Armistice Day Fits Tournament FAQ's
So what's the difference between the Armistice Day Fits Tournament
and the Indy Squadron championship?
The Armistice Day Fits Tournament is the event that determines
the Indy Squadron's annual champion which means that in most cases, the title of Indy Squadron Champion and Armistice Day
Champion are synonymous. However, it is possible for a player who is not eligible for the local title to win the tournament.
In such cases the tourney winner is recognized as the Armistice Day Fits Tournament champion, while the highest finishing
eligible player is awarded the Indy Squadron championship title. This has only occured once in the event's history, but it
does show that a potential difference exists between the Armistice Day tourney and the squadron championship.
Who determines eligibility requirements?
The
founders of the Indy Squadron, Scott and Stephen, in discussion with our most regular players and former champions.
Why are there any eligibility requirements at all?
Because the sole purpose for the Armistice Day tourney is to determine a squadron champion from among our regular
players.
Why not just allow anyone to compete for the Indy Squadron championship?
Because then it is no longer an Indy Squadron championship. Instead, it would become an "Open" championship.
The Fits Society already runs an Open championship. There is no need for another one.
What's wrong with having an Indy
Squadron champion who doesn't really play with the Indy Squadron very much?
The same thing that's wrong with a Canadian Football League team that suddenly shows up in February and demands to
play in the NFL's Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is not an unqualified, at-large championship open to any football team in the
world. Its specific purpose is to determine a champion from among the National Football League's
member teams that have played each other all year long.
The Armistice Day Fits Tournament is our Super Bowl. If you want to play in our Super Bowl, please make sure you
are an active member of our league first by playing at least one official Indy Squadron game prior to the tournament in the
same calendar year.
If ineligible
players show up do they have to sit this game out?
No,
they can compete for full scoring and they can win the Armistice Day Fits Tournament championship (as opposed to the local
squadron championship). We don't want anyone to sit out and everyone is welcome to play. Some great prizes are available as
well as a free pass to Gen Con and a spot in the ADFT Hall of Fame. However, the Indy Squadron's annual championship
title is reserved for the highest finishing eligible player.
Was the eligibility policy voted
on by the squadron?
No, although the vast majority
of players in the squadron's history have strongly supported it. In nearly twenty years of gaming this is the only decision
that the founders have reserved.
Why do former champions get an exemption from eligibility requirements?
Because they showed up and supported the squadron - in some cases for
five or ten or years or more - before finally earning their title. A lifetime exemption has always been a special
bonus to the winner.
Why not create an event that is open to everyone?
We already did. Indy's Red Baron Fight has no eligibility requirements and is open to anyone.
Why
doesn't the Armistice Day Fits Tournament offer the big prize packages it once did?
Squadron members decided to refocus attention on the tournament's original award - the Victory Medal. It was felt
that big prize packages were beginning to diminish the Victory Medal's status as the greatest honor the squadron could bestow.
Those who want massive prize packages can still look forward to Red Baron Fight, which offers the biggest winner's purse in
Dawn Patrol.
What eligibility requirements have been used in the past?
For more than a decade the tourney was a by-invitation-only event,
with the squadron founders deciding who had been active enough that year to merit an invitation. Although it was effective,
Scott and Stephen really weren't comfortable holding the entire decision-making capacity. They sought an alternative and for
a few years allowed players to declare themselves either eligible or ineligible, but this resulted in a number of players
attempting to win the Indy Squadron title despite the fact that they had never gamed with the Indy Squadron before. The current
system was then adopted, which takes the decision out of the hands of the founders and gives it to the players... those who
play earn their way in, those who don't are ineligible.
