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#1
08-01-2007, 11:14 AM
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Envisioning A Convention
There is an old saying that I think rings true here, "There is strength in numbers". There is great debate for both sides of the argument of whether to do the one convention tournament or multiple stops.
In a day and age of high gas prices and inflation, it becomes even more difficult every year to make several trips across the country on miniature football escapades. I always (personally) try to support those who support me. But even, I find that can sometimes be economically unfeasible. So when it comes to the argument of the one tourney deal v. multiple stops, my approach will be from not only an miniature coach's perspective but an owner of a company who really markets the game for the good of the whole. Imagine if this does not come about? Imagine 10 years from now when someone else tries to put this together and we again spend months of rhetoric doing nothing. Imagine us getting older and older, some of us having died or approaching death's door? Imagine waiting on that "Knight in Shining Armor" company like McFarlane to swoop in and save miniature football, to create a convention, and to really care about the welfare of the game? Imagine all the "couldas, wouldas, and shouldas," that seem to constantly plague this hobby? We will find ourselves back where we have always been, just hoping. In my opinion, I think a one convention is a great idea. Andre challenge to companies to support this and waited on the responses. I see no need for hesitation on something that could be of great benefit for the hobby if you are looking out for the welfare of the hobby. As a company owner, I relish the idea that many people who always have had an excuse/problems in getting to the Shootout, can now pencil in this date to make sure they see FF.COM and be apart of the convention weekend. From an economic perspective for the hobbyist, he saves "TONS" of money! For some, that may not be important, but for myself, it means everything! I've got a wife, kids getting ready to go to college, mortgage, and am about to do something awe inspiring that will strap me financially for many years to come. So, my pennies have to be wisely spent. I think a one convention tournament weekend works perfectly. Under each section, a different tournament can be played. You would have people playing under the type of tournament he desires to play under. I would never want a person spending his money on a tournament and not playing where he feels he wants to compete! But by allowing 4-5 formats under one roof, it allows people the opportunity to see each style with its highest intensity. You get to see what makes that particular format special. Not only does that cure that problem, but instead of having to spend 5-7 days at a convention, you could still get things accomplished in a 3-day weekend! It's a simple matter of efficiency. For some reason, guys think that if you play at a convention tournament, you need to want to play under all formats. I beg to differ. I may not have an interest to play under that format because I personally don't like the format. But should that make me any less or even better as a coach? It's just my preference - not to play. I think location is key. You want to be in a place that has the ability to attract/draw interest to what you are doing. When you have tournaments in small town USA, you limit the depth of the potential fan base and recruits. I think places like Las Vegas is ideal because it allows for families to come and enjoy themselves. The last thing I want is my wife standing over me while I play a game. I've seen that happen in the past. Give her some of that money you were gonna spend out on going to multiple tournaments and let her shop til she drop. You "kill two birds with one stone". From a competition level, it gives coaches an entire year to get teams ready to play in the tournament. Coach's should be given a registration form and they can circle in the competition they want to play in. You may do one style this year and another style next year. But at least, you know all styles will be present. You may want to be strategical in your picking a format. You may want to stay away from the TSO because you know Michael Robertson and Vince Peatros usually plays there. Or you may want to stay away from the Seawall Brawl because "The Kid" is kicking everybody's "arse" every year. Or you may not want to venture into the BAMA Blast because Beenutt is so successful in that style of play. Some guys may want to get in one of these tournaments because of the heavy hitters. In other words, "Man Up Dog"! Don't shoot down everything good trying to come out of something that's meant for the good of everybody. Take your rightful place among other hobbies like the X-Games, Slot Car Racing, Warhammer, and even "Paper, Rock, Scissors". Some of you guys may know what I am talking about, "The Crab Syndrome"? Let us not take that approach because it's a **** shame that hobbies with less tradition can have shows on ESPN because we don't want to listen to guys who may be able to make a difference. Be more willing to listen. In the words of one of my idols, JFK, and I am paraphrasing-"Ask not what miniature football can do for you, ask what you can do for miniature football". Fellows, don't drop the ball like we've done so often in the past. MAN UP Brothers! Reginald Rutledge Concerned Miniature Football Enthusiast Last edited by Reginald Rutledge : 08-01-2007 at 11:21 AM. 
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#2
08-01-2007, 11:47 AM
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Hear Hear!!!!
I hear ya RR! I hate when I get crabs!!!
 :rolleyes:  I used to think that that mentality was limited to just race, but it's NOT! It crosses ALL boundaries. One persone comes up with an idea first and everyone - usually someone - else starts hating. That's some BS, but we all have been there more than a few times in this hobby alone. I AM IN SUPPORT OF HAVING OUR OWN CONVENTION 110%!!! I just gotta figure out a way how to win ALL of 'em in one year??? I'll be the 1st-Ever multi-winner in MF history!!!!! Beware Michael Robertson! Look out "Kid Rock!" Look out Beenutt! Lookout Norbit "Big Green" Revels! I'm 'coming for all ya'll!!! Under one roof, the ex-champs will crumble and quake. FEAR DA TIGER!!!
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#3
08-01-2007, 12:12 PM
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The Ball Will Not Be Dropped This Time
REG,
The plan will be carried out sooner than later. LAS VEGAS is the most ideal place for this event. I said once coaches should bring their families and make it a yearly vacation. Their are 5 trillion things to do in las vegas. Lv hotels will work with you big time. A lady i work with use to be part of school conventions in vegas 9 to 10 times per year. She said each hotel ballrooms are unbelievable, buffett food is great. Vegas extras are cheap because the hotels want you to have addl money for gambling. the hotels in vegas can set up free shows for its guest. Its whatever you want to do. I was told THE VENETIAN HOTEL had the best faciliies !!! She also explained it may be cheaper if the convention was not on the strip. She said theirs a DOUBLE TREE HOTEL just off the strip that is awesome. I looked online and theirs an EMBASSY SUITE 1/4 OF A MILE FROM THE STRIP. That might work since they are familiar with electric football conventions. I must say the e-suites is a great hotel. Breakfast is awesome. Its las vegas, who in the world wont like las vegas. I have another friend with two sons, she took them to vegas and had a great time. Lv is geared towards the kids now.fun can be had by all !!! There is always flight deals to vegas because LV set it up with the airlines so you can come gamble. We can extend this to friends also, the vegas hotels would love this. Imagine all of playing our game while fam members are at shows, gambling or doing something to have fun. FAMMMILLY VVVVAACATION !!!!!!! CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS, LOVE THE IDEA. MANTARAYS IN THE DESSERT
__________________
 IF YOU PASS WITH STICKS, YOU INCREASE THE LEVEL OF PICKS.
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#4
08-01-2007, 12:34 PM
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I wouldn't call it hate
if you don't like the idea of under one roof. With anything you are going to get pros & cons.
This thing would be bigger than just asking for support. Tourney reps who usually drive everything they need to run their tourney would now have to frieght the show to go on the road. Would you have to pay for each tourney separately? What about the tourney that usually gets 20-30 coaches, but because there is a show that most of those coaches never played in, they choose it. That would be a big hit! Would you be able to say to played your best game, when you know you are up in another tourney in 15 mins, but you still have a half to be played in the tourney you are in? You had coaches feeling the time squeeze at the Brawl after the lights went out. How would you get a chance to see the other styles when you have to play your game? Would everything be held in the same room? How would announcements be made? As a coach/player, yes I would like to have to travel once. We have to put the shoe on the other foot as a organizer. What kind of hit would they be looking to take if it flops? Yes, you probably would have a big crowd, but would coaches be focused on the games? Would you take quanity or quality? No I'm not hating, I'm just asking some serious questions. I like the idea, and I don't like the idea. Overall, I think that each tourney would have to be toned down, or cut short to the point that you wouldn't be getting the full atmosphere, or feeling that you were at that particular event. NATIONAL
__________________
Promoting the Hobby/Sport the only way I know how.
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#5
08-01-2007, 04:00 PM
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lets just set up
coaches and t-reps
LETS JUST START SETTING UP !!!!! We have a nice ticket put together !!!! can the reps reach out to DAVE NICHOLS (BAMABLAST HEAD) and coordinate with him what the blast people have in mind. mantaray
__________________
IF YOU PASS WITH STICKS, YOU INCREASE THE LEVEL OF PICKS.
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#6
08-02-2007, 12:15 PM
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weighing in from the left...
Here's my take, but first a little background about myself. I have never attended a tournament so I am both green and pure. Green because I don't know how things work at tourneys and pure because my mind is completely open because I've never been to one.
With that said I love the idea of a convention that has tourneys for all styles. However, Jimbo and Corey raise excellent points which all speak to the logistics of such an event. A whole lot will have to go into an event like this in order for it to be successful. Not just from the planning comittees but from participants as well. I mean headz will really have to come together to work. We've talked alot about it on the chat page and I'm even talking now, but none of this means anything until it is actually put into action. Here are a few ideas to think about that generally address some of the concerns that have been raised. Remember, I'm just brainstorming. Hopefully these will get folks' minds working and thinking about different ways to accomplish this...If we REALLY want to accomplish this. The first order of business is to decide if we want it, every coach needs to personally give this some thought. Anyway, here are some ideas. Single Elimination - Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe most tourneys are set up so coaches are guaranteed a few games before the elimination rounds. If we played single elimination we could get done faster. This could give coaches incentive to play more styles, and they could pick up "Guaranteed games" that way. Running Clocks - Each round could be timed on the same running clock. For instance, when I played IM basketball there would be 5 games at a time all on the same clock. Every game had halftime at the same time. This allowed all of the games to be completed on schedule. This would also allow all PA announcements to apply to all games at any given time. Marshall Requirement - Every coach who entered one tournament would have to "Marshall" for another tournament. If you entered two or more tournamants the requirement would still only be to marshall one. Marshalling would include helping to run that tourney. For instance, a Marshall might be assigned an area of the room to over see those game tables. He would settle any disputes. He would make sure that his game tables had all of the necessary equipment, e.g., yard markers, strategy divider, action box, etc. He would be required to take the game results to a designated area so that they can be entered into the main bracket which could be projected on a wall with an lcd projector from a laptop. This way results could be typed in immediatley. He would make sure that coaches playing in his designated area had all of the latest pertinent info pertaining to the tournament. Just some ideas, it would be good to see what some of you have in mind that could help make this work with out us losing too much. I guess we all have to weigh what we want out of this versus what we think we would get and work from there. Holla! DMC Last edited by davidmc : 08-02-2007 at 12:19 PM.
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#7
08-02-2007, 01:54 PM
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Excellent Thoughts!
Corey, DMC and me are on the same wavelength. I KNOW THIS IS LONG OVERDUE, especially since there is so much censorship elsewhere.
Quote:
:rolleyes:
AND the biggest hurdle could be removed if we used 2 different 11-man ironman teams for each event instead of 55 guys per team!?!?!?!?!?! 11 College and 11 Pro could be used in all events. 
Love, Peace and Chicken Grease! See ya next year!!!!!!!!!!! That's my brainstorm for the day. What are your thoughts?  SORRY, RR! I double-booked someone. This IS just an example. Last edited by JIMBO : 08-02-2007 at 02:34 PM.
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#8
08-02-2007, 02:04 PM
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Where would the TSO fit in on the schedule?
Jimbo,
Where does the TSO fit in on scheduling? Reg Quote:
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#9
08-02-2007, 03:11 PM
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What About July 4th Weekend 2008 (leap Year)
COACHES,
What are your thoughts on july 4th weekend next year. It is a leap year and the 4th falls on a friday (cool) ! It can be an option to take just one day off from work or two, however you want to play it. come in thursday to sunday or monday. Or friday to monday or tuesday. That extra day (fri) saves a day you would have to take off. Let me know what you think. Jimbo, excellent breakdown (lets just go with that) ! We need to hear some thoughts on a city. I wont mind Chicago, i trying to get the west coast in the house for a change. Maybe they wont mind coming to the mid-west. I hear the miggle in Chicago was good, but everyone said they really loved pittsburgh. I wont mind going to p-burgh, what happened and what was in pittsburgh that made it special ? One thing i know, that is a football city like green bay !!!!!!! MANTARAY-DRE
__________________
IF YOU PASS WITH STICKS, YOU INCREASE THE LEVEL OF PICKS.
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#10
08-02-2007, 03:24 PM
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Sorry R R!
I double-booked someone. I fixed it on the original post.
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