Today's word, boyz and girlz, is "damage control"
Originally posted by Tony Montana
Baca
1--The truth be known probably 40% of the team who attend the World Cup are not the teams that "regularly play the NPPL", so that takes them out of having a problem with who the play based on who the usually play at NPPL tournament.
2--Of the remaining 60% of teams, I bet more than 75% of those had not already booked flights, nor do they really care who is on the schedule.
So really we are talking about 15-25 teams who are inconvenienced enough to complain. Do you think that is reason enough to not go with the schedule that has the best chance of a good show on at Disney?
3--People say the NPPL is not looking out for the players. I say they are doing a step more. They are putting on an event that may benefit all present and future players. And they are using a format that not only doesn't belong to them, but is designed to be direct competition to them. And if what Richmond says is correct, he has every intention of eventually going head to head with the NPPL/PSP with X-Ball. So, in an effort to put on the best possible show for PAINTBALL, they are using a competitors format ahead of their own. isn't that reason enough to think they at least have intentions of doing something for paintball and not themselves?
4--I believe you were at the IAO. You couldn't help but notice the overwhelming success of X-Ball as a spectator friendly game, as compared to the standard 10 man finals we are all used to. Obviously PSP/NPPL noticed too. I believe it is a good decision to have X-Ball as the forst show for Disney. i applaud PSP/NPPL for having the fortitude to put X-Ball ahead of their own stale format.
5--Is it so wrong to inconvenience a relative few when trying to do something with such an enormous possible upside on Disneys property, for Disney to see. This could POSSIBLY be the biggest boost to tournament paintball in history. I doubt it. I'm not really an optimist at heart. But isn't the possibility worth the strain it puts on a few teams?
6---question - If Static were told the week before Atlantic City that there was an event arranged by the alternative marketing crew from Nike to see paintball teams for possible support from Nike and it was to be held the day after the finals, and they were invited, would they not change their tickets and stay in a hotel an extra night to jump at the chance? Isn't this similar? The difference is that Static (and most other teams) would be interested in doing it IF it was for THEIR IMMEDIATE PERSONAL benefit, but not necessarily if it was for paintball as a whole.
Just my two cents, and another way of looking at it.
BTW - I don't always agree with what you say, but I do read it and admire that you put thought into your posts. It is almost a lost art on paintball forums these days.
Tony, flattery will get you everywhere but don't think that will get my agreement if I don't.
Glad to have you around tho whether we ever agree or not. OK--
1--I agree except that the series as always been promoted as an opportunity to test yourself against the best--as you yourself noted.
2--I honestly believe the numbers are higher and include some of the teams that aren't regular series participants. Whatever the numbers my priniciple objection is that PSP/NPPL owes their primary concern to their regular customers and however you want to justify it they aren't particularly concerned--and I'll tell you why in a minute. And no, I don't think potential future benefit is any reason to screw over your loyal customers.
3-- I suggested many moons ago that any realization of actual "Pro" paintball would change a number of things--the venerable Jerry Braun thread in Speak your Brains for one. You are incorrect in a couple of key places--the future benefit to players is to the elite among players and will have no possible benefit to the class of players that will continue to pay for the privilege of playing. And X-Ball in any truly professional format will not compete with NPPL style tournament play--at most it will scoop up some small percentage of the top players. And with the prospect of true Pro paintball on the horizon the PSP contingent is only moderately interested in what happens to all the other teams and tournament series. An initial 8 team pro league will without doubt take advantage of elite team name recognition and ownership of most of those elite teams resides in the control of PSP participants. You don't look to stay minor league when the prospect of the bigs is staring you in the face.
4--my point is it is completely in their interest--which is why it is happening. And, as I've said, in the long run I'm all for it and don't care who makes money off it or any of the other trivial details.
5--yes, it's wrong. Perhaps foolishly I'm of the opinion that when you contract to provide a particular service in a particular way on a particular schedule you should stick to it regardless and if you're going to inconvenience a large number of participants it's your responsibility to make it good, not just say sorry, you're screwed.
6--No question they would want to participate but if such a situation were a real life possibility chances are they would have to pass. Guys have real world jobs and responsibilities.
