A Letter from MFCA Secretary, Matthew Culp HOW FAR WE’VE COME! 1949-2009… member that the MFCA is an organization was very hard to choose...and much, much this year marks the 60th anniversary of that is only as good as its members and it more. I would like to thank everyone who Electric Football! And to take it a bit farther, takes all of us coming together in unity and contributed to this issue. this year also marks the 80th anniversary of fellowship, to make the hobby move for- the beginning of Tudor Games, if you go ward. I often wonder why I play this game Finally…the MFCA is committed to the back to Electric Football’s ancestry. The and work so hard to see it live on. Many preservation of the hobby and its future roots can be traced back to 1929, when El- coaches have asked this same question in promotion and growth. What do you think mer Sas incorporated Tudor Metal Products recent months, as we ponder the amount Elmer Sas would have said if you would in New York City. Christmas 1949 marked of time we spend on this hobby versus our have told him that in the year 2009 coach- the beginning of the electric football lega- family and work lives. The answer is quite es from all around the country would be cy with the first Tudor Game Boards. It is easy…miniature football is part of us…it gathering at the Pro Football Hall of Fame amazing just how far the hobby has come is who we are…in a very big way it is our for a miniature football convention and to in 60 years. As I was going through some heritage. Because of this love for the game, honor the game he began so long ago? He of my old fields the other day, I came across coaches from around the country came to- would probably not believe that his simple my 1949 Tudor field. Complete with steel gether and formed an organization to cel- game had such an impact on such a large players, I examined the single blade prongs ebrate this heritage. On April 23rd of this number of people. But I think he would get on the bottom of the figure. After smooth- year the MFCA turned two year old. This a great deal of satisfaction to see us com- ing out the single wide prong I placed the was a mile stone of sorts, since we not only ing together as friends in fellowship and player on one of my fields and turned it made it through two years, but we contin- he would probably be amazed that such a on…and off he went. He was no match ued to grow and develop as an organiza- simple game could bring people together for my Buzzball lineman or Miggle TTC tion. We should celebrate this mile stone for just an afternoon of fun. I hope to see bases, but the fact that he ran straight and and thank those who made it possible. One everyone in Canton, Ohio on August 7th somewhat fast completely amazed me… person who I would like to personally thank for the 2009 MFCA Camp-in convention, but he was no modern day player. We have is the person who has been the engine of as we induct two new members into the come a very long way in this hobby in over this organization. Although he will be step- MFCA Hall of Fame. It is only fitting that 60 years now…yes…60 years. From rough ping down soon, Lynn Schmidt has made a we have a MFCA Hall of Fame, because outlined two dimensional steel players of difference in the hobby and left his mark. we honor those coaches who have made a the 40’s and 50’s; to the odd ball Gotham When you are at the MFCA Convention on difference to the hobby and in many ways players of the 60’s; from the Tudor figures August 7-9th…do me a favor…walk up to we honor the memory of Elmer Sas. we grew up with in the 70’s; to the “renais- him…extend your hand and just say thank sance” of the late 90’s; to just four months you. It will mean a lot to me. The MFCA…Unity, Integrity and Fellow- ago with the release of the new Jennings ship…this is your heritage…embrace it as figures…From 1949’s two dimensional fig- It is with great pleasure that I introduce we celebrate football, friendship and fun. ures to the 2009 Jennings “McFarlane” like another great result of the MFCA...your Don’t miss this event, we have a lot planned figures, I say we are living in the golden Summer 2009 issue of The Tweak. In this and I promise that this year’s convention years of miniature football. The cover of issue we will take a closer look at the CB- will be bigger and better than last year’s. this issue is a living tribute to the 60 years SMF series. We get up close and personal The Hall of Fame, the CBSMF Champi- of innovation and to illustrate the past and with Don Smith, one of the founders of the onship, the MFCA Points Challenge, the the future of the hobby. I would like to Seawall Brawl, Tom Ruesink and some MFCA Hall of Fame enshrinement, the personally salute all of the coaches, manu- very special coaches working with todays Pro Football Enshrinement Ceremony and facturers and innovators of the hobby, who youth. We get league and event upddates Game…the Sunday afternoon tailgating have been such a large part in the continued from the DSEFL, the 2009 Bama Blast, party…Hall of Fame passes…the first an- progress of the hobby…Bravo! and the 2009 Beltsville Bash. In addition, nual MFCA “Jim Davis” hula hoop contest George Diamond chimes in with his third (still working out the details) and the list As a proud member of the MFCA, we should part of his series on league building and we goes on and on. So don’t miss it! May God all feel privileged to have such a great or- get to meet Peter Bearse of the 100% Club. Bless everyone and please have a safe trip ganization created by coaches, for coaches We will announce the winner of our first to the convention. See you there! and for miniature football. We must also re- annual “MF Greatest Wife” contest, which 2 SUMMER 2009 THE TWEAK Table of Contents THE TWEAK SUMMER 2009 Issue Nine OFFICIAL MAGAZINE O F THE MFCA 2 Letter From Matthew Culp by Matthew Culp Editor and Publishing Director Matthew Culp 4 The CBSMF by Corey Johnson and Reginald Rutledge Assistant Editor 10 The 100% Club by Al Dunham and Peter Bearse Al Dunham 14 The Don Smith Story by Al Dunham Editors Aide Megan Culp 19 The 09 Bash Report by Kelvin Lomax Contributing Writers 22 League Building Part 3 by George Diamond Peter Bearse 24 The 2009 Bama Blast by David Nickles Leonard Crawford Matthew Culp 25 The Tom Ruesink Story by Lynn Schmidt George Diamond 28 Coaches Corner by Don Lang Al Dunham Corey Johnson 30 The Kicking Game Cards by Chris LeMay Don Lang The 2009 DSEFL by Leonard Crawford Chris LeMay 32 Kelvin Lomax 34 The Greatest Wife Contest by Matthew Culp David Nickles Unity, Integrity, Fellowship by Al Dunham Maurice Robertson 36 Reginald Rutledge Lynn Schmidt Design and Graphic Artists David Rollers Lynn Schmidt Cover by Lynn Schmidt Photo by Jeff Priest MFCA Executives Lynn Schmidt, President Will Travers, Vice President Matthew Culp, Secratary Mike Guttmann, Treasurer John Merida, Assistant Treasurer Contributing Photographers Many MFCA Members Subscriptions www.miniaturefootball.org Customer Service The MFCA is a not-for-profit organization the purpose of which is to promote the hobby Call 816-891-0802 of miniature football and to encourage participation of coaches across the country. The MFCA shall not be responsible for or in any way liable for the content of images, articles or any other information furnished by its advertisers. Said liability to include defamation To Join the MFCA in any form, copyright, trademark or patent infringement, license violations or other legal www.miniaturefootball.org theories. THE TWEAK SUMMER 2009 3 by COrey JOhnSOn and ReGinald RutledGe L IGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! When you look upon the set of the “CBsMf shoW“ for the FIRST TIME, YOU WILL THINK YOU ARE ON THE SET OF A TRUE- to-life College footBall gaMe day shoW. the trash talking, neWspaper artiCles and ConferenCe Calls are just a saMple of What Makes this neW and exCiting league, a hot neW Miniature footBall venture. hat started off as a simple “what if” statement, quickly turned into a “let’s do” campaign of more than seventy coaches from across the nation, in what has be- Wcome known as the College Bowl Series of Miniature Football, or the CBSMF. Reginald Rutledge anchored this new miniature football league concept, which creates a scenario to crown a national champion. the origins of the CBsMf After considering a run at law school, Mr. Rutledge decided that time was not favorable for a jurisprudence degree, and he turned his focus towards other interest. As a result, he found himself with some extra time on his hands and looked to take up that vacuum with his favorite past-time, miniature football. Shortly thereafter, the concept of the CBSMF was presented to the miniature football com- munity and received a very positive response.