in Base Borden or any other place like that??? I don't know if they have a place to have a CC there but, they could. Also, you could do a tournament in Brampton??? I am pretty sure there are many places there. Just thoughts though.

I thought about it, but it would be a logistical nightmare. To get approval for that sort of thing would take too long. I'd have to start on it now to have a possibility of a Spring Battle Road. I'd be able to have an event anywhere someone is willing to have one, and there are players who want to show up. Even London Maybe!

Well, there are also many new Leagues that also appeared in the metro Toronto area recently as well, so I hope that there's some way to have a few of these locations to host CCs without date conflicts. I sometimes wonder if the conflicting CCs are some sort of conspiracy (Garret/Paul: let's face it, consider the way the scheduling is played out, I believe some will scream bloody murder on how the scheduling is done to screw them over on purpose)

Kevin, ..... As a LL/LO/TO, do you really want to lend legitimacy to a rumor (and a bad one a bad one at that), when I've already made it clear that there was absolutely no collusion/conspiracy to having 3 events on one day? Let's not talk about foolishness.

Unfortunately, according to the current situation, it seems that POP will probably not give out any rating invites for Canada and Mexico until someone from these two country can actually get someone to have a high enough rankings to justify giving us invites of our own (otherwise some of the US people will most likely complain how those who get ratings invites from Canada and Mexico have an easy way in). So sadly it will be an uphill battle for you (and Canada/Mexico in general) to realize this dream, that's probably the reason why I have been helping you as humanly as possible by driving you to as much event as you could so Canada (and hopefully Mexico too by extension) can get ratings invite on their own instead of fighting with our fellow American players for the spots.

While I understand the principle of the measures, people can and will accuse the TOs that the CCs are scheduled as an act of protectionsim so they can avoid the whole "certain players would come and take everything and then some" scenario. In addition, as a League Owner/player in a city where Pokemon is slowly re-emerging from the shadows*, I find having many different NON-conflicting CCs actually helpful for the new players as they might take an effort to travel around the city/region/etc. to partake in tournaments in different places, meet new people, and making new friends along the way. Heck, if it isn't for the fact that the both Battle Road seasons and the Prereleases were so well scheduled, I probably wouldn't have met as much people as I would have if the schedules were all conflicting.

PS. I really should not write after midnight as my brain winds down, I feel that whatever I said didn't make sense :tongue:
*Metro Toronto did not have a League from early 2003 to early 2007, so re-growing the game will be even harder ... I don't even want to start ranting about that.

even this last post has some elements of controversy according to you, in regard to protectionism. Don't believe it. If you feel that way, organize your own events and invite as many people as possible. Protectionalism is foolishness. Growing the game (as you can testify to) is the only way we can all benefit.
 
Kevin, ..... As a LL/LO (fixed for accuracy), do you really want to lend legitimacy to a rumor (and a bad one a bad one at that), when I've already made it clear that there was absolutely no collusion/conspiracy to having 3 events on one day? Let's not talk about foolishness.

Unfortunately, people can believe only for so much. Having three events in the same day and having another event subsequently cancelled (the kicker) will give people impression of poor coordination at best, and a conspiracy at worst.

even this last post has some elements of controversy according to you, in regard to protectionism. Don't believe it. If you feel that way, organize your own events and invite as many people as possible. Protectionalism is foolishness. Growing the game (as you can testify to) is the only way we can all benefit.

Oh, I would LOVE to host my own events if I had the chance, but the problem is that I am not a TO since I haven't run anything long enough yet. Until that happens, I (along with the players in my area) will have to rely on the good faith of the PTO and TOs for having adequate amount of events that no do conflict in my area.
 
Unfortunately, people can believe only for so much. Having three events in the same day and having another event subsequently cancelled (the kicker) will give people impression of poor coordination at best, and a conspiracy at worst. ....
Oh, I would LOVE to host my own events if I had the chance, but the problem is that I am not a TO since I haven't run anything long enough yet. Until that happens, I (along with the players in my area) will have to rely on the good faith of the PTO and TOs for having adequate amount of events that no do conflict in my area.
Then it looks like my sig is right. People do want to be deceived. Even if it's due to their own paranoia. As long as we here all know the difference then maybe we can stop the spread of silly rumors. As for the specter of improprietry, there was none. There was some coordination - at least on my part, but no one can change the fact that schedules sometimes conflict. As for Rick - I have no knowledge whether or not he tried to coordinate things. I have some theories of what happened there, but lately my theories have gotten me into trouble, so I won't voice them here. As for becoming a TO - I hope it does happen for you. The more the merrier. However I do believe it is probably not a good idea to hold your breath that such conflicts never happen again. Sooner or later they will again - probably at next year's City Championships. Let's wait and see. In the meantime, I won't comment any more about the 3 events on one day thing. I've already spent more effort there than was worth it. Get over it already. Move on to more productive pursuits - like working on the events we have left to us. :rolleyes: :thumb:.
 
Get over it already. Move on to more productive pursuits - like working on the events we have left to us. :rolleyes: :thumb:.

I will be cursed if asking Peter/Rynel to ask Marvin if it is possible to put a CC in Scarborough that won't conflict with other CCs on my behalf (though if push comes to shove, I will do it myself) isn't "productive" enough *gasps* :tongue: As far as the "get over it" problem, tell the players that since I am the one who has been nagged on about the problem as if I can solve it. :rolleyes:
 
Then your best bet as LL/LO would be to have them contact Marvin or myself, or Rick directly for answers. If that fails, an email to POP will do as well. If someone wants to get in touch with me personally, my email is in my trade thread, or they can get in touch with me by pm here on the gym. In your case, giving them a copy of the link from this thread would probably also suffice. Taking an active stand against such a foolish rumor will make you look much better in their eyes than letting the suspicion grow. As a LL they'll look up to you for having the proper info to pass along to them, and they'll come to appreciate your authority better once you make a decision to not let this foolish rumor continue. Get proactive Kevin. You can do it, and you'll look much better for it.
 
Georgetown CC tomorrow WOOTWOOT lets see if I can go for 3 medals (lets hope I don't get donked by a certain card).
 
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