Taking it for Granted

[Reginald Rutledge]

I always use to tell guys in the DFW, I would eventually leave. Being the commissioner of the one league that distinguished itself by it's stadiums, innovations, pregame shows, press row, cameras, stadium lights, live TV, and so many more leading edge technologies, I felt it was my duty to make the game just like reality as best I could.

I recently got a call from one of my former coaches speaking about how those were some of the best years of his life. Those were the times when guys could come to my house, lay up and pull out food from the refrigerator, watch Rose fix us dinner, and go outside on the basketball court and play 5-6 games at a time. Those were the days when Road Warriors would come to town and be treated like Kings. We would bend over backwards making sure their stay was most memorable.

Guys could just come into my football labs, borrow ideas, and then somehow come online claiming they created this or that. I never had a problem with that until later years. The first frustration of that was seeing a board housing being displayed online as something they came up with. I let many ideas leave this house without legal binding documents. That's probably one of the main reasons I now play alone.

I remember a spoof we did, "We are the DFW". That was fun watching these guys get into character. None really knew the lengths I went to to produce things like that.

One year, our Super Bowl was outrageously "off the chain"! I wanted to put on a full scale production. We had a 8 seat press row. We had my best friend, Jean-Jacques Taylor (Around the Horn on ESPN), Todd Thomas, and other broadcast professionals along with some of the guys in the league, handle the show from a toy store here in Arlington. We recruited 3 people to play in the league that day. The game was played in Jacksonville Stadium, with fog coming out for player introductions, national anthem, and so many other things. Guys flew in from various parts of the country just to be a part of it. Guys would roll their eyes about the pomp and circumstance but enjoyed the association of being a part of what I did (even if they did nothing).

Things like this happened so much, from the Shootouts to league play. They were the best of times and worst of times - at least for me. Rose and myself had to care for guys who were on their dying beds, from gunshot wounds to hereditary illnesses. We've bailed people out of jail. I've been blamed for causing guys to have cancer. I've given large sums of money to guys who were about to lose their homes (never to be paid back). I've paid for guys to come to Texas, who really could not afford to fly. We help those and support those who we can. That's just what we do.

But like anything, you can only support those who really don't support you for so long, right? I did it for 16 years. That's not to say that some did not support me but as a whole, it was not the case. So when one of my coaches called me the other day to reflect on the good times and things he misses, I could not help but think, "Things were taken for granted". I thought about just maybe, if guys would have supported what I did, just maybe I would have been more willing to stick around and just maybe, we could have grown the league into something off the charts. For many years, none would even buy my products. They would go elsewhere for their MF products but desperately wanted to be a part of what I was doing and bringing to the game. I recognized this early on in the DFW experience but I thought, "Maybe over time, they would come around to my products". Not a chance. So I would think to myself, "Why don't you go ask "X" for help seeing how you have a tight relationship with them when it comes to buying things". But I would always help them, in spite of the fact that they did not support my products.

I figure the people that you support should be willing to re-invest their money, time and effort into that particular league or hobby in a significant way. I think I did that like no other. What I got out of the hobby, I gave back at least 10-fold.

So as me and this coach ended our conversation, the reflections of taking things for granted was the words uttered most. Sometimes, we never know the impact of a person or thing until it is not there anymore. Then we long for it. We miss it. We want to support it but it's usually too late.

I guess I am just saying is don't take things for granted. Support the hobby. Support the companies that give to this game in a meaningful way. Look at the track records. Ask yourself, "Yeah, he sells boards but is he on the frontlines trying to re-invest in the game?" Ask yourself, "What lengths have he went to bringing people together in the game?" Ask a ton of questions and seek the answers. What happens when the innovators leave the game?

Just don't take what you see for granted. I've seen it happen in the past and everyone suffers for it. As for me, I knew I would always go back to a world of solitaire where I could do the amazing things I know are possible in the game and I've got my greatest supporter happier than ever, my wife, Rose.

Reg

[Treks1]

Reg brings up some great points. Over the years there have been some great contributors and talented coaches and artists that have fallen off the miniature football landscape. I often wonder where we would be today if some of these coaches were still involved. You hate to lose any coach in a league or in the hobby. Every contribution is important, no matter how insignificant it may appear.

Nothing last forever, and I assume we will lose some innovators, coaches and close friends for many reasons. I see the MFCA turning a corner and making strives to gain new coaches and fresh faces both here and abroad. Consider some of the new faces around here and what that have contributed! The cup is more than half full.

[mark robin]

we should also try to bring the ones who left back. there are many many different reasons a person may have left, but maybe, all they need is one reason to come back.



if you know someone who "left" the hobby, ask them to come back.


Donald B.
Mike P.
Rich P.
Steve S.
Tim R.

where are you guys....join the fun fellas.

[artlax]

a lot of guys leave coaching, sports, jobs, etc... because of many of the same reasons Reg has listed.

Much of it comes down to a general lack of respect for the time and talent contributed.

And it is indeed unfortunate.

[sweetka]

Originally Posted by Reginald Rutledge

I always use to tell guys in the DFW, I would eventually leave. Being the commissioner of the one league that distinguished itself by it's stadiums, innovations, pregame shows, press row, cameras, stadium lights, live TV, and so many more leading edge technologies, I felt it was my duty to make the game just like reality as best I could.

I recently got a call from one of my former coaches speaking about how those were some of the best years of his life. Those were the times when guys could come to my house, lay up and pull out food from the refrigerator, watch Rose fix us dinner, and go outside on the basketball court and play 5-6 games at a time. Those were the days when Road Warriors would come to town and be treated like Kings. We would bend over backwards making sure their stay was most memorable.

Guys could just come into my football labs, borrow ideas, and then somehow come online claiming they created this or that. I never had a problem with that until later years. The first frustration of that was seeing a board housing being displayed online as something they came up with. I let many ideas leave this house without legal binding documents. That's probably one of the main reasons I now play alone.

I remember a spoof we did, "We are the DFW". That was fun watching these guys get into character. None really knew the lengths I went to to produce things like that.

One year, our Super Bowl was outrageously "off the chain"! I wanted to put on a full scale production. We had a 8 seat press row. We had my best friend, Jean-Jacques Taylor (Around the Horn on ESPN), Todd Thomas, and other broadcast professionals along with some of the guys in the league, handle the show from a toy store here in Arlington. We recruited 3 people to play in the league that day. The game was played in Jacksonville Stadium, with fog coming out for player introductions, national anthem, and so many other things. Guys flew in from various parts of the country just to be a part of it. Guys would roll their eyes about the pomp and circumstance but enjoyed the association of being a part of what I did (even if they did nothing).

Things like this happened so much, from the Shootouts to league play. They were the best of times and worst of times - at least for me. Rose and myself had to care for guys who were on their dying beds, from gunshot wounds to hereditary illnesses. We've bailed people out of jail. I've been blamed for causing guys to have cancer. I've given large sums of money to guys who were about to lose their homes (never to be paid back). I've paid for guys to come to Texas, who really could not afford to fly. We help those and support those who we can. That's just what we do.

But like anything, you can only support those who really don't support you for so long, right? I did it for 16 years. That's not to say that some did not support me but as a whole, it was not the case. So when one of my coaches called me the other day to reflect on the good times and things he misses, I could not help but think, "Things were taken for granted". I thought about just maybe, if guys would have supported what I did, just maybe I would have been more willing to stick around and just maybe, we could have grown the league into something off the charts. For many years, none would even buy my products. They would go elsewhere for their MF products but desperately wanted to be a part of what I was doing and bringing to the game. I recognized this early on in the DFW experience but I thought, "Maybe over time, they would come around to my products". Not a chance. So I would think to myself, "Why don't you go ask "X" for help seeing how you have a tight relationship with them when it comes to buying things". But I would always help them, in spite of the fact that they did not support my products.

I figure the people that you support should be willing to re-invest their money, time and effort into that particular league or hobby in a significant way. I think I did that like no other. What I got out of the hobby, I gave back at least 10-fold.

So as me and this coach ended our conversation, the reflections of taking things for granted was the words uttered most. Sometimes, we never know the impact of a person or thing until it is not there anymore. Then we long for it. We miss it. We want to support it but it's usually too late.

I guess I am just saying is don't take things for granted. Support the hobby. Support the companies that give to this game in a meaningful way. Look at the track records. Ask yourself, "Yeah, he sells boards but is he on the frontlines trying to re-invest in the game?" Ask yourself, "What lengths have he went to bringing people together in the game?" Ask a ton of questions and seek the answers. What happens when the innovators leave the game?

Just don't take what you see for granted. I've seen it happen in the past and everyone suffers for it. As for me, I knew I would always go back to a world of solitaire where I could do the amazing things I know are possible in the game and I've got my greatest supporter happier than ever, my wife, Rose.

Reg

It's no sense spending out that much time and energy for the ungrateful.

The worst part is you put all that energy out and get called those things by people who are clicked up trying to beat you.

We that dive head first into things need to come together for the common good. Competition is only the end result, not the rule of leadership.

I learned just this year the best thing is to walk away from the situation, not the hobby. Before, other individuals couldn't "walk away" to be Commissioner of the MFCAL, or "walk away" to help for regional tournaments, or "walk away" to be on a part of a governing body that promotes your ideas.

Although you may have "heard" many things about me Reginald the cream always rises and to your credit you recognized it. Just understand, in your case, I didn't walk away from what you produced, just what it has become.

Just my thoughts.

[Reginald Rutledge]

to you as well as others who are doing good for the game that it still needs that togetherness. What was started with the CBSMF is special and it should continue. I would hope that you continue to be a part of that. I may seem to be hypocritical in that it may seem as those I am walking away. I am just re-focusing. I am grateful of the times I've had in the game and hope to see many more good times in the game.

What you were doing in the Big 10 was awesome! I loved the way those Buckeyes were playing tough against some of the greatest competitors in the game. I wish I would have had the chance to watch you and Mike play. I only heard about the game. I remember when you and I talked, you just mentioned that two FGs cost you and a missed pass. Never did you show any unhappiness.

I do remember we embraced and just shared that brotherly love when we left to go home from the HOF game. You said a few things but my hope was and still is that you will be back to make this thing grow. I need guys like yourself to be a part of "the bigger picture". Guys who give their all in the game, I know I can not take for granted.

When I forget about an order or am slow on an order, my customer might be mad at me but I never am taking him for granted. I am doing so much in the game that I sometimes forget. And honestly, I am not really here. I am on such a different plane since I've had tragedy strike that I just forget or in a fog. So I could sense you had some frustrations but its important that we continue to try to work together as a whole to bring some level of awareness to this game.

Reg

[dogwood30]

I have used and will continue to support the talented painters from the MFCA to detail my teams. I have a large solitaire league with 48 teams. Home and away uniforms makes it 96 teams times 11 players per team ( some have more )= over 1056 figures all painted by MFCA Members when all is said and done. My field cover was also done by a MFCA Member. I stress the importance of all solitaire league players to support these talented members of the MFCA. They are the people who have turned a vintage toy into an exciting, realistic and lifelike hobby. The hours I spend playing my games gives me a great release from the day to day grind and on those certain nights when I have just played a really great game I shut out the lights at my stadium and just say Wow. I truly believe that our association, the MFCA will always try to keep this hobby going and take it to the next level. Be glad that we are members now and lets help make this association grow even more in the years to come.

Mike

[sweetka]

Originally Posted by Reginald Rutledge

I am just re-focusing.

Reg

That's it in a nutshell. My hands are clean and my conscience is clear.

Watching guys like Tim, Al, Phil, Dre, Adrian, and many others just changed what the hobby is all about.

There is Adrian Baxter arguably the best tournament player in history relaxing, looking for a scrimmage, and then busting his tail to make sure I understand a ruleset.

Then there is Tim who told me he can't get his players to run right, but coming to the Convention because he truely LOVES the game.

Then there is Al who brings such a unique approach to the game. On the surface it looks like Fairies, Sabsquatches and Clowns. But upon closer inspection there is Ray Nitscke, Charles Mann, and some serious thought and research. He reminds me of my cousin Belmont Moore, who used to do the same thing. And . . . the players can really play.

Then there is Phil, who just wants to see his team run like the real Colts of past years. To see his runner leading the league right now in rushing makes me feel I was a part of someone getting the joy they seek from the hobby.

Watching Dre's face light up while we prepared players for his team was really triumphant for me because Dre is an introvert until he starts promoting the hobby.

I am happy as I have ever been. Out the shadows. Free as a bird.

Life is great. Now if I could just get my hands on Tim Young's team. Seeing that guy playing a team that does whatever the heck he wants would probably bring tears to my eyes.

The cream always rises. People realize who I truly am and appreciate what I represent. Winning in local or national leagues is irrelevent. Enhancing this hobby and playing experience to the truly deserving is my focus.

Refocus!, I'm reloading!

Like it says on the Kronk Gymnasium door:

"Winners never quit, and quitters never win". It's just your definition of what winning is. I have explained my definition in the aforementioned examples.

[RooMorgans]

Originally Posted by dogwood30

I have used and will continue to support the talented painters from the MFCA to detail my teams. I have a large solitaire league with 48 teams. Home and away uniforms makes it 96 teams times 11 players per team ( some have more )= over 1056 figures all painted by MFCA Members when all is said and done. My field cover was also done by a MFCA Member. I stress the importance of all solitaire league players to support these talented members of the MFCA. They are the people who have turned a vintage toy into an exciting, realistic and lifelike hobby. The hours I spend playing my games gives me a great release from the day to day grind and on those certain nights when I have just played a really great game I shut out the lights at my stadium and just say Wow. I truly believe that our association, the MFCA will always try to keep this hobby going and take it to the next level. Be glad that we are members now and lets help make this association grow even more in the years to come.

Mike

As one of those painters, just wanted to post to all how much I appreciate you letting me do all the teams I've done for you, and continue to do (and yes, I am doing them! ).

As an EF player, I always made a pretty good painter. Ha.

Ed

[larue]

The most important thing we can all do is.....TEACH.
Make it your mission to promote the hobby by getting others into it,
teach them how to play and introduce them to the many new innovations
that have come along in recent years.Let them see a real game played by
players who know how to play at a high skill level.Show them that this game is unique and when played right very realistic.
If you have a league work hard to keep it going and growing....
DO NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED BECAUSE WITHOUT DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT BY ALL MEMBERS IT WILL FAIL AND THAT IS A BIG LOSS FOR THE HOBBY.
Make today a great day..........Teach a kid to play!
Larue