ok, let's talk unity ...
 

This has been on my mind for a long time so I'd like to start the discussions on unity in the electric football world. Please don't let this thread spiral downward - let's figure out a solution!

My persepective: we have some of the greatest people in the country in this hobby : good hard-working people who love this hobby and are genuinely good people. When I stop to think, I realize that I have more in common with the people in this hobby than I do in my own church because most are good Christian people that will do anything for you. Why is it that we have so much division? When I go to the Miggle convention, everyone is very friendly and I feel right at home. When I go to the Buzzball convention, I feel the same thing there. At Bama, the same thing there too. What is the cause of the division?

I think I know the answer. I have a unique perspective since I am a seller of electric football merchandise and I am a player. By player, I mean in the electric football world only! I have first hand experience of what happens when you become a manufacturer. When I began the decal business, I spent literally hundreds of hours drawing decals from scratch - every logo, number, leg stripes, etc. I started selling decals and was very successful. But I noticed something - people that I had never met and didn't know started posting on the boards that the "other" decals were better. These people had never used my decals. I heard from people over time that the word was that I copied or stole decals from others. I guess people do not like competition so they try to make it hard for people to come out with new products. This is not unique to my situation - I'm sure all of the manufacturers have had this experience. Read Reggies recent post - about how his pride was hurt when people dissed his product and outlawed his figures. This has created division in our hobby. Each manufacturer has "followers" or "camps" whether they know it or not. Every tournament that is held by a manufacturer will be divisive in nature - that is just the way it is right now.

The solution: the solution needs to come from the manufacturers. You are the leaders in this hobby! You create and make this hobby better. You have followers. I understand that your pride is hurt - I know how it feels. I understand that you have a business to run. In the long run, your business will flourish if the hobby grows. Manufacturers - support the other manufacturers! Miggle - invite George Diamond to help with the Miggle tourney. Talk to each other - maybe make one big tourney and combine the Miggle and Buzzball. Miggle and Buzzball - allow some Reggie figures in your tourneys! These are practical solutions that may seem impossible but we (including myself) need to put our pride on the shelf and get with it. These are practical solutions that we can do. Approach the other manufacturers about this - if they say no, then allow them in your tourney. You will be creating an atmosphere that will breed growth and unity!

Who will be the first to step up to the plate?

I hear what you say
 

Beenut! Anyone who knows me know I have never been EXCLUSIVE in what I do. It's not that I could never field a tourney without other manufacturer product. I know I can.

If you ever look at leagues that I run or tournaments that I have, they have NEVER and I repeat NEVER been divisive. We have openly allowed Miggle products, Buzzball products, Larry Walker, Wellington Innovations, Chris Robinson, and any one else's products to the party.

I believe that if you are confident in what you bring to the party, you don't worry about the booze that the other drunks are bringing. If your booze is good and you can pour a mean drink with it, eventually you'll get your share of drunks too. (Just an analogy).

For me, I am usually a most forgiving person. But when you know companies have done everything to get you out of the business from sending the NFL and NCAA to your doorstep to league founders purposely excluding your products out of their league, why bother.

I never ask the next person to use my products! Just let me have the option to use what I want. My feelings are when there is the halting of a guy being able to use what he wants, it becomes pretty apparent that they are intimidated by what you do.

Unity is great but the wounds are deep. I would definitely have no problem being a part of something where all the manufacturers were there. I would love to play each manufacturer PERSONALLY in a game of EFL with him using the product that he feels is head and shoulders above all others. I think that type of exhibition would be great. I definitely would love to get these manufacturers out on the field and let the masses see us in games of EFL. Although I don't think that will ever happen, it may bring many people out to watch and create a unity in the game never seen before.

Also, some leagues use the 3.2 grandfather clause as a way to discriminate. That's another story for another day.

clear up a point
 

Before many more people read this thread, I want to clear up a point.

I am not saying that the manufacturer tourneys now are divisive because they aren't allowing the other manufacturer's products. My point is the tourneys are divisive in nature because other manufacturers do not feel comfortable being there because of the "deep wounds" that have been created over time.

beenutt

Beenutt,

Your work is top-notch and I have always said that. To those who may have accused you of "stealing" artwork consider this: You and I both know that the process of stealing artwork from a decal sheet is nearly impossible either by scanning or by visual analysis. It is much easier to do your own work from scratch than it is to rack your brain in attempt at forgery. I was very closely gaurded about my work until I realized this.

Still, we are a hobby of individuals whom I have personally found to be very kind and generous people who are family men and excellent role models.

Unity in EF means simply helping and working well with others. I myself dove in to work with Anthony to get the truth about his system out. Dispite a slew of awful posts on both sides of the fence, we have full-momentum. There were folks who called me "AB Clone", etc. I have no beef with anyone because I have done all I could for the hobby and to express myself to the fullest.

Not to mention all of the idiots who tried to literally force me to release my decals before they were ready. No problem with that either. People are people and we all make mistakes.

Like for me. My decals and graphic design work have united me with many in the hobby across all lines. It all boils down to respect for one another in the end.

B-Nutt,

I agree with you but unfortunetly I believe that will never happen. In a capitalistic country it's everyone for themselves as far as businees goes. You do see car shows where all different manufacturers are all under one roof. Maybe thats what we need. An electric football show where all the manufacturers can come together under one roof. Have coaches sign up for games and let them play with whatever they like. After all the consumer DOES have the last word. If the coaches around the country want this than WE should make it happen. Once a year electric football convention. Not a Super Bowl or a special tourney but a convention.

I also agree with DM. If I go to the convention and if I want to play AB's style then so be it. People can promote anything they want. DM can show off his decals as well as B-Nutt and Mikey-B. Reg can have his figures as well as George and Miggle. Kind of like an all access pass to electric football. The Miniature Football Convention. The consumers make this hobby go. Not the manufacturers. The consumers have the money that all the companies want. Just keep that in mind.

I will Agree with that
 

I do agree.

I hate that guys I know may want to go to Buzzball events but felt they would be ostracized.

I hate guys stayed home from Miggle because they knew Miggle would not allow our products in the house.

Guys call me all the time and tell me if you don't go, I don't go. What can I say? I want them to go because I want to be a part of it to. I love the game. I am not just simply an EFL company. I am an EFL coach!

Every year that we had the Shootout, the one thing it will say is that "All manufacturers are welcomed". I never get that in return. So until that type of discriminatory practice cease to exist, you will not have the total unity of the hobby that can bring out all the greatest minds and coaches under one tent.

I dare to say that I probably been going out on EFL sites more than most everyone who frequent them. I love the hobby but I know when the divisiveness started and why it happened.

I am an optimist though. It may happen once I leave the game but I am hoping that some day differences can be put aside for the greater good of the game. As long as I can play with my figures, I could care less what the other guy has. If we agree to be together, we don't have to agree to use the same things.

Nail on the Head!!!
For unity to happen it must come from the coaches, not the manufacturers. In order to do this we need a coaches association and a coaches association convention held in conjunction initially with another larger event such as a card show. Education being the key element. Imagine each league and manufacturer with tables set up promoting their league and or product. Games would just happen and we could all educate the newcomers rather then have them try to figure it out by watching a tourney where most of us are too focused on our games to assist them.
I am willing to be on a committee to make this happen and there are others on the message boards who have stated an interst in this, bvlaster and willie for instance have spoke up in the past. I think we need a rep from each area of the country who are respected by their peers. This could happen after we get a signup of coaches, divide into regions and have an election in each region for their rep which would then replace the startup committee. Again, the main purpose of the coaches association at the start would be to establish the reps and an annual event to educate and inform the public of the many ways to play the game and the many products that exist. This is the only way I see for us to unify the hobby through its many diversities and to grow the hobby before all us old guys go extinct.

If a coaches association can make this happen then I would propose that 6 other guys besides myself speak up now to serve on the committee. I will get your contacts and see if we can get a private forum on this message board to discuss the beginning of this.
It is critically important that we get at least 1 rep from each camp and that their be at least 1 rep from as many diverse regions as we can.
At some point, we could probably setup an instant message chat at a scheduled time.

As to my EF philosphy it is pretty much line them up and play. I consider myself to be primarily neutral in regards to what figures and weights or rules are allowed. I have played primarily at Buzzball styled events but I am completely open to any figures as long as we don't see EF figures getting any larger than what now currently exists. The TAEFL for instance will allow all manufactured figures as well as customs this next season and will play by NHFL rules as the base set with some minor changes.

that makes a lot of sense
 

Weirdwolf,

I think you are on to something. The way I see it, unity can either start from the manufacturers or from the coaches united in a common goal. Maybe we as coaches can do this thing. I'd be willing to serve as a rep from the southeast. Weirdwolf, PM me you phone number so we can discuss!

beenutt

Hmmm!
 

Beenut,
I think your just the type of man to help open this up. You have a good character about you and I like you. You bring up the most important point of all. No matter who's tournament you go to, everybody loves everybody! We're all buying and selling and trading and sharing ideas. Some items are pricey, but until I become president, there's little we can do about cost. The atmosphere is ELECTRIC at these tornys! It would really be nice to go to a Miggle table and buy my bases and some teams for the little ones. Smooze around the room and pick up some buzztones and numbers. Slide over to Reggie's table for some of my favorite figures. Sit down with the hommies and figure out what my next "sweet looking" team should be. I love to mix and macth. I don't see how we have become so one dimensional? When we were younger, we longed for field covers or endzone names of our choosing. We wanted different poses and names on jerseys, etc. WEwanted open up our imaginations! I woulsd really like to see a real national torny with evreybody there peddling their wares and getting along. We could even play weighted and have a seperate division just for that. I don't know, but the ruffling of dollarsalways sounds good until somebody gets greedy. Unified electric football now! Tron has spoken!

What an awesome idea!
 

I know for years we have all talked about it, but it is 2007...I am 38 years old...and a lot of us are not getting any younger. I think a National Electric Football Coaches Association is the answer for many reasons.

1. We could get a real idea of how many coaches are out there, where they live and how they play.
2. This would be a great tool for up and coming generations, so our kids who play could have a "history" with this hobby...that could be passed on from generation to generation...and would live on, even after we are all gone.
3. To be united under one banner would be great...with our own logo...reps from regions etc. I completely agree that this would be a great way to introduce new coaches to electric football...Imagine being a Newbie and going to a convention with a National Electric Football Coaches Association (we will just use NEFCA for now) and seeing a booth that had it all...contacts from your region, videos on how to play, a video on the history of our hobby, list and phone numbers of manufacturers etc....you get the idea...wouldn't that be awesome.

The time is now guys and I am interested...Great conversation guys now lets do it!!

Matthew Culp HHEFL

Ive Been Proposing This The Past Two Years !
 

BOTTOM LINE !

I would like to be part of one monstrous event with everybody in attendance, the first annual (you name it) to be held in vegas !
reg, george diamond, the landsman, beenut, don smith, etc etc all under one roof in an ef extravaganza. Don smith once asked me what i meant in a previous post entitled "the war stops now", it's exactly what is being said right here on this post. reg is my man and it bothers me that he is not at the conventions for various reasons, or some other events. Like don smith said, reg is the walt disney of electric footbball and the fact that some of his figs are not allowed in some venues is strange ! At the texas shootout he did not care what fig's you played with, you could field an entire team of buzzball or miggle, or a mixture of everything, he just wanted to have fun.

It's funny, i love the winterfest, i love the conventions, i love the texas shootout, AND IM GOING TO LOVE THE "SEAWALL BRAWL" AFTER TALKING WITH THE GREAT DON SMITH OVER THE PHONE.

A word about DON SMITH, he is unity, just in our converstions over the phone i found him to be an AMBASSADOR OF OUR HOBBY LIKE REG SAID. It's the way he reaches out and handles things and get things done in a military like manner. I see why reg made him the point man for the txso ! For those who never spoke with him, he is extremely passionate about this hobby and is looking to make it even better. I cant wait for the seawall brawl so i can fellowship and learn some things from reg and don under the same roof !Im already locked and loaded in regards to my hotel room and plane tick's. This is going to be some kind of doing come late june "BE THEIR" .

WEIRDWOLF is just the guy to also bring all of this home for us efler's, i met him at the convention and he is so dynamic in his personality you cant help but to want to be around him forever !

Im not aware of the goings on before i came on board, but i can tell their is a division amoungst some of our great masters. Im not sure if all are welcome to certain events and if this is the case can we please correct this.
I have fun at all the events and everyone does a very nice job their way, but can you imagine if all the bigwig's sat down in one room, ironed out whatever it is that's neccesary and put together "ONE BIG SHOW". All manufactures selling their goods and hosting one event under one tent for one lomg weekend. wow

WHO IS WILLING TO BROKER THIS DEAL !!!!!!!!!!

BROADWAY-DRE

Beenutt

We have had similar discussions like this going back to 1998. It is a great idea but could you better define what you mean by unity?

Unity from a manufacturers point of view?

Unity from a coaches perspective?

Unity from league to league?

Unity for how the game is played?

Unity for a tournament being organized?

Like you stated there are some truely good people in this hobby. Many are very giving and willing to help others. That what makes this hobby so good.

Wally

Great! Sounds like things are moving along. A coaches commision who is un-biased to a certain company or style of play. Just think playing a game using my style "pass simulation sticks" vs a coach who likes to use the triple threat QB. A show, convention or whatever where a coach can buy what he wants. A show where a coach can use Reggies figures vs miggle decaled. But, I do need to ask this question and I know it will come up. Do we need to set a limit on size and weight?

Get everyone to agree on equipment (bases and figures) spec's and you are well on the way to unity.

convention
 

i have recently returned to this game, so i do not know the relationships between people and their respected companies. all that i can offer is an experience that i am familiar with.
here in columbus every year, there is a miniature wargaming convention called origins. it is dubbed a miniature wargaming convention, but all types of gaming are welcome, from old board games to the latest in pc gaming. there are hundreds of booths ranging from manufacturers to flea market style bins where if you dig long enough, you may find a terrific deal on some awesome gear. it also gives one the opportunity to see, first hand, what's out there. you can demo games, find objects that are long out of print, and get inspired. the best thing (in my opinion) about it is it gives an opportunity for people to be re-introduced, or introduced for the first time, to social games thought to be rendered extinct by the onslaught of video games. they hold painting clinics, sculpting clinics, (all included with admission), etc... they also have all kinds of tourneys, from strict rules to free-for-alls.

my point...

conventions of this kind are not only good for manufacturers, but good for the hobby itself. it's an opportunity for fresh and old faces alike to see what's really out there and to decide for themselves what they like, and how they want to play. if it happens with ef, it would be great for the hobby OVERALL! if i may throw out a suggestion for it, find one location and keep it there. the wargaming convention draws people from all over the country, and they don't mind because they know ahead of time what the cost will be and where they can stay.

just my 2 cents,
chris

oh yeah, they alsohave functions called the "gamers widows". it's for gamers wives who make the trip with them for some reason.:D

unity
 

Help me out here Weirdwolf and Don Smith, but this is what I think we are talking about as far as unity goes. We need to have an event where we put out best foot forward in the eyes of the public and TV. Can we truly show as a hobby what we have to offer without having Reggies figures and stadiums and without Reggie himself there? Can we show our best without having Buzzball figures and bases represented? Can we neglect all of Miggles bases and assessories? What about the best boards out there - Watts and Porche to name a couple! What about dividers, passing sticks, decals (DM included!)? We have to have AB there to demonstrate his multi-stop! We need all the big names and all the products. Don't exclude anyone for the sake of the hobby. And we when all get together, we need to behave like adults and show respect for others.

At that same event, we need to have a designated place for the general public to be educated on the game and to donate merchandise to get people interested. We need to have DVD's running showing actual games to demonstrate that the figures don't always go around in circles. The main objective of the event is to grow the hobby and make it flourish like it should be growing. The hobby will take off if presented in the proper light.

beenutt

Brian,

I believe that if we have this convention the manufaturing companies will follow. After all That is where the money will be. If I may i would like to use this analogy. When I am buying a car I never buy the first one I see. I will get a quote from number 1 first then go to number 2. I will tell #2 about #1 offers. If he say I can beat it then I say give me the offer. Then I go back to #1 with #2's and so on. My point being if the coaches and hobbyists have an un-biased convention the manufacureers will follow.

To expand, if a company does not wish to send either their products or at least a representative then so be it. It will be their loss.

I use to think this but after other attempts at finding a happy medium, it never seems to work out. Coaches like to play the way they play. What a coaches Association would bring to the table is not one set of rules or one size of figures but allow all the various factions to show others the way they play. Again its about education and bringing in new blood.
I think we can all agree that Reg's figures are made for EF as are Miggle and Buzzball and all only work if they are on a base and all only work if they are on a vibrating field. Thus they are all electric football!!! All the other things such as FOB tackling and stick passing, etc are just parts of what EF really is. A coaches association would bring unity through diversity. All forms of EF would be embraced as would all manufacturers. We must educate the public and the only way to do this is through a unity of diversity. The sole purpose would be to bring all EF hobbyists together under 1 roof to show off their best. We wouldn't even have to have a tourney at the convention, in fact their could be a Miggle rules tourney and a Buzzball rules tourney and a Texas Shootout rules tourney and an Anthony Burgess tourney if the proponents of each of these rules sets would want to run it while at the convention.

All in all there is no one way to play EF and that is what we must recognize first and foremost and then follow up with a broad definition of EF.
For instance, model railroading has 5-6 size designations of model railroading from HO scale to O scale to N scale but they are all model railroading. I'm not talking about 100 different scales for EF but rather that FF and Buzzball and Miggle are all EF and the way Reg plays and Mr. National plays and Billy in first grade plays are all EF as well.

I hear u
 

Whats up fellas,Beenutt i see your still putting the heavy topics out there.We all know what predicament we're in, I was flicking the channel & ran across a Scrabble convention there were over 1,000 people attending SCRABBLE, what caught my attention was the atmosphere.People were milling around playing games & there were venders with oak boards,metal,table tops set up like in tables & such.My point is the unity among the participants, i thought about that,:confused: where did it come from?What i concluded was the format, everyone knew what to expect,they played by the same rules as they did at home,the look & feel of there scrabble boards didnt give them an advantage.:) Thats what were facing, we all know the simptoms its now time to address the cure.I fully agree with everything ive read but nobody really said much about why?Whats up Reggy Im not sure if u remember me but i met u at my first miggle in memphis, U were displaying one of your fields,I didnt say much just watched even then u were teaching.That was my inspiration homey so much love from up north. The time has come things to address first :style of play best way to deal with that is all leagues submit your rule books all styles taken in to consideration by the coachs assoc. spoken of previously.2 Weight limits : i think this one may be the hardest because its tangeble involves more than just changing things on paper. This is why Reggies figures were not allowed in many tourneys so it wasnt the people it was the rules they established 3.2 i dont even know where that came from.3 equipment this is the one where people tend to sway its more gray than the first 2, my team may be ok here but not there, i can use these bases hear but not there.We cant force feed people this & its not going to be over night Count Me In OHIO REGION peace:D

Unity...
 

Just putting this out there. Instead of National Coaches Association, what about National Electric Football Players Association. Other people may get intimidated by the word coach.

Hey Mega,

I am counting down the days before I call you and say " I want a custom board". Anyway, I believe we are talking about a unified group rather than unifying the game. Like WW said there are many ways to play. It would be nice to see all the different ways to play EF without being biased. This will also help to educate people about the game. No tournament, no rule set, just a bunch of guys getting together to play EF. Whether it's my way or your way or any way. To promote. plain and simple.

Guys You May Want to Get on Your Committee
 

I know some guys who would be very much unbiased and great representatives in sections of the country. One name is John Oubre from Lousiana. This brother is as good as gold. Honorable guy. Passionate about the game. Would do anything to promote the game.

Another guy, John Rowan from the ACEFL. Rowan and I are very good friends however there are never any persuasion on either of our parts to use any manufacturer's product. He's as quality of a guy that you will ever know. Very influential. Great listener and leader of men. No agendas but he is very fair in his analysis and assessment.

These two guys are consumate professionals in everything they do.

Reg

interesting, but it can still not get us there
 

lots of information guys! I think the idea has been kicked around for some time.

If it gets going, we could still find ourselves in the trap (i like this, commitee likes that, public likes none of this or that) and the circle continues.

Also, we all have our "favorites" on these chat/hobby boards who we will stand by and we have those who we will run from.

With that being said, I would like to be included in these talks. There are so many ways to view these issues and problems (for lackk of a better term) that all subjects will have to ripped apart and rebuilt.

.02 worth

What Ever Is Agreed Upon (im All For It !)
 

Coaches/powers that be

Whatever the format/venue/committee you guy's decide to form, i am behind you 100%. Unity will make us and ef much much stronger !

broadway-dre

Although I only met John Oubre last September at the TSO.. I'd second your thoughts on John as well. Doesn't take long after meeting John to realize he is "good people".

I would like to hear from some of you who would like to be involved. My number is 816-891-0802 and I will listen with open ears. This thing is going to work because we have learned from the past attempts! I've watched this idea come and go twenty times but now is the right time. With that said, Bryan and I have talked and are in the process of organizing a committee.

We feel that it is important to bring in some new faces as well as have representation from the main camps of thinking and the main areas of EF. We don't know everyone and we don't know where each of you are from or what camp you tend to hang with. Bryan and I consider ourselves neutrals as we each own and play with everything that is out there all though we haven't experienced everything we are open to it. Anyone wanting to help this committee needs to be open to all.

We also realize that having too many on the committee and it will bog down. We need everyones support. This idea is not about singling out one way of play or one group of people. EF is EF in what ever form. This is about coming together to share all our ideas and forms and styles of play under one roof for one weekend. If we can't accomplish that then we may as well let this hobby dwindle into history.

Lynn, I'ld like to help out as well. I don't belong to any particular league nor do I have any allegiance to any companies. Unity requires compromise, and compromise requires thinking outside the norm. And when it comes to abnormal thinking ........ well, you know where I am with that.:rolleyes: You have my phone# , count me in!:eek: :)

Well you know me Wolf.. I'll jump in and help anyway I can..

BUT.. Thing is.. I am now ONE OF THOSE.. manufacturers.. (just kind of, though)

So whatever capacity you want my contributions..(other than $$$, cuz I don't have any anymore.. lol) And if I've gotta go to a different corner with George and Reginald.. Thats fine.. Course.. George and Reginald may not want me over there with them either.. :D

Hey Bill, since you have entered the manufacturer ranks you do have to go to their corner BUT we will need all the manufacturers to want to be part of this and will need their support and cooperation to make this successful. The groundwork will be layed out by the committee but eventually we will need to get each vendors input to finalize the preparations. Thanks Bill and you know we will be talkin more on it.

Ok i Know im Late but I could'nt resist jumping in.
 

I have read all the posts and all the ideas are sound and well thought, a National EF Commitee or Council or whatever is a great idea and it will take the support of all coaches players and manufacturers to pull it off, But in my humble opinion The Manufacturers place in this should be marginal, alot of the crap that goes on in this hobby 9 time out of 10 is because of manufacturers (Excluding my Dog Reg and some others that do there own thing). For this thing to grow and take form it must happen by the Hobbyist controlling the wheel not the companies that supply us, Our thoughts, wants and ideas must take center stage not there wants. To me from what ive seen alot of the BS comes from well you suuport him or them so I can't roll with you, or you play this way so I can't be down with you, for this thing to fly we must first put aside are own petty differences and accept each other for who we are not what we play with or how we play, First this commitee must be formed of people that understand the Hobby inside and out, but the people on it should be from every aspect of the hobby so all areas could be addressed, second all groups in the hobby leagues, solitaire or group, individauls or collectively must be heard, and acknowlegded, the things I see now in this Hobby well the Hot Spots of Electric Football make the rules so to speak for who? not for Lock or the SFEFLOC. All areas must be heard weather there are 2 coaches there or 200. Also trying to cram an issue down my throat will get it spit back up on you. I am always willing to listen but force feeding me will get you a dial tone real quick, so the approach should be subtle not a sledge hammer to the dome. Now I hope this can become a reality , when I put the idea up on on The Miggle Board of an open style event some said Lock it can't be done, you'll never be able to please the whole Hobby, which was never my intent, my intent was those that wanted to come together to see that no matter what we played with or how we played we werent really that much different. And we could always learn from each other. Im down with a Unity movement if that what it really would be. But really im watching this one closely because all that glitters is not gold.

For me, it's always been for the greater good of...
 

the game. Guys, one thing you've got to remember about me is I have never had personal beefs with any manufacturer, whether it's George Diamond or Michael Landsman. Even to those "companies, I've offered information to them in the infancy of their companies getting started. I have had issues on what I think were practices aimed at me. Still I endure.

I remember calls from Landsman asking me to send him stadiums, help him on commercials, bringing what I do to his conventions. I remember when I worked at MCI and George calling me and asking me information on how to build gameboards. I remember telling him about harmonic waves and the science behind that. So I have always been willing to share and not exclude people, even my competitors.

I am in a somewhat perculiar situation situation in that yes, I do own an EFL company but I think I am a fairly good EFL coach as well. I think I know more about the history of the chatboard than most of you guys. Much of what is being written at this point are things I discussed on chatboards since the inception of these EFL chatboards.


I would be lying if I did not wish every EFLer would buy my products but I also know that in a free enterprise market, everyone should have the option to buy what they want. Guys, if you ever REALLY read my post, it tells you I don't discriminate. I include every manufacturer product in our league. Heck, I use some of George's bases, Landsman's bases, Coleco's products, Munro's products, Playtime products, and other manufacturer products on some of my own team. Whatever I think will help me win is what I will use. I am a coach on the brink of trying to win a DFW title with an undefeated season! Sorry, I digressed!

In every thing that I do in this game, it is for the greater good of the game, not the glory of Reginald Rutledge. Anybody who really knows me will tell you I really don't like the limelight. I put myself in the limelight because I think I can get a job done. Hell, if you stuttered like I did, you'd know that cameras would be the last thing that I wanted to see. In any other endeavor, shucks, I probably be running and hiding from the cameras or playing dead or acting mute! But honestly, I would rather quietly do my own thing out of the public spotlight.

For me, I am not in this for the money! I am at peace with the fact that it is not a viable line of work to gain great wealth. Being at peace with that gives me the balance of knowing "the greater good" is for the game, not my pocketbooks. So PLEASE don't think that you've got to put me in a corner with George, Mike L., or any other person. It's totally not necessary.

I think what you guys are doing is great. "Positive" dialogue is very important. Don't allow the negativity to creep in. Don't exclude these manufacturers from the process. They may be able to assist in ways you have no knowledge of. Yes, be cautious of "our" intentions but they do have product which drives people to an event.

In 1996 when the first chat board came into existence, I remember us discussing national rules and many other topics. It was a real "We are the world" atmosphere. Over time, like Indian nations that proudly roamed what we now know as America, lines were drawn that weakend a very proud people. I for one, will not be one of those who you should or will point to and say "Reginald Rutledge was one of the causes of the hobby not succeeding. He drew lines in the sand". However, I will always stand for the justice of the game. If that means calling out the discriminatory practices that have been allowed, I will be that drum major for justice! If there is a problem in what I say here, I could never be of service to a noble process.

If I am "reading with my logical tentacles", this post was started by the topic on the Seawall Brawl and then Dearrell Brevard's (49er fan) question which possibly inspired Beenut to simply ask the question. When you write the history on this convention, remember those events. It tells you how powerful the pen is and it defines how empires either are built or torn down. So congrats to all you guys who took the time to reach this point. A special commendation goes to Beenut for asking the question and Weirdwolf for taking the Chief hat (no pund intented) by the scalp! Now, just come together as one.

Reginald Rutledge
(Sorry for the length)

I'm going to say it again. Unity through diversity. EF does not have to be one way. It can and is played many ways. This Coaches Association will happen and yes the manufacturers will be involved but not until the groundwork is layed. Each of them, Reg, George and the Landsmans support and advise will be needed. We need them just like they need us.
I too have been around this message board since about 1998. This idea is not new. I have seen it discussed numerous times but I believe the atmosphere is right and ripe for it to happen. I am making this my personal mission and after speaking with BeeNutt, and without speaking for him, I believe he is to. We will chairman this Association for now to get things started and when the committee is set we intend to have as much of a representation of each style and area as possible. The things that have divided this hobby in the past will not be part of the NEFCA as all forms of EF will be an accepted part of it from strategy dividers and sticks to multi stop systems to stop n pop, weighted, 3.2, 4.0, and even boiled.

Remeber, the NEFCA or at least my vision of it in the early stages is about EDUCATION, PROMOTION and SUPPORT. Educate the newcomer, promote the hobby in all its forms and support the leagues and coaches by giving them a national voice to media unrelated to any one manufacturer.

All I ask at this point is that those of you who are skeptical, give us a chance to at least start this. Be patient. It will not happen overnight. This needs to be done right and all who want to see this happen will be involved in one way or another. The committee won't do this alone.

I have a vision in my head of what it can be and with the other voices who have already stepped up to volunteer, I have no doubt that this will happen.

WW,

Man count me in. If I can help in anyway. I have never played in a tourney or gone to a show but if you need someone for leg work let m eknow.

it will happen
 

The groundswell for unity has begun. From the responses here on this board and the phone calls I have received, I am convinced that this will happen. This is the passion for many people across the US that love this hobby so I am confident we will make it work. Weirdwolf's response to my initial question made me do a 180 degree turn in my thoughts. He has convinced me that unity has to come from coaches across the nation in a common goal.

I know that some people will say we are naive. Some people will say that this has been tried before and it won't work. But, this message board is a perfect example. I had people tell me that a message board has been tried and failed many times. But look at us now - we have about 230 members and many more that visit as guests each day.

I urge everyone out there to join this effort. Someone will be contacting you about this in the next few months. I can assure you that we don't have any other motive except to grow and promote this hobby. We want to put this hobby in the best light possible for the public to see! Please join this effort.

beenutt

Count me in the loop......

this website unites!
 

As someone new to the game this year, I want to say that this website has both enlightened and inspired me to be a part of this great hobby. I consider myself part of this great hobby now, and I too can now spread the word and passion of this great game as well. Specifically, this site has connected me with great people like Jimbo and the newly formed MWHHEFL season.

Thru the website I was able to freely see the unbelievable custom figures, beautiful boards, crisp decals, and more importantly the passion of others! Beenut, thru this website you've created a powerful means to spread the EFL love. Keep doin what your doin guys, because I know your having a big impact. As far as further progress thru a higher order commision or whatever, JUST GO FOR IT because we're all listening.

Joe