Originally posted by Chuck
That match was the best time I've had on the paintball field ever! Pound for pound it was the best value too. We got to play the best team in the world for 40 mins how can that not be good. The squad we have had this season have been like those Kids punch balls, they get punched down and then they spring straight back up at you again, ready for more.
I know where you are leading me with this and you are right, we have got to find the money from somewhere to carry on competing at that sort of level. America is where it’s at with out a doubt, and that’s where our sights are set.
I just wanted to point out that a series based in America, with three or four Euro legs to entice teams like us to play may not lead us all to compete in the complete series. Paintball is not "the field of dreams" and just because you build it doesn't mean they will come. Maybe I am wrong in thinking that was the plan.
Takedown I disagree with you that lower Div teams don't go to big events to play big name teams, true some teams are in it for the series others it may be their once a year shot at a bit of giant killing. But with out the accessible big teams present it is the event that ends up getting marginalized (nice phrase Baca) not the teams.
I know all the Pro teams will be at these events, and I understand the T.V reasoning behind this. But look at what has happened this year with the NXL the locked league bleachers were empty in contrast to the open, which was what everyone did watch.
I wasn't trying to lead you Chuck, I was curious if you would come to this conclusion, but if you hadn't, no problem at all.
The way I see it, the lower tier div 1 teams in the US will have to shift into higher gear if they want to be regular contenders. There's nothing wrong with having a number of very powerful teams in division 1. Look at any other sport, the leagues that sit just underneath the top leagues such as NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, Premier League (UK), Division A (Italy), etcetera are all good teams, some of which would be able to beat a good number of the top league teams on any given day.
Also keep in mind that you may well see a "slimmer" version of the heavy hitters that are now in division 1, particularly if the NXL continues to be a pipe dream. What I mean by this is that you may very well see a good number of the pro teams pick up players from the top teams that didn't make the cut. You think the boys on the Oakland squad or Entourage are happy playing anything but pro? I doubt they can keep the surplus players on Dynasty (whom in effect form Entourage) happy by having them play nothing but open Xball at PSP events. So we'd see a natural deterioration of the quality within these teams. This will even the playing field somewhat (but not totally). After a few seasons the teams that should really be in the pro ranks will be in the pro ranks, and the teams that get thrown out of the pro ranks may well see some turmoil, with their better players getting picked up by pro teams, and the rest finding their true home in division 1.
Also, I think we may well soon (before the end of 2005) see the first American names appear on the rosters of European teams that made the final 18, as fixed players, rather than guests (which may well be against the rules by then).
I doubt many Euro teams will compete in the NPPL series. They may well play the sanctioned events, but I think most will still compete within the European league, if only because of expenses.
After all, Hellwood have shown that Europe has some pretty good division 1 teams as well and can well make for an exciting league.
What I am curious about is what will teams such as the Ducks and Ignition be doing in 2005. Have these teams decided what they will be playing? Also, does anybody know what we CAN play next year anyway?
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