Change of Rules for the American Royal

SoEzzy · Posted: Aug 19 2012 Post subject: Change of Rules for the American Royal

Well it looks like the American Royal is trying to shoot BBQ in the West in the foot.

They must feel the invitational is getting too big and feel the need to shrink the invitational entry lists.

gmholler · Posted: Aug 19 2012 Post subject:

I'm curious...how do you come up with the 40+ teams needed for contests in Texas?

Lynn H.
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SoEzzy · Posted: Aug 19 2012 Post subject:

That was what I was told, if it's not correct please let me know so I can correct the post.
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Here's a change Robert.

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Big_AL · Posted: Aug 19 2012 Post subject:

It's my understanding the new rules were put in place to limit the number of teams getting in to those teams that qualify under a specific set of criteria which are more equitable across the different sanctioning bodies.

Here is an example I was given was....I and 14 of my friends get together and put on the Big AL BBQ Challenge in my backyard under the Midwest BBQ Club which we just made up for this one event. We get together one weekend, cook all 4 meats, turn them in to our 'certified judges' (our spouses which we 'trained') and declare me the winner. We turn in our scores and our governor's proclamation (which I understand is very easy to get) and we're on our way to The Royal after having a bbq party for 30 of our friends.

I'm sure it wasn't quite that easy to get in before the rule change but if my highly simplistic scenario is even close to accurate I can see why they changed the rules. They want GC's of contests run by 'valid' sanctioning bodies at The Invitational in an effort to make the playing field a bit more level (and perhaps make the KCBS more dominant in the process). However, your valid points indicate the rule changes may have unintended implications including regional inequity.

But, in the end, their contest...their rules. Plus, I surmise The Royal folks will tell you that anyone can experience their event...just come cook The Open the next day.

Hopefully, it all works out for the best.
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SoEzzy · Posted: Aug 20 2012 Post subject:

On the best year that our Organization put on 7 contests, 2 KCBS and 5 under our own Organization rules, but we have always used KCBS trained CBJ's, (because we as a BBQ Organization are the ones that went the extra mile to hold KCBS CBJ classes' in our area, to provide the space, and the cook, and the back room box builders... it takes a team of 6 or 7 from the Organization to put on a class), we often run a backyard contest at the same time.

Of the 5 contests that would have made it to the Royal that year, I believe that 2 out of the 5 actually fully qualified, a couple didn't have enough teams, one had enough teams but one missed chicken entries and another missed brisket turn ins, so that one didn't make it either.

Of the invites that did go out, I think one team went and the other team couldn't make the Royal.

Even your example event as a qualifier would be better IMO than cutting you out.

If EVERYONE could get the 15 teams and the Governors Proclamation from any state, is that not as valid if really "judged" independently?

Do you think 14 friendly teams wouldn't scream and shout if they didn't think the winner actually won, can you "train" 15 wives to pick your turn in's instead of someone else's?

The Royal has been hard enough for teams to get to the invitational already, 7 qualifiers in our best year, I don't know about what happened to the GC's of them, I believe they went to the Royal, one team had already one a number of GC's that year I think the second had too, (but I'm not sure), of the other 5 competitions 3 didn't end up qualifying for various reasons, (we still held the competitions teams still enjoyed the contests but a big part of the hook was the trip to the Royal for the GC), and of the other 2 one went the the Royal and one didn't.

As to going to the Open I doubt I'll bother, with a 2200 mile round trip and over 32 miles of driving, + the entry fees, meats, motels etc.

The whole change turns this more to a rich mans game, if you have the money to travel, or if you have the money to put together a $10,000 contest you have a chance. But you need to guarantee that 10 times in a year to be an authorized Organization.

There are area's of the country where you can't throw a stone without hitting a BBQ team, there are other area's you could drop a thousand stones and not hit one!

Sure sucks to live near the hind teat in the BBQ world!
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Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!

Big_AL · Posted: Aug 20 2012 Post subject:

Your thoughts are valid and you've laid out excellent data supporting your theory on the outcome of the changes. Hopefully if you have or will contact their reps with this information, they will at the very least take your thoughts into consideration for future contests.

Good luck to you.
_________________
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18.5" WSM
22" Weber OTS
22" Weber OTG
Red Thermapen
Canadian Bakin' Cooking Team
SLBS Certified Judge

gmholler · Posted: Aug 20 2012 Post subject:

15 teams the first year, 25 teams in subsequent years for IBCA contests. Fill out the paperwork and send it back to the AR. In TX or anywhere else. Where do you get the $10,000 or $13,000 numbers? I know some cookers who would LOVE for that to be the minimum at any contest!

Lynn H.
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Louisiana BBQ pit http://www.bcabbq.org

SoEzzy · Posted: Aug 20 2012 Post subject:

Here are the contests in the following states, taken from the KCBS site.

DawgPhan · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 3444

I think that this is in response to KCBS no longer managing the "state championship" stuff for their contests and some teams trying to game the qualifier system.

Note that a contest no longer needs to be a state championship to be a qualifier for the Royal.

SoEzzy · Posted: Aug 21 2012 Post subject:

That's a little like saying here's a dime... use it to replace the Dollar you just lost.

In order to make on Organization verified to officiate at contests, they need to guarantee 10 contests a year.

I guess that the IBCA with costs about 1/2 of the KCBS can expect some more calls... unfortunately, in the old days we could put on a well run contest, and have entry fees paid out 100% for prizes & trophies.

15 x $125 = $1875 turns into an IBCA contest with $1,175 in prizes and trophies and $700 to fly in a Head Judge, give them accommodation for 2 nights, food for 2 days, and transportation to the motel from the airport, motel to contest, contest to motel, repeat on day two, and from the motel to the airport.

All because an Organizing body that has functioned without question for more than 5 years is no longer a valid organization.
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Here's a change Robert.

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DawgPhan · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 3444

ahh..I see...there was some sort of Utah bbq sanctioning group that was sending the state champions to the Royal, right? But they would only sanction a handful of events..I think i see your point now.

I agree that probably sucks if you live in a state like that. are there no reps in Utah?

SoEzzy · Posted: Aug 21 2012 Post subject:

There is one KCBS rep in Utah, and another one from out of State but has family in the area that they stay with, but with all the fees and the air fare you're still the wrong side of $1,000.
_________________
Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!