BDH

Wow!!! I've been an MRPC member for more than a decade... I've worked lots of matches outside my home club and always suggested that MRPC try to bring in a big match. I got lots of reasons why this was just not possible... but here we are... 300 competitors coming into MRPC for the Ohio Section. This is just awesome!!! Congrats to Dan and the rest of the crew for actually making this happen!!!

Yikes! After a decade of working big matches all over the planet, I thought this was just going to be a good, ole 'local match' where I could kick back a little!! Congrats to Dan and crew for putting the Ohio match and MRPC on the map. Great job guys, and looking forward to being a part of it once again! Also, just for the record... while the prize table sounds awesome, if anything comes my way in the staff drawing, I am donating it back to the match for someone else (unless it is a winning $200M Mega Millions ticket). Just sayin'...

I'll pass on the huge thanks, and you are correct that Stats is probably the most under appreciated functions in any match. As far as keying 2000 score sheets... she's had pretty good training after keying her portion of the 36,000 or so scoresheets at the last World Shoot!!!

Chris, thx for the comments on Deb. I will pass them on. However... I was quite surprised to hear her say that while she likes working in Stats, she prefers working Chrono with me (from her Friday experience when Ralph was out shooting)!! She made a comment that she 'is going to have to learn how to shoot all those guns though!' I guess we'll have to see who gets her next year!! Watch out Ralph!!! All, it was great seeing so many old friends! Wish I could work more matches like I used to but it is what it is. I've worked well run matches, and not so well run matches in the US and through IPSC, around the World. This match ranks right up there as one of the best run matches I've worked. I hope to see you all again next year...

Maybe I shouldn't comment because I was not actually at the match. However, I have worked a bunch of major matches over the past decade including many Sectional, Area, and National level matches... along with IPSC Continental Championships, and a World Shoot. One thing I can guarantee you is that each of these matches has problems! Sometimes it is weather... other times... range food... porta potties... parking... someone did not order enough of X... and the list goes on and on. The challenge is always for the staff and competitors to WORK TOGETHER to make the match happen!! One thing I WILL guarentee is that the staff WANTS you to have a great time at a great match! Just remember, this is a volunteer sport and each of you are 'encouraged' to get involved and help put on either local or major matches. It is a lot of work, but it is also very rewarding!!! Take the timer at your next club match from the guy that 'always has the timer'... volunteer to work an Area or Nationals match... go through the CRO, RM, or MD courses so you can give back to the sport you love... Just sayin'

First, it's a team effort to pull this stuff off and every good team has a coach, so thank you!! Second, over the past decade I've worked more than one new match, with new MD, and it usually isn't a great experience. I have to say that this was the best run new match that I've worked with almost every little detail covered. Soooo, thanks again!!

Hey Bill, it really wasn't that close, as we got to 165.0 using the best three of six. Sooooo, he didn't even need the seventh bullet. Let's face it, whether we shot or weighed number seven... that might have pulled him up to 165.1 or even 165.2... As always, was great seeing old friends and meeting new... and for those of you that commented... 'I heard you were dying...' Actually no, I'm just kind of walking wounded. Whatever I have does not seem to be progressive, so hope to see you guys for years (next stop... IPSC Pan Am Shotgun Match in Kentucky)...

Dan, Your chrono stage is ready to go. What is the current shooter count? Deb and I will be disappointed if we are talking less than 200 per day (those L IV and V IPSC matches do push the envelope)... Also, are any of our GA brothers coming North for this match (I'm not naming names, but you know who you are)? Sure seems that us Yankees support them in the South. Just sayin... See everyone in a week. Gonna be a great match and great time. Be safe!

I really don't think this will be an issue but am working with USPSA staff to clarify it. I'm sure I will have a definative answer before the match, but... if not, I will likely call this just like 'if you don't have a functional bullet scale at a match'... rule book says you use competitors declared weight (of course, final decision belongs to the RM). My goal is to run this as close to the Nationals/World Shoot chrono stage as possible so people know what to expect as they move to the bigger matches. BTW, one word to the wise... the 'big guns' always come through chrono without a hitch and usually in the low 170's (Major) power factor. They do not try to squeak in at 165.2 for example. Just sayin'...

Yes, that was ugly, but the worst was at the last World Shoot when one of the Czech ladies team came through chrono. She was only two or three stages away from finishing the entire match and went sub-minor. We were running redundant everything, and there was no doubt she did not make the PF. She was surprised to find out the bullet I pulled weighed 115+/-, while she thought it should have weighed 125 (and of course, she opted to pull a second bullet as opposed to shoot it... still 115). Then... after the match... I found out she was running second or third OVERALL in ladies Production... Unfortunately, it doesn't matter whether you are a D class, or GM competitor, as the rules are the rules...

Yes, weights are listed on the USPSA website. I was surprised to see Ken Skeeters only look up maybe one of two guns with the size of the match at Area 6. He pointed out that for the most part you only see a handful of guns, and he simply memorized them. I won't be that efficient, but hopefully this won't be a bottleneck either. I ran the chrono at the last World Shoot in Bali, and managed to stay ahead so I think we will be okay... Just hoping that no one shows up at chrono shooting Singlestack Major, and leaves shooting Open Minor like we had at Area 6...

In preparation for future matches at MRPC, I was asked to run a full chrono setup, so that is what we will do. In other words, do not be surprised if your gun/ammo not only has to make has to make declared PF, but also fits in the official box, meets weight requirements (Production and Single Stack only), and pass safety inspection. Certainly not trying to rain on anyones parade, but if you attend a major match (many Sectionals, but Area or National for sure), you will go through the same routine. We are just trying to get everyone used to the bigger matches as I was really surprised how many comments were made at Area 6 chrono like.... 'a box?... I didn't expect a box'.... 'why are they weighing guns?'... etc. Anyway, no big deal as everyone I have ever met in USPSA always competes within the rules!

Haven't been around here much lately, buy wanted to say... great to see old friends and meet new friends. Hope to see you at the Buckeye Challenge in a month...

Happy Birthday to all the other October 10 birthdays!! Thanks to all of you that remembered my day!!

1954 Hillman Californian... complete with flat head four; four speed manual transmission with shift on the column; and only three lugs nuts holding on each wheel....

Sako, it was good to see you, even if only briefly. Hang in there bro...

Look forward to seeing everyone again. I'll be working the IPSC match, and actually have Deb (aka 'the bunny lady') working with me. Since she is usually in stats, this will be fun. The last time we got to work together was at the European Handgun Championships, where she got a field promotion and got to cut her teeth working a stage at a level IV match and running 1000 shooters in five days (of course, I have not been able to get her back on a stage with me since)!! We'll see everyone in a little more than a week!!

Just wanted to say that it was absolutely great to see so many old friends at Nationals in Vegas. I really debated going out because of my mobility issues but Troy and my lovely wife Deb ('the bunny lady') convinced me to go and it was great to be there. Thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, and suggestions. I continue to fight hard and plan to see you again next year. God bless you all...

Neomet, I hear ya on the EMG thing as I have had several over that past two years as they try to figure out what is wrong with the nerves in my legs. The good news is that for the most part, I have almost no feeling from the waist down so they can pretty much stick me as many times as they want with no discomfort. The not so good news is they have been working higher and higher on me doing my arms, back and into my neck... so I do know what you are going through. Hang in there...

Happy Birthday Flexmeister! See ya in Vegas or for sure Circleville.

Nancy, thx for the note, and sorry we'll miss you guys in Vegas. It's looking like next Spring for Mayo, but we'll let you know once it firms up... On the first point, well, ummm, thanks, but I didn't do the work, so can't claim the title! Will miss you in Vegas (but I will try to give an extra dose of crap to Gary). As for drinks, I'm a really cheap date anymore... since it's tough enough to stay vertical sober, all it takes is a couple of beers and all bets are off!!

Thanks again everyone! Very much appreciated! Kevin, yes, this would be a good time to get the RM stuff done (and I could insert a really smartass comment right here, but will wait and deliver it in person)..... Cindy, I guess I didn't realize that when I signed up for Area 6 years ago, it was a lifetime committment!! But if you guys want the 'old wounded Yankee' back again next year, I'll do my best to get there!!

Thanks for all the positive wishes. Really hoping to get through this 'little tough patch' in the not too distant future. I've been thinking about coming down to MRP for one of the matches just to check in with everyone but I'm currently unable to drive. I sure do miss it though. Kyle, to answer your specific question... 'about the same' is probably the correct answer (some things better, some things worse)... See ya in Vegas!!

I've debated with myself for a long time about whether I should post a note about myself (especially, in a public place), but finally decided to go ahead... Anyway, I've known many of you for a decade or more, and have had opportunites to either shoot with you, or almost certainly, I had the pleasure of running you through a stage at a local, Sectional, Area, National, or even an International match like a Continental Championship or the World Shoot. I love the shooting community and have found many close friends through it. Sooooo, why did 'old BDH' disappear? Well, to make a long story short... in late 2007 shortly after returning from the European Championships in France, I went numb from the waist down. I ended up in the hospital, had about a million tests, and still no diagnosis. The biggest problem with this is that the loss of feeling in your legs and feet really screws up your balance making it difficult to walk (let alone shoot). After dealing with this thru all of 2008 (and for those of you that shot in the last World Shoot who kept asking me why I was working Chrono instead of being a stage CRO, now you know the answer), Deb and I finally made the trip North to the Mayo Clinic this Spring looking for answers. Unfortunately, still looking for answers.... I don't know whether it was appropriate to post this or not and will leave it up to the Admin if they want to pull it down. I just felt like enough people were asking, that I should probably let you know that I didn't just give up and walk away (or worse). Also, as the word goes around, I'd rather you hear it from me so you get the facts. I am fighting with all I have to get back to normal, but if this is the way it is going to be, then I feel truly blessed to have met many of you, and shared time on the range together or over a beer. It has been a great run, and I will stay as engaged with the USPSA community as possible. The good news is that Deb and I once again made the Nationals staff, so we hope to see many of you in Vegas!! Keep shooting, and be safe! Brian Hanna

Gary, you must be mistaking me for someone else!!! BTW, missed you at A4...