And yes Inui, you're getting way ahead of yourself. One step at a time.
Zang participated in the recent Gauntlet with high results. It's true, however, that he's inactive. For the regional list, we've considered putting him somewhere lower on the list because of his inactivity, but it's clear that he still has what it takes. If he continues to play, he'll only climb some more. If not, he'll fall down the ranks.
I think the same thing should happen for the local list.
Anyhow, let's decide who the panelists will be first.
If you don't mind, I'd like to make a few suggestions solely on the topic of inactivity.
First of all, I think that if a player is inactive, they should be taken off the list completely. To put them in a lower spot than they deserve just makes the list look inaccurate. Its better to just leave them off until they begin to play again. This was a mistake I feel the national rankings made(they kept azen in like 7 or something just because he was completely inactive but they didnt want to take him off the list, and people fought constantly about why some people are off while he remains on), and would hate to see it made again.
A player that is inactive or semi-inactive can not be overcome by others because it is simply impossible to compare them to an active player. As the smash world develops, people that seemed good are now difficult to compare to more active players, because all we remember is that they were good back than. For example, Steve W used to be considered one of NJ's better players. But now, all we have is a vague memory, and certainly would have a difficult time saying if he is better or worse than say Sensei for example.
I think that inactivity should be based on rules. Leaving it as a subjective decision becomes iffy. People could simply have different definitions of the word inactive, and so the list will become full of inconsistencies. Also people could bend their definition of inactive because of biases toward a player, or because it benefits them or their position on the list.
For example, say I am in 5th on the NJ list. (yes i know, its a hypothetical...) I want to stay in the top 5, so I vote that Zang remain on the inactive list, keeping him off the NJ list, and keeping me in the top 5. There will be plenty of panelists that also make it on the list, and its best to make things as objective as possible to keep people from cheating in any way on this.
I believe rules should be in order when it comes to naming someone "inactive". What rules are up for debate.
Example of a possible rule: Players must attend at least 1 tournament in a 2 month period or the player becomes put on the inactive list.
OR: If the list is updated with long lapses of time between updates, you can say "any player without an attendance of (3) tournaments between updates simply will remain inactive for the following list.
The details are debatable, but the overall point is that inactivity needs rules.
I'm tellin you, if ya just play this thing by ear, people are gonna end up playing favorites, doing things that happen to be in their favor, and a bunch of garbage that just complicates things and causes arguments. People are gonna say "hey why am I inactive, and this person isn't?! I played in this tournament and that was more recent than this persons" Trust me, ya need rules. Everyone needs to have the same advantages as everyone else.
