Dart Bar Appreciation Month

December is dart bar appreciation month and you should step up to plate and thank the owner of the dart bars that you play at.

I hear from darters all over the states about the decline of steel-tip dart bars and you can make a difference.

What do the dart bars do for you?

• They pay for and maintain boards in new condition, adequate lighting and backboards (Budweiser and Miller Lite have often stopped providing free backboards and lights. As well as out charts...)
• They pop for team drinks.
• They provide team shirts.
• Many dart bars provide dart jackets to teams that win their division.
• They pay team fees for you to play.
• They host tournaments for you, the darter with guaranteed pay-outs.
• They provide good dart environments, often sacrificing floor space that could otherwise be taken up by pool tables and electronic boards that would bring in additional revenue.
• With tougher drinking laws, many people stick to pop and don't spend money on drinks.
• All this costs money and let's face it - the dart bar owner is in business to make money.

What do you give the dart bar owners in return? Recently a local dart bar hosted a $5,000 tournament and the turnout was so low that the dart bar owner had to contribute over $1,000 of their own money. Where were the teams that shoot out of that bar? Many didn't make the tournament, especially those who play on teams within that bar.

So, December is Dart Bar Appreciation Month. Stop to talk with your dart bar owner and thank them for their efforts - let them know that they are appreciated. If your owner isn't there while you're playing - write them a note to appreciate their efforts. If you're playing at a dart bar that isn't your home bar, take the time to speak with the owner and drop them a note. Believe me, this would be greatly appreciated.

It's up to all of us to make sure that steel-tip bars are not on the decline. Recruit new members. Visit and play in your local blind draws.

And be a model of good sportsmanship while playing at your favorite dart bar!

Many dart organizations are run by volunteers who often get burned out. If you've got suggestions for your dart organization, don't just complain but offer suggestions/solutions to make the darting organization a better one, with more to offer the darters.

To the dart organizations, I know it takes a great deal of time and effort to run a league. Hold a volunteer meeting and let others know how they can help out. While many don't want to run for office, many are glad to be involved in special projects to help out the league. Take advantage of this! The league will benefit from "new blood" and new ideas as well as assistance along the way.

To all the darters - thank your bar owners and drop them a note. My feeling is they will greatly appreciate this. Don't forget about this, or put it off for another time. Write a note while it's fresh in your mind. You won't regret it.

Thanks, and as always, see you at the line.