The Competition Facility Barletta Natatorium at Northeastern University [Directions & Map] 400-402 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 Barletta Natatorium is located inside the Cabot Center athletic complex on Northeastern University's campus, and is easily accessed by both the Orange and Green Lines of the MBTA (see transporation). Barletta is a 6 lane, 25-meter facility with non-turbulent lane lines, a Colorado Timing System and electronic scoreboard. The start end of the course is a bulkhead. There is a small diving well area that will be available for warm-up and warm-down activities throughout the meet. The pool has an ample, 500-seat spectator gallery. Schedule of Events [7:30-8:20 AM - Main warm-up] 200m Medley Relay 200m Individual Medley 100m Breaststroke 50m Freestyle 200m Backstroke Relay†* 200m Freestyle 100m Butterfly 50m Breaststroke 200m Butterfly Relay† 800m Freestyle [15-Minute Break - Pool available for warm-up] 100m Backstroke 50m Butterfly 200m Breaststroke Relay† 100m Freestyle 50m Backstroke 100m Individual Medley 200m Freestyle Relay †While these relays are valid Boston Tea Party Meet events (i.e., their scores and times count), they are not recognized swimming events outside of the meet, and therefore recorded times will not be eligable for any records or other statistics beyond the scope of the meet. *Rules for starts: First swimmer performs standard in-water backstroke start. Second through fourth swimmers perform a diving start from the blocks, but must flip onto their backs immediately after entering the water. All other standard backstroke rules apply. Sanction and Regulations SACTION NUMBER PENDING by New England Masters (NEM) For United States Master Swimming, Inc. (USMS). USMS/FINA regulations will be in effect during the competition and a copy will be available for consultation at the pool (see http://www.usms.org/rules/). Age Groups Age groups will be determined based on the age swimmers will be on December 31, 2008. Age groups will consist of blocks of 5 years, beginning with those aged 20 to 24. Heats All heats will be mixed-sex and mixed age-group, seeded according to times, from slowest to fastest. Relays There is no fee to enter the relays. Age groups for each team will be determined by adding up the ages of its members. Age groups include 76 to 99 years, 100 to 119, 120 to 159, 160 to 199 ... (40-year increments as high as necessary). Relay teams must be made up of members of the same club, and will be deck-entered on the day of the meet. Each team may enter a maximum of two relay teams per sex per event. Warm-up The main pool will be open for warm-up from 7:30 to 8:20 AM as well as during a 20-minute break approximately half-way through the meet. In addition, a small diving well area will be available for warm-up and warm-down activity throughout the meet. No jumping or diving will be allowed during the warm-up, except in designated lanes (10 minutes before the end of each warm-up period). Scoring Individual Events 1st: 7 points, 2nd: 5 points, 3rd: 4 points, 4th: 3 points, 5th: 2 points, 6th: 1 point Relay Events 1st: 14 points, 2nd: 10 points, 3rd: 8 points, 4th: 6 points, 5th: 4 points, 6th: 2 points Awards Individual Awards Ribbons will be awarded for the top six places in each event. A medal will be awarded to the top scorer of each age group. Team Awards Recognition will be given to the top scoring team of both small-team and large-team categories, as well as to the "Best Overall Team" which will be determined by means of an averaging formula: Developed by Team New York Aquatics (TNYA), this formula attempts to help "level the playing field" between teams of varying sizes. All teams large enough to support a relay team (4 or more swimmers) will compete for this trophy which will be considered the grand prize of the meet. Important note: The number of registered events is set at the time the meet is seeded and will not change if a swimmer scratches an event. Awards will be given out during the Saturday evening banquet cruise or sent by mail. Meet Shirts Meet T-Shirts are available for pre-order for $14 each. Results Results will be posted on this site (teaparty.swim-lanes.org) as soon as possible after the conclusion of the meet (two weeks at the latest).