MY NICKELL’S WORTH …..

I have been reading with amazement the comments of the controversial handling of the Nickell-Freeman situation — not showing up for mandatory play in the finals — though for damn good reason.   Nick and Dick are a popular, ethical pair in the bridge world — but that does not negate the issue that neither played in the finals.  No one can challenge Dickie’s forced withdrawal for severe illness but it should have been an anticipated condition more equitably predicted and handled long before it became a reality which was going to eventually happen.  I read some of the blogs which sound like broken records from those involved in the administration, protective of the lack of insight of the COC.

I became involved in this headline making event when “Juanita” wrote a belated June 1st remark on my “Earthquake” blog site — which I reopened and transferred to my June 16th article (USBF OPEN TRIALS 2009) which elicited dozens of remarks.  For those of you who have access to the comments (positive and negative) on a habitual  basis from members of the ITTC (International Teams Trials Committee) and the USBF (United States Bridge Federation) who made the final decision — be sure to read them.  They’re a crock! 

The only constructive suggestion is to examine and rewrite the COC — just a bit late!  The USBF granted their blessing (upon advice of some inappropriate C&E COMMITTEE) that Dick and Nick are still eligible to play in Sao Paulo though neither one played in the mandatory final sessions.  With Dick in transit to Atlanta for hospital care, Nick did not choose to play with Bob Hamman though they were an old partnership and not strangers to sitting across from each other.  According to the questionable rules – COULD or SHOULD HAVE NICK ASSURED HIS ELIGIBILITY AS A SPONSOR by jumping in and playing with Bob — participating in the necessary last half.  Of course, it would have sidelined Zia –no doubt a poor move not keeping the two great partnerships in tact.  Also, as an expert (v. sponsor) Dickie would have been reinstated if he was recovered by Sao Paulo. Apparently, the switching of partnerships cannot be forced or controlled by anyone, but one must admit the Fleisher group was the only team in the entire event that never had the advantage of playing some of the final segment with the sponsor at the table.   Rules — or no rules — there is a fly in the ointment to allow such nonsense to occur.

Now — here is the infuriating ridiculous quote on the USBF SITE originally (apparently from the Conditions of Contest), stating: “….The partner of a player who is unable to play for health reasons is also treated as being unable to play for health reasons ….” as well. 

Would the brain surgeon/s responsible for such nonsensical rationale please stand up and be recognized.  In a similar situation (when Larry Cohen’s mother died suddenly), David Berkowitz filled in and played with WHOMEVER it was necessary — so the team would be eligible when Larry returned.   However, it was brutal (almost barbarous) to force the disadvantaged Fleisher team to keep playing against Meckwell (the best partnership in the world today as alleged by some) and against ZIA MAHMOOD and BOB HAMMAN (although a new partnership) — who were certainly not considered chopped liver!

By the way — in the annals of bridge history in 1981 (about which few may remember) — a somewhat analogous situation happened in Rye, New York at the world championship.    The Reinhold team consisted of Bud Reinhold (sponsor) and John Solodar; Russ Arnold and upcoming star Bobby Levin; and Eric Rodwell and Jeff Meckstroth.   Hall of Famer, Tommy Sanders, was the Captain.   Reinhold started playing in the preliminaries, but apparently, not up to his best standards and Meckwell threatened to withdraw from the team if the sponsor played one board in the finals.    Though Sanders was not in favor of the idea, the team succumbed to Meckwell’s ultimatum, Reinhold watched from the sidelines, the team reigned victorious but Reinhold never received credit from the WBF for being on the winning team.   Sad but true.

My next blog revisits another alternative.  Stay tuned.