The countdown is beginning for the third annual Strat-O-Matic Convention. Rick [Wolfman] Shapiro is again hard at work tying up the organization loose ends For the next big happening in the S-O-M world.

Again the national convention will be held in Urbana, IL, at the Illini Student Union on the campus of the University of Illinois. The dates will be July 30 through August 1. And again a full schedule of tournament activity is planned, plus Shapiro has lined up other recreational pursuits such as bowling, one-on-one basketball, and possibly even a consolation tournament in some of the games.

Also, a time has been set aside for people interested in buying and selling teams--which was a big hit at Robert Henry's mini-convention in Detroit over the winter. The tourneys, Henry emphasizes, will be conducted during the day only, and other interests (there's also a pool) may be pursued in the evening.

Early arrivals are welcome, according to Shapiro, who says that if 20-30 people from any one tournament make the scene ahead of time that tourney may start early.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

July 30, Friday -- Advanced Football, Elementary Baseball A (1905-1957) and Elementary Baseball B (1960-1975).

July 31, Saturday -- Advanced Baseball and Advanced Basketball. Contestants will be allowed to play in just one/day. There may be a loser's tourney, too, but that will be decided at the convention. Scott Ellis of Mt. Vernon, IL, will handle arrangements for such a tourney.

August 1, Sunday -- Finals in all tourneys and presentation of awards.

FORMER CHAMPIONS ARE BACK

At press time, Shapiro had been notified that nine former champions were planning on attending. The lineup of former champs includes: Bob Anderson (Elem. Baseball, '74), Fred Floreth (Adv. Baseball, '74), Bart Ewing (Adv. Basketball, '74), Tom Nelson (Adv. Football, '75), Steve Dempsey and Dale Barnes (Elem. Baseball, '75), Mike Ericksen (Adv. Basketball, '75).

Other well-known S-O-M garners planning to be there are Mark Hatton, Mike Cummins [and his wife, Dana], Steve Parewski and Robert Henry, who'll be bringing his vast baseball card collection--probably the most complete in the S-O-M world. All told, Shapiro expects about 150-200 people. A large number of gamers have already indicated they would be in attendance, but Shapiro is issuing an appeal for more female contestants, something in short supply the past two years.

FACILITIES AGAIN AVAILABLE

The S-O-M Club, a campus organization, makes it possible for Shapiro to use the Union and dormitory for the convention. Housing, for about $5.50 per night per person, will again be available in the dormitory [Florida Avenue Residence Hall, a 12-story building]. The dorm is the closest to the convention site, but there are hotels and motels in Champaign and Urbana.

A $2.00 entry fee will again be collected and that will be used to pay for trophies and advertisements. Again, it should be pointed out, Shapiro is shouldering almost all the burden of staging the convention--a mammoth undertaking, to be sure.

Those wishing to signup in advance for the convention, or seeking additional information, should contact: Rick Shapiro, xxxxxxxx, Skokie, IL xxxxx. A stamped, self-addressed envelope will be necessary to receive a reply.

CONVENTION INFORMATION

As mentioned above, it will be possible to arrive earlier than the scheduled starting date. One of the organizers of the convention will be present and accommodations will be ready.

Only the advanced baseball and the two elementary baseball tourneys will be double elimination, although a loser's tourney may also be held for those who bow out quickly. Shapiro also stresses the importance of people bringing their own games for the respective tourneys, and two teams for any of the baseball tournaments and football (unless you wish to play a '74 team with the new kickoff and punt returns you will need three because you will only be able to use it if your opponent also has a '74 team).

For basketball, teams will be picked at the convention. The 1974-75 season teams will be used. Except for basketball, you may use any teams you want   Scoresheets are, like the lack of games,  in demand and also a problem. So, if you have any extras, bring 'em along.

GET YOUR ENTRIES IN

Remember, the countdown toward Convention '76 is moving rapidly along.  So, contact Shapiro quickly and reserve yourself a spot. The dates again are July 30-31 and Aug. 1. As the Fonz would say: "Be there!"

MARCH ISSUE, 1976

Convention '76 Set For July 30

Large S-O-M Throng Expected At Univ. of Illinois Campus

Look for the biggest turnout yet at a Strat-O-Matic Convention organized by Rick (Wolfman) Shapiro. The latest howlings from the Wolfman hint that upwards of 150 to 200 people are expected for the third annual national convention being staged in Urbane, IL, July 30 through Aug. 1.

Preparations have all been made, according to Shapiro, and now he's just waiting for the first arrivals to hit the University of Illinois campus. Rick's counting on a heavier turnout from the state of Illinois than in past years, principally because of 3,000 flyers sent throughout the state and a recent interview by a news agency. "After the school printed an article about the convention in the Daily Illini, I was interviewed by a news agency," says Shapiro. "This interview may appear on 20-25 radio stations in Illinois right around the time of the convention."

Shapiro also mentions that 50 people have already signed up to attend.  So, this summer's
S-0-M gathering could well see the largest turnout at a convention since the first national convention was held three years ago in Brooklyn, NY.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

July 30, Friday -- Advanced football, Elementary Baseball A [1905-1957) and Elementary Baseball B [1960-1975).

July 31, Saturday -- Advanced Baseball and Advanced Basketball. Contestants will be allowed to play in just one/day.. There may be a losers' tourney, too, but that will be decided at the convention. Scott Ellis of Mt. Vernon, IL, will handle arrangements for such a tourney.

August 1, Sunday -- Finals in all tourneys and presentation of awards.

Many past convention champions have indicated to Shapiro that they will be back bidding for more honors and trophies. Some of the well-known S-O-M leagues will be represented, too. Keith Walker, commissioner of the Continental S-O-M Baseball Association, will be on hand. Shapiro joined the league this season (to occupy his free moments) and reports that as many as five members could be on the convention scene. One who is expected is Gerald Ittenbach, 53 years young and one of the few senior citizens who publicly acknowledges he rolls dice for a hobby.

GAMES, SCORESHEETS NEEDED

Shapiro, who must be given credit for virtually single-handedly organizing and running off the tournaments, admits he can't do it all. He has lined up plenty of support and helpers from the S-O-M Club, a campus organization whose existence makes it possible for the campus Union and dorm to be used for the convention (at the dorm, the Florida Avenue Residence Hall, lodging is again available for around $5.50 per person per night).

He also could use some help from the conventioners; namely that as many as possible bring their own games and a supply of scoresheets, especially for baseball.

EVENING ACTIVITIES PLANNED

Even though the tournaments are slated for only the daylight hours this year, Shapiro mentions that many other activities can be pursued in the evenings. Rather than have an all-tournament convention, which can leave limp many a dice-rollin' hand after three days, Shapiro says a bowling tourney could be held (if there's enough interest), plus there will be pinball, a chance to dip in a pool, perhaps a one-on-one basketball tourney, and a chance to explore the university's unique Plato Computer System, featuring games such as football, baseball, star trek, etc. Shapiro became so fascinated by the challenges of Plato that he once spent nine hours straight playing the games.

Also, there will be an opportunity in the evenings for people to become, better acquainted, perhaps discus some of the so-called "burning questions" in the S-O-M world (such as the pros and cons of the "Clearinghouse"**), and to buy and sell teams--which in itself lures many card collectors and garners to a convention.

The next big happening in the S-O-M world gets under way Friday, July 30. Will the next trophies have your name on one of them?

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** -- The "Clearinghouse" refers to a discussion being held at this time by many gamers who were members of leagues, particularly play-by-mail leagues (since there were no microcomputers yet), about how to deal with managers who were not being very responsible and sending in the results (or even playing the league games) in a timely manner.  From what I have seen related to the SOM Review at this time, is that I did a series of articles called "Howlings from the Wolfman", and I was supporting the idea of forming a neutral organization that would act as a clearinghouse for reliable and sound managers for leagues. 

Devoted exclusively to the Strat-O-Matic game fans, with the consent of the Strat-O-Matic Game Co.

STRAT-O-MATIC REVIEW Vol.. VI-7  October 1976  50¢

National Convention
Again Big Hit

BY RICK SHAPIRO

CHAMPAIGN. IL. --

"The fifth annual Strat-O-Matic Convention was," in the words of organizer Rick (Wolfman) Shapiro, "a terrific smash!"

Between 90 and 100 people turned out for the goings on in Champaign-Urbana, IL,
July 30th - August 1st, and it appears a good time was had by all. They came from
as far away as California (Brad Furst and Craig Johnson), New York (the Sherman brothers, Ed and Seth) and the South (Gerald Ittenbach, North Carolina; Stan Awtrey, Atlanta, GA; Randall Witt, Tennessee), as well as the Midwestern states.

Strat-O-Matic tournaments, of course, occupied much of a conventioneer's schedule, but there were also other recreational pursuits squeezed in as Shapiro ran off his best-yet organized convention.

It seems that the University of Illinois campus was somewhat deserted as the summer
term exams were winding up. But since a cheerleader convention was also in progress, not everyone was interested in (just) rolling dice. The "Wolfman" howls again!

Back to the tournaments. All were run off in quick time, in comparison to previous years, and trophies were presented on Sunday. It wasn't necessary to play until the wee hours of the morning, either, with most tournaments starting early one day, going to 6 p.m. and then concluding the first thing the next morning.

The Sherman brothers were the first to arrive for the 1976 Convention (the third to be hosted by Shapiro at Champaign-Urbana), showing up on Monday, July 26th. Steve Dempsey was on the scene the following day, as was Shapiro, and by Wednesday there were 11 in attendance. Most arrived on Thursday.

Then or Friday morning, tournament competition was launched, Two elementary baseball and the advanced football tournaments were begun. By 7 p.m., all three were nearly completed. A bowling tournament was also staged that evening, an well as the conventioneers had a chance to try out "Plato", a highly complex computer system featuring a variety of games. "Plato" turned out to be one of the big entertainment hits of the convention.

Saturday found an advanced baseball tournament and basketball jousting under way early. All the tournaments were finished up Sunday morning, with the awards and a picture-making session following. Mixed into the three-day swirl of activity was a trivia quiz (created by Robert Henry, naturally) and a flock of door prizes (old baseball card sets, donated by Henry) handed out.

SOM GAMES LEAD TO NEW FRIENDSHIPS

"Since most of the people that attended stayed at the dorm, they got to meet most conventioneers before the convention. Many new friendships developed as a result," according to Shapiro. "I think the atmosphere surrounding the convention was very informal and destroyed many of the inhibitions people have when they encounter a group of new people. It was very easy to real comfortable and we tried to make sure every one felt they were wanted and important," adds Shapiro. For many it was an opportunity to meet people they had corresponded with by mail for many years, but never had never seen before.

SPECIAL THANKS FROM SHAPIRO

Shapiro again bore the major burden of organizing the convention. The task, as he's quick to admit, is becoming more and more strenuous, thanks to rapidly increasing attendance. Shapiro pays homage to a number of assistants who, together with himself, made it all possible in '76.

Among those who assisted Shapiro were; Craig Ginsburg and Mike Ericksen, who helped with the organizational work; Dale Barnes, who photographed the convention for the second straight year; Bob Anderson, who obtained entry cards and helped run the advanced baseball tournament; Robert Henry, who donated the teams as prizes as well as supplying the trivia quiz; Mark Hatton who printed up copies of the baseball rules and information sheets; and Brad Furst and Tom Nelson, who helped pen the football and basketball tourney rules.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Because of the gargantuan task of organizing such a convention, Shapiro is appealing for help for next year. Any individual , or group of people, willing to devote time and money to cover some of the expenses would certainly be welcomed with open arms by the Wolfman.

Plans are to have advanced baseball and football tourneys again next. year, although the statue of basketball is in doubt because of the small number who participated in the recent convention. Contestants, however, were permitted to participate in only one tourney per day, thus cutting down the field considerably in some. One, perhaps two, elementary baseball tournaments will also be held, plus there may be a super advanced football and college football tourney, if enough interest is generated.

Shapiro is also hopeful that another convention can be staged in perhaps, New York. The Sherman brothers have expressed interest and have already set about finding a college to act as a site. By November, according to Shapiro, it should be known whether two conventions --national in scope -- will be staged in the summer of 1977.

If anyone is interested in helping with next year's convention(s), contact Shapiro for details.

Coming next month; Part II OF the 1976 summer convention story. featuring the tournaments, participants, and the crowning of the new champions.

 

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Devoted exclusively to the Strat-O-Matic game fans, with the consent of the Strat-O-Matic Game Co.

STRAT-O-MATIC REVIEW Vol.. VI-8  November 1976  50¢

Crown SOM Convention Champions

What do Ed Smith, Austin Weeces, Steve Dempsey, Marc Boetto and Steve Rigdon all have in common?

The answer: all were crowned tournament champions at the summer National Strat-O-Matic Convention at Champaign-Urbana, IL. Smith won the basketball tourney; Weeces elementary baseball (1905-57), Dempsey elementary baseball (1960-75), Boetto advanced baseball and Rigdon the football.