Is the Joe Schmoe profile really necessary?

[Manning26]

Originally posted by Buddha 3
It's somehow common for us tourney boys to think that all recboys aspire to be like us.

I aspire to go back to rec! I'M NOT LYING!

Yes, it's strange how our sport differs from others. How many softball players wish that they were actually playing major league baseball? Weekend golfers wishing they could play in whatever stupid thing it is that golfers think is big, uh, British kids playin' cricket somewhere... hold on, is there pro cricket? Oh, kids playin' soccer (football) in the schoolyard dreaming of playing in the World Cup? It seems like it'd be the natural progression of paintballers to want to play tourneys, but it's sooo not. What's got so many players dodging this ascendance? I'd guess money, but I know that, that's not always the case, are tourney players that huge of twats where our paintball brothers and sisters purposely avoid us? Thoughts, suggestions, ideas?

 

[Darkwerks]

Speaking as a rec player with no desire to "move up" to tourny level:
1) cost is certainly a factor, there's no way I could afford a high end marker, paint and gear for the tourny season;I can still compete in rec with the basic of gear and on a budget.
2) I play to win and I take it seriously, but I don't have to win to have fun. The temper tantrums, whining,cheating and sideline coaching that I see in PGI, AGP etc are far less evident in rec.
3)To some extent the attitude of 'pro ballers' to us puts me off. It's hard enough just asking a question on the board, never mind joining a team.



p.s. Nice article Buddha 3!

 

[Buddha 3]

Thanks Dark.

Budget may not always be the reason though. Some recballers have gear that would fit in a top tourney team, and they spend heaps of cash on travelling to big games and what have you the world over.
Could another factor be that some of these people love paintballing, but do not want to be part of a team, because of all the attached responsibilities? After all, a recballer will most likely have a regular group of people he plays with, but will not be dependant on them to be able to play, unlike a tourney player.
Just a thought.

 

[Robin Hood]

Yeah, that's a pretty good point. If you drop by a rec-ball site or travel to a fat-ass scenario game then it's easy to hook up with a couple of people (to play paintball!) and wander around the forest with them. Also - if you've got a few mates you you usually play around with in the woods (far too many alternative meanings!!) then it's still easy to go commando (doh!!) and be more of a lone wolf in rec-ball.

There can be huge commitments in teams and the pressure can be pretty tough for those with families or those who would like to budget their money better. Some of these people don't need the extra worry of having to make sure they don't let the team down.

It's also a lot less hectic lifestyle playing rec-ball. It's kinda nice to chill out in the shade of the woods with your mates and have a beer after each game (might not be the best thing for accuracy!). There's none of the hussle and bustle of a big tourney, no worrying about getting to the field on time for each match and I wouldn't have thought that the stress and pressure levels would be so high - because it's more for fun - as in there's no massive pressure to win for any reason, unlike a tourney where there can be cups, points and not to forget sponsorships on the line.

P.S. Congrats again on the promotion Buddha3!! (Just don't moderate me too harshly!! )

 

[TJ Lambini]

When Flashpoint plays in tha woods

Kareem sometimes still calls for a medic when he gets shot...and tha other week Double J leapt over a barricade with two guys in an instead of shooting 'em, said that he was a live grenade and they had both just been eliminated cos he exploded.

He still has the welts.

Peace

 

[Robin Hood]

ROFLMAO!!!!

That's freakin' awesome!! I have so gotta try that one!!

It sounds like some of your mates over there are typical americans - bloody insane!! I mean, does all the **** that you go on about in your prozone really happen?? Take the Dec '01 PGI for example - Is this the same Kareem that shot at police officers with his Angel for crying out loud (Or shall I say 'attempted' to shoot at)!! What a lunatic!!

Now, you may start taking the piss and going on about - 'of course that crap never happens'. But to tell you the truth I could completely believe it! I mean first, you've got an american, then you add a paintball addiction to that, that fact that you're in LA, a cheatin' girlfriend, (a bit of the matrix style camera whizzin' around and bullet time) - toss all this up in the air and you end up with your Dec '01 Prozone!!
Really - I love the read and you've got some awesome articles, but come on - A search chopper chasing a 'Hoo-Yaaing' Kareem aswell!! That just tops it of with a cherry on top!

Keep up the far-out stories TJ, they're my favourite read of the month! (Also, can I just mention how scarily close to the daily routine of myself and others I know, your article on the problem with british (european) routine was!!)

Later dude

 

[Manning26]

Darkwerks, this is only my experience, but I've seen waaay more cheating during open play than in tourneys I've attended. How about this, this is more accurate, I've seen waaay more wiping. Something I'll never understand is cheating in rec., why!?! How sad are you to cheat some dude who's just out there to have fun? Again, that's solely my experience.

Teej, that post was hilarious.

 

[Darkwerks]

In straight rental days, sure, tons of wiping. Why: The guys have paid money to have a day out, they aren't about to have it cut short because of a little thing like rules. This is the bane of my existence
In big games and scenario, my impression is that it's far less prevelant. That certainly seems to be what most magazines and online resources would have me believe.
Rec players have organisations like the PBLI that promote honour and fair play, tourny players have prize money. Hell, even P8ntballer.com has articles about "bending " the rules and "grey areas" in them.
Manning , maybe it's your Alyson Hannigan fixation thats distorting your veiws?

 

[Darkwerks]

Back to the original topic, if I may
This months Joe Schmoe was a bit sad. Even I was embarrased. The guy seemed, well, just a little slow. The points made earlier in the thread about rec players spending lots of money on thier kit etc , certainly don't apply here. I still think it's a valid column, but the guys they interveiw could be more exciting.
Oh and Manning, no need to be so formal, you can call me "Andy" instead of Darkwerks.

 

[TJ Lambini]

Far Out?

Ajerm dude, thass my life...Flashpoint is actually a pretty balanced group of individuals - we just have our share o' bad luck.

Dark is right I think - the code of honor in big and scenario games means there are fewer incidents of cheating than in tourneys - leastwise in my experience. But on a purely rec level, s'about tha same.

Just what I've seen...

Peace