Exemptions And Such

Thursday, September 6, 2007
by Scot H. Laney

Following the standings in the article, the blue numbers lead to the red numbers, and the red numbers lead (for some) to the nearest exit. Sounds a little like the airline safety briefing: "The Mustang PDF under the seat is for the unlikely event of a water landing."

This is going to take some getting used to, if you ask me.

Never before have we seen (even with the current exemptions) the prospect that some of the bigger names in the sport may have to drop down and requalify via the Opens. This year that potential outcome is limited to a few anglers – Stone, Rowland, Eaker, Scalish, Luce and others that have been around a while, or longer.

A guy could argue either side of this one – that it's only right that some new anglers get a chance at the Elites, or that it's a little weird to see the potential ousting of some familiar names.

But I guess we all knew the day would come when bass fishing at the highest level moved from a club environment to one that looks more like any other sport. I don't recall Bart Starr playing in the Super Bowl as of late. But yet, I wouldn't mind seeing Bart Starr play in a Super Bowl.

Just like I wouldn't mind seeing Marty Stone stick around a little longer, or any of those guys on the list. Sure there may be someone out there equally as entertaining or interesting. But we know Zell Rowland and Guy Eaker and we don't know the new guy.

Then again, sometime back there was another new guy no one had ever heard of before.

Kevin Van-something or other.