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<p class="MsoNormal">FSPA Players,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">FSPA has served as a regional league for nearly 30 years and set the path forward for many leagues across the country to follow, in no small part due to the ladder format, scoring software, and badge system. The current PAPA/IFPA ruleset
even began a long time ago, derived from some of the earliest FSPA rulesets. Players have come and gone, some moved to other areas of the country or world, and joined similar leagues or started their own.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For FSPA in the DMV region, we have been adjusting to changes in the global pinball community and will continue to do so. We recently reviewed numerous aspects of the FSPA league structure, treasury, party, and game giveaway, and are implementing
some additional changes to give back to the players and improve their playing experience.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dues Update<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">League dues will be reduced to $30 / season with a hiatus on collecting any dues towards FSPA treasury, which has been mostly allocated towards each end-of-season party.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spring 2024 paid players will receive a $10 credit towards the next FSPA season played, thus making this dues reduction retroactive to the Spring season.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All dues will go towards prize pool minus the $1 IFPA fee, unless sponsored by operators/venues.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Format Updates<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mustang Sally Brewery and Lost Rhino will continue with the Spring 2024 format with some adjustments for grouping players in weeks 2-4. They will use the Swiss method to group players with similar point totals, which should more closely
align with skill levels. This will help avoid some of the consequences of the balanced play experienced last season with the steal-a-point scoring system.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Carpool will shift to a new format, which will be evaluated at the end of season. The new format is more simplified and is not ladder based. The league season will also be shortened to an 8-week season plus 1 week for finals. We plan
to host 4 leagues per year moving forward with the new format. Divisions will be fewer in number with more players, and 8 players making the finals in each division. The regular season point system will not include a steal-a-point to better balance out scoring
and reward players for attending. The finals format will use the tried-and-true PAPA format of 3 games with scoring 4/2/1/0.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Party Update<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During the dues reduction and hiatus on FSPA collecting fees, the end-of-season parties will be funded out of the existing treasury versus league dues. This addresses scenarios where players that play more than one league end up paying
twice for the party. The nature of the end-of-season party has changed significantly over the years. We used to have 40-60 people at a house party, but the large number of league players prohibits that. The geographical differences between leagues have
also had an impact. We will try and plan parties when possible and will host a party for each year’s giveaway game. The end-of-Spring party is on hold and being planned in conjunction with the re-opening of Spinners in Frederick. More to come once we have
better dates in mind. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Kitty Update<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The traditional kitty for collecting coin drop for games that have credits on them is also ending. It had a purpose for 20 years, but the last few it didn’t make sense anymore with “no coin drop” locations, and operators crediting games
for finals. For leagues such as Lost Rhino, FSPA will pay for finals out of the treasury.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In Progress/Upcoming Leagues<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spinners is still on hold to complete its Spring season. The Spinners SLO will continue to provide updates to players on status for when league will resume.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leagues start soon at Carpool (week 0 - 5/27, week 1 - 6/3), Mustang Sally (week 0 – 5/28, week 1 - 6/4), and Lost Rhino (week 0 – 6/5, week 1 - 6/12).
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To pre-register for Mustang Sally or Lost Rhino, email <a href="mailto:edan@fspazone.org">
edan@fspazone.org</a> and be sure to include which location and your full name. Tim Doherty is joining as SLO for Lost Rhino this season.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To pre-register for Carpool, email <a href="mailto:kevin@fspazone.org">
kevin@fspazone.org</a> and provide your full name.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Website Updates<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The website will be updated with these updates over the weekend, but you can find last season’s rules and current league schedules there now at
<a href="http://fspazone.org">http://fspazone.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please email me directly at
<a href="mailto:kevin@fspazone.org">kevin@fspazone.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kevin<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">FSPA President<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:kevin@fspazone.org">kevin@fspazone.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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