Stage starting lines

[Wyatt Earp SASS#1628L]

At amost every match I have attended there is usually a starting line to be recited before the timer starts. At a recent regional match I attended, one of our posse members never said the line, they just said, "ready". We had about 4 different timer operators and not one of them said anything to this shooter over three days and 12 stages. Since nobody said anything I assumed it was ok. I always thought there was some sort of penalty.

What say you?

 

[T-Square]

I love saying the starting line LOUD and PROUD—with conviction and enthusiasm!
One day, I might just earn Spirit of the Game (the good kind 😄).

I am still learning to run the timer, but I believe a TO should always encourage:  “Say the line—and I’ll give you the beep!”

#SpiritOfTheGame #SayTheLine  #TimerTalk

[Tyrel Cody]

99.99999999999994% sure there has never been a penalty for that and thankful there isn’t; otherwise I’d have a ton of SDQs and MDQs.
 

Unless the line is posted close to the starting position I can’t remember it and oftentimes change it when I do. Most of the time it’s either “Ready” or “Let’s Go.”
 

 

[Tn Tombstone]

it is not required to say the starting line, some like to have a line given to them to say so they dont have to think and others dont want to try to remember anything but the stage. I will accept any verbal acknowledgment from ready, let er buck, cowboy ready, However a nod of the head does not cut it. 

[Show Me]

If no requirement to say line, 

Why would nod not be ok ?

[Leroy Luck]

This has been posted in the “What’s the Call” page on Facebook within the last few days.  The consensus was that a procedural doesn’t start til the course of fire begins. Also, a shooter just has to give some kind of sign to the TO that they are ready, doesn’t matter what it is. A nod, saying “ready” or whatever else… as long as the TO and shooter are on the same page. 

Edited June 10 by Leroy Luck

[Eyesa Horg]

I figure I play this game for fun cuz I'm no where near good enough to win the virtual Cadillac! The line is part of the fun, why not say it if you can remember it? At State level matches it's usually posted. It also shows some respect for the Pard whom took the time to write it!

Edited June 10 by Eyesa Horg
Otto stole a word

[Black Angus McPherson]

I don't believe it is required, but, I will be silently judging the cowboy, or girl, that thinks reciting a silly start line is beneath them.  If you're not here to have fun, why are you here?  It sure ain't the big cash prizes.

 

Angus

[El Sobrante Kid]

Can't we all just enjoy the game as we see fit (within the rules of course). If you want to yell the stage line, sing it to a tune, quote Macbeth, or just say "Ready", then go for it, and let the others do what they feel is right. Whatever happened to "Their business ain't none of my business"? Too many Kens and Kerens who see fit to tell others what they should be doing.

[Yul Lose]

I like having something to say before the beep, many clubs don’t have a line to say out here so I make up my own. Of course I make up my own line when they do have a line to say and it’s usually directed to the T.O.

[Eyesa Horg]

42 minutes ago, El Sobrante Kid said:

Can't we all just enjoy the game as we see fit (within the rules of course). If you want to yell the stage line, sing it to a tune, quote Macbeth, or just say "Ready", then go for it, and let the others do what they feel is right. Whatever happened to "Their business ain't none of my business"? Too many Kens and Kerens who see fit to tell others what they should be doing.

Then we may as well wear shorts and sneakers too then! Geez. It's not that hard to play a fun game! There's no Ken or Karen about it.

I presume you don't see any reason to engage the targets in a particular order either. You know it's your own business after all.😕

Edited June 10 by Eyesa Horg

[Sixgun Seamus]

I think lines are part of the fun of the game and this is supposed to be fun. That being said, whatever the shooter does to indicate ready is fine with me. Whenever someone asks what the line is, I always respond, "Seamus is my hero". I've had quite a few say it.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

1 hour ago, Black Angus McPherson said:

I don't believe it is required, but, I will be silently judging the cowboy, or girl, that thinks reciting a silly start line is beneath them.  If you're not here to have fun, why are you here?  It sure ain't the big cash prizes.

 

Angus

Never quite understood anyone that believes their version of "fun" is the only option.

 

"IF" milking the starting line or wearing wooly chaps or doing the hokey pokey gives you enjoyment - go for it.

 

But "silently judging" because someone else has different priorities or plays the game in a manner (completely legal) that just doesn't happen to conform to your opinion?

 

Wow.

[Rattler]

My focus needs to be on the stage, not reading a line.

Some people have no problem doing both but I'm not one of them.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

13 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Then we may as well wear shorts and sneakers too then! Geez. It's not that hard to play a fun game! There's no Ken or Karen about it.

Attire is addressed within the established ruleset.

 

The shooter is playing for their "fun" - and their (legal) method of doing so is their (and theirs alone) business.

 

And lastly, someone attempting to impose their will upon another, solely because they think their opinion has greater weight; is the very definition of Ken/ Karen behavior.

 

[Blackwater 53393]

I agree with Tombstone and Seamus! If I’m running the timer, some sort of verbal acknowledgement of ready is needed so that spotters are aware that the shooter is about to begin.  Like my grandma used to tell me when I nodded or shook my head, “I can’t hear your head rattling, even if it IS full of rocks!”

 

I LIKE a starting line or some semblance of one!  I will be the first to say that I will sing ‘em, shout ‘em, miss quote ‘em, or substitute a line of my own, particularly if it’ll help to keep the atmosphere a little lighter!!

 

 

[Frontier Lone Rider]

If the line is posted where I can easily see it, I say it with enthusiasm.  If not, I generally say, "Let the fun begin."

[Eyesa Horg]

19 minutes ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Attire is addressed within the established ruleset.

 

The shooter is playing for their "fun" - and their (legal) method of doing so is their (and theirs alone) business.

 

And lastly, someone attempting to impose their will upon another, solely because they think their opinion has greater weight; is the very definition of Ken/ Karen behavior.

 

Not trying to push my opinion on anyone. Starting lines have been part of the game since I started 14 years ago and just seems part of the game or it wouldn't be done relatively universally around the world of SASS. Seems pretty easy to do! If ya forget the line cuz we're old, fine. But a grunt or head nod isn't even an attempt. But as you say to each their own. Carry on.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

8 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Starting lines have been part of the game since I started 14 years ago and just seems part of the game or it wouldn't be done relatively universally around the world of SASS.

As a timer operator - I prefer a starting line for verification of ready.

 

But I don't care WHAT they say.

Whether that is the written line, Let 'em buck, Rangers lead the way or simply Shooter Ready.

 

And there are down sides to the shooter that refuses to say "something"...  🤔

I just may not see that imperceptible head nod so the shooter will likely be stuck standing there waiting until I get a signal that I can recognize as "ready"

Edited June 11 by Creeker, SASS #43022

[Shooting Bull]

As a TO I couldn’t possibly care less what the shooter says to indicate they’re ready. I just wish all shooters would say whatever it is LOUD. 
 

As a shooter I quite enjoy ad libbing slight variations to the written line. That being said, by the time I’m ready to shoot I’m so focused on the stage I usually forget the line and just say “Ready”. 

Edited June 11 by Shooting Bull

[Captain Bill Burt]

Let’s shoot!

[Too Tall Bob]

3 hours ago, Show Me said:

If no requirement to say line, 

Why would nod not be ok ?

How many T.O.’s can “hear a nod” or are actually looking for a non verbal acknowledgement of being ready to go?

(just a question)

[Blackwater 53393]

14 minutes ago, Too Tall Bob said:

How many T.O.’s can “hear a nod” or are actually looking for a non verbal acknowledgement of being ready to go?

(just a question)

Like I said, “I can’t hear your head rattle and it don’t matter how many rocks you got in there!”

[El Sobrante Kid]

1 hour ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Then we may as well wear shorts and sneakers too then! Geez. It's not that hard to play a fun game! There's no Ken or Karen about it.

I presume you don't see any reason to engage the targets in a particular order either. You know it's your own business after all.😕

 

Eyesa, you apparently missed this part in my post, "Can't we all just enjoy the game as we see fit (within the rules of course)". I bolded the important part so it's hard(er) to miss.

[SouthwestShooter]

3 hours ago, Tn Tombstone said:

it is not required to say the starting line, some like to have a line given to them to say so they dont have to think and others dont want to try to remember anything but the stage. I will accept any verbal acknowledgment from ready, let er buck, cowboy ready, However a nod of the head does not cut it. 

My wife always says have I told you how handsome you are when YOU time her. 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Stage starting lines - Hyah or giddy-up usually works.

[Spoon River Sam, SASS #33194L]

From my own personal experience...using the starting line "What could possibly go wrong?"...it's an invitation to mayhem ----

Spoon

[Dapper Dave]

"Curly Bill, drop that piano!"
We usually don't use starting lines, but it would be fun. I've used them before, the day we had the match after Val Kilmer passed on, I started every stage with a Doc Holliday line from Tombstone. 

I'm here to have fun, like stated above, I'll never win a buckle or other prize, though I am starting a nice collection of pins.  But it's what the match director wants, and if he tells me to recite a line at the start, I'll do my darndest to do it loud and proud. 

[J.S. Sooner, SASS #73526]

 I like “Hey y’all, watch this!”  

[Branchwater Jack SASS #88854]

SHB

Quote

Course of fire – from the beep of the timer once the shooter has signified “ready” to last shot fired. 

 

[Irish Pat]

any line from  “Tombstone” 

[Eyesa Horg]

9 hours ago, El Sobrante Kid said:

 

Eyesa, you apparently missed this part in my post, "Can't we all just enjoy the game as we see fit (within the rules of course)". I bolded the important part so it's hard(er) to miss.

I apologize for my tone El Sobrante Kid. I started in this sport saying a line that someone spent time putting into a story and scenario. Knew no different. Just seems we should say the line out of respect for the Pard that put in all the effort to write the stages. I for one would totally suck at it! 

Even abbreviated, is an effort. 

[Kid Rich]

My favorite line is "Hold my beer and don't watch this". But I usually just tell it to the poor Cowboy behind me at the loading table as I leave it to go to the stage.

kR

 

[Griff]

"No I ain't ready, but if you are, go ahead"

 

14 hours ago, Tn Tombstone said:

However a nod of the head does not cut it. 

Why?  Works fine for rodeo riders...

[doc roy l. pain]

I see no reason why a shooter should recite the exact line. I also see no reason why a shooter shouldn’t adopt some line related to the fantasy sport that cowboy action was started about in the first place and just use it all the time so it really doesn’t take any  conscious thought. A simple “say when”, “draw” or “giddy up” will suffice to let the TO know you are ready and still keep with the theme of the game.