BATON BONANZA

Athletes will be put into divisions based on their age the day of competition.

• Cadet: Ages 9 & under
• Junior: Ages 10-12
• Scholastic: Ages 13-15
• Open: Ages 16-18
• Masters: Ages 19+

** Ages are based on the age the participant was on the FIRST day of the Bay State Games Baton Bonanza, Monday, October 12, 2020. This applies to each day of competition & the series high point award. 

Each day of competition will offer 5 different events for 5 different age divisions. The top three finishers in their event/age division will receive a BSG medal and an athlete gift. One athlete gift will be awarded throughout the series. Medals will be awarded for each day of competition. All medals, athlete gifts, and score sheets will mailed out the week following the competition to the address provided on registration. 

Athletes can enter up to 5 events

• 1 Baton
• 2 Baton
• 3 Baton
• Basic March
• X-Strut

Attire & Location:

• You can perform from your home, driveway, gym, studio, outside court, etc., on any flat surface. Please have a backup option should there be bad weather, and your first option not be usable. 
• Regarding attire, this is a competition and competitors are REQUIRED to wear a costume and have appropriate shoes. The definition of a costume is up to you. If you do not want to perform in competition costumes, attire must show that you gave effort towards a performance appearance. Judges will not penalize for dance style costumes or athletic wear that are presentable, appropriate, and allow for proper twirling movement. 

Zoom Information:

• The competition will take place over Zoom. After you register for the event, you will be sent your assigned Zoom meeting invite & time via the email you used on registration. On the day of the event, you will be placed into a Zoom “meeting room” and when it is your turn to perform, the judge will let you into the zoom meeting.
• The contestant MUST have a zoom account in their name. If the account is not in the contestant’s name, the judge will not be able to let you into the competition area on zoom. If you are a young child using a parent’s account, please change the name to the contestants. Before entering the meeting room on Zoom. Please sign up for a FREE zoom account. You can create an account via zoom link
• You may use the web version or the app, but we strongly recommend using the web version to avoid lag & disruption. If you do not have Wi-Fi & you are trying to use cell service, you will increase your chances of lagging and the judges will not be able to score you appropriately. 

Day-of Suggestions:

• Make sure you have a plan ahead of time for the camera. We suggest using a cell phone for the competition, vs a computer, since often the cell phone offers a clearer picture for the viewing judge. If using a stationary cell phone, we suggest utilizing a cell phone tripod or a cell phone stand to ensure the phone won't tip or fall over. 
• During the performance, the twirler must be visible from head to toe, preferably with space above and below as well. During "moving" events (X-Strut & Basic March), it is preferable to have someone hold the camera and follow the performer to ensure they are always in the frame. If you leave the frame, the judge will not be able to consider that part of the routine for scoring. If you do not have Wi-Fi and you are trying to use Cell Service, you will probably “lag” inside a building. The judge will not be able to see your routine in real time. Please try to be on Wi-Fi if indoors when you can.
• Test your Zoom/connection before the event.

Results:

• You will receive your scoresheet(s) via mail AFTER the entire competittion has concluded. Please allow 3 days
• All placements will be posted here within three days of the end of the competition. 
• 2020 Bay State Summer Games medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) will be awarded to the top three finishers in each event by age division. Additionally, the top three finishers will receive an athlete gift. Athletes will only receive one athlete gift. These will be mailed to the address on the athlete’s registration. 

Rules:

• An athlete does NOT need to be a member of a national baton twirling organization
• No double entering allowed
• No Gymnastics allowed
• Contestants may use their own music to perform. Athletes registered for the X-Strut & Basic March MUST use marching music.
• Novice X-Strut enters Beginner Level
• Intermediate X-Strut enters Advanced Level
• All NBTA rules apply with the exception of competition age. 

Additional Information 

• All pre-recorded video submissions for Basic Marching should show the athlete marching in a square two times in each direction to better demonstrate their skill. 
• All pre-recorded video submissions and live Zoom performances should be as close to the athlete as possible, from head to feet. There is no need to capture the full height of tosses at the expense of being able to see their rolls, finger twirls and full-hand/contact work. The judge can make a fair determination of high tosses based on the release and reception. 
• While NBTA score sheets will be used, to better accommodate the virtual nature of this competition, timing and penalties will be noted but penalties will not be deducted from the score in order to provide a more balanced evaluation across the various performances.

Athletes who register to compete in any of the 4 series are eligible to win the “series high point” award which will be awarded once all four competitions have taken place. Each age division will have its own high point award. High point awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age division. High point winners will be given a different, additional athlete gift as well as a medal. *One athlete gift regardless of how many events are placed in* 

High point results will be calculated after each competition. Standings will be available on our website shortly after each competition takes place. High point awards will be calculated based on placement in each event/division totaled up. The maximum number of points possible per competition is 25 (coming in first, in all 5 events in your age group).  

First place = 5 points

Second place =4 points

Third place = 3 points

Fourth place = 2 points

Fifth place = 1 point

Sixth place & on = 0 points

The overall high point calculation will be added up based on best 3 out of 4 finishes in each competition. Ties will be honored.