Book your flights now ladies and gentleman..This event looks like its gonna be insane..Grabbed this off Podbitch..Also check out the pics of where the venue is gonna be held on thier site..Lets see the detractors try and rip this up... -6
www.podbitch.com
Wadidiz-There looking 4 someone to head up the Pro refs with Cookston gone..Start making those phone calls now..Ya never know
The New NPPL 7man becomes a real league.
For the first time in a long time I have felt good about the future of paintball. I just returned from Las Vegas where I attended the NPPL 7man meetings......
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A little history first. The NPPL the players group that sanctioned the Promoters of what we used to call the NPPL. (Youngblood, Richmond, Poorman, Renick, Adams', Braun). When the NPPL really tried to start flexing it's power the promoters made a promotions group called the PSP. The PSP was made to force the NPPL to deal with one company so they couldn't allow in other promoters and fire bad ones. This came after a horrible World Cup a few years back and people were pissed and wanted Jerry's head on a platter. The NPPL was unhappy and wanted to bring in other promoters with big money. All the promoters saw that what they had built from scratch was about to be taken away. They formed the PSP. The NPPL and PSP worked a little and then the PSP said no more talking with Tom Cole, the president of the NPPL at the time, and the players then picked Chuck after Tom resigned.
Chuck tried to make changes and hold the PSP accountable for quality of events. The PSP finally got tired of the NPPL and rumors that they were not going to sanction the events. The NPPL showed up in Vegas and was disgusted with the setting. They then found out that the PSP had told them they were not allowing them to set-up their booth at the event. The PSP also put the PSP logo on everything instead of the traditional logo. The NPPL and PSP fought and made up for the rest of the season. Now they have split and both are doing their own thang!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut to last week and the NPPL meeting.
At the Bellagio hotel my itinerary said. I couldn't help thinking, "show of class or great con job". I went to the meeting as a player to see what the so called players league had to offer. I was 100% ready to call bull**** at every moment. I was gonna call it like it was and burn some bridges. I was gonna be the players voice! I guess I got all amped up for nothing. I was very impressed with what I saw and really believe we have a new league that will do right for the player, pro and rookie alike.
My first concern was about the league set up. Who did what? Who makes the dough and how can we as a player league protect ourselves.
Imagine my surprise when Chuck announced that the NPPL was going nonprofit. This means open books and a company structure that sees itself as the owner. Chuck Hendsch is the current owner and President of the NPPL and he is turning the INC into a nonprofit. Rather generous if you ask me. Don't cry for Chuck though he will be getting a salary from the league. Camille, NPPL Marketing Director, is also an employee of league.
Now the way it will work is that the NPPL is working with a new promoter company. This company is being run by Bart from WDP. I have never met him before but was very impressed with his plan and his goals for the Super 7. A good humored Brit that was very sensible and from what he showed a to me, a good business man. I was very impressed with his use of the calculator. He knew his budget and was very interested in costs. This means that his big plan was funded in a budget and he was aware.
So the new promoter will run the events and pay a sanctioning fee to the now non-Profit NPPL. The promoter runs the events and has to live up to a list of desired traits. Basically a check list the promoter is supposed to meet.
A few of the things are:
No more then 5 minute air lines.
2 tables and 10 chairs per team, Tented for staging
Enough toilets cleaned daily.
7 Pro refs per field
Promoter provides insurance for players
Prizes announced 2 weeks prior to event.
Grass is mandatory unless a beach venue.
Grandstands for 2000-3000 at center court.
Schedules posted 3 days prior to the 1st day of the event.
These are the the highlights, there is more. The best thing about this meeting was the NPPL's and promoter's interest in letting everything be public. They wanted everyone to know they had nothing to hide. I thought for sure I was gonna get a gag order for PodBitch but they said that nothing was secret. I know some people have a problem with Chuck's intention. I feel very confident that he is sincere in what he says. He loves the sport and is trying to make every attempt to show his intentions are righteous. He is giving the NPPL as a company to the players.
The promoter is setting up what they promise to be, "Better then the Millennium" events. Massive grandstands, a players staging area away from the public so we can cuss and not offend the kids. Local marketing to draw in crowds. Players area security and PA systems to keep teams informed. Center court will have and announcer and the finals will have a final game. Try explaining to a TV crew that the winner of this game takes 1st and the loser take 4th. They want a final that they can understand. Winner wins and celebrates on the field.
The events are promised to be high quality and a display that makes paintball look good.
The first event has a tentative almost set location of Huntington Beach (live cam). On the beach! My first thought was negative. Sand, no grass, etc.... In the next few minutes an overhead drawing of the location and an explanation actually got me jazzed on the location. Next to the pier where about jillion people come to play on the weekend....in bikinis; The sand was said not to be a problem because they are going to bulldoze the site and press the sand back. The ground underneath is a soft clay surface that will be maintained during the event with water trucks, rakes and other methods to make sure sand is not an issue. I am still a little miffed on not having grass but the event location and the ability to play in front of a massive amount of people in the extreme sport capitol of the world is pretty cool. The location also has the ability to help give our sport more media interest. Fair trade. Both the NPPL and the Promoter were promising everything else will be grass venues.
One way the NPPL decided to get feedback from the players was by giving out report cards to captains and media. Letting them voice their thoughts, good or bad. The NPPL also appointed 2 committees. Rules committee and Operations committee. Both committees have player representatives from each division and an equal vote.
One yet unresolved issue was the Pro refs. I had a big problem with Cookston at the helm and wanted him out. Well he is out. No Cookston involvement in the NPPL. The PRO refs still have their funding and the NPPL wants to see the program move forward with a new director. Some great names were suggested and nothing was set but whoever the head guys is, it will be someone the rules and operations committee will approve. The PRO will employee 7 Ultimates and 1 grand Ultimate. The Grand may or may not be the head of the PRO. Depends on the affiliations and if the Grand Ultimate can run the PRO company . The seven ultimates will be the best of the Pro refs and will run fields every event. They will also train their under refs on how he wants the field reffed. I have always liked the idea of the PRO but didn't think the leadership was there. I believe it can work but retired players are needed to ref.
I think this split between the two series is great. Competition brings more money into the mix and will end up giving the player a better product. The NPPL is chalked full of ideas and the only question is; "Can it be done?" I say yes. I think all the people in charge are capable and have good intentions.
www.podbitch.com
Wadidiz-There looking 4 someone to head up the Pro refs with Cookston gone..Start making those phone calls now..Ya never know
The New NPPL 7man becomes a real league.
For the first time in a long time I have felt good about the future of paintball. I just returned from Las Vegas where I attended the NPPL 7man meetings......
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A little history first. The NPPL the players group that sanctioned the Promoters of what we used to call the NPPL. (Youngblood, Richmond, Poorman, Renick, Adams', Braun). When the NPPL really tried to start flexing it's power the promoters made a promotions group called the PSP. The PSP was made to force the NPPL to deal with one company so they couldn't allow in other promoters and fire bad ones. This came after a horrible World Cup a few years back and people were pissed and wanted Jerry's head on a platter. The NPPL was unhappy and wanted to bring in other promoters with big money. All the promoters saw that what they had built from scratch was about to be taken away. They formed the PSP. The NPPL and PSP worked a little and then the PSP said no more talking with Tom Cole, the president of the NPPL at the time, and the players then picked Chuck after Tom resigned.
Chuck tried to make changes and hold the PSP accountable for quality of events. The PSP finally got tired of the NPPL and rumors that they were not going to sanction the events. The NPPL showed up in Vegas and was disgusted with the setting. They then found out that the PSP had told them they were not allowing them to set-up their booth at the event. The PSP also put the PSP logo on everything instead of the traditional logo. The NPPL and PSP fought and made up for the rest of the season. Now they have split and both are doing their own thang!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut to last week and the NPPL meeting.
At the Bellagio hotel my itinerary said. I couldn't help thinking, "show of class or great con job". I went to the meeting as a player to see what the so called players league had to offer. I was 100% ready to call bull**** at every moment. I was gonna call it like it was and burn some bridges. I was gonna be the players voice! I guess I got all amped up for nothing. I was very impressed with what I saw and really believe we have a new league that will do right for the player, pro and rookie alike.
My first concern was about the league set up. Who did what? Who makes the dough and how can we as a player league protect ourselves.
Imagine my surprise when Chuck announced that the NPPL was going nonprofit. This means open books and a company structure that sees itself as the owner. Chuck Hendsch is the current owner and President of the NPPL and he is turning the INC into a nonprofit. Rather generous if you ask me. Don't cry for Chuck though he will be getting a salary from the league. Camille, NPPL Marketing Director, is also an employee of league.
Now the way it will work is that the NPPL is working with a new promoter company. This company is being run by Bart from WDP. I have never met him before but was very impressed with his plan and his goals for the Super 7. A good humored Brit that was very sensible and from what he showed a to me, a good business man. I was very impressed with his use of the calculator. He knew his budget and was very interested in costs. This means that his big plan was funded in a budget and he was aware.
So the new promoter will run the events and pay a sanctioning fee to the now non-Profit NPPL. The promoter runs the events and has to live up to a list of desired traits. Basically a check list the promoter is supposed to meet.
A few of the things are:
No more then 5 minute air lines.
2 tables and 10 chairs per team, Tented for staging
Enough toilets cleaned daily.
7 Pro refs per field
Promoter provides insurance for players
Prizes announced 2 weeks prior to event.
Grass is mandatory unless a beach venue.
Grandstands for 2000-3000 at center court.
Schedules posted 3 days prior to the 1st day of the event.
These are the the highlights, there is more. The best thing about this meeting was the NPPL's and promoter's interest in letting everything be public. They wanted everyone to know they had nothing to hide. I thought for sure I was gonna get a gag order for PodBitch but they said that nothing was secret. I know some people have a problem with Chuck's intention. I feel very confident that he is sincere in what he says. He loves the sport and is trying to make every attempt to show his intentions are righteous. He is giving the NPPL as a company to the players.
The promoter is setting up what they promise to be, "Better then the Millennium" events. Massive grandstands, a players staging area away from the public so we can cuss and not offend the kids. Local marketing to draw in crowds. Players area security and PA systems to keep teams informed. Center court will have and announcer and the finals will have a final game. Try explaining to a TV crew that the winner of this game takes 1st and the loser take 4th. They want a final that they can understand. Winner wins and celebrates on the field.
The events are promised to be high quality and a display that makes paintball look good.
The first event has a tentative almost set location of Huntington Beach (live cam). On the beach! My first thought was negative. Sand, no grass, etc.... In the next few minutes an overhead drawing of the location and an explanation actually got me jazzed on the location. Next to the pier where about jillion people come to play on the weekend....in bikinis; The sand was said not to be a problem because they are going to bulldoze the site and press the sand back. The ground underneath is a soft clay surface that will be maintained during the event with water trucks, rakes and other methods to make sure sand is not an issue. I am still a little miffed on not having grass but the event location and the ability to play in front of a massive amount of people in the extreme sport capitol of the world is pretty cool. The location also has the ability to help give our sport more media interest. Fair trade. Both the NPPL and the Promoter were promising everything else will be grass venues.
One way the NPPL decided to get feedback from the players was by giving out report cards to captains and media. Letting them voice their thoughts, good or bad. The NPPL also appointed 2 committees. Rules committee and Operations committee. Both committees have player representatives from each division and an equal vote.
One yet unresolved issue was the Pro refs. I had a big problem with Cookston at the helm and wanted him out. Well he is out. No Cookston involvement in the NPPL. The PRO refs still have their funding and the NPPL wants to see the program move forward with a new director. Some great names were suggested and nothing was set but whoever the head guys is, it will be someone the rules and operations committee will approve. The PRO will employee 7 Ultimates and 1 grand Ultimate. The Grand may or may not be the head of the PRO. Depends on the affiliations and if the Grand Ultimate can run the PRO company . The seven ultimates will be the best of the Pro refs and will run fields every event. They will also train their under refs on how he wants the field reffed. I have always liked the idea of the PRO but didn't think the leadership was there. I believe it can work but retired players are needed to ref.
I think this split between the two series is great. Competition brings more money into the mix and will end up giving the player a better product. The NPPL is chalked full of ideas and the only question is; "Can it be done?" I say yes. I think all the people in charge are capable and have good intentions.
