That would be major league paintball (MLP) to the uninitiated. Here at VFTD even my fingers are lazy so I abbreviate most anything and everything one time or another. Following on yesterday's post I want to look at the (potential) ramifications of the current political track represented by the EPBF & some hypotheticals of what a merger (or the collapse of one league or the other) would really accomplish. (Both of which are far more interesting than any merger talk alone.)
But first a brief history reminder to put our speculation into context. About the time (a few years ago) when a resurgent NPPL was openly contemplating creating a European NPPL both the MS & PSP considered it beneficial to align their interests. Included in that dialogue was a minor item called the UPBF. (Minor from the PSP's point of view, not so much the other way around.) From those alignment efforts came a new format--for the MS (and eventually the PSP), general plans to slowly integrate the offerings from each league and lay the foundation for a world federation--along with all the smaller pieces of such a puzzle like national federations & the EPBF (which might someday be matched by the NAPBF, for example.) [Back then I objected on principle concerned that ultimately the PSP would end up more like the MS than the other way around. And, predictably, I was correct.]
During the intervening years elements of the MS and European paintball have continued to move forward to gain international recognition via the organizational structures they are putting into place. Not long ago outreach into Asia has gained some momentum with stronger ties between the MS & PALS along with the formation of the MPBL. Before that inclusion into the last World Games (2009)--where odd sports go that don't make the Olympics--as a demonstration sport was heralded as a great success and a step forward toward an Olympic future. (To date, very few--I know one--sports have made the crossover from WG to Olympics & the IOC has capped participant numbers making the future inclusion of new sports problematic.) And over the recent 4th of July weekend the EPBF celebrated perhaps its greatest success to date with the Nation's Cup event tacked onto Campaign Cup. Step by step the forces behind the international federation movement are making progress. In the recent VFTD post, The EPBF Strikes Back, one comment in particular offers insight into the federationist's thinking.
The comment as follows:
--"Very surprised by some comments from people which never travel outside US!
No doubt today, Millennium is by far the best series in the world in many ways. Organization, scheduling, atmosphere, reefing... (i am not even speaking about how cheap is the Millennium entry fee compare to the states)
Funny that no one see the work achieved by the millennium in most European countries. Do you American realize how strong is tournament paintball today in Europe! Just try to figure out how many European teams are competing today all over Europe and how many professional paintball sites are existing!
Do you even know that the EPBF and others confederations like the APPBF have been created to bring the sport to the Olympic games!
Do you even know that Paintball is going to be part of the World Games?
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Games ).
Already in 2009, Paintball was part as of the world Games in Kaohsiung as performances sports ( For your knowledge, Germany won the title ).
http://www.worldgames2009.tw/.
http://www.worldgames2009.tw/wg2009/eng/image/download/Forum_1.pdf
According to me EPBF for sure will be successful and will drive the future of Paintball.
By the way, even if some Millennium Board Members are among the executive committee, most of the members are president of Federations.
Just to finish. The EPBF president which has been elected is Laurent Hamet and for your knowledge he did in the last 15 years more things for Tournament Paintball than anybody in the Paintball world by just creating:
Quality events (Toulouse World cup in 1992 which became quickly a worldwide standard ).
7 man format
The millennium series
Supairball
Facefull
Xball light (race 2 format). He wrote the rules.
and now the EPBF and UPBF.
Watch out! A new era in Paintball is coming!
VFTD is not ideologically opposed to the UPBF and I certainly don't care what Europeans choose to do with European paintball but as a happening fait accompli I am concerned that North American paintball will someday (perhaps soon) discover that international paintball forms & norms are a done deal we either align with or choose to go it alone. Is that a big deal? Probably not. Will it change the competitive paintball experience over here? Cooperation with the MS already has. (I couldn't have said it better myself.) Watch out! A new era in paintball is coming!
Okay, I'm running way long so tomorrow VFTD will take a look at some MLP counterfactuals--just for fun!
Showing posts with label UPBF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UPBF. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Mr. Curious
Mr. C is still curious about the possibility the PSP is planning on dropping the top ROF to 10.5 next season. So far not a peep from the PSP. (C'mon, Lane, you can tell me. Who would I tell?)
Mr. Curious is also disappointed in the lack of info from Kish Island regarding the UPBF. He was under the impression this was a big deal and an important step for paintball as sport and yet again--nary a peep from anybody. It's particularly odd as big time paintball has such a long and distinguished history of open communication and transparency.
Oh, and Mr. Curious would like everyone to know he is willing to part with some fat slices of sharp cheddar for a photo of Keely in a burkha. (Don't ask.)
Mr. Curious is also curious about Infamous and their game of musical rosters. The part that has piqued his interest is how all the roster hopping might be interpreted by the various rulebooks involved. Of course, the USPL doesn't have an official one yet (except the old NPPL one) but the PSP does and with the USPL using APPA all these roster changes should be reflected in the APPA database. Is there a potential conflict? What role do the shared sponsors have in all this? Mr. Curious needs to know. (See what happens when you're a no-life baller? It ain't pretty.)
Mr. Curious is also disappointed in the lack of info from Kish Island regarding the UPBF. He was under the impression this was a big deal and an important step for paintball as sport and yet again--nary a peep from anybody. It's particularly odd as big time paintball has such a long and distinguished history of open communication and transparency.
Oh, and Mr. Curious would like everyone to know he is willing to part with some fat slices of sharp cheddar for a photo of Keely in a burkha. (Don't ask.)
Mr. Curious is also curious about Infamous and their game of musical rosters. The part that has piqued his interest is how all the roster hopping might be interpreted by the various rulebooks involved. Of course, the USPL doesn't have an official one yet (except the old NPPL one) but the PSP does and with the USPL using APPA all these roster changes should be reflected in the APPA database. Is there a potential conflict? What role do the shared sponsors have in all this? Mr. Curious needs to know. (See what happens when you're a no-life baller? It ain't pretty.)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Burning Question
"PSP suggested ROF of 12, 10 and 8 for different skill levels, now agreed to use ROF 10 universally for all from 2010, MS will start already in 2009 with ROF 10."
The above is from what I described yesterday as a purported press release from the Millennium Series. There are a couple of things wrong with it beyond the awkward English--like the pointless inclusion of the 8 bps ROF which didn't see the light of day though it was initially intended. Even so, it suggests the PSP will follow suit in 2010 with a universal ROF at 10.5.
Today the MS website goes into detail regarding their move to a 10.5 bps standard (without mentioning the PSP alignment in 2010.) What I would like to know is has the PSP already agreed to this and are they simply practicing incrementalism in order to make the change more palatable? Wassup, PSP?
The above is from what I described yesterday as a purported press release from the Millennium Series. There are a couple of things wrong with it beyond the awkward English--like the pointless inclusion of the 8 bps ROF which didn't see the light of day though it was initially intended. Even so, it suggests the PSP will follow suit in 2010 with a universal ROF at 10.5.
Today the MS website goes into detail regarding their move to a 10.5 bps standard (without mentioning the PSP alignment in 2010.) What I would like to know is has the PSP already agreed to this and are they simply practicing incrementalism in order to make the change more palatable? Wassup, PSP?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Major League Paintball Held Hostage
Days 63 - 69
The USPL's first entry deadline passed yesterday without any significant bump in teams moving from registered to paid. Registrations stand at 103 with 35 paid including the 16 pro teams (owners) as the OC Bushwackers finally made their participation official. Team registration is scheduled to close on the 25th and final arrangements with sponsors and vendors must fall into that time frame, at the latest, as well.
Is there a must abort date? You know, if things ain't working as expected is there a date where the league is prepared to cancel and re-schedule or does this go off no matter what? I ask because it's not looking great, is it? In terms of the future of the USPL and major league paintball in general would it be better to postpone or roll the dice now? Hey, it could end up being a completely moot point but realistically what happens if the pro teams are expected to pony up for event losses in order to continue?
Over in Euroland the Millennium Series is pleased to announce a full D2 division (32 teams) for Malaga--their first event of the season. What they aren't announcing is that the locked divisions aren't looking quite so positive--so far. The CPL has 9 of 16 teams on board. The SPL has 21 of 32 signed up and D1 has 11 of 32 in place. They have a bigger window given the event is scheduled for the end of April but there have been a number of spots in the locked divisions (CPL, SPL, D1) available for months with few takers.
Paint continues to be a serious concern and there's some interesting news from Euroland. Pharmagel is no longer producing paintballs which has forced Tomahawk to contract with the manufacturers out of Romania. (Which, I am informed, means there are only 2 paint manufacturers left that are based in Europe.) In a possibly related bit of info Tomahawk has yet to sign on as an MS sponsor. Over on this side of the pond word is Procaps has cut employees at both Archon and APS. And rumor has it that Procaps has reduced their production tooling from 12 machines to 6.
It would be interesting to know what current production levels are and what the max capacity of the remaining machines is.
On the international front I have no news on what, if any, advances were made on behalf of the UPBF amid the meetings supposedly taking place on Kish Island, Iran during the recent PALM event.
The USPL's first entry deadline passed yesterday without any significant bump in teams moving from registered to paid. Registrations stand at 103 with 35 paid including the 16 pro teams (owners) as the OC Bushwackers finally made their participation official. Team registration is scheduled to close on the 25th and final arrangements with sponsors and vendors must fall into that time frame, at the latest, as well.
Is there a must abort date? You know, if things ain't working as expected is there a date where the league is prepared to cancel and re-schedule or does this go off no matter what? I ask because it's not looking great, is it? In terms of the future of the USPL and major league paintball in general would it be better to postpone or roll the dice now? Hey, it could end up being a completely moot point but realistically what happens if the pro teams are expected to pony up for event losses in order to continue?
Over in Euroland the Millennium Series is pleased to announce a full D2 division (32 teams) for Malaga--their first event of the season. What they aren't announcing is that the locked divisions aren't looking quite so positive--so far. The CPL has 9 of 16 teams on board. The SPL has 21 of 32 signed up and D1 has 11 of 32 in place. They have a bigger window given the event is scheduled for the end of April but there have been a number of spots in the locked divisions (CPL, SPL, D1) available for months with few takers.
Paint continues to be a serious concern and there's some interesting news from Euroland. Pharmagel is no longer producing paintballs which has forced Tomahawk to contract with the manufacturers out of Romania. (Which, I am informed, means there are only 2 paint manufacturers left that are based in Europe.) In a possibly related bit of info Tomahawk has yet to sign on as an MS sponsor. Over on this side of the pond word is Procaps has cut employees at both Archon and APS. And rumor has it that Procaps has reduced their production tooling from 12 machines to 6.
It would be interesting to know what current production levels are and what the max capacity of the remaining machines is.
On the international front I have no news on what, if any, advances were made on behalf of the UPBF amid the meetings supposedly taking place on Kish Island, Iran during the recent PALM event.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Major League Paintball Held Hostage, Day 34
It is T minus 8. At 12:20 PM EST there are 92 teams paid and 155 teams registered including 7 pro teams. Virtually no change since yesterday.
In an encouraging gesture the PSP offered a one time lifting of the classification restrictions for two players from each of the former D1 teams moved to Semi-pro for '09. This means the teams could request that 2 players from their '08 rosters remain classed as D1 players. If, of course, those players then played Semi-pro their classifications would follow the classification and ranking rules for '09. What it amounted to was an option for a handful of players to more easily find places to play this season and in the future.
If you're interested in finding out more about the UPBF on the web check out the latest at Villain Paintball, our friends from Malaysia. Yeah, you read that right, Malaysia. (They are on the sidebar under Paintblogs.)
USPL has sent out sponsor/vendor packages in Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum options. Marquis prices (HB & season ending championship event) are in line with the PSP while regional event prices are halved.
In an encouraging gesture the PSP offered a one time lifting of the classification restrictions for two players from each of the former D1 teams moved to Semi-pro for '09. This means the teams could request that 2 players from their '08 rosters remain classed as D1 players. If, of course, those players then played Semi-pro their classifications would follow the classification and ranking rules for '09. What it amounted to was an option for a handful of players to more easily find places to play this season and in the future.
If you're interested in finding out more about the UPBF on the web check out the latest at Villain Paintball, our friends from Malaysia. Yeah, you read that right, Malaysia. (They are on the sidebar under Paintblogs.)
USPL has sent out sponsor/vendor packages in Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum options. Marquis prices (HB & season ending championship event) are in line with the PSP while regional event prices are halved.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Major League Paintball Held Hostage, Day 25
Three, make that four, brief items on the agenda for today and (at least) one of them is just plain silly. You decide which one is the silly one.
The Millennium Series announces the new official standard of 44 bunkers to produce a MS field layout. The 44 coinciding with the new PSP standard even though all the bunkers across both standards aren't identical--yet. One more step down the UPBF pathway, a cheaper base package price for Adrenaline Games and a new upgrade kit for '09. Every base covered.
For those of you who find posting comments too taxing VFTD has the Reax option which offers some minimal feedback on your opinions of what's shaking here at VFTD. Mostly y'all are such slackers you don't bother with those either and that's okay 'cus truth be told your opinion is completely optional and I'm not losing any sleep over it. I think more reader participation is a positive thing but whatever. This is about the dud reax to the latest Enlistment post. Some comedian added a second dud--and that was amusing. I still want to know what exactly the problem is. VFTD doesn't grade for spelling or grammar so come on, Capt. Dud, you can do it.
(I'm trying out a bit of reverse psychology. Let's see how it works.)
VFTD would like to congratulate the kids at Propaintball.com on the upscale move and wish them all success. I'd also like to encourage the lazy slugs that always used the link at pbreserve to visit VFTD to suffer through the mind-numbingly difficult process of adding VFTD to their favorites. I know y'all can do it.
VFTD's past objections to organizing something like the UPBF was not about rejecting a universal standard, it was about promoting the right standard. (Something reasonable people can disagree about certainly.) My concern with the UPBF and now the UCP (Universal Classification Program)is that the PSP will end up being locked into the current format--ostensibly a response to economic reality--as it's accepted by regional and international series and we will all end up playing in perpetuity this rather watered down version of its-not-called-xball-anymore. I was given some assurance that that wasn't going to happen and that the focus needed to be on getting thru the coming difficult times. I do not doubt the sincerity of those assurances nor the reality of the tough times. I am, however, afraid that once the current format and system become accepted on a widespread basis the option of making changes diminishes drastically simply because it then begins to affect so many more leagues, teams and players. Its own momentum will make it nearly impossible to change course once it gets going. On the plus side it will also be that much harder to shrink the game any further. I suppose that's some consolation.
The Millennium Series announces the new official standard of 44 bunkers to produce a MS field layout. The 44 coinciding with the new PSP standard even though all the bunkers across both standards aren't identical--yet. One more step down the UPBF pathway, a cheaper base package price for Adrenaline Games and a new upgrade kit for '09. Every base covered.
For those of you who find posting comments too taxing VFTD has the Reax option which offers some minimal feedback on your opinions of what's shaking here at VFTD. Mostly y'all are such slackers you don't bother with those either and that's okay 'cus truth be told your opinion is completely optional and I'm not losing any sleep over it. I think more reader participation is a positive thing but whatever. This is about the dud reax to the latest Enlistment post. Some comedian added a second dud--and that was amusing. I still want to know what exactly the problem is. VFTD doesn't grade for spelling or grammar so come on, Capt. Dud, you can do it.
(I'm trying out a bit of reverse psychology. Let's see how it works.)
VFTD would like to congratulate the kids at Propaintball.com on the upscale move and wish them all success. I'd also like to encourage the lazy slugs that always used the link at pbreserve to visit VFTD to suffer through the mind-numbingly difficult process of adding VFTD to their favorites. I know y'all can do it.
VFTD's past objections to organizing something like the UPBF was not about rejecting a universal standard, it was about promoting the right standard. (Something reasonable people can disagree about certainly.) My concern with the UPBF and now the UCP (Universal Classification Program)is that the PSP will end up being locked into the current format--ostensibly a response to economic reality--as it's accepted by regional and international series and we will all end up playing in perpetuity this rather watered down version of its-not-called-xball-anymore. I was given some assurance that that wasn't going to happen and that the focus needed to be on getting thru the coming difficult times. I do not doubt the sincerity of those assurances nor the reality of the tough times. I am, however, afraid that once the current format and system become accepted on a widespread basis the option of making changes diminishes drastically simply because it then begins to affect so many more leagues, teams and players. Its own momentum will make it nearly impossible to change course once it gets going. On the plus side it will also be that much harder to shrink the game any further. I suppose that's some consolation.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Major League Paintball Held Hostage, Day 4
You didn't really think I was gonna let this go, did you? Of course not. Good news of incipient sanity in the PSP as Lane announces a pull back on the roster restrictions in the meat & potatoes divisions. Meanwhile PSP Phoenix registration has been delayed until Friday to finalize classification issues, etc. which means they's on the clock.
Despite some progress the crisis continues. Since the New World Order (UPBF) is on the agenda and apparently moving forward VFTD is including the MS goings on as part of the crisis. Given the MS's history of dithering and delay this could string out the hostage situation well into the future. Otherwise I'm tempted to keep this going until there is definitive word on the status of the new 7-man venture (and maybe up through an HB event to see if it is a success.) The same applies to Phoenix Open. Major League Paintball will remain a hostage of circumstance at least until we know if the first hurdles of the season will be cleared successfully.
Despite some progress the crisis continues. Since the New World Order (UPBF) is on the agenda and apparently moving forward VFTD is including the MS goings on as part of the crisis. Given the MS's history of dithering and delay this could string out the hostage situation well into the future. Otherwise I'm tempted to keep this going until there is definitive word on the status of the new 7-man venture (and maybe up through an HB event to see if it is a success.) The same applies to Phoenix Open. Major League Paintball will remain a hostage of circumstance at least until we know if the first hurdles of the season will be cleared successfully.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Major League Paintball Held Hostage, Day 2
The PSP delivers ROF, format, penalty and roster info the same day VFTD begins the hostage crisis countdown. Coincidence?
Not so fast. It's not time to declare victory. This isn't over. For starters all the necessary info hasn't been released yet. Nor has it been reviewed for freshness. (Did the sell by date expire even before it was released?) Let's hear about the UPBF. And, oh yeah, there's that other league in the making. Is it for real or what?
Not so fast. It's not time to declare victory. This isn't over. For starters all the necessary info hasn't been released yet. Nor has it been reviewed for freshness. (Did the sell by date expire even before it was released?) Let's hear about the UPBF. And, oh yeah, there's that other league in the making. Is it for real or what?
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