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The Game is a Simple, Beautiful Game (I think!)

November 2006

All over the World the game of soccer/Footie is played in parks and streets by players dreaming of 'Making it in the Professional Game', by players who are too old to make but still believe they are better than some of the professionals playing. (I have to admit, some of them are probably right!)
When these players come together for pick up games they throw down some bags, clothing or use whatever resembles a goal. They keep score, call their own game and select professional team names and player names. They truly believe they are Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Barcelona or Chelsea; Henry, Gerrard, Ronaldhino, Eto, Drogba, Jenas or for the weaker players a Goalkeeper!

Youth leagues are formed and teams play each other every week, come wind, rain, hail, snow or invariably, SUNSHINE. The top teams play each other in the top leagues, the lower league teams fight every week to win promotion into the top league for the chance to play the top teams. Teams never have to worry about referees; it is the Leagues responsibility. There are never any questions at the end of the season as to what a team's standing was.

Leagues around the world have a system that should be looked into with a view to implementing it here. (Take some time to see if you can understand this complex system used to rank teams at the end of the season around the world!)

Win = 3pts
Tie = 1pt
Loss = opts

If you look at the game here, it is far from simple:

Find your own referees.
Retrieve or lose points if you do not officiate a required number of games.
Check the color code to assess your officiating points.
Check your color codes for what games you are playing COUNT to your ranking.
Check the point scoring system used for games played, 0.88 or 2.075 etc. (Help)
Why are we ending games early because of a mercy rule? This does not happen around the world! Why are these teams even playing teams that we know will Mercy rule them, on a BAD day!

I vote for the scoring system used around the world, and if the top teams need to play each twice to make it a tougher schedule and season, guess what-- teams play each other twice around the world in a season!
How many of you out there understand the color coding and algebra scoring system? Sadly, I do not! It is sad when you need to understand a scientific formula to know where your teams are ranked. If the world formula was used there would be NO need for ranking meetings!

This is a simple and beautiful game!!

-- Dennis Genas