Page BG — Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 8, 1992 Curling - a - oe Jas Al nae RRA aa a 7 Sweeping rule changes By LINDA MOORE Curl B.C. The sport of curling has changed a great deal since its 16th century beginnings in Scotland, The ‘'stones’”’ are no longer just boulders found beside the frozen lakes, but now must be uniform in size, shape and weight. The ice has moved in- doors, gained brightly painted circles, and a more consistent surface (no snow!), There have been many changes to equipment. Shoes allow players to slide along the ‘ice — @ relatively new phenomomenon. And the ice can be swept much more effec- tively, because of better brooms and techniques.’ The first known rules dated back to the early 1700's, and dealt mostly with conduct and ethics. Some rules have changed slowly over the years. For exam- ple, rules on the standardization of rocks began in the early 1800's, but were still being revised a century later. Other rules have been created as the game changes. When shoes with “‘sliders’? were in- vented, to allow more accuracy in the delivery of the stone, rules had to be developed to limit the distance a player could slide with the rock, Otherwise, the rock could have been “hand-delivered’’ to the target every time! The hogline used to be needed only to indicate whether a stone had travelled far enough to be in play; it became the guide for where the rock must be released. Some of the more recent rule changes have involved sweep- ing. The newer. tool, the brush, allows any curler to sweep more effectively, as less strength is re- quired. However it is felt that the tool can be used ‘‘illegally’’, by sweeping somewhat to the side of the stone and causing it to cur! more or less, as needed. Curlers must now sweep across the face of the stone, and may not leave any debris in front of the rock when the brush is lifted. It was thought that this year there would be ‘‘sweeping” changes to the rules to en- courage more offensive play. They were not introduced in Canada, although the ‘‘Free Guard Zone Rule’’ was added for world play, and is being studied in Canada, Here is a look at some changes in Canada for this year: ¢ There are now two rule books, separating the rules for club play and competitive events. * In what was formerly a courtesy, but now is a rule, the non-delivering players must be quiet, and those behind the house must lift their brooms off the ice while the opposition is throwing. As well, in extreme circumstances involving distrac- tions, a rock may be redelivered at certain times in a game. e The biggest change to sweeping rules is that all sweep- ing must be done within six feet of the rock. This is to prevent corn brooms, which alway deposit some debris on the ice, from being used to litter the ice — by sweeping some distance away from the stone — and thus change ice conditions in favour ‘of the team trailing on the scoreboard. ¢ A simplification of previous rules: when stationary stones are moved during an end, all affected stones are merely replaced to where they would have ended up if nothing had been moved, « There are a series of rules governing the measurement of rocks by someone other than the two teams involved, .- like perhaps the icemaker. In the World Championships and the Olympics, the new "Free Guard Zone Rule”’ will be used, Here’s how it works: A lead player may not take out an opposition guard that is sitting in front of the house. (Any rock in the house may be removed.) This means that a team wanting to play offensive- ly can play ‘“‘guards’’ with their first two rocks, and thus pre- vent a strong hitting opponent from keeping the game as open as was previously possible. This rule does allow teams to move opposition rocks, but not take them out of play; it is surmised that new shots will be created where the tear with the last rock advantage will stones around in front of the house to keep the centre ice area open. Some potential problems are being studied. For example, in Canada measurements are only permitted at the completion of an end. In the free guard zone rule, it is vital to know if a rock is in the house or not, so that it is clear if a takeout shot is per- mitted, Measurements on **biters" will be permitted in countries using this rule; there is concern about play being slow- ed, or the measuring stick’s use being impeded by rocks already in the house, The Canadian Curling Association decided not to im- plement this rule, because of the potential problems and because the rule seems to necessitate a drastic change in game strategy. proces rennet er me te Terrace Minor Hockey Scores Det, 16 — Peewee House Bradford and Sons 5, Rotary 5 Dec. 17 — Peewee House Farwest 6, Heaman Trucking 0 Recreational Hockey League Scores: Dec. 14 - All Seasons 5, Norm's Auto Refinishing 0 . Northern Wf Motor Inn Okies 8, Convoy Supply 4. Dee. 15 ” Precision Builders 7, Inn of the West 6° Skeena Hotel 4, Back Eddy Pub 3 Dec. 17 _-oo Player “an Alger’ Mike Leblond Jim Rigler . -Ted Taylor Alex Gardon Darcy Malle: - Wilf Takeema ‘Troy. Farkvam Ken. Newman Emile Gagnon Brad Owens * Precision Builders 7, Norm's Auto Refinishing 3 . Back Eddy Pub §, Inn of the West 2 Dk. 18 Riverside Auto Wranglers 3, Terrace Timbermen, 3: Dec. 19 All Seasons 4, Skeena Hotel 3° Oldtimers’ Division Standings: Team GWLT Riverside Auto Wranglers 219 8 4 NMI Okies 229 103 Terrace Timbermen 178 6 3 Convoy Supply 222 164 Recreational Division Standings: Team _ GWLT Precision Builders 21 145 2 All Seasons 21138 o inn of the West 22 129.1 Skeena Hotel _ 20 108 2 Noarm’s Auto Refinishing 219 9 3 Back Eddy Pub alé6 132 DAE GRE ear e Rec League’s Top Scorers: Team G A SH 25 2t 46 INN 22 24 00¢~«COG NAR 20 PB 24 15 39 AS 25 13 38 AS 18 20038 NAR 20 i7 37 NAR 21 14 35 INN 20 14 434 SH 18 15 33 BEP i5 18 3 Rec League’s Goalie Stats: . ‘Goaltender ~ Gary’ Schatz - Lelind McDonald _ 2 Gerry Lamming * Rocky Boisvert GF GA. PTS Dave Scott 67 «8i «(22 Carl Beaudrault G2 79 21 Errol Mutschke 78 #54 «19 Woody Miller 63 123 8 "Phil Bradford Tony Payao Ken Giesbrecht GF GA PTS Ron Marleau 3 81 0 Joe Turner 108 93° 26 102 109 25 © 108 89 22 102 90 al 9°93 «14 Team GP AVG TT 16 2.94 AS 4 3,00 NMI 20 3.55 RAW 20 = 3.85 PB 230 4,16. NAR 23 4,26 BEP 23 4,26 SH 2 445.. AS. 6 4,67 INN 13 5,00 INN 8 = 5,12 AS 8B 4,25 cs 13. 6,38 _ Get your team or league on the Scoreboard! Drop off scores or standings to the Terrace Standard office at 4647 Lazelle Ave., or phone them in to 638-7283. Deadline is 5 pum. Friday. FLIGHT TRAINING at the Smithers Airport in The opportunity of learning how to fly is starting —JAN UARY 1992 — Ground School starting in January, Flight Training in February Private or Commercial David Cook Operations Manager (P NORTHERN LIGHTS AIR LTD. “a Box 850, Smithers, B.C., Vou 2NO — Phone (604) 847-4400 “‘chip’’ . Some bonspiels are modify- ing the rule, A major cashspiel in Ottawa had a local rule which prevented takeouts during the first three rocks of each end, rather than all four lead stones. However, the Free Guard Zone Rule will be a reality for the men’s and women’s national teams and their coaches are now working on ways ta prepare Canadian players for the '92 world events. SAVE Your Best Opportunity of the Season is on NOW! ‘Low Cost Warehouse Operation! . cL = S PEPSI a & “14 ID The mountains are a-beautiful place to be and we invite you to share it with us. Shames Mountain and Ski Smithers make it easy and affordable to give skiing a try with the Pepsi Learn to Ski package. If you've always wanted to learn, or you have a friend who would like to learn, this is the winter to co it, tin cans, "Recycle non- 1-commercial glass, newspapers & magazines. Glass & tins MUST be clean (préfer without labe!s). 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