ok, let's talk unity ...

[beenutt]

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?

[Reginald Rutledge]

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.

[beenutt]

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

[NEW CASTLE HiTMEN]

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.

[NEW CASTLE HiTMEN]

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.

[WEIRDWOLF]

Originally Posted by NEW CASTLE HiTMEN

B-Nutt,
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.

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.

[WEIRDWOLF]

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.

[beenutt]

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

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.

[Reginald Rutledge]

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.