If it's to continue as X-Ball then I think the following things NEED looking at first before all else: -
1. A real X
2. Real feild dimensions
3. Real field layouts (you did say u have all the old PSP ones Russ?)
Being one of the few people commenting on this thread that has actully played both the NXL/PSP and CPL/SPL, I'd have to say both do have their merits. At the end of the day X-Ball honestly is the better format in my own opinion, but as found in the EXL year, it doesnt seem to be viable at this time over here, which is fair enough. Therefore were left with the CPL/SPL format we have at the moment.
I enjoy the X-Ball format at the PA, which is why I play it. Yes it's not training for CPL/SPL, but at the end of the day it's not suposed to be. Like everyone else here (the ones playing and aspiring to it), i'd love a CPL/SPL league for all the UK teams to play. The Pro-Tour really was a great event and is sorely missed, but unfortunately thats not what the PA are trying to acheive.
So at the end of the day I think we have to agree to disagree and concentrate on improving any issues with the PA's X-Ball format and not try and make it into something its not ?