COUNT-ALL POINTS HANDICAP SYSTEM

COUNT-ALL POINTS HANDICAP SYSTEM

The most popular method of play for handicapping, especially in leagues, is Count-All Points scoring. The customary rules are:

1 . Both players can score in the same inning, receiving credit for all points and ringers.

2. Games are of a fixed length - most commonly 50 shoes, although 40-shoe, 30-shoe, or even 20-shoe (usually associated with doubles play) games are popular.

3. Players alternate first pitch, regardless of who scored the most points.

4. Games tied at the end of the game stand as ties. Each player credited with half a win.

Averages are determined by dividing a player's total points scored by the total number of games played. If he has 320 points for six games, his average is 53. His handicap is the difference between his average and the maximum number of points possible in a game. In the 50-shoe game the maximum possible score is 150 points. Our 53 point average player would have a handicap equal to 97 (150-53).

Tables show all handicaps for averages from 1 to 150, for 100%, 90%, and 80% handicap. Find the average in column 1 and the handicap in column 2, 3, or 4.

It is not necessary to use large handicaps. Suppose no one in your league averages or is likely to average more than 100 points. You can modify the table for a lower maximum score. For the figures in column 1 substitute 100 for 150, 99 for 149, etc.

All players' handicaps should be posted before a match begins. After a game is played, players' handicaps are added to the actual "scratch" scores. The player with the higher "game with handicap" is the winner. Tie games should stand as ties. If it is desired to break tie games an extra ten shoes should be played (for 50-shoe games), eight shoes for 40-shoe games, etc. The handicap will then be one-fifth of the original handicap. Points scored in the overtime should not be counted in the players' averages, as this will create problems for the statistician.

In this system shoe-limit games are played and only ringers are counted and scored. Ringers count one point each. No credit for close shoes. Both players can score in the same inning. Players alternate first pitch.

Handicaps can be used two ways. (1) When two players meet they compare their "adjusted" averages. The lower average player (player with lower "adjusted" average) receives a spot score equal to the difference between the two averages. (2) Each player has a handicap equal to the difference between his "adjusted" average and the maximum number of ringers possible in the game. The first method is recommended.

"Adjusted" average. Each player's entering ringer percentage is multiplied by a factor based on the number of shoes in the game and the percentage of handicap. Factor equals

  NUMBER OF SHOES x Percentage of handicap.
	100

For 50-shoe games, 80% handicap, the actor is 0.4

( 50 x 0.8). 
 100

Multiply all ringer percentages by 0.4.

E. G. Player A averages 32%. 0.4 x 32% = 13 points, his adjusted average. Player B averages 48%. 0.4 x 48% = 19 points, his adjusted average. Applying handicap method (1) described above, when A & B meet to play, Player A starts the game leading six to nothing, because his spot score is 6 (19 - 13). In method (2) above, Player A's handicap is 37 (50 - 13). Player B's handicap is 31 (50 - 19). At the end of the game the handicaps are added to the actual scores, the winner being the one who has the higher "game with handicap".

This system does not lend itself to overtime games to break ties because, to insure fairness, the length of the overtime must be varied depending upon the differences in percentage. The system has the advantage over the next system described in that a player's ringer percentage does not take into account his "point getting" ability; that is, his ability to keep his non-ringer shoes close to the peg to score single points. This ability, or lack of it, can affect the outcome of a game that would be close on the basis of ringers pitched.