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?