The X-Ball Finale or is it Fiasco ?

[Piper]

Pete

I have read your posts and feel that there is something missing from it all. Do you not think that you may be too close to all of this to give a clear answer?


Piper

 

[Robbo]

Originally posted by Andy Piper
Pete
I have read your posts and feel that there is something missing from it all. Do you not think that you may be too close to all of this to give a clear answer?
Piper

Bloody hell Pipes, an intelligent question from ya for once !
You taken to using crack cocaine or something ?

Well I am not too close to give a clear answer no, because all I have done is laid what has happened and expressed my opinion as to why, you are more than welcome, as is anybody, to draw your own conclusions but you have touched upon an important point.

Because I was so deeply involved in X-Ball from the days of the England trials, thru to my friendship with Richmond and being infected with his enthusiasm, because of my relationships with Laurent and Nial and also because of my position as coach and owner of Nexus, I was wearing too many hats to give an objective assessment of the true importance of whether European X-Ball ran or not.

I mean, in reality, who does X-Ball benefit apart from the 8 teams involved, the promoters and the franchise owners ?
Who the frikkin hell am I to think anybody else is so interested in it ?
I got vested interests with Nexus and this along with the other 7 teams represent about one hundredth of all the paintball teams out there in Europe, so why should I even presume to think anybody outside these people mentioned gives a **** whether X-Ball lives or dies ?

In all those posts, I use the word 'we' as in Europeans but in essence the 'we' means Nexus.
Does the fact that we (Nexus) are European mean jack-**** outside of Nexus ?
I dunno, maybe I can’t see the wood for the trees, I’m too enmeshed in all this sh#t to see it from somebody else’s point of view who X-Ball does not directly affect.
Maybe the fact that because X-Ball is going nations based and with it goes our chance of ever getting up there with US teams also mean jack-sh#t because I am really saying that only 8 teams had the chance of getting up there in the first place.
Pipes, in this case mate, perhaps you can tell me coz I sure as sh#t don't know nemmore
Pete

 

[sykesg]

Hi Relish,

"but still do you think any good euro team could honestly beat the england x-ball squad? especially at x-ball?"

At X-Ball I'm not sure as the Tigers haven't played X-Ball yet, at Super 7's or Millennium Yes indeed without doubt. 7 man is our bread and butter and we have a year playing together as this current team more than Nexus.

No question their players are good, no question they have backing and drive, but so have we mixed with the fresh taste of Millennium finals. Nexus' introduction to the European circuit is nothing but good for all us Euro's. The higher quality the teams the harder ALL the teams have to work to stay on top. 2nd to Russian Legion twice in 2002 is not good enough for the tigers but we definitly will not be forced into 3rd in 2003.

No one is sure how Nexus will perform at their 2nd choice format but guarenteed we will all be raising our game and keeping a wary eye open.

I know the Nexus boys, some very well and wish them all a very, very good year.

 

[Buddha 3]

Hi Relish,

Originally posted by sykesg

I know the Nexus boys, some very well and wish them all a very, very good year.

Obviously not as good as yours though.

 

[Urban]

I think you'll find a fair number of people are interested in what happens to X-Ball, but more from a curiosity stand point.

Is what happens to X-Ball going to affect the majority of paintballers? Probably not in the short term and at the moment we have no idea whether there is going to be a long term or not.

Maybe the format we all play will become a basic X-Ball format, maybe not.

Maybe those of us that can't or won't play X-Ball will loose the sponsorship deals some of us have as the major sponsors pile more cash into the big X-Ball teams, maybe not.

Maybe X-Ball will die a death, maybe not.

For most of us it's an academic exercise, for a few it's a lot more than that.

Urban

 

[HERMITT]

In my opinion, X-Ball aside, the most important development for paintball will be the relationship between the stateside 7 man format and the millenium series. This, i believe, will have the biggest effect on the majority of paintball players.

To me, the Xball fiasco is becoming increasingly similar to the split that occured in rugby between the Union and League sides. This was an attempt to attract the media, did that work? All i have say is beware of foccussing on the media as the answer to all paintball's problems, it will help, and maybe one day play a major part in our lives. But a more improtant role will be played by the growth and proffesionalism of governing bodies and the role they will play. That way we may be able to avoid a promoter lead approach that seems to be failing our (european ) needs?

 

[Rich S]

Originally posted by HERMITT
In my opinion, X-Ball aside, the most important development for paintball will be the relationship between the stateside 7 man format and the millenium series. This, i believe, will have the biggest effect on the majority of paintball players.

To me, the Xball fiasco is becoming increasingly similar to the split that occured in rugby between the Union and League sides. This was an attempt to attract the media, did that work? All i have say is beware of foccussing on the media as the answer to all paintball's problems, it will help, and maybe one day play a major part in our lives. But a more improtant role will be played by the growth and proffesionalism of governing bodies and the role they will play. That way we may be able to avoid a promoter lead approach that seems to be failing our (european ) needs?

hermitt is right

there is a major push to media attention but it is causing a split and this could be a down fall that pushed paintball far back.
the question we have to ask is paintball for anyone (like football) or is it for a specialist few (like gynastics)?