Meet manager may be used by teams to run a meet, and if used correctly, can improve the efficiency of the meet.  If used incorrectly, the meet can quickly become a nightmare.

There are a number of guidelines which should be adhered to in order to achieve a good outcome.

Entries:  Due by 6:00 PM the night before the meet.  This will allow the necessary time to import entries and prepare cards and heat sheets for the meet.  Both teams are required to send a copy of the entry file to the rules and officials interpreter by this deadline.  These files will be kept to ensure that no changes in the lineups are made subsequent to the deadline.  This will replace the cards as the official meet entries.  Failure to submit the file by the deadline will result in a 150 point penalty to the offending team.

Meet format:  Because of the inherent difficulties with running a card-less meet, the meet will be run with cards.  One set of cards will be printed as usual for events longer than 25 yards.  Two (2) sets of cards should be printed (or alternatively 1 set of cards and 1 set of timer sheets) for any 25 yard events.  One set of cards will go to the swimmers and one set to the timers.  This will eliminate the need for runners running cards to the opposite end for 25 yard events.  If timer sheets are used, it will be necessary to wait until the end of the event to begin scoring it.  In addition to the cards, a heat sheet should be printed for the officials (6 copies), Clerk of Course (3 copies), and each team (2 copies per team).  It is not necessary for swimmers to come to Clerk of Course to get their lane assignments, however it is the swimmer’s responsibility to be in the correct lane when the heat steps up.

Scoring with Meet Manager:  Meet manager will keep score of the meet, however it will only be as accurate as the data that is entered (Garbage in = Garbage out).  Times from each heat will be entered into the appropriate spaces in the grid.  In order to ensure accuracy, two people from each team will be assigned to input data.  One person from the visiting team will read the times to the person from the home team who will key them in. The second person from the home team will double check the cards as they are read and the second person from the visiting team will check the computer to see that the times were entered correctly. 

Changes required in the constitution:  The biggest change will be the elimination of place judges.  It is recommended that we go to a 3 watch per lane system, with each team providing 9 timers instead of 6.  Results will be based purely on the times achieved, simplifying the scoring procedure.  There are a couple of other reasons why I feel that this is a desirable change.  First, it eliminates the subjectivity (and possible bias) from choosing the winner.  Second, it would allow the use of 8 lanes (where available) instead of 6 since the main objection is the difficulty in calling finishes over 8 lanes.