Motivated by a thread that shall remain nameless it seems to me:
Fans and spectators should be allowed, nay, encouraged to express their opinions regardless of what those opinions might be. One of the significant ways Sports inhabits our daily lives is all the disputed chatter that goes on and the more of that top end paintball generates the better even if some of those opinions are annoying, unfounded or unfair. These are the same peeps who will hopefully one day make up the support base that will make professional paintball possible.
The main reason this is sometimes viewed poorly in today's environment is because there is overlap between spectators/participants and most players tend to take such things personally.
However, there is a distinct difference between voicing certain sorts of opinions publically when your role is as a participant which is why you so seldom see it happen in real, mainstream sports. It provides motivation for your opponent and frequently sounds like whining and generally makes everyone involved looked bad. And in the case of paintball can be highly counter-productive to ongoing and necessary relationships regardless of how some people might feel privately.
A simple rule of thumb that might go a long way towards settling things down would be a policy of refraining from public comment on teams or players you personally compete against. That way when you express an opinion it can be easily judged to be a "fan's" opinion and consequently fair game. Conversely anyone on the receiving end should either accept, argue with or dismiss such opinions in the appropriate spirit.
Just an idea 'cause if this Pro biz ever works out peeps are gonna have to get used to this sorta stuff.
PS--and for anyone who imagines the American scene is all big hugs and mushy kisses stop drinking your bong water.
Fans and spectators should be allowed, nay, encouraged to express their opinions regardless of what those opinions might be. One of the significant ways Sports inhabits our daily lives is all the disputed chatter that goes on and the more of that top end paintball generates the better even if some of those opinions are annoying, unfounded or unfair. These are the same peeps who will hopefully one day make up the support base that will make professional paintball possible.
The main reason this is sometimes viewed poorly in today's environment is because there is overlap between spectators/participants and most players tend to take such things personally.
However, there is a distinct difference between voicing certain sorts of opinions publically when your role is as a participant which is why you so seldom see it happen in real, mainstream sports. It provides motivation for your opponent and frequently sounds like whining and generally makes everyone involved looked bad. And in the case of paintball can be highly counter-productive to ongoing and necessary relationships regardless of how some people might feel privately.
A simple rule of thumb that might go a long way towards settling things down would be a policy of refraining from public comment on teams or players you personally compete against. That way when you express an opinion it can be easily judged to be a "fan's" opinion and consequently fair game. Conversely anyone on the receiving end should either accept, argue with or dismiss such opinions in the appropriate spirit.
Just an idea 'cause if this Pro biz ever works out peeps are gonna have to get used to this sorta stuff.
PS--and for anyone who imagines the American scene is all big hugs and mushy kisses stop drinking your bong water.
