ok, let's talk unity ...

[RavennaAl]

Lynn, I'ld like to help out as well. I don't belong to any particular league nor do I have any allegiance to any companies. Unity requires compromise, and compromise requires thinking outside the norm. And when it comes to abnormal thinking ........ well, you know where I am with that.:rolleyes: You have my phone# , count me in!

[Kansas Bill]

Originally Posted by WEIRDWOLF

I would like to hear from some of you who would like to be involved. My number is 816-891-0802 and I will listen with open ears. This thing is going to work because we have learned from the past attempts! I've watched this idea come and go twenty times but now is the right time. With that said, Bryan and I have talked and are in the process of organizing a committee.

We feel that it is important to bring in some new faces as well as have representation from the main camps of thinking and the main areas of EF. We don't know everyone and we don't know where each of you are from or what camp you tend to hang with. Bryan and I consider ourselves neutrals as we each own and play with everything that is out there all though we haven't experienced everything we are open to it. Anyone wanting to help this committee needs to be open to all.

We also realize that having too many on the committee and it will bog down. We need everyones support. This idea is not about singling out one way of play or one group of people. EF is EF in what ever form. This is about coming together to share all our ideas and forms and styles of play under one roof for one weekend. If we can't accomplish that then we may as well let this hobby dwindle into history.

Well you know me Wolf.. I'll jump in and help anyway I can..

BUT.. Thing is.. I am now ONE OF THOSE.. manufacturers.. (just kind of, though)

So whatever capacity you want my contributions..(other than $$$, cuz I don't have any anymore.. lol) And if I've gotta go to a different corner with George and Reginald.. Thats fine.. Course.. George and Reginald may not want me over there with them either..

[WEIRDWOLF]

Hey Bill, since you have entered the manufacturer ranks you do have to go to their corner BUT we will need all the manufacturers to want to be part of this and will need their support and cooperation to make this successful. The groundwork will be layed out by the committee but eventually we will need to get each vendors input to finalize the preparations. Thanks Bill and you know we will be talkin more on it.

I have read all the posts and all the ideas are sound and well thought, a National EF Commitee or Council or whatever is a great idea and it will take the support of all coaches players and manufacturers to pull it off, But in my humble opinion The Manufacturers place in this should be marginal, alot of the crap that goes on in this hobby 9 time out of 10 is because of manufacturers (Excluding my Dog Reg and some others that do there own thing). For this thing to grow and take form it must happen by the Hobbyist controlling the wheel not the companies that supply us, Our thoughts, wants and ideas must take center stage not there wants. To me from what ive seen alot of the BS comes from well you suuport him or them so I can't roll with you, or you play this way so I can't be down with you, for this thing to fly we must first put aside are own petty differences and accept each other for who we are not what we play with or how we play, First this commitee must be formed of people that understand the Hobby inside and out, but the people on it should be from every aspect of the hobby so all areas could be addressed, second all groups in the hobby leagues, solitaire or group, individauls or collectively must be heard, and acknowlegded, the things I see now in this Hobby well the Hot Spots of Electric Football make the rules so to speak for who? not for Lock or the SFEFLOC. All areas must be heard weather there are 2 coaches there or 200. Also trying to cram an issue down my throat will get it spit back up on you. I am always willing to listen but force feeding me will get you a dial tone real quick, so the approach should be subtle not a sledge hammer to the dome. Now I hope this can become a reality , when I put the idea up on on The Miggle Board of an open style event some said Lock it can't be done, you'll never be able to please the whole Hobby, which was never my intent, my intent was those that wanted to come together to see that no matter what we played with or how we played we werent really that much different. And we could always learn from each other. Im down with a Unity movement if that what it really would be. But really im watching this one closely because all that glitters is not gold.

[Reginald Rutledge]

the game. Guys, one thing you've got to remember about me is I have never had personal beefs with any manufacturer, whether it's George Diamond or Michael Landsman. Even to those "companies, I've offered information to them in the infancy of their companies getting started. I have had issues on what I think were practices aimed at me. Still I endure.

I remember calls from Landsman asking me to send him stadiums, help him on commercials, bringing what I do to his conventions. I remember when I worked at MCI and George calling me and asking me information on how to build gameboards. I remember telling him about harmonic waves and the science behind that. So I have always been willing to share and not exclude people, even my competitors.

I am in a somewhat perculiar situation situation in that yes, I do own an EFL company but I think I am a fairly good EFL coach as well. I think I know more about the history of the chatboard than most of you guys. Much of what is being written at this point are things I discussed on chatboards since the inception of these EFL chatboards.


I would be lying if I did not wish every EFLer would buy my products but I also know that in a free enterprise market, everyone should have the option to buy what they want. Guys, if you ever REALLY read my post, it tells you I don't discriminate. I include every manufacturer product in our league. Heck, I use some of George's bases, Landsman's bases, Coleco's products, Munro's products, Playtime products, and other manufacturer products on some of my own team. Whatever I think will help me win is what I will use. I am a coach on the brink of trying to win a DFW title with an undefeated season! Sorry, I digressed!

In every thing that I do in this game, it is for the greater good of the game, not the glory of Reginald Rutledge. Anybody who really knows me will tell you I really don't like the limelight. I put myself in the limelight because I think I can get a job done. Hell, if you stuttered like I did, you'd know that cameras would be the last thing that I wanted to see. In any other endeavor, shucks, I probably be running and hiding from the cameras or playing dead or acting mute! But honestly, I would rather quietly do my own thing out of the public spotlight.

For me, I am not in this for the money! I am at peace with the fact that it is not a viable line of work to gain great wealth. Being at peace with that gives me the balance of knowing "the greater good" is for the game, not my pocketbooks. So PLEASE don't think that you've got to put me in a corner with George, Mike L., or any other person. It's totally not necessary.

I think what you guys are doing is great. "Positive" dialogue is very important. Don't allow the negativity to creep in. Don't exclude these manufacturers from the process. They may be able to assist in ways you have no knowledge of. Yes, be cautious of "our" intentions but they do have product which drives people to an event.

In 1996 when the first chat board came into existence, I remember us discussing national rules and many other topics. It was a real "We are the world" atmosphere. Over time, like Indian nations that proudly roamed what we now know as America, lines were drawn that weakend a very proud people. I for one, will not be one of those who you should or will point to and say "Reginald Rutledge was one of the causes of the hobby not succeeding. He drew lines in the sand". However, I will always stand for the justice of the game. If that means calling out the discriminatory practices that have been allowed, I will be that drum major for justice! If there is a problem in what I say here, I could never be of service to a noble process.

If I am "reading with my logical tentacles", this post was started by the topic on the Seawall Brawl and then Dearrell Brevard's (49er fan) question which possibly inspired Beenut to simply ask the question. When you write the history on this convention, remember those events. It tells you how powerful the pen is and it defines how empires either are built or torn down. So congrats to all you guys who took the time to reach this point. A special commendation goes to Beenut for asking the question and Weirdwolf for taking the Chief hat (no pund intented) by the scalp! Now, just come together as one.

Reginald Rutledge
(Sorry for the length)

[WEIRDWOLF]

I'm going to say it again. Unity through diversity. EF does not have to be one way. It can and is played many ways. This Coaches Association will happen and yes the manufacturers will be involved but not until the groundwork is layed. Each of them, Reg, George and the Landsmans support and advise will be needed. We need them just like they need us.
I too have been around this message board since about 1998. This idea is not new. I have seen it discussed numerous times but I believe the atmosphere is right and ripe for it to happen. I am making this my personal mission and after speaking with BeeNutt, and without speaking for him, I believe he is to. We will chairman this Association for now to get things started and when the committee is set we intend to have as much of a representation of each style and area as possible. The things that have divided this hobby in the past will not be part of the NEFCA as all forms of EF will be an accepted part of it from strategy dividers and sticks to multi stop systems to stop n pop, weighted, 3.2, 4.0, and even boiled.

Remeber, the NEFCA or at least my vision of it in the early stages is about EDUCATION, PROMOTION and SUPPORT. Educate the newcomer, promote the hobby in all its forms and support the leagues and coaches by giving them a national voice to media unrelated to any one manufacturer.

All I ask at this point is that those of you who are skeptical, give us a chance to at least start this. Be patient. It will not happen overnight. This needs to be done right and all who want to see this happen will be involved in one way or another. The committee won't do this alone.

I have a vision in my head of what it can be and with the other voices who have already stepped up to volunteer, I have no doubt that this will happen.

[NEW CASTLE HiTMEN]

WW,

Man count me in. If I can help in anyway. I have never played in a tourney or gone to a show but if you need someone for leg work let m eknow.

[beenutt]

The groundswell for unity has begun. From the responses here on this board and the phone calls I have received, I am convinced that this will happen. This is the passion for many people across the US that love this hobby so I am confident we will make it work. Weirdwolf's response to my initial question made me do a 180 degree turn in my thoughts. He has convinced me that unity has to come from coaches across the nation in a common goal.

I know that some people will say we are naive. Some people will say that this has been tried before and it won't work. But, this message board is a perfect example. I had people tell me that a message board has been tried and failed many times. But look at us now - we have about 230 members and many more that visit as guests each day.

I urge everyone out there to join this effort. Someone will be contacting you about this in the next few months. I can assure you that we don't have any other motive except to grow and promote this hobby. We want to put this hobby in the best light possible for the public to see! Please join this effort.

beenutt

[Coach K-LO]

Originally Posted by beenutt

The groundswell for unity has begun. From the responses here on this board and the phone calls I have received, I am convinced that this will happen. This is the passion for many people across the US that love this hobby so I am confident we will make it work. Weirdwolf's response to my initial question made me do a 180 degree turn in my thoughts. He has convinced me that unity has to come from coaches across the nation in a common goal.

I know that some people will say we are naive. Some people will say that this has been tried before and it won't work. But, this message board is a perfect example. I had people tell me that a message board has been tried and failed many times. But look at us now - we have about 230 members and many more that visit as guests each day.

I urge everyone out there to join this effort. Someone will be contacting you about this in the next few months. I can assure you that we don't have any other motive except to grow and promote this hobby. We want to put this hobby in the best light possible for the public to see! Please join this effort.

beenutt

Count me in the loop......

[Michigan Joe]

As someone new to the game this year, I want to say that this website has both enlightened and inspired me to be a part of this great hobby. I consider myself part of this great hobby now, and I too can now spread the word and passion of this great game as well. Specifically, this site has connected me with great people like Jimbo and the newly formed MWHHEFL season.

Thru the website I was able to freely see the unbelievable custom figures, beautiful boards, crisp decals, and more importantly the passion of others! Beenut, thru this website you've created a powerful means to spread the EFL love. Keep doin what your doin guys, because I know your having a big impact. As far as further progress thru a higher order commision or whatever, JUST GO FOR IT because we're all listening.

Joe