Equipment Standards Committee

Note: See the "USTSF Equipment and Table Approval" document on the Bylaws/Documents page.

9/8/08 Status Update:

USTSF's Equipment Standards Committee successfully provided product feedback to Valley-Dynamo based on  recommendations obtained from top players, operators and a consolidated list of chief complaints/concerns expressed on the Foosball "EZ" Board. As some witnessed at Tornado Worlds '07, Larry Davis, Todd Loffredo and Terry Moore physically demonstrated these discrepancies/issues to Mr. Tomizuka [Valley-Dynamo Division President], and reminded him that Brunswick is renowned as a Lean Six-Sigma manufacturer for which the primary operating principle is "VOC" (voice of the customer). The result, as many witnessed at the Hall of Fame Classic last March, was a more consistent competition table and two prototypes of a new edition table that incorporated nearly all the most frequent recommendations of both players on the Foosball Board and those of the USTSF Equipment Standards Committee. Valley conducted on-site player surveys of these prototypes, which provided further input into refining the product, per the voice of the customer.

Meanwhile, USTSF took this same approach to ITSF, nominating both Terry Moore and master mechanical engineer Mark Murrell to the ITSF Equipment Standards Committee so as to ensure input (and a USA player perspective) into the development and/or improvement of all other ITSF official and recognized tables.

So technically, ITSF had nothing to do with any recommended changes, with possible exception of a one-man goalie on one of the demo tables that could be added to the product line (but which would NOT replace the classic Tornado 3-man goalie rod table). But then again, ITSF may not have contributed to that at all, since Tornado has marketed a one-man goalie conversion kit off and on since 2000 or so (before ITSF). As such, the facts are that all other changes originated and were consolidated from the most frequent complaints from U.S. players themselves, and from the EZBoard. Moreover, USTSF continues to see American-style foosball, USTSF and influence/input from both as actually having a reverse effect from that perceived by many on the EZBoard, with all other table manufacturers undergoing significant (and in some cases radical) changes to their tables over the last five years in order to come closer to the Tornado standard.

It should be noted that the USTSF only provided consolidated player input into play characteristics. If it did not specifically affect play, it was purely a BVDT decision to implement. Example: Score markers, laminate or laminate edge-caps, emblems/stickers, etc. Also, player recommendations from BVDT's HOF and post-HOF prototype evaluation surveys were also taken into further refinement of the product (in addition to USTSF's original recommendations).

In addition, per Dave Courington, all changes to be implemented must and will be retrofitable to previous models so as to ensure minimal impact/cost to operators/promoters and/or players owning tables. Dave indicated at the BCA show in Charlotte in June that the final improved version would be available to distributors later in the summer (probably by the Vegas Worlds since the big AMOA show is in early September in Vegas).

9/9/08 Comment on the above from Boris Atha (ITSF technical commission):

As president of the ITSF technical commission, I can confirm that ITSF has not had any input into the new table design as yet, and I look forward to testing the new table design and balls etc.

A one-goalie table, if put into production, is likely to be sanctioned by ITSF but not at the expense of the 3-goalie table. The 3-goalie table does have its critics, not just in Europe, and a 'standard' one-goalie model is more likely to boost Tornado sales in overseas markets. It is therefore possible that European Tornado tournaments may, in future years, be played on one-goalie tables, whether the one-goalie model is adopted in the USA would be up to individual tournament promoters and player-preference.