Player Profile: Ben Loiterstein

Since Ben Loiterstein (MA) competed at NSC96 in Dallas and finished 8th in Division 4 (winning $100), he has been busy changing careers, studying SCRABBLE^® lists, and attending numerous clubs and tournaments.

Leaving the high-tech sector behind, Ben will be spending the next year teaching in a 5th grade classroom in Brookline, Mass. He plans to participate in the School SCRABBLE^® program and "use the game as a fun learning tool."

A lifelong casual player, Ben now calls two clubs home: Boston's SCRABBLE^® Club #59 directed by Hilda L. Siegel and Lexington's SCRABBLE^® Club #108 directed by Judy Horn. In the past three months, he's gone from being one of the lower-rated players to earning a place in Lexington's top 10 rating list.

A competitive player since 1996, Ben won the Greater Boston Open '98 novice division as well as two Long Island tournaments (Division D in December 1997 and Division C in June 1998). With a score of 556, he earned a tournament-wide high-game honor in Long Island.

Ben's dedication to SCRABBLE^® has even inspired him to create a cable access television program called "The Game Show." This Cambridge-based program is currently aired in half-hour segments, but positive feedback from viewers has him contemplating producing a one-hour show featuring more commentary and strategy about various games including SCRABBLE^®.

On the odd evening he has free, Ben fires up his Hasbro SCRABBLE^® CD-ROM CROSSWORD GAME and via the internet plays online games with his friends. His favorite online opponent? His Washington, D.C.-based Mom.

Ben's love of words began long before his foray into competitive SCRABBLE^®. A few years back he wrote a 20-page palindromic story. Armed with a solid rating of 1486, Ben is seeded third in NSC 98's Division Three. Though predicting winners is an impossible affair in our game, look for Ben to make a strong showing.

-- Sherrie Saint John, Internet Reporter, NSC98

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