help starting league

[jeremy7]

since im' not on a team anymore and dont' see myself playing much tourney ball, i've decided to throw together a league...i want to get a couple fields around here to hold the league but im' not sure how to go at it...like how to charge teams and what not...
i figured i would get all the entry fee money and buy the prizes and everything and the teams would have to pay for air and paint at the field, FPO..so the fields would make there money and it would bring more players around there way...im' just now sure how i would get refs? would it be possible to have them use there refs or would they go for that? i would let them use there rules jsut to make it easier on myself lol...im' lazy but i want to see a league around here...plus make a little something out of it, and since i wouldnt' be able to play in my own startings it would only be fair that i got a little cash right?
even though im' only 18 do you think i could start something? would i have to have an legal work or anything? i just wanna talk to the places and set a tourney up once a month i rather stay out of the government if i can

 

[shamu]

If you're looking to start a league, you'll first want to figure out exactly what you're proposing. What team size, classifications and rules do you expect to use in the series? Prizes for event and/or overall series winner?

You could run the series at one field (as the Global series is done) or at multiple fields (as the NEPL is done). Either way, you should use consistent rules across all events.

For reffing, you can use the field refs, a local team who's willing to help out (probably in exchange for $$$), or a combination of the two.

For prizes, you might want to talk to some of the national distributors and see if they'll help you out with discounts or freebies. Alternately, you can just give cash prizes. Cash prizes will be less risky as you can base the prizes on the number of teams who enter.

Finally, don't forget to promote, promote, promote. Online forums are good. Also, fliers are fields and stores. You may want to put together a webpage with the basic information.

Starting up a league is a great idea but it will be a lot of work. I'm sure some of the posters on here can give you more pointers. Mr Raehl?

 

[jeremy7]

i would want it done at multiple fields...and prolly 3 man that way i can get more teams and the prizes wont' have to be as big

 

[weedave]

5-Man

Id Aim for 5-man tournaments. Its more than likely you will attract more 5 man teams than 3 man.

Just my 2p

 

[enid_puceflange]

was. . . . . . . . . .

your 2P in punts or sterling?
whats it work out in euros?
you might have to up it to give the same value .
you know dude?
(kiddin pal)

 

[jeremy7]

ok i emailed 6 fields located in ohio telling them that they should help me out with a 5 man league because it will bring players from one field to another which will bring them new players and what not...got i hope this works out, i hope to get 3-5 fields , start the league in late april, 6 tournies, 6 months, end it in early september....i figured up if i get 15 teams, either cash prize or paintball related materials (maybe a pgi subscription )1st $1500, 2nd 1000, 3rd 500....then 20 teams..1st 2000, 2nd 1000, 3rd 750, 4th 500, 5th 250...this gives me $1500 extra to spend if right on mark either way...with 19 teams it would give me $2700...but i plan on saving the extra to give to the winner or 1st-3rd of the league...depends on how much money comes to me, and all i will be spending on it is field paint so i can practice even more to get better and hopefully someday join a fully sponsored team...maybe pass the league down or something, or maybe i could be mr unknown and still play in my own league...and since noone would know how could i cheat? man i have some dreams eh?
but seriously, what would be better, cash prize or material...or maybe a mix of both? if i could get a discount on things since its' a tourney and all maybe it would be better because i could get $2000 worth of things for $1500...what would you say?

 

[Richard Kirke (DUPS Rocket) UK]

my two (us) cents

Cash prizes are simple, maybe if you offered free entry to the next tourney (just a suggestion). The reason free stuff has an advantage is because it can often be got for less than the cost to the winner, thus its cheaper for you.

Example, WDPP will give you an Seruph for $500 becuase you call an evnet the Free win the best gun in the world tournament, but it would cost the consumer $100 to buy one; net result, $500 cost, $1000 worth of prize. (obviuosly numbers and names have been changed to protect the innocent...)

I'd reckon that if you run the series then playing might be a bit risky, particularly if you do too well...

My advice (which is not based on any experience except of life) is aim small and to grow. Get someone to back the series. BEWARE politics!

Good luck

Richard

 

[Liz]

It might be worth considering starting out with just a couple of one off events in the first year. That way you will get the experience of running a tourney (much harder than it looks!) without the hassle of a whole series. Then, provided they run OK, you'll have a good reputation for events which should help you get the support from the sites & sponsors etc. you'll need for a series.
You also stand to lose a lot less if it all goes pear shaped!

 

[shamu]

Originally posted by Liz
It might be worth considering starting out with just a couple of one off events in the first year. ...

That's a really good point. Start with something simple, like a stand alone event. You'll be surprised how many details there are to take care of, like how to collect entry fees, paint supplier, scheduling, promotion, etc.

 

[jeremy7]

but what i wanted to do was just collect entry fee money and get the prizes and save some for the league winners at the end of it all. the fields would make the money off of there paint for whatever price they wanted. i also wanted to make sure the same rules were enforced at every tourney no matter what the field is with exceptions for safety rules that must apply at certain fields. i've thought about just making it 4 tournies at 3 different fields, and the tourney that opens would be the closing one also...i want atleast 3 fields to make it possible or it wouldnt' even make sense. i want it to be more of a series than a league, and some fields already have leagues, but theres' no ohio series. hmm Ohio Paintball Series...