Breaking News ???

[Steve Hancock]

Taken from here

APBF: (American Paintball Federation) Operate in North and Central America and the Caribbean with series like PSP, CFOA.

What the?.. I'd heard of the APPA, is this different?

 

[Baca Loco]

Re: I dont really get it?

Originally posted by Wadidiz
The world-wide federation thing is something that a couple of people have had as a vision for a long time--I promise you that--and is totally independent of any league competition ambitions. The main initiator of this has historically been at least as close to NPPL as to PSP and wanted/wants very much for NPPL to be part of this vision from everything I have seen and heard. Another main pusher for this has bent over backwards to include NPPL/PP in this and to bring everyone back together through the reunifcation talks. I can quote from a conversation about this, "The format is not important." It's really not about X Ball but about the collective future of tournament paintball, or paintball itself. I'm sure the principals of NPPL and Pure Promotions know and understand this very well.

Be that as it may, Steve, even if the grand intention is precisely as you describe there also exists certain other realities. Among them are A) it effectively aligns the PSP and MS together, and B) delivers a take it or leave it proposition to the NPPL which, as it presently appears, will either leave a marginalized NPPL on the world sideline in terms of "where the Game is going" or else compel them to play ball by a different set of rules than they attempted to accomplish during the unification talks. And, as was mentioned earlier, the only counter the NPPL has is the TV dealio, which, given recent Pball on TV history, may not swing that much weight right this minute. (At the same time waiting to see if it's a big success or not kind'a puts all their eggs in one uncertain basket, so ...)

Hancock,
Think of APPA as a registration service and player database so that in the context of the UPBF it would be an instrument, not a stand alone or comeptitive entity.

 

[duffistuta]

Re: Re: I dont really get it?

Originally posted by Baca Loco
And, as was mentioned earlier, the only counter the NPPL has is the TV dealio, which, given recent Pball on TV history, may not swing that much weight right this minute. (At the same time waiting to see if it's a big success or not kind'a puts all their eggs in one uncertain basket, so ...)

The only counter? I would have thought that having events that sell out in hours, an accepted extreme sports-event based format, and the best venue in Paintball, are also pretty strong cards.

I honestly don't see that this announcement has as much bearing on the NPPL as everyone else seems to.

This proposed federation may be a bad thing, or a good thing, or a neutral thing, but at the moment it isn't even any sort of a thing and anyone who's been around Paintball a while has seen things like this come and go without leaving a trace many times before...

 

[Wadidiz]

Re: Re: I dont really get it?

Originally posted by Baca Loco
...grand intention...certain other realities...

It does look to me that this competitive reality became this way by the natural unfolding of a vision of much-needed unity in a wider world of paintball. The Malaysian league and other developments in Asia are examples and helped give impetus.

You are certainly right that the de facto reality is a tougher competitive situation for NPPL/PP.

It would really be a shame if hubris (a major mass-murderer in human history) becomes the culprit here. When I think about the meetings between PP and Mil at the end of last season I can't help but think about how the efforts of Jörn Windler and I to create a harmonized set of 7-player rules (that had the help of you, Shamu, Scutty and many others) was waved off like a buzzing fly by Chuck.

Sure, they have a lot to be proud of but humbleness in the right proportions goes a long way.

Pride comes before the fall.

And Duffy may be right; maybe this gigantic vision may come to nought. I don't think so myself.

 

[Baca Loco]

Re: Re: Re: I dont really get it?

Originally posted by duffistuta
1--The only counter? I would have thought that having events that sell out in hours, an accepted extreme sports-event based format, and the best venue in Paintball, are also pretty strong cards.

2--I honestly don't see that this announcement has as much bearing on the NPPL as everyone else seems to.

This proposed federation may be a bad thing, or a good thing, or a neutral thing, but at the moment it isn't even any sort of a thing and anyone who's been around Paintball a while has seen things like this come and go without leaving a trace many times before...

1--Yep, the only counter because the NPPL doesn't have the independent means to hold out over an extended seige and if the money remains tight and the momentum swings towards Xball so will the money.

2--it may not but it clearly redefines the "game" and looks to be part and parcel of a very strong effort now being made. Obviously those pressing this agenda have to stick with it but the real question is who can stick with it longest in the current environment and if TV comes up lemons the answer is a foregone conclusion.

The other factor is if the NPPL refuses to play that is a choice too and where would it leave them later on if they are mistaken? Even if this whole UPBF biz fades away eventually it ups the ante today.

 

[duffistuta]

Re: Re: Re: Re: I dont really get it?

Originally posted by Baca Loco
1--Yep, the only counter because the NPPL doesn't have the independent means to hold out over an extended seige and if the money remains tight and the momentum swings towards Xball so will the money.

2--it may not but it clearly redefines the "game" and looks to be part and parcel of a very strong effort now being made. Obviously those pressing this agenda have to stick with it but the real question is who can stick with it longest in the current environment and if TV comes up lemons the answer is a foregone conclusion.

The other factor is if the NPPL refuses to play that is a choice too and where would it leave them later on if they are mistaken? Even if this whole UPBF biz fades away eventually it ups the ante today.

1 - True, but A -they could cut costs and still run a good, profitable league even if the sponsor dollar contracts and B - you could say the same about PSP as they would not run for long at a loss.

2 - Until something actually happens other than a press release, I think it has done nothing of the sort.

 

[Baca Loco]

Originally posted by duffistuta
1 - True, but A -they could cut costs and still run a good, profitable league even if the sponsor dollar contracts and B - you could say the same about PSP as they would not run for long at a loss.

2 - Until something actually happens other than a press release, I think it has done nothing of the sort.

1--to hear all the talk you'd have to believe no one has ever made a profit, but be that as it may--if push comes to shove and things get tight and tough the PSP have the advantage of being able to share the collective economic pain.

2--of course it has because it has forced the NPPL/PP side to take it into consideration. Even if they ultimately dismiss it it would be patently foolish not to consider the ramifications and lay contingency plans in for the possibility. All of which ups the ante and adds new levels of uncertainty, real or imaginary.

The next phase for Big Paintball is world marketing. If the developing world market is aligned with the MS and PSP via the UPBF and plays their game it provides ready access and would also mitigate a continuing tight contest in the US because the overall larger dollar falls to the UPBF side of the equation. Obviously that is long term but even the simple announcement--backed by the PSP and MS--gives it some clout.

However, if you disagree, you disagree. And we will see.

 

[Missy Q]

Loco, you presume that the NPPL have been invited to play, which is not the case.

 

[PSPLane]

I would reply with some good ol down home logic here, but the last three times I have posted I have been associated with:

1. fellatio filled dreams (which led to civil unrest in the 'park')
2. something to do with ointment and a brocolli eating dwarf
3. scratching other dudes bellies (makes me itch just thinking about it)

My wife is leaving me. My son calls me names and talks with a lisp as he prances by my office door. And I haven't dared step out of my mobile home during daylight hours for days.

I can't risk anything else. I'm staying out of it.

 

[Wadidiz]

Originally posted by Missy Q
Loco, you presume that the NPPL have been invited to play, which is not the case.

Missy, don't assume you, yo bros and sisters in NPPL and Pure Promotions and yo bad self ain't welcome. I assume the invitation is open to whosoever will. Could be wrong.

Lane: Please please don't stay away. You provide much-needed comic relief. Stay for that reason even if you can't be serious about much very long.

And remember, those mofos are tied down. Therefore the politically correct (nothin' you wuz ever good at) AND accurate term is "manufactured home" as I pointed out before. And explain to Robbo that anybody that's from south or east of Atlanta caint be a hillbilly.