Equipment Assessors...

[Bunka Monky]

In relation to headrock6's post about taking a positive action to enforce some of our gripes i think there is a possibility to properly air them to the governing bodies. If the majority of people as the recent poll suggests that Dye jerseys should be banned could this not form the basis of a petition that could be presented to millenium.

If not Dye jerseys then any other changes through the use of the internet could easily be polled and the general view of the paintball world could be easily expressed

 

[Red_Merkin]

It's really simple, if you want protection, you pay for it by having a hard plastic cap that will cause paint to break easier.
Like Nick said, make the rule now for 2004 so manufacturers have time to sort it out.

 

[Matski]

Unpractical..

A major selling point of most protective gear, designed for pball, is the fact that it can increase the chance of bounces. Many modern businesses must take a market orientated approach to maintain their market share. Gloves and so on are designed with soft padding because thats what the players want, they want bounce offs. If the only gloves available had solid plastic plates on, sales would fall, many players would simply not wear gloves anymore.
If the industry makes less profit, our sport will be worse off in the longterm. This whole fair gear for fair play is a good idea but is very myopic in terms of growth as it is the players and manufacturers that make this sport grow. Ok fair play, harsher rules have a major influence as previously discussed, but are not nearly as significant for growth as the role played by industry.

 

[manike]

Players want it because they are allowed to use it. If they weren't because it was outlawed then they wouldn't create the demand and the industry would create other goods.

The whole fact people are buying it because it creates bounces and is legal is why it needs to be put in check.

What next, hits only counting on lenses and guns because everything is so soft and bouncy?

Maybe we should just start counting bouncers again (that's a joke...)

 

[Buddha 3]

Out of curiosity, how do you feel about players blousing their jerseys, by slipping the front of their jerseys over the belts of their packs?
Should there be a rule, like there is in many sports, that jerseys should be worn tucked in?

 

[MrPink]

Originally posted by Buddha 3
Out of curiosity, how do you feel about players blousing their jerseys, by slipping the front of their jerseys over the belts of their packs?
Should there be a rule, like there is in many sports, that jerseys should be worn tucked in?

I'm sure that about 6/7 years ago there was a rule about tops being tucked under packs - whatever happened to it?

 

[manike]

Originally posted by Buddha 3
Out of curiosity, how do you feel about players blousing their jerseys, by slipping the front of their jerseys over the belts of their packs?
Should there be a rule, like there is in many sports, that jerseys should be worn tucked in?

There is a rule about having it tucked in, but that doesn't mean it's illegal to have it bloused up... as long as the bottom is tucked in...

I do it because I don't like wearing anything constrictive, and it's allowed

At WC Johan was often told to tuck his shirt in which actually was tighter and harder to his body than my bloused up shirt... but mine was fine according to the rules.

Although it may sound like I am argueing differently, if it's within the rules I think it's ok to push them, but that's why we need rules without too much 'elasticity' so that they don't get pushed too far.

I play within the rules but I push right up to the limit.

 

[Matski]

Originally posted by manike
Players want it because they are allowed to use it. If they weren't because it was outlawed then they wouldn't create the demand and the industry would create other goods.

But what other goods can be created? Protective gear with hard plastic on the outside? If a new rule was inforced, only allowing me to wear gloves with hard plastic on the outside, I simply wouldnt wear them.....im sure im not alone..
Also, If (hypothetically) the millennium committee were to ban all soft padded protective gear. Why would a company like JT want to allow their teams to play the series? Why not pull out and increase investment in a series which allows teams to advertise the full range of gear currently in production?........Helluva lot cheaper than redesigning half your product range because someone changes a rule.....


Its an interesting concept, but I cant see this kinda rule ever being enforced because at the end of the day, money makes the world go round, and the people that set the rules have to respect the interests of the industry or they'll get burnt. Wouldn't want to bite the hand that feeds us now would we

Recent Dye shirt incident springs to mind........but Robbo already got into that so lets not go there...

 

[manike]

Agreed it wouldn't be easy.

The answer may be something like allowing current products that are within the rules but setting the limits at the current extreme so that they don't get pushed any further.

Products that are outside sensible current rules should have a period of time to fit the rules. Like by next season (Dye padded tops come to mind...) and manufacturers should not be allowed to use materials outside the rules in future seasons.

Matski, I'm not sure there is an answer to be honest. I just know unless some sensible limits are put in place that people will keep pushing it until it goes too far and we detract from the essence of the game. What if the only places that aren't heavily padded in the future 'for protection' are just your lenses?

Current gloves are fine but what is to stop people making gloves like cricket gloves with an inch of padding on each finger for 'protection' ? nothing... /me goes back to design board

A lot of stuff at the moment is fine, that's not what I am getting at, I just think we may be on the top of a slippery slope when it comes to some stuff and we need to be a little bit more aware if we aren't about to fall headlong down it.

Oh, and what happened to the rules about slick materials?

 

[Matski]

Agreed. I would like to think that manufacturers will recognise when 'enough is enough' when it comes to padded gear. I hear the Dye neoprene wet suit is due for release pretty soon though, so only time will tell

You remember those caps with a foam peak that people used to wear, blatent anti headshot device? Did that get banned or just go out of fashion in tha ghetto?