Sher Bird
The history of ECDO must begin with the Seattle Area Dart Assoc. (SADA) who inspired and taught hundreds of area residents the enjoyment of playing steel tip darts, and was the first and only dart league in King County for many years.
SADA began in the 1970’s and was based mostly in the South End of the County with only a small handful of dart locations. Some of the best, most ardent darters came out of SADA -- Art Peterson, Irv Lott, Rich Drzal, Frank Copeland, Joe Beach, Bob Ellington, Bob Jones, Kris Anderson and many others great darters. The SADA existed and competed through the 1970’s, 80’s, into the 90’s.
For many years, SADA produced, The Bullsheet, dart newsletter- edited by myself, Sher Garfield. In 1981, the NADA (North American Dart Assoc.) awarded it “Best Dart Newsletter” in the USA. (Must have been the features such as Dart Horoscope, Gossip, and Ask the Dart God). In 1981, I started my own dart publication: Target Dart News, which eventually reported both SADA and ECDO events.)
SADA began in the 1970’s and was based mostly in the South End of the County with only a small handful of dart locations. Some of the best, most ardent darters came out of SADA -- Art Peterson, Irv Lott, Rich Drzal, Frank Copeland, Joe Beach, Bob Ellington, Bob Jones, Kris Anderson and many others great darters. The SADA existed and competed through the 1970’s, 80’s, into the 90’s.
For many years, SADA produced, The Bullsheet, dart newsletter- edited by myself, Sher Garfield. In 1981, the NADA (North American Dart Assoc.) awarded it “Best Dart Newsletter” in the USA. (Must have been the features such as Dart Horoscope, Gossip, and Ask the Dart God). In 1981, I started my own dart publication: Target Dart News, which eventually reported both SADA and ECDO events.)
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Early North End Seattle dart bars included the infamous Eastlake Zoo, Shanty, Officers Club at Sand Point Naval Base, and others. More and more Seattle North End spots began popping up with teams in league play— Coopers Alehouse, O’Banions, Lockspot; Reservoir; Lions Lair; JC Fox & Sons, Murphy’s Pub, Knarr, Chuckanut Charlies, Comedy Saloon, Sportscaster, The Flame, Pacific Inn, and Ballard locations such as the Lockspot, Guardsman, Thunderbird and Viking. (And the Irish Rose in Bellevue)
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Many North End Seattle players became unhappy with traveling all the way to Des Moines or Kent to shoot a match (especially after a few glasses of “Aiming Fluid”. There was talk of starting a new league—one based in North Seattle, to minimize traveling and emphasize “fun” more than super competitiveness. Darters spearheading the drive for a new league were myself, Steve Tyzzer (owner of Freeflight Darts), and Guy Noyes.
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In summer, 1983, a test “fun league” was played with a few North End teams. It went well, and in August, 1983 a meeting was held at the Guardsman tavern regarding the official start of a new league. Attendees voted on rules, officers, and league format (including new score sheet formatting to be more flexible for teams of 5 and 6). Some of us wanted to call this new creation “The Fun League” to encourage more casual play, but not many liked the idea. Votes were cast to choose a name for the fledging league --- as we know, Emerald City Dart Organization won out.
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John Overturf, Steve Tyzzer and Sher Bird
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Sher with doubles partner Karen Grant
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Ed Bowlden was the first President. By October, 1983, the ECDO had 30 teams registered for league play The ECDO did very well from the get-go. There were both “A” and “B” divisions and no lack of dart players. Players involved in the very early years (some who are still playing) include Glen Huff, Mike Cassady, Jim and Angie Bosch, Gary Nobel, John Swap, Paul Straub & Karen Grant.
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