An anonymous challenge has been lodged against one of the league players for having a disc that is below the standard 175 gram weight specification. While the disc in question is “legal†f ...
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An anonymous challenge has been lodged against one of the league players for having a disc that is below the standard 175 gram weight specification. While the disc in question is “legal†from a type, size and Ultimate Player’s Association (UPA) approval status, it has been, as the complaint states “lightened†by either “play†or “some other means.â€
The challenge was launched against Wayne Russell (by a player who wished to remain anonymous) for having a disc that is “too light†to be considered “legal†by league standards.
“I can only imagine who would stoop so low as to launch a formal league complaint about my disc,†said Russell when asked about the challenge. “When I first started playing in this league, I was playing with a 1970s era #4 Disc Golf Association (DGA) approved disc. Though it was a relic, I sacrificed it to the street knowing that the harder plastic would stand up better to the abuse the street puts on a disc. After about 5 or 6 rounds, someone complained about the disc not being legal. Surely enough, I checked the league web site where I found that it defined the type of disc to be used as a 175 gram UPA approved Frisbee. In order to comply, and stop the griping, I purchased a “legal†disc and continued to play. Now this happens!â€
The league has the right to monitor and to govern the type of discs that are used in league play. Russell’s disc is legal from the standpoint of the type and weight that are stamped on the disc itself. The league standards committee would not comment on another charge that was supposedly made that Russell may have “carved†his disc down to a weight at or near the same weight as his original DGA disc.
When asked if he had ever “carved†a disc, Russell went off! “Show me where, in the rules, it states that you have to replace your disc once it gets down to some weight. I have never carved (and will never carve) a disc in order to lighten it. I don’t even believe a lighter disc makes sense in this game! Sure, the #4 was about 10 grams lighter than the standard but it was also smaller in diameter. The diameter and the plastic is what gave it the stability that made it stand out, not the lighter weight. In fact, all the discs I use to play disc golf are heavier than 175 grams, so lighter does not give me any advantage. What about color? My disc is the only red one used in the league. Maybe someone should lodge a complaint about that!â€
The League Compliance Committee is expected to make their decision by August 2. In the meantime, Russell will be allowed to play (under league asterisk stipulation) with the disc in question.
