Response to 3DI Team Selection letter
I received a letter with regards to 3DI team selection and the suggestion that was put forth by the “Board of Director’s very much puts me on the defensive. The letter outlines a selection process that would set up 20 targets at the National Championship Triple Crown events for the sole purpose of competing for a 3DI Team. I realize that this is only one suggestion that was put forth, but I feel that it demonstrates a short sightedness in regards to the entire[/b] IBO membership. I am sure that the IBO Board of Director’s are aware that there are 8 National shoots, but the impression is received that only the 3 National Triple Crown shoots have any significant meaning. I will state as a reminder that not everyone lives in the Northern part of the United States.
I will not nock someone else’s suggestion without offering one of my own, so the following will do just that.
We (IBO) already have a shooter of the year program set up in which 5 of the 8 national shoots determine who the shooter of the year will be, so why not use that system (or one like it) instead of setting up a selection process that will give an advantage to a certain region of the country. I can understand that the timing of the selection of a 3DI team may or may not coincide with the IBO National shoot calendar, and if that is the case then any 5 of the 8 shoots could be selected as the selection criteria as long as it is not isolated to the Northern part of the US. The 3DI selection does not have to be tied to the Shooter of The Year, but it seems strange that you would not want the most consistent shooter on the team. The main point is that some folks are more capable of attending shoots in the Southern part of the US and some in the Northern part, so provide an equitable opportunity to all the IBO membership. As with the Shooter of the Year program, for someone to qualify means that they will have to travel somewhat to get 5 shoots in, but everyone that wants to qualify will have to do some traveling.
In a brief conversation with Ken at one of last years shoots he mentioned a concern that at 3DI competition the yardage was greater than what is normally shot for the LB class. Ken communicated that he felt that a LB shooter selected to the 3DI team was handicapped because they were not competing at the max distance that was being shot at 3DI competions. My answer to Ken’s concern is either move the LB max distance back for all LB shooters or not to worry about it, because the best shooter at 25 yard max will be the best shooter at a 35 yard max.
It is also my opinion that additional targets such as the 20 targets that was suggested at the board of Director’s meeting is unnecessary because every National IBO shoot already has 40 targets that everyone has to shoot. I can only assume that the additional 20 targets would incorporate some other rules that are not part of the LB class, such as a greater max yardage. I reiterate that the best shooter at 25 yard max will be the best shooter at 35 yards. The scores may drop with increased yardage but the results will be the same.
I am sending the IBO administration this letter and will also try to post it on the IBO forum, because I want it understood that my opinions are consistent not only as communicated to the IBO administration but to my fellow LB competitors as well.
Milton Callaway