Coaches that sit on the fence

[canadatabletopgames]

and that's the reason why more and more persons (and not only on this forum) will play solitaire. Me and 5 of my friends (which is a big league here in Montreal) play miniature football, sometimes Subbuteo soccer and will try to do a crokinole-hockey league (my new custom game) tried to make a league but it's tough. And there's so many reasons (schedule, travelling, family, etc...) why peoples are not involved to leagues.

That's my 2 cents on it.

Have a great day

Benoît

[jeff]

This thread is mostly asking the question of coaches that live in a local area that already has an existing league. Drive time is less than 30 minutes.

[WEIRDWOLF]

Coaches who sit on the fence are girls..........
I'm the last one on the right...

[Reginald Rutledge]

on where you are at in life whether you sit on the fence or want to play in a league.

For me, I created the DFW Miniature Football League in '95. It was one of those grassroot things that you put your time, sweat, money, and sacrifice into and hope others will follow your lead and do likewise.

For someone who wanted it to be as close to reality as I did, you were willing to show people everything you knew about the game in hopes they would pass it on to others and grow the league.

You bring in "Road Warriors" with the intentions of spreading the roots nationally. Sometimes, you even pay their way to come here, because if you had it and they were having financial difficulties, you did that to make it work and so everyone could have fun.

What you think the hobby could be, many did not or do not envision what you thought it could be. Bad characters, you allow in your league, just because you wanted numbers, competition, and good times.

Some people really don't want to be bothered with the human elements and problems of others. You do so much for people and never feel the support in return. It sours your thoughts about being involved with others.

So it's like two ships passing in the night. One going one way and another going the other way. You loved years ago the enthusiasm of the young and energetic guys who kept you interested in the game. But as time went on, the enthusiasm turned into out-of-control egos where winning became the only priority. Having fun, good times, and just plain ole' good company was a thing of the past.

Money is always an issue for "Road Warriors". It should be but you would think, if guys advocated these people being in their league, they would open up their homes to letting them stay there (just for a weekend). Hospitality should always be utmost of importance.

I guess when I had one guy try to punch a hole through my kitchen wall because of a bad call, the writing was definitely on the wall.

I am not saying guys should not be in leagues. I think leagues, if put in the right perspective, can be one of the best social outlets there is. You get to know people, form friendships and bonds, and hold each other accountable as men.

But one must know what is entailed of him and know what he is expecting of that league before he becomes involved. I always regret guys who I brought into leagues (especially Road Warriors) and I walk away. I feel like I've let them down. But again, it is sometimes like two ships passing in the night. After 16 years of league play, you're just not interested.

Maybe, just maybe, if you start up a league again and learn from those mistakes, it may be much different but Father Time becomes the big factor.

Reg

[mark robin]

jeff, your a white guy...lol.

i tried the travel thing, it is pretty tuff to do. i remember going to 4 gamedays in 7 weeks. 140 miles one way, i went and i loved every minute of it, until i had to pay for that gas. 4x4 trucks aint cheap on the gas dept.

i even got invited to the old New Orleans league, i went, played most of the day, came home.... 3 games.....TEN hours on the road.

i even went to Austin(5 hrs) one way, played RAIDERMAN , with no sleep whatsoever...drove home....5 more hours.


so yeah, i WAS commited,but not anymore. i am like a lot of guys here, i NEED a league Close.

[roller]

Originally Posted by jeff

This thread is mostly asking the question of coaches that live in a local area that already has an existing league. Drive time is less than 30 minutes.

My hypotheses:

Fear of losing, coupled with the high price tag associated with equiping yourself to be competitive and/or keeping up with the jones'.

I know that I didn't want to play in the MidOhio with just one of my Fab5 teams and a generic board... I had to have a team that was on par with everybody else.

Maybe, social anxiety?;incompatible personalities?

[Megawattz]

Ive given to this very subject, as we begin to biuld the foundation towards a "PRO League", all of these points will no doubt continue to be relevant, understandably so. Time vs. Distance + Finance will always be a dominant factor in any type of national effort undertaken, with the real possibility that we may fail. To over look this will not only be unwise but could prove to be the very reason it dont take shape, how do we address this? 1: Create an atmosphere of cooperation & competion at the same time, while each coach is an individual they also belong to a larger group in the Region, where most of there games will be played. 2: Make the scheduling of games as flexible as possible, with minimal manditory travel, only 1 travel date (outside of your own region) will be required to participate, the rest of your games can be played in your region.(UNLESS U MAKE THE FINALS) 3 By relying on already existing venues, coaches can plan ahead to play other coaches at the event, drawing in more regional coaches to play there home games, making it financially possible as the season will progress through the events already set. I have confidence that we can create something larger than ourselves, that can drive the hobby into the future through cooperation. Many of these points will no doubt be addressed next month, with a level head & a since of direction it can be achieved! p.s. The fall off rate, will also be built into the format, not all coaches will finish, we know that, plan for it, there are 7 regions, all we need is 5 coaches from each to finish, we'll have a field of 35! Also I have proposed some type of system to help with travel costs for the coaches that make the finals, we dont have sponsors, so again we have to make it happen, can some one say "MARKETING COMMITTEE" this is a real effort from the top down, volunteers welcomed in all fields & disciplines.

[the french guy]

Outside question and point of view : in your leagues, do you also play for fun, or only on league objectives ?

Little tournaments or play for fun are a way less intimidating. Some specials events also, for new comers

for example, an ironman tournament, with open box rules for tweaking (each coach receiving one sprue of 24 5bucks miggle bases). So everyone can learn, teach, and play equal , with low budget, for educational and fun purpose only.

for more advanced players, one shots tournaments, 1 by months or couple of months, so people can play competition without all the personal schedules problems.


I 'm sure a lot of new people would like that. Tell one guy "you'll have to come and play 12games, 40men rosters, pro bases tweaking, or don't come to play" or tell him "come with what you have, when you can, we'll play, chat and have a drink, and if you want you'll be able to play that or this competion later" are two completly diferent things.


Special nights or events for learning painting, tweaking, strategy, etc...Not only the scheduled "pro" league games.

[Megawattz]

Originally Posted by the french guy

Outside question and point of view : in your leagues, do you also play for fun, or only on league objectives ?

Little tournaments or play for fun are a way less intimidating. Some specials events also, for new comers

for example, an ironman tournament, with open box rules for tweaking (each coach receiving one sprue of 24 5bucks miggle bases). So everyone can learn, teach, and play equal , with low budget, for educational and fun purpose only.

for more advanced players, one shots tournaments, 1 by months or couple of months, so people can play competition without all the personal schedules problems.


I 'm sure a lot of new people would like that. Tell one guy "you'll have to come and play 12games, 40men rosters, pro bases tweaking, or don't come to play" or tell him "come with what you have, when you can, we'll play, chat and have a drink, and if you want you'll be able to play that or this competion later" are two completly diferent things.


Special nights or events for learning painting, tweaking, strategy, etc...Not only the scheduled "pro" league games.

Dimitri, that is exactly how it is here, we made need to look into getting u over here at least once. The proposed "PRO" league is a creation of ours to save, all that u spoke of, as it stands now all of the Major tournys from Miggle to Buzzball is in decline, or have folded all together. By creating a league based on those tournys were hoping to increase participation thus making the efforts of those that take the time, worth it. Without the tourny's, its local leagues & solitaire! In order to create interest thus stimulating participation, a system of competition must be put in place, we choose to call it "PRO" or travel league, the thought is 1 ruleset, written by the Regions, 1 Champion out of said Regions, the "UNDISPUTED" so to speak. Now thats interesting!

[detroitchild]

Originally Posted by Hoop27

The term 'league' is a turn off for some. (same problem with Subbuteo)

We have taken the term league out of everything we do and advertise it as a social club, that does have a league aspect if players so wish to participate.

We have those here in Detroit....in the red light district! MAKE IT RAIN!!!!