Seems like there could be some points of unification...

[Vince148]

First, as a newbie, I will admit that I probably have no right to open up this topic. But I look at other things I'm involved in, both professionally and hobbywise, and it seems that the same topic is prevalent everywhere...unity. In my profession, there are many different ways of accomplishing something, but the fundamental principle permeates throughout. I play Strat football. We all play by the same basic rules, but there are different house/league rules that govern game play.

I've been going through different EFL leagues and notice quite a bit of differences that really make it very difficult for a new person to decide how he wants to play. I, personally, don't have issue with anyone's actual game play rules ie styles of play...shootout, multi-stop, etc.

But I do think that if leagues could at least standardize figures, weights, uniforms, it would make it much easier for new people to participate.

Examples. I noticed that in the shootout rules, offense can be in white jerseys and defense in dark jerseys when most of the leagues, including the Miggle tournament rules are just the opposite...offense/dark, defense/white. Which means that a coach has to have extra teams to play in different formats.

Then you have weight restrictions. No problem. But why can't everyone's limit be 3.2? Some are 2.8 others are 4.0. Again, it means that newbies have to create extra teams.

Types of bases are restricted in one league and allowed in another. Same with figures. Some allow customization. Others do not.

I think you're seeing my point. Again, no problem with individual league rules that govern game play itself. However, I think it would go a long way if at the very least, there could be a figure/weight/uniform standard so that coaches, especially new ones, don't have to feel like they need 10 different teams.

For me personally, my plan is to play mostly solitaire. But I want to participate in various tournaments. With limited funds, I don't want to have to create different teams for different styles of game play. I want to know that I can take my best team and play it anywhere.

I've read numerous posts comparing this to real NFL. We get to build and create our own team with the types of athletes we have. A NFL coach doesn't coach 2 or 3 different teams. He coaches 1. Yet, in this hobby, we have to coach several teams depending on the style and player restrictions.

I say unify the figure/weight/uniform standards.

I'm a powerlifter. There are many different federations in our sport because of gear, no gear, tested or untested debates. I lift as a geared lifter. I have several thousand dollars of equipment that I use. But the general rules of performance of the sport are the same regardless of the federation whether I decide to lift in a geared federation or a raw federation.

In EFL, I'd like to see the same thing. I want to know that my equipment will be good no matter where I choose to use it. I may have to adjust my strategy because of the rule set I'm playing under. But, at least to me, it's a lot easier to retrain the guys I already have than it is to come up with an entirely new team for that purpose, unless I choose to do so.

[Michigan Joe]

Vince,
Your feedback as someone coming in new is very interesting and as you can imagine this topic has been discussed and attempted. My recommendation to you is to follow the MFCA and you will see unity. Unity doesn't mean the same set of rules, but it does mean a common goal. Don't get caught up about getting one team for all occasions, it would be great but there are many real factors out there that won't make that happen, at least in the near term future. Some people don't like custom figures for game play, some people play multi-stop, some people like 4.0 weighted, some people like traditional Tudor factory weight, there are so many different flavors. I thought the best analogy I saw was when Ravenna AL compared it to the multiple styles of playing poker, they all are great. The MFCA has tried to create a platform for knowledge on various rule sets to simplify things for newbies but there is clearly much work to do (and volunteers needed to do it). The point of being in the hobby is to have fun for yourself, so if you plan to play solitaire YOU make all the rules. If you play with others then you need to find common ground. There is no almighty ruler in the world of MF so any kind of commonization is almost impossible. Find the people you want to play with and sync up with them on rules, etc. That is my recommendation for you to enjoy the hobby the most. And YES, go to a tournament to meet more people and that will be a great experience.
Joe

[Coach Rip]

I have been saying this for years, ...............the main point of having a baseline standard, ..........but,......... one could always move up.

I also want to point out that leagues are a different animal all together than tournaments, ............ it only makes sense to offer a division that is baseline standard which has an easy less expensive way to make a team for competition for tournaments. With leagues, you have more time for inspection and many like to add their home "flava"

At BuzzBall BuzzFest we have had a standard no weight division and a custom weighted division. Between these two divisions, all forms are covered................as I have stated previously the standard no weight division is by far the most popular. by a ratio of almost 10:1.

As a new guy posting, I see and understand your apprehensiveness and confusion, which is making you hesitant to build a team or two.

If we as a group, have a baseline standard, it would alleviate much confusion AND lower the cost of being competitive immediately.

but when playing with custom figures and customized bases, read "adding weight and frankensteining" the cost of entry and being competitive rises enormously, along with the learning curve it takes, read "time", to become competitive.

New guys don't want to field a team and get their butts handed to them all season long, .................and I think it sends the wrong message when they are getting beat and they think they must have some brown bases (scarce) and/or custom figures ($$$) to become competitive.

I recommend these things to all newbies:

#1 Learn to tweak your bases: You could have dog turds on them, but if they perform well, people will like your team, and some will look for their own dog turds to put on their bases! Base tweaking is a skill that requires practice, but it is the art of tweaking that has catapulted this hobby to its current state. I ran an off tackle with my Barry Sanders the other night with a potential new league mate watching, and my figure bounced it outside toward the sideline, turned up field and ran 70 yards up the sideline for a score, ..............his jaw dropped, I think we may get in our college league for the spring! ( for those that want to know, Barry was on a customized BuzzBall figure on a Gray Speed Diamond Base)

#2 Learn to paint and detail your own squads., .........sure your first one or two teams won't be masterpieces, however with time you will improve, and they will be YOUR team. With Beenuts decals, anyone can paint an great looking team.

#3 It's okay to make mistakes, ............in the process of tweaking you will kill a few bases, and in painting you will make some bad strokes, ............but, you can always touch up your figure and make it right!

[The Rookie]

Rip
Where were you 7 months ago?????????????

[detroitchild]

Man, a thread after my own heart. I decided to pick this hobby up back in February and had many of the same concerns, questions, and fears (yes, fears) that have been raised here. Coach Rip makes some excellent points in his post. I too admire the different "flavas" from the leagues and tournaments around the country. Guys have a certain way of playing and there is nothing wrong with that. Having said that I also agree that there should be some points of unification...whatever they may be. Personally, I am going to create 2-3 teams of various types and try to find tournaments where I can fit in. It's a bit of a challenge in doing the same for a league. During it all I will still have my solitaire league.

One of the things I did when I first joined is I went to the very beginning of every thread and read about 2 years worth of post. I can see that great strides have been made during that time so there is hope of more unification. As Joe touched on it will take a long time for total unification (if it ever happens)...and that's ok with me.

[Shabby J]

I am following the ten foot pole rule on this thread.