ROOKIE TEAM OF THE YEAR (RTOY) RULES

The intent of the MABA RTOY Program is to offer a competitive format for ROOKIE Teams to compete and allows MABA to support the growth of the sport. A Rookie Team is defined as a cook team who

Is a current MABA member in good standing
Has cooked 4 or fewer contests as a head cook in the past
Has not competed for MABA’s RTOY in the past.

Rookie Teams are governed by the same Team Requirements as veteran (TOY) Teams. Rookie Teams are eligible for both RTOY and MABA TOY points and awards using the MABA TOY Points System. RTOY will use the Top 4 MABA contests to determine total points. After your 5th contest, you will drop the lowest scoring contest from your point totals.

Exceptions for RTOY Teams

Rookie Teams may not invite any “Pro-Level” Pitmaster to cook with their team. A “Pro-Level” Pitmaster for these purposes is defined as: cooks who are or were a Head Cook on any KCBS or MABA four-meat sanctioned team currently or in the past.

Rookie Teams may seek advice from any team or teams at a contest, but the cooking shall be done by members of the Rookie Team.

Exceptions to the Rookie Rules

Minor children may assist a team or teams, in any capacity, and maintain their rookie eligibility status without compromise until their 18th birthday.

Judges working with teams to meet the requirements in becoming a master judge will not compromise the judge’s future rookie status.

Requirements to Register Your Team for Rookie Team of the Year Competition

Teams are asked to complete a RTOY application via the TOY tab on the mabbqa.com website. If a team signs up for MABA following a contest weekend, the two most recent contests may be retroactively counted for RTOY standings. MABA strongly encourages teams to apply for RTOY as soon as possible. All applications must be vetted and and approved for eligibility before being included in the points chase. This process can take up to 30 days. The MABA Board will make the final determination on all questions regarding eligibility.

Point Rules to Determine RTOY

Point Rules will be the same as those outlined in the Tier 1 TOY Rules.

Tie Breaker Rules to Determine RTOY

Tie Breaker Rules will be the same as those outlined in the Tier 1 TOY Rules.