Leagues May Be The Best Thing You've Done
For Your Business In A Long Time
A
t a recent stttc association meeting, point blank
someone asked me if I re-.tlly had any idea what
was going on in this industry. TI1inking a major
industry event had hcen like a 7'-!7 and gone tight over
111} head. I became alarmed that I had missed the event
of the year in coin-op enterttinment and was naturally
curious.
"LEAGLES! 11lat's what this industry is aU about! Why
can't you people in the trades do more to promote le-.tgues?"
he not-so-gently asked. lie, of course, was ttlking about
leagues, dart and pool especiaUy, and their tremendous
growth lately. But, it's just the tip of the iceberg so far,
he added, which is also how Roger Sharpe describes tile
phenomenon in his story about leagues.
So, of course, in my most dig-for-the-story attitude,
I began ttlking '"ith operators about what they thought
about leagues. I \\
amazed at the tremendous follo,.,ing leagues had in tllat
sttte. It \\Ould have been harder to find an operator not
involved than to find one already deep into the league
progmms. Operators in that state are very positive about
\\-ilat leagues arc doing for their businesses. In fact, they
are perplexed others are not as relentless in
the quest for stronger leagues.
Dick Ha\vkins, MtOA president, speaks at nearly every
sttte association meeting and one thing he accents is leagues.
AMOA has been involved in a dart league program available
to members and Dick devotes a good chunk of time
spotlighting the progmm.
But for Dick. it's more than just promoting a program
for AMOA. it's his C\pcrtise. Dick h
leagues since tht• beginning of Valley's pool league. His
leagues arc so massive he is looking to sponsor a tournament
at the end of the league for his players. Other operators
that we didn't get a chance to talk to for the stories
on league~ arc truly the cornerstones of tl1c league concept.
C & \ Sale!-! in \linnesott, Stansfield Vending, Wisconsin,
Black Hills \melty in ortll Dakout to name but a very
few. These guys arc tile backbone of pool leagues.
Dart le-.tgue programs are adding new participants each
day. The tllree dart manufacturers have all devoted an
immense amount of time to helping operators be successful
with dart programs. One thing is certain, those operators
who have delegated the time and effort to running leagues
have been glad tlley did. Locations are satisfied with higher
incomes on slow nights, which strengtllens tile
operator/ location relationship. What's so special about
being able to offer a league program is tllat there are
no minimums or maximums. A small league can be as
successful as a big one. And leagues can be adapted to
other types of equipment. Steve Epstein in New York runs
pinball leagues, as you will read in this issue. What a
unique idea and why not? Operators should never
underestimate the players and tlleir need for recognition.
The Valley National 8-BaJI League tournament is
oven~ehningly impressive. And anyone can be a part of
it!
In this issue, Roger Sharpe and Mike Shaw take a look
at what leagues are all about. Roger features what programs
arc available for electronic darts and Mike talks with several
operators, including Dick Hawkins.
I vow that Play Meter wiU devote as many pages as
needed for tournament and league events. If any of you
operators, and I don't mean just tile big guys, would like
to share witll otllers your successful tournaments or league
events, please send tllem to me. Seeing what otllers are
doing is, oftentimes, enough to get someone motivated.
And what a wonderful treat for your locations, to see
tllemsclves written up in tile industry's trade magazine.
Leagues will be playing a much bigger role in the future
of this industry, so don't wait, get yours started today!
~~~rn
Editor