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Single Elimination Brackets

· 2 min read
Bob Hall
Bob Hall
Creator of Flyball Manager

It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m thrilled to announce that Flyball Manager now includes support for single elimination brackets!

This journey started back in 2020 with a major project: completely re-writing the database layer. That foundational work set the stage for everything that followed, including a critical update to the scheduling engine.

Why Update the Scheduling Engine?​

The feedback from users like you was clear—there was room for improvement in the schedules Flyball Manager was generating. So, I set out to overhaul the scheduling engine with two key goals:

  1. Integrate Dale Smith’s proven NAFA scheduling logic.
  2. Build in the flexibility needed to support bracket racing.

With these two pillars in place, the groundwork was finally ready for brackets.

Introducing Bracket Racing​

The first step toward brackets was introducing 1-race brackets for single-day tournaments, which launched a couple of years ago. That feature was a proof of concept—it showed the app could handle the unique needs of bracket racing.

Now, I’ve taken the next big step: implementing single elimination brackets with loser races. Achieving this required fine-tuning the scheduling engine, updating the user interface, and extending functionality on OnDeckManager.com to fully support bracket racing.

Designed for Ease of Use​

My goal with this update is to make single elimination brackets simple and intuitive. From scheduling to scoring and even communicating race details, Flyball Manager handles it all. I’ve worked hard to ensure the experience feels smooth and straightforward, so you can focus on running your tournament.

Your Feedback Is Key​

If you’re hosting a tournament with bracket races, I’d love to hear from you. While I’ve tested the feature extensively, real-world use is where we uncover the unexpected. If you run into any issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’ll do everything I can to address them quickly.

Thank you for your continued support of Flyball Manager. There are more exciting updates on the way, so stay tuned!

Happy Racing!
– Bob

P.S. Documentation has all the information about bracket races.