Now I see why tournaments are paying more places than ever now and will eventually hand out ribbons to each participant. The majority rules.

I agree with yank hard reel fast. Giving a free pass is a nice thing to do, but how is it any different than simply giving a participation ribbon? He qualified for the 2014 classic. Due to his injuries, he is unable to compete. I hate that it happened to a great guy, but that's life. Now, everyone has to bust their a#% to get in the classic, but because Cliff fell out of a tree stand, on his own time, he gets free roll. That's not how real life works. In the real world, everyone here knows...and you are foolish if you disagree... Life passes you by. It's a nice gesture for BASS to do this, but in my opinion, it's not right. It goes along with paying 20 spots in a tournament of 50 guys...lol, totally ridiculous!!! Why not have a tournament where everyone pays their fees, and no matter the place at the end of the day, everyone gets their fees back!! Hahaha!!! It's nice to feel good, but it's nice to live in the real world too. If you can't compete, dern the luck, but you are just out!

Dude, it has nothing to do with the majority and everything to do with past practices at B.A.S.S. Byron Velvick was given a two year medical exemption for back surgery. Jeremy Starks received a year for severe, debilitating migraines. Mark Menendez received an exemption to care for his ailing wife. Dennis Tietje for back surgery. And those are just the recent ones off the top of my head. These were qualifying exemptions for the Elite Series. Meaning those guys were unable to compete so B.A.S.S. held the spots open they earned through qualification until they could compete.

Cliff Pace qualified for the 2014 Classic. He can't fish due to medical reasons. He should be able to fish the very next Classic available after he heals, because he's already qualified. Standard operating procedure for Bassmaster and one that is fair to all. No free passes. Cliff's presence at the 2015 Classic takes away from no one because an extra spot is being added. And no one is getting a free pass to Guntersville because of Cliff's situation. That spot will remain unfilled.

I keep reading and thinking, are you sure this is TFF and not bbc

Why is that?

He earned it, they didn't hand him a free classic spot.

BASS does not always make the right call. But, in this case, they did and it was a classy call. Good for them and Cliff.

To use a College situation, he is simply being redshirted (due to injury) for 2014 and can participate in 2015.

These guys have no iron clad contracts like NBA and MBL. They get hurt, and how much money do they lose over a year? Kobe is injured and gets vted into the NBA All-Star game!!! Is that a free pass? Yes it is. PLus he loses none of the fat contract he just signed!

My advice, get over ir. It doesn't impact anything pertaining to me or anyone else on the TFF.

Do they need some cheese with their whine,get a grip.

Really whine? Come on guys don't be foolish. The guys that rodeo for a living don't have guaranteed contracts either. If they qualify for the NFR, and break a leg prior too, then they are done. They don't get a free pass to the next NFR. That's totally silly to even consider. I guess if you are part of the whole "let's hold hands and everybody wins"group, I guess you think different than me. Y'all prolly supported the guy that filled bully charges on the coach for running up the score too. Lol. EVERY BOD FROM NOW IN GET RIBBONS!! Hahahaha!!

Apples and oranges.

To say that he is taking money out of someones pocket for being admitted into the 2015 classic, is just like sayin g he's giving money away by not being in the 2014 classic! Doesn't make sense.

Only time will tell the answer to whether he's taking money out of someone else's pocket in the 2015 Classic. If he doesn't legitimately qualify by winning a tournament, etc for the 2015 Classic and then he places in the money, you better believe that's taking money out of someone's pocket!

+1

Apples and oranges? Really? Explain.

If I may ask, why in the hell do you care so much? I'd bet every other angler that is going and has qualified would want the same treatment from BASS. If not, they should be the one complaining, not you.