Armistice Day Fits Tournament FAQ's
So what's the difference between the Armistice Day Fits Tournament
and the Indy Squadron championship?
The Armistice Day Fits Tournament is the event that determines the Indy Squadron's annual champion which means that in
most cases, the title of Indy Squadron Champion and Armistice Day Champion are synonymous. However, it is possible for a player
who is not eligible for the local title to win the tournament. In such cases the tourney winner is recognized as the
Armistice Day Fits Tournament champion, while the highest finishing eligible player is awarded the Indy Squadron championship
title. This has only occured once in the event's history, but it does show that a potential difference exists between
the Armistice Day tourney and the squadron championship.
Who determines eligibility requirements?
The founders of the Indy Squadron, Scott and Stephen, in discussion with
our most regular players and former champions.
Why are there any eligibility requirements at all?
Because the sole purpose for the Armistice Day tourney is to determine a
squadron champion from among our regular players.
Why not just allow anyone to compete for the Indy Squadron championship?
Because then it is no longer an Indy Squadron championship. Instead,
it would become an "Open" championship. The Fits Society already runs an Open championship. There is no need for another
one.
What's wrong with having an Indy Squadron champion who doesn't really
play with the Indy Squadron very much?
The same thing that's wrong with having a Canadian Football League team
suddenly show up in January and expect to play in the NFL's Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is not an unqualified, at-large
championship... its specific purpose is to determine a champion from among the National Football League's own member teams
that play each other all year long. The Armistice Day Fits Tournament is our Super Bowl. This is not unprecedented... the
Society's Masters Tournament operates on the same principle and certain criteria exist to determine who may compete for the
Masters title.
If ineligible players show up do they have to sit this game
out?
No, they can compete for full scoring and they can win the Armistice Day
Fits Tournament championship (as opposed to the local squadron championship). We don't want anyone to sit out and everyone
is welcome to play. However, the Indy Squadron's annual championship title is reserved for the highest finishing
eligible player.
Was the eligibility policy voted on by the squadron?
No, although the vast majority of players in the squadron's history have
strongly supported it. In nearly twenty years of gaming this is the only decision that the founders have reserved.
Why do former champions get an exemption from eligibility requirements?
Because they showed up and supported the squadron - in some cases for five
or ten or years or more - before finally earning their title. A lifetime exemption has always been a special
bonus to the winner.
Why not create an event that is open to everyone?
We already did. Indy's Red Baron Fight has no eligibility requirements and is open to anyone and everyone, and its
prize package is actually far greater than the prizes available on Armistice Day.
Why doesn't the Armistice Day Fits Tournament offer the big prize
packages it once did?
Squadron members decided to refocus attention on the tournament's original
award - the Victory Medal. It was felt that big prize packages were beginning to diminish the Victory Medal's status as the
greatest honor the squadron could bestow. Those who want massive prize packages can still look forward to Red Baron Fight,
which offers the biggest winner's purse in Dawn Patrol.
What eligibility requirements have been used in the past?
For more than a decade the tourney was a by-invitation-only event,
with the squadron founders deciding who had been active enough that year to merit an invitation. Although it was effective,
Scott and Stephen really weren't comfortable holding the entire decision-making capacity. They sought an alternative and for
a few years allowed players to declare themselves either eligible or ineligible, but this resulted in a number of players
who had never played here before attempting to win the local title. The current system was then adopted, which takes the decision
out of the hands of the founders and gives it to the players... those who play earn their way in, those who don't are ineligible.
