A different perspective on the F-class National Match

[Keith Glasscock]

If we all had target pullers someone would complain that their puller was slower than the rest, or too fast, or too tall, or too skinny! You get the point.

You never hear the guy that wins complain about anything, do you? ;D

The ugly truth about bringing your own puller is he's there for you, and could pad the score in your favor, I've seen it first hand.

I've seen the opposite happen as well. A local competitor couldn't bear being beaten by some unheard of youngster, so a bullet hole "disappeared" in his target. One M changed things a lot - He already had me beat when he decided to do it again for good measure, and got caught!

I stopped shooting highpower after that - I know there are a lot of good people shooting and rooting for the guy shooting their target, but the bad taste never went away. F-class is a different sport for me now - I know the rules better and understand how to get around cheaters. On the other hand, I've never had even the slightest suspiscion about anyone scoring my F-class target.

I have to say, with my experiences, I'd be happier if paid pullers were employed by the club at major matches. It is really no different than the kids pulling targets at the local trap and skeet club. Award money is nice, but a fair, easy, efficient match operation trumps that for me.

 

[Immike]

i for one was glad the pullers were available .i threw my back out loading the gear sun morning and unable to shoot that day or mon .With the pullers i was able to thru the match during the week.I wasnt alone ,life has been cruel to many and and the determination of few was inspiring to say the least.Lets do our best to treat others as we would want ourselves treated if we had their misfortune of pain. I want thank Ryan,gary,steve,jeff,and chip for the help in my time of need.

 

[spclark]

I wasnt alone ,life has been cruel to many and and the determination of few was inspiring to say the least.Lets do our best to treat others as we would want ourselves treated if we had their misfortune of pain. I want thank Ryan,gary,steve,jeff,and chip for the help in my time of need.

You're most welcome. I enjoyed meeting you (all I pulled for, and then some) and my time as pit pig that week.

 

[spclark]

I was at Lodi, pulled targets and had an enjoyable time for the most part. The negatives were the rain and the pit king.

Can't do anything about the rain.

Keep your attention on Johnny when he's trying to get a message across & you'll stay on his good side. Without him there'd be a lot less shooting going on at Winnequah. He's there for all of us, not just those who like him.

 

[JohnMill]

Can't do anything about the rain? What kind of slipshod operation you running there? Glad I didn't go then!

John

 

[kyreloader]

I was at Lodi, pulled targets and had an enjoyable time for the most part. The negatives were the rain and the pit king.

Can't do anything about the rain.

Keep your attention on Johnny when he's trying to get a message across & you'll stay on his good side. Without him there'd be a lot less shooting going on at Winnequah. He's there for all of us, not just those who like him.

Say what you will about the pit king, but there is a right and a wrong way to talk to another man. Everyone that was at the national championship has likely pulled targets before. It is not tough to pull targets and we all know how we like to have our targets pulled.

At a national championship, it is not my job to stay on the good side, as you state, of the pit king. My job is to pull targets and not be belittled by a man that knows the club and thinks that gives him the right to talk to someone in any matter he feels fit. Again, I was not at any time his whipping boy, but I saw his un-called for rudeness each and every time I was in the pit.

If he is the reason that there is shooting at that club, it sounds like there are other issues that need to be addressed at the club.

Tolerance for the guy because he is what you have is different than the pit king doing a good job.

 

[spclark]

Say what you will about the pit king, but there is a right and a wrong way to talk to another man. (snip) Again, I was not at any time his whipping boy, but I saw his un-called for rudeness each and every time I was in the pit.

Tolerance for the guy because he is what you have is different than the pit king doing a good job.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion. Thanks for sharing.

 

[spclark]

Can't do anything about the rain? What kind of slipshod operation you running there? Glad I didn't go then!

You woulda been welcome John, hope you're well! We'll see you on the line again soon.

 

[DBailey]

Say what you will about the pit king, but there is a right and a wrong way to talk to another man. Everyone that was at the national championship has likely pulled targets before. It is not tough to pull targets and we all know how we like to have our targets pulled.

At a national championship, it is not my job to stay on the good side, as you state, of the pit king. My job is to pull targets and not be belittled by a man that knows the club and thinks that gives him the right to talk to someone in any matter he feels fit. Again, I was not at any time his whipping boy, but I saw his un-called for rudeness each and every time I was in the pit.

If he is the reason that there is shooting at that club, it sounds like there are other issues that need to be addressed at the club.

Tolerance for the guy because he is what you have is different than the pit king doing a good job.

The man did a great job under some very trying conditions and deserves the thanks of everyone that was competing.
This was a national championship and every competitor there deserved national championship pit service. Johnny and the people helping him did all they could to make sure we received it.

Thanks again to everyone that helped run the match. Y'all did a good job!

David Bailey

 

[jackmegan]

My name is John Campbell. I am one of two British shooters that shot in Lodi. I have missed only one of your nationals.
In all of your nationals, I have never complained to anyone. I had a paid puller in Lodi. I did not know what went on in the butts . The other British shooter, Alan Canavan said nothing to me about the butts or the line.
We both had a great time in Lodi and Raton. I would like to compliment all of the people who ran both competitions.
I would like to add, I had no conversation with anyone about the butts or the line.

 

[Erik Cortina]

My name is John Campbell. I am one of two British shooters that shot in Lodi. I have missed only one of your nationals.
In all of your nationals, I have never complained to anyone. I had a paid puller in Lodi. I did not know what went on in the butts . The other British shooter, Alan Canavan said nothing to me about the butts or the line.
We both had a great time in Lodi and Raton. I would like to compliment all of the people who ran both competitions.
I would like to add, I had no conversation with anyone about the butts or the line.

John, welcome to the forum! It was nice meeting you and shooting with you in Ireland. I did not make it to the Nationals but I'm glad to hear you had a good time.

 

[spclark]

My name is John Campbell. I am one of two British shooters that shot in Lodi.

John I'm glad you and your compatriot had a fine time over here up at Lodi! I was pulling targets all week, may try F-Class next season.

 

[FX Conlon]

Pit service- I doubt anyone looks forward to pit service during a match as important as the US Nationals and we would all like to hang at the line. Having said that there are a few issues with having paid pullers-
1) The historic dates of the Nationals are the end of Sept (originally they were on Columbus weekend) and therefore conflict with when schools have just started for the year. I shot the first FCWC in Ottawa which were held in August where they had professional pullers. These pullers were young ladies spending the summer by working at the range as summer jobs. The service was outstanding. I doubt if they would have been available in September. The same was true in 2009 at Bisley for the FCWC. I also have shot in Raton, NM where professional pullers were provided and watching what could best be described as a painful learning curve as a good percentage had never pulled targets before. Some of our fellow competitors are very competitive and the slow or not consistent service resulted in what was some pretty ugly comments addressed toward the pits. Again I would like to hang out on the line and certainly paid pullers would speed up the match as it would eliminate the time needed for pit changes but don't the competitors seem to give more consistent and fair service? Besides being in the pits is really the only time you actually meet people.
2) Being yelled at by John- Yes he was abrasive but so what? I am an adult (some what mature at times) and a professional who is the chairman of the board of a hospital and can take it. He had the inevitable job of herding cats back and forth to the pits. I volunteered to spend the team day doing pit duty the whole day and got to witness it all first hand. There was clearly miscommunication between what was said on the line and what John asked us on the bus. We were clearly told that "When you get to the pits ypu will be assigned to a target." Of course when John took roll call on the bus he asked what target we were on meaning our firing point and was not happy when we responded that we did not know. It was quickly resolved (with a little humor provided by myself). I and a couple of others spoke with John semi privately and explained the confusion and he was graceful in his apology. As to his helper in the pits that particular day we took the targets down and put them in the target shed no less than six times and it went smoothly. They also showed a good sense of humor as during prep period on the last 1,000 yard relay my target came up with a scoring disk on it, I foolishly told the range officer about it, I believe it was Betty. The target went down came up with it off then went down again and up it came with every possible scoring disc on it. How could you not laugh at that? The pit crew always have a tough job and have to find a style to handle a multitude of personalities and egos. In my opinion the two US Nationals at Lodi have been some of the best run.
Just my two cents but lets not complain after the event, lets see if you can work it out before or during the match.. I think Karen, Beverly or Earl would have listened to your concerns and tried to address them.
Francis X "Biff" Conlon