Tapper_IBA
March 2nd, 2009, 01:56
Dear League Players,
If you feel as though you have already read the information below, well... you are probably familiar with some parts of it. Nonetheless, please read it again carefully just in case you have missed something.
1) It is important for League Players to understand that the IBA League Manager does not have a player name at NetGammon, does not have NgMail at NetGammon, and is never present at NetGammon. When I (Tapper) am present at NetGammon, I am either there to conduct specific IBA business or to Host. I am not free to receive private messages about the League and, when I Host, I do not have the luxury of time to respond to you. Consequently you may perceive me as rude or as ignoring you. That is not my intention. However, attempting to conduct league business with me when I am in NetGammon is distractive and frustrating for me. I prefer to enjoy all areas of my involvement with IBA which include much more than just managing the IBA League. I thank you for your consideration.
2) If you "cc" me on mails you send to (two-four-six) opponents several times each month in NgMail, my mailbox would be overflowing even more than it already is, so I delete those mails as they arrive. Since it is your responsibility to request forfeits, it also remains your responsibility to maintain a record of your documented attempts. You should "cc" yourself on the mails you send to opponents. The League Rules explain how to copy/paste them as documentation for forfeit requests. I thank you for your consideration.
3) If you accidentally post an incorrect League match and you notify me in private chat while I am Hosting, or send it to me in NgMail, it will be ignored or accidentally deleted. Every single Start Up mail that is sent out to you requests that you not send League mail to me at NgMail. You are asked to email me at tapper@iba-backgammon.com (tapper@iba-backgammon.com). I am well known for my responsiveness and will respond as soon as time allows. I thank you for your consideration.
4) IBA does not consider League matches to be either more or less important than IBA Regular Tournament matches. There is sufficient time during the League month for players to comfortably play in both venues without having to sacrifice one for the other. Please do not accept a League match and then abandon that match to play in a Tournament, not unless it was clearly agreed upon by both players in advance of starting the match. Also, we still get complaints about players interrupting IBA League and/or Tournament matches in an attempt to set up a match with one of the playing opponents. Please, do not interrupt matches that are in play. Doing so is unfair and discourteous to both players and it is perceived by them as your being disrespectful and rude.
5) The most often discussed problems in the IBA League has to do with scheduling matches (League Rule is below) and requesting forfeits. Since 1999, IBA has strongly encouraged you to schedule your matches ahead of time, in writing. Please use NgMail to schedule a mutually convenient time to play. This provides you both with documentation that will prove your honest efforts to play.
If all you do is try to catch an opponent at NG (“on the fly”) and they never seem available to you, then you have only yourself to blame because you will have no acceptable documentation for a forfeit request. IBA does not say that you cannot play your league matches “on the fly”; however, you play this way at your own risk. Also, one NgMail to your opponent on the 25th of the month does not constitute sincere effort.
6) Being rude or using inappropriate language during a League Match (or in any other match for that matter) is totally inappropriate and unacceptable. If you have a problem with your opponent in the match, please file a member complaint with IBA rather than get involved based on your emotional reaction which could result in your being just as guilty. Showing mutual respect for each other is a guaranteed way to build a community you can be proud of. Trying to tear down the community will result in your no longer being a part of that community. Which would you prefer?
Regards,
Tapper, IBA League Manager
www.iba-backgammon.com (http://www.iba-backgammon.com/)
SCHEDULING LEAGUE MATCHES: At the beginning of each month, IBA League participants receive an Official League Start Up email. This mail provides the division assignment and a list of opponents. Each participant will play the list of opponents in his respective division one time. Keep in mind when you are scheduling your match that IBA members live in different time zones all around the world.
It is understandable that some IBA League matches may be scheduled spontaneously when both opponents are available at the NetGammon site. Be certain you both agree in advance that it is a League match. It is not reasonable to expect a player to halt another match in progress or withdraw from a tournament in order to accommodate a request to play a League match. Interrupting a match in progress is often perceived as rude by the player who is trying to concentrate on the game being played. Most misunderstandings can be completely avoided by scheduling all League matches ahead of time through NgMail.
For your own benefit use the entire League month to play and enjoy your matches rather than trying to complete them in the first or last days of the month.
LEAGUE PARTICIPANT COMMUNICATION: NetGammon provides IBA League participants with confidential communication through NgMail. A message can be left to schedule a match whether or not the recipient is online. Please check your NgMail whenever you log into NetGammon.
All matches should be arranged with opponents through NgMail to set a time and date convenient to both players. Players should be as flexible as possible and suggest various days at different times. Keep copies of all correspondence for the duration of the League month in case there is a dispute or problem. (see Match Forfeits)
If you feel as though you have already read the information below, well... you are probably familiar with some parts of it. Nonetheless, please read it again carefully just in case you have missed something.
1) It is important for League Players to understand that the IBA League Manager does not have a player name at NetGammon, does not have NgMail at NetGammon, and is never present at NetGammon. When I (Tapper) am present at NetGammon, I am either there to conduct specific IBA business or to Host. I am not free to receive private messages about the League and, when I Host, I do not have the luxury of time to respond to you. Consequently you may perceive me as rude or as ignoring you. That is not my intention. However, attempting to conduct league business with me when I am in NetGammon is distractive and frustrating for me. I prefer to enjoy all areas of my involvement with IBA which include much more than just managing the IBA League. I thank you for your consideration.
2) If you "cc" me on mails you send to (two-four-six) opponents several times each month in NgMail, my mailbox would be overflowing even more than it already is, so I delete those mails as they arrive. Since it is your responsibility to request forfeits, it also remains your responsibility to maintain a record of your documented attempts. You should "cc" yourself on the mails you send to opponents. The League Rules explain how to copy/paste them as documentation for forfeit requests. I thank you for your consideration.
3) If you accidentally post an incorrect League match and you notify me in private chat while I am Hosting, or send it to me in NgMail, it will be ignored or accidentally deleted. Every single Start Up mail that is sent out to you requests that you not send League mail to me at NgMail. You are asked to email me at tapper@iba-backgammon.com (tapper@iba-backgammon.com). I am well known for my responsiveness and will respond as soon as time allows. I thank you for your consideration.
4) IBA does not consider League matches to be either more or less important than IBA Regular Tournament matches. There is sufficient time during the League month for players to comfortably play in both venues without having to sacrifice one for the other. Please do not accept a League match and then abandon that match to play in a Tournament, not unless it was clearly agreed upon by both players in advance of starting the match. Also, we still get complaints about players interrupting IBA League and/or Tournament matches in an attempt to set up a match with one of the playing opponents. Please, do not interrupt matches that are in play. Doing so is unfair and discourteous to both players and it is perceived by them as your being disrespectful and rude.
5) The most often discussed problems in the IBA League has to do with scheduling matches (League Rule is below) and requesting forfeits. Since 1999, IBA has strongly encouraged you to schedule your matches ahead of time, in writing. Please use NgMail to schedule a mutually convenient time to play. This provides you both with documentation that will prove your honest efforts to play.
If all you do is try to catch an opponent at NG (“on the fly”) and they never seem available to you, then you have only yourself to blame because you will have no acceptable documentation for a forfeit request. IBA does not say that you cannot play your league matches “on the fly”; however, you play this way at your own risk. Also, one NgMail to your opponent on the 25th of the month does not constitute sincere effort.
6) Being rude or using inappropriate language during a League Match (or in any other match for that matter) is totally inappropriate and unacceptable. If you have a problem with your opponent in the match, please file a member complaint with IBA rather than get involved based on your emotional reaction which could result in your being just as guilty. Showing mutual respect for each other is a guaranteed way to build a community you can be proud of. Trying to tear down the community will result in your no longer being a part of that community. Which would you prefer?
Regards,
Tapper, IBA League Manager
www.iba-backgammon.com (http://www.iba-backgammon.com/)
SCHEDULING LEAGUE MATCHES: At the beginning of each month, IBA League participants receive an Official League Start Up email. This mail provides the division assignment and a list of opponents. Each participant will play the list of opponents in his respective division one time. Keep in mind when you are scheduling your match that IBA members live in different time zones all around the world.
It is understandable that some IBA League matches may be scheduled spontaneously when both opponents are available at the NetGammon site. Be certain you both agree in advance that it is a League match. It is not reasonable to expect a player to halt another match in progress or withdraw from a tournament in order to accommodate a request to play a League match. Interrupting a match in progress is often perceived as rude by the player who is trying to concentrate on the game being played. Most misunderstandings can be completely avoided by scheduling all League matches ahead of time through NgMail.
For your own benefit use the entire League month to play and enjoy your matches rather than trying to complete them in the first or last days of the month.
LEAGUE PARTICIPANT COMMUNICATION: NetGammon provides IBA League participants with confidential communication through NgMail. A message can be left to schedule a match whether or not the recipient is online. Please check your NgMail whenever you log into NetGammon.
All matches should be arranged with opponents through NgMail to set a time and date convenient to both players. Players should be as flexible as possible and suggest various days at different times. Keep copies of all correspondence for the duration of the League month in case there is a dispute or problem. (see Match Forfeits)