Anyone who has been competing in the World Axe Throwing League during 2024 knows that the new rules have, in some ways, created a bit of a mess. Recently WATL put out a survey asking what we did and did not like in order to make new new rules moving forward. They appear to be starting a process that will test these changes meant to make the sport more fun and less disruptive. This is great and I applaud their efforts.
My intention here is to put forward my story as a thrower who started with the 2024 rule changes and explain how they affected my experience. My opinions do not fit in a survey box. As a writer I'm a bit long winded but stories can be cathartic so here we go...
"Holy crap I'm winning!" My first experience with the 2024 rules happened during the Winter League. I started off way better than I imagined. My record was 26 wins and only 2 losses! You can imagine my elation. It's too bad it was mostly delusional. You see, in my league there are at least half a dozen throwers who immediately started using the new tournament style of throwing. They were going for outside bulls-eyes quite often and when they missed they would pay the price with 3's instead of 5's. This caused them all to end up with lower scores and less wins.
When you are kicking ass it is sometimes hard to notice that your opponents are wearing handcuffs. My wins felt authentic at the time and I did better than I hoped but how much of it was real?
"I'm still winning but afraid to try new things!" My second season was still a great one 24 wins with only 4 losses. However it came with the realization that when I did try for an outer bull or a killshot, I too paid the price. It takes courage to go after those bigger numbers. I felt like I was getting better but I could only compare my numbers against myself because now I knew that the League leaderboard was a lie. Even the prize for being on top of the leaderboard, a prime spot in the end of league tournament, was no longer of value.
If I really wanted to prove my worth there was only one thing left to do - play tournament style!
"I'm barely breaking even?" By the third season I had won an amateur tournament and felt confident enough in my throwing to go full tournament style during summer league. The result was that people who I normally beat rather easily were now beating me. My scores had dropped and I ended up with 14 wins and 14 losses. I had become one of the few, courageous throwers stuck in the middle of the leaderboard.
You try to tell yourself it means something different and it does but it's not a fun process. The transition from League style to Tournament style is brutal and it feels like you are constantly going backwards.
Transitions are never easy and I understand how it is supposed to work. I have a couple friends who spent the last three seasons throwing tournament style and they have moved back to the top of the leaderboard where they belong. For them, throwing against league players has been a challenge to overcome but they did it. Regardless, this is such a weird path to follow.
Like I said WATL seems to be working on some rule changes but they have their work cut out for them. My hope in laying out this story was so that the discussion could continue with a superior structure in mind. Most sports have a bridge from amateur to professional, a ladder of accomplishments that allows them to climb. The more clearly defined the ladder, the more fun the climb. I've competed in many sports but cannot think of one where higher skilled athletes lose to newcomers. This has to be a first.
I will admit that I don't have an answer for this. My job is to start the conversation but this is a puzzle and I suck at puzzles. It will be great to hear new thoughts as this testing process continues. You never know when a good idea might take root and boost our sport in a better direction. In the meantime, I look forward to updates about the new rules and I will see you at the tournaments.
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