Had a brief conversation about small ball with somebody who knows while sitting under the refs tent at Phoenix waiting for our semi-final match on Sunday. (See? I'm getting better. I can type the word "Phoenix" today. Who knows what's in store for tomorrow.) I brought up the subject of small ball.
There were two elements to the conversation I found interesting. I enquired about release of product to the North American market and was told things were going so well in Euroland it was gobbling up everything the GI Milsim peeps can produce--but that the American market wasn't being forsaken.
I was aware that product was moving in Europe--if you mean being ordered and filling shelf and warehouse space. What I have yet to see is much indication of actual retail sales. Of course there could be more of that than I'm aware but the sales end of the equation doesn't seem to be going great guns, product or otherwise.
Of greater interest to me were comments regarding the U.S. market. I asked if there would be a presence at HB and the answer was no, certainly nothing big and showy. Tourney paintball wasn't the primary market. (Now that comment may only reflect a retrenchment or recognition of present resistence but I was pleased to hear it.) The big efforts will target some of the biggest of the Big Games looking to connect with a different (and more appropriate?) demographic where they play. If so I suspect small ball proponents will not be confronted with the same intensity and negativity they have been even prior to release of sample guns and paint at World Cup '09.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
NPPL Rules 2010
The post title is the link. I've only had a few minutes to look it over and I've only got a few minutes before it's off to the airport for a flight to Phoenix, but--
I didn't get this post done last week. Obviously. Otherwise, nothing's changed. I've seen Part 2 of the interview with the cast of NPPL characters over at ProPaintball. I didn't see anything that offered any clarification with respect to the rules but did enjoy Chuck's ongoing delusions of grandeur. Now that's entertainment!
Having read through the rules a couple of times I have a couple of questions and a comment or two. (Go figure.) Beginning at the beginning and working through the rules first up is rule 4.06 (1) which deals with roster changes. My interest pertains to Pro rosters in particular. Divisional teams are allowed unlimited roster changes but Pro teams are only allowed 2 changes per event. I don't understand the distinction. If a team is playing great are they likely to make big changes? If they suck then isn't the potential of greater parity a positive? Why the limitation? Mostly I'm curious. I don't think it's a huge deal. If the concern is related to raiding team rosters this probably isn't the best way to handle it.
Rule 4.08 Changes to Player Status allows players to request reclassification. Which they have to do because it's not addressed in the rules. It's really just a $50.00 shakedown which must be paid prior to adjudication of the request.
Rule 7.02. (I confess I looked for this one first--along with other "semi-auto" related rules--as I was particularly curious to see if the latest Rules Committee had made any real progress. The short answer is no.) This rule pertains to triggers, what constitutes a trigger pull and what the result (one pull and release, one shot) ought to be. It also clearly states that initiation of a switch does not constitute a trigger pull. By this definition virtually every gun in the event will be illegal because virtually every gun will cycle more shots than there will be trigger pulls and releases as defined by the rule. Later in the rules "bounce" is mentioned (in quotation marks) because (apparently) the committee doesn't know what it is nor is it anywhere in the rules defined but you can still be suspended for 6 games (or worse) for employing "bounce", whatever it is. Can you say subjective, boys and girls?
In rule 7.12 markers (guns to y'all) may only be exposed--sounds naughty--within the players paddock or on the field (presumably). That means, I think, all guns must be put away in gear bags or gun cases etc. at all times except when you're in the paddock or playing. I'm not objecting to the this rule, btw, only incredulous that it was written and very interested to see it enforced. I can see it now. Team entering tourney area lugging gear and guns receive suspensions prior to entering paddock or playing a game. Thanks, NPPL 3.0, I'll be back for sure. Just saying. (Fortunately it appears there is a provision for a discretionary warning first, as there is for guns that might be in violation of other rules, though how the league will keep track of who has been warned and who hasn't wasn't explained.)
Rule 11.05 describes what constitutes a valid hit when making a paint check. Rule 19 (Marked by Paint) confirms what constitutes an eliminating hit. A paintball must have broken on "--and marked a player." Now I'm cool with this rule if that's really what they mean but odds are it isn't. Because what is written means a ball can break and leave no mark and NOT be a valid hit. You and I both know this happens. But you and I also both know that's not how it will be called. And rule 19 (4) appears to obligate refs to wipe off players marked by paint that isn't a valid hit. I'll be watching to see how that works out.
Rule 11.09 attempts to deal with the idea of official bias, by the refs that is, by suggesting there is some recourse should a ref be deemed to be biased. Does anyone see that happening during the course of competition in such a way that everyone (anyone) walks away satisfied? Me either. What is bias? Does everyone know it when they see it? I appreciate the sentiment but as formulated it's a can of worms waiting to be opened.
Rule 11.10 Disputing Referee's Call. Is pointless and a waste of time even if you're correct. And everybody knows it. It's Kabuki. The rule is procedural. In light of 22.07, Finality of Calls, the chances of any "resolution" are virtually nil. Always have been, always will be. The rule should be called when you think you've been screwed this is how we pretend to make it all better.
Rule 22.02 (8) I get the basic idea. No problem. But why add the bit about compressing the bunkers or altering their shapes? It's non-specific and easy to over-interpret. It could be argued it's something players do all the time without moving the bunkers, stepping on, climbing on or over or otherwise moving off their axes yadda yadda yadda. The wording seems like it's begging for an over zealous ref to start pulling peeps for pushing their guns into the props.
In a few places Over Shooting is mentioned and always includes the caveat "with intent to injure." The thing is nobody overshoots with the intent to injure. Could it happen? Sure. Does it? Seldom if ever. The problem is by the wording of these rules you can't call a player for over shooting (or excessive bonus balling) without claiming an intent to injure and that isn't why people do it. Of course this won't stop some ref making the call and when it's obvious the ref can't offer any real proof of intent to injure it makes a mockery of the rule, the ref and the league--all because of the way the rule is written.
Regarding general enforcement of so-called semi-auto this latest batch of rules is a rehash of the same old with a first round of arbitrary warnings thrown into the mix. I suppose the idea is that since enforcement remains largely subjective that a warning first allows a player (and/or team) to adjust the questionable gun but that adjustment, if made, doesn't guarantee a legal marker or one that won't be picked out again. And the warning mostly will make it safer for players to take risks with their setup as step one is only a warning. And, of course, "real" cheaters won't care about these rules (or fear them) anymore than they did in the past.
Mostly it's small potatoes. With the exception of the still ridiculous gun rules I doubt other potential problem areas will actually ever cause much of a real problem during an event. Past incarnations of the NPPL were always disinclined to enforce their more draconian rules--except in rare, usually ludicrously inappropriate circumstances--and I suspect the same will hold for NPPL 3.0. But watch out, there could be lots of warnings dished out.
I didn't get this post done last week. Obviously. Otherwise, nothing's changed. I've seen Part 2 of the interview with the cast of NPPL characters over at ProPaintball. I didn't see anything that offered any clarification with respect to the rules but did enjoy Chuck's ongoing delusions of grandeur. Now that's entertainment!
Having read through the rules a couple of times I have a couple of questions and a comment or two. (Go figure.) Beginning at the beginning and working through the rules first up is rule 4.06 (1) which deals with roster changes. My interest pertains to Pro rosters in particular. Divisional teams are allowed unlimited roster changes but Pro teams are only allowed 2 changes per event. I don't understand the distinction. If a team is playing great are they likely to make big changes? If they suck then isn't the potential of greater parity a positive? Why the limitation? Mostly I'm curious. I don't think it's a huge deal. If the concern is related to raiding team rosters this probably isn't the best way to handle it.
Rule 4.08 Changes to Player Status allows players to request reclassification. Which they have to do because it's not addressed in the rules. It's really just a $50.00 shakedown which must be paid prior to adjudication of the request.
Rule 7.02. (I confess I looked for this one first--along with other "semi-auto" related rules--as I was particularly curious to see if the latest Rules Committee had made any real progress. The short answer is no.) This rule pertains to triggers, what constitutes a trigger pull and what the result (one pull and release, one shot) ought to be. It also clearly states that initiation of a switch does not constitute a trigger pull. By this definition virtually every gun in the event will be illegal because virtually every gun will cycle more shots than there will be trigger pulls and releases as defined by the rule. Later in the rules "bounce" is mentioned (in quotation marks) because (apparently) the committee doesn't know what it is nor is it anywhere in the rules defined but you can still be suspended for 6 games (or worse) for employing "bounce", whatever it is. Can you say subjective, boys and girls?
In rule 7.12 markers (guns to y'all) may only be exposed--sounds naughty--within the players paddock or on the field (presumably). That means, I think, all guns must be put away in gear bags or gun cases etc. at all times except when you're in the paddock or playing. I'm not objecting to the this rule, btw, only incredulous that it was written and very interested to see it enforced. I can see it now. Team entering tourney area lugging gear and guns receive suspensions prior to entering paddock or playing a game. Thanks, NPPL 3.0, I'll be back for sure. Just saying. (Fortunately it appears there is a provision for a discretionary warning first, as there is for guns that might be in violation of other rules, though how the league will keep track of who has been warned and who hasn't wasn't explained.)
Rule 11.05 describes what constitutes a valid hit when making a paint check. Rule 19 (Marked by Paint) confirms what constitutes an eliminating hit. A paintball must have broken on "--and marked a player." Now I'm cool with this rule if that's really what they mean but odds are it isn't. Because what is written means a ball can break and leave no mark and NOT be a valid hit. You and I both know this happens. But you and I also both know that's not how it will be called. And rule 19 (4) appears to obligate refs to wipe off players marked by paint that isn't a valid hit. I'll be watching to see how that works out.
Rule 11.09 attempts to deal with the idea of official bias, by the refs that is, by suggesting there is some recourse should a ref be deemed to be biased. Does anyone see that happening during the course of competition in such a way that everyone (anyone) walks away satisfied? Me either. What is bias? Does everyone know it when they see it? I appreciate the sentiment but as formulated it's a can of worms waiting to be opened.
Rule 11.10 Disputing Referee's Call. Is pointless and a waste of time even if you're correct. And everybody knows it. It's Kabuki. The rule is procedural. In light of 22.07, Finality of Calls, the chances of any "resolution" are virtually nil. Always have been, always will be. The rule should be called when you think you've been screwed this is how we pretend to make it all better.
Rule 22.02 (8) I get the basic idea. No problem. But why add the bit about compressing the bunkers or altering their shapes? It's non-specific and easy to over-interpret. It could be argued it's something players do all the time without moving the bunkers, stepping on, climbing on or over or otherwise moving off their axes yadda yadda yadda. The wording seems like it's begging for an over zealous ref to start pulling peeps for pushing their guns into the props.
In a few places Over Shooting is mentioned and always includes the caveat "with intent to injure." The thing is nobody overshoots with the intent to injure. Could it happen? Sure. Does it? Seldom if ever. The problem is by the wording of these rules you can't call a player for over shooting (or excessive bonus balling) without claiming an intent to injure and that isn't why people do it. Of course this won't stop some ref making the call and when it's obvious the ref can't offer any real proof of intent to injure it makes a mockery of the rule, the ref and the league--all because of the way the rule is written.
Regarding general enforcement of so-called semi-auto this latest batch of rules is a rehash of the same old with a first round of arbitrary warnings thrown into the mix. I suppose the idea is that since enforcement remains largely subjective that a warning first allows a player (and/or team) to adjust the questionable gun but that adjustment, if made, doesn't guarantee a legal marker or one that won't be picked out again. And the warning mostly will make it safer for players to take risks with their setup as step one is only a warning. And, of course, "real" cheaters won't care about these rules (or fear them) anymore than they did in the past.
Mostly it's small potatoes. With the exception of the still ridiculous gun rules I doubt other potential problem areas will actually ever cause much of a real problem during an event. Past incarnations of the NPPL were always disinclined to enforce their more draconian rules--except in rare, usually ludicrously inappropriate circumstances--and I suspect the same will hold for NPPL 3.0. But watch out, there could be lots of warnings dished out.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Major League Paintball on Suicide Watch
There was some action this past week at the not so Grand Tour. (Could be somebody over there has been reading VFTD.) Seems they are making a big push to promote their newly promoted Pro teams; Ranger Warsaw, Kosmos Moscow & RL-Art Chaos. Also registered Pro are the Bullets and Warsaw United. Total registration is up to 17 teams including a couple of Consilium Dei teams. It's slow progress but it's still progress.
As regulars know I'm partial to this event because of the location so I'm kinda rooting for a successful event. And if anyone wants a pro coach I'm there for the price of a plane ticket and I can even kick in a tour of Venice--but only in English.
Still over in Euroland the MS is rumored to be working overtime trying to entice more teams and sponsors into supporting the league. Rumor also has it the league may be offering "incentives" to get that support. Of course that's just rumor but it's heated up a bit after last week's Suicide Watch report. From here it's hard to say but the numbers testify to their limited success.
Total registration for all divisions is at 93. It looks like most of the numbers bump that did occur has come lately from Spanish teams. It's curious they weren't in there earlier, isn't it?
I'd also like to clarify a suggestion from last week that promo & relegation were nearly irrelevant given the shrinking locked division numbers and fact that teams that hadn't earned promotion were getting it. In fact, the MS is (apparently) going down the list of last year's finishers until they get a taker. Which seems to be how Shock 2 got into D1. Everybody above them passed. Still, I don't see how it makes a whole lotta sense. Is the league still limiting "promotion" numbers? In undermanned divisions? What's the point?
NPPL 3.0 is counting down the days '24' style including hours, minutes and seconds. Registration and more importantly paying your entry remains open for 3 more days, give or take. I expect that deadline is negotiable but the clock runs out eventually. Registration is up to 121 teams but according to the league's data no more than 88 have paid in full. And the thing is even that may not be all that accurate because the Pro teams registered appear to have paid but in fact most of them hadn't as of the past weekend. I might be inclined to assume they will at some point but I'm afraid I ain't quite that naive anymore. (If anybody plays without paying I wouldn't hold my breath waiting to collect.)
I've looked over the rules and will have a separate post on them later in the week.
However registration and participation shakes out it looks like we'll be playing some paintball on the beach and since it's not my money that can't be a bad thing. But it is somebody's money whether it's cash in the bank or outstanding debt, mostly the later in the NPPL's case. And unlike the government the NPPL can't print money.
PSP Phoenix went off with only minor hitches and generally the 3-day event seemed to work out okay. I don't know any of particulars of the logistical changes that may have been needed to shorten the event but I'll see what I can find out. The 2010 rules weren't released until the last minute. The 90 second rule seemed to hammer the refs harder than the players though it was a struggle for some to adjust. The Pro field did not adjust to what I thought was rule modification with respect to signaling a flag hang but everything mostly was one in a timely manner. And it seems the new scoreboard wasn't setup to handle pro field penalties and the old scoreboard couldn't handle the 90 second break between points so it was done by hand. In practice that meant the 90 second rule was close to 90 seconds one way or the other rule. Not perfect but not horrible either. I know there were a lot of changes and the league put out notices in as timely a manner as they could manage--there's only so many hours in the day and only so many peeps available to get stuff done--but it wouldn't hurt if the league put all the changes into a single brief and promoted it to the teams and players at least as aggressively as the latest new sponsored gear. Just a suggestion.
As regulars know I'm partial to this event because of the location so I'm kinda rooting for a successful event. And if anyone wants a pro coach I'm there for the price of a plane ticket and I can even kick in a tour of Venice--but only in English.
Still over in Euroland the MS is rumored to be working overtime trying to entice more teams and sponsors into supporting the league. Rumor also has it the league may be offering "incentives" to get that support. Of course that's just rumor but it's heated up a bit after last week's Suicide Watch report. From here it's hard to say but the numbers testify to their limited success.
Total registration for all divisions is at 93. It looks like most of the numbers bump that did occur has come lately from Spanish teams. It's curious they weren't in there earlier, isn't it?
I'd also like to clarify a suggestion from last week that promo & relegation were nearly irrelevant given the shrinking locked division numbers and fact that teams that hadn't earned promotion were getting it. In fact, the MS is (apparently) going down the list of last year's finishers until they get a taker. Which seems to be how Shock 2 got into D1. Everybody above them passed. Still, I don't see how it makes a whole lotta sense. Is the league still limiting "promotion" numbers? In undermanned divisions? What's the point?
NPPL 3.0 is counting down the days '24' style including hours, minutes and seconds. Registration and more importantly paying your entry remains open for 3 more days, give or take. I expect that deadline is negotiable but the clock runs out eventually. Registration is up to 121 teams but according to the league's data no more than 88 have paid in full. And the thing is even that may not be all that accurate because the Pro teams registered appear to have paid but in fact most of them hadn't as of the past weekend. I might be inclined to assume they will at some point but I'm afraid I ain't quite that naive anymore. (If anybody plays without paying I wouldn't hold my breath waiting to collect.)
I've looked over the rules and will have a separate post on them later in the week.
However registration and participation shakes out it looks like we'll be playing some paintball on the beach and since it's not my money that can't be a bad thing. But it is somebody's money whether it's cash in the bank or outstanding debt, mostly the later in the NPPL's case. And unlike the government the NPPL can't print money.
PSP Phoenix went off with only minor hitches and generally the 3-day event seemed to work out okay. I don't know any of particulars of the logistical changes that may have been needed to shorten the event but I'll see what I can find out. The 2010 rules weren't released until the last minute. The 90 second rule seemed to hammer the refs harder than the players though it was a struggle for some to adjust. The Pro field did not adjust to what I thought was rule modification with respect to signaling a flag hang but everything mostly was one in a timely manner. And it seems the new scoreboard wasn't setup to handle pro field penalties and the old scoreboard couldn't handle the 90 second break between points so it was done by hand. In practice that meant the 90 second rule was close to 90 seconds one way or the other rule. Not perfect but not horrible either. I know there were a lot of changes and the league put out notices in as timely a manner as they could manage--there's only so many hours in the day and only so many peeps available to get stuff done--but it wouldn't hurt if the league put all the changes into a single brief and promoted it to the teams and players at least as aggressively as the latest new sponsored gear. Just a suggestion.
Monday Poll in Review
I know. I'm late, I'm late for a not all that important post. Whatever. Y'all are just spoiled and it's not like I didn't post anything at all yesterday so get off my back. No, I'm not angry or hostile. No more than usual anyway. Back off.
Last week's Monday Poll was a two-parter. It asked if the announced venue for PSP Chicago, the Badlandz, would influence your decision to participate. 15% said it would. (85% said nope, no big deal.) Part two asked you to identify the level of Race 2 you play. I wanted to see a couple of things. First I was curious to try and put the "influenced" percentage into some context. As it turned out 26% of respondents play Race 2-2; 28% play Race 2-4; 30% play Race 2-5 and 15% play Race 2-7. 85% of respondents play D1 or lower in about equal numbers. So what does it mean?
Wait a second. You're jumping the gun. We're missing a piece. The difference between those that answered the question, part one, and those who identified their level of play in part two. About 15% that answered part one didn't answer part two.
What it means is up for grabs really because as usual this ain't no scientific sampling but even so--it is interesting that the percentage that answered part one in the negative is the same percentage who apparently don't play Race 2. At least that's one interpretation. Another is that 15% of respondents don't play period and the rest is coincidental.
I wanted to see what sort of results this question got because of the Phoenix turnout. I wondered if the result might give a clue what to expect next--in Chicago--but they really don't. My guess is Chi-town won't be down nearly as much. It's gonna be in the summer. No school. Plenty of time to get ready, save money--but if not at least we's got some extra numbers to add to the confusion.
Last week's Monday Poll was a two-parter. It asked if the announced venue for PSP Chicago, the Badlandz, would influence your decision to participate. 15% said it would. (85% said nope, no big deal.) Part two asked you to identify the level of Race 2 you play. I wanted to see a couple of things. First I was curious to try and put the "influenced" percentage into some context. As it turned out 26% of respondents play Race 2-2; 28% play Race 2-4; 30% play Race 2-5 and 15% play Race 2-7. 85% of respondents play D1 or lower in about equal numbers. So what does it mean?
Wait a second. You're jumping the gun. We're missing a piece. The difference between those that answered the question, part one, and those who identified their level of play in part two. About 15% that answered part one didn't answer part two.
What it means is up for grabs really because as usual this ain't no scientific sampling but even so--it is interesting that the percentage that answered part one in the negative is the same percentage who apparently don't play Race 2. At least that's one interpretation. Another is that 15% of respondents don't play period and the rest is coincidental.
I wanted to see what sort of results this question got because of the Phoenix turnout. I wondered if the result might give a clue what to expect next--in Chicago--but they really don't. My guess is Chi-town won't be down nearly as much. It's gonna be in the summer. No school. Plenty of time to get ready, save money--but if not at least we's got some extra numbers to add to the confusion.
Monday, March 22, 2010
PSP Phoenix: Some Ruminations
In the last 36 hours or so, somewhere in there, I've had an hour or two of alcohol-induced something like sleep so I'm not up for a full recap of the event (maybe tomorrow or the next day) but a few random thoughts keep popping up.
One other thing before I get started. If there's any earth-shaking paintball news in the next few days forward me a source 'cus odds are I won't see it. I am intentionally avoiding the usual resources mostly because I want to forget about Phoenix for a few days at least. Exactly how that's gonna work for posting to this blog remains to be seen. (Naw, I got plenty of material.)
There is nothing in the world worse than second place when you know you didn't put forth your best effort. (Btw, no disrespect whatsoever to the winners. They did everything they needed to do and deserved to be the last team standing.) Just an observation. (Yep, I have edited the original post)
Thought the refs did a pretty good job on the Pro field. (That, btw, is high praise indeed 'cus I'm usually not impressed. And yes, I know it's a hard, thankless job, blah blah blah and we're all grateful somebody is willing to do it yah yah yah.) The way I look at it if they're out there I expect them to do the best most impartial job they can. Nothing less. Nothing more. Call me crazy.
I did notice there were no "inside" refs--and with a layout like Phoenix they would have been advantageous--and that the refs appeared to be working not only their zones but also looking inside and cross field trying to see hits that refs on the outside of the field often can't see. I don't know if that was programmatic or not. And I'm not sure if it was that it worked very well with refs well away from the action making calls from across the field. Even so, all in all it was a pretty good job.
With respect to the Pro field action and changes made in the off season things ran fairly smoothly with one exception. The new overtime scoring rule. Seems some of the teams potentially affected weren't aware of the change and it didn't come up until the actual circumstances occurred on field. More details in a later report.
Twitter updates of the action. Okay, this one is serious nit-picking but that's where I'm at so take it or leave it. Whoever is stuck tweeting the action needs a simple roster list of players and their numbers--because they didn't know who many of the players were. (It's in the rules. We have to have them. Even though there is no webcast. And no statistics.) Mostly I'd like to see players get their due--even on Twitter--and if the league is gonna make the effort then let's dial it up a notch and do it right. S'all I'm saying.
More on the event later this week.
One other thing before I get started. If there's any earth-shaking paintball news in the next few days forward me a source 'cus odds are I won't see it. I am intentionally avoiding the usual resources mostly because I want to forget about Phoenix for a few days at least. Exactly how that's gonna work for posting to this blog remains to be seen. (Naw, I got plenty of material.)
There is nothing in the world worse than second place when you know you didn't put forth your best effort. (Btw, no disrespect whatsoever to the winners. They did everything they needed to do and deserved to be the last team standing.) Just an observation. (Yep, I have edited the original post)
Thought the refs did a pretty good job on the Pro field. (That, btw, is high praise indeed 'cus I'm usually not impressed. And yes, I know it's a hard, thankless job, blah blah blah and we're all grateful somebody is willing to do it yah yah yah.) The way I look at it if they're out there I expect them to do the best most impartial job they can. Nothing less. Nothing more. Call me crazy.
I did notice there were no "inside" refs--and with a layout like Phoenix they would have been advantageous--and that the refs appeared to be working not only their zones but also looking inside and cross field trying to see hits that refs on the outside of the field often can't see. I don't know if that was programmatic or not. And I'm not sure if it was that it worked very well with refs well away from the action making calls from across the field. Even so, all in all it was a pretty good job.
With respect to the Pro field action and changes made in the off season things ran fairly smoothly with one exception. The new overtime scoring rule. Seems some of the teams potentially affected weren't aware of the change and it didn't come up until the actual circumstances occurred on field. More details in a later report.
Twitter updates of the action. Okay, this one is serious nit-picking but that's where I'm at so take it or leave it. Whoever is stuck tweeting the action needs a simple roster list of players and their numbers--because they didn't know who many of the players were. (It's in the rules. We have to have them. Even though there is no webcast. And no statistics.) Mostly I'd like to see players get their due--even on Twitter--and if the league is gonna make the effort then let's dial it up a notch and do it right. S'all I'm saying.
More on the event later this week.
Friday, March 19, 2010
PSP Phoenix: Pro Field Surprises
It's Day 1 and on the pro field it's a new day. New teams and new names on some old ones. New rules; case in point, the 90 second rule (which was really 90 seconds plus or minus a few seconds here and there but it's a new day for staff, crew and refs, too.) New prelim schedule, 3 matches, new path to victory. No more best of threes, maybe for Cup? But what you really want to know about are some of the surprising scores, right? What happened? How?
If you want a blow by blow recount of the day's events probably the best you'll find is here at PBN. If you're wondering what it may mean for your favorites it's pretty simple. 10 teams start, 6 will go through. The top 2 seeds get byes directly to the semi-finals. The remaining 4 teams are seeded 3 v. 6, 4 v. 5. Winner goes on, loser goes home. With 3 prelim matches there will be some number of teams with identical records and, best I can tell after a cursory examination, there is a real possibility a team with a 1 - 2 record will go through as the 6th seed. That means nobody was determinatively eliminated today.
For the "new guys," Vicious and XSV, it was a long and probably disappointing day 'cus nobody likes losing but the truth is the transition isn't an easy one and both teams have made a number or roster changes during the off season. Another truth is that most of the time, no matter how good the player or players, this remains a team game and it takes time for a group of players to become a team. It's one of the great frustrations no matter what level you compete at, the sense of beginning again, starting over, re-building. For XSV and Vicious they also came to Phoenix with a sense of opportunity, of nothing to lose--but of course that's not true. Look for both teams to accept the Phoenix results as the hard part of an ongoing process, learn from it and come back better.
For those inclined to see the Ironmen and Dynasty losses as signs of decline, think again. Even with established teams roster changes must be assimilated and a new chemistry established. And part of that process is time together, learning the way new teammates play the game. The reality is there's not necessarily a lot separating any of the top teams on a given day and then throw in even a single untimely penalty and that might be all it takes. In matches marked with numerous penalties the outcomes in question were just simple wins or losses. Important in the here and now but no more than that.
Don't read too much into any single result. We play a season and it's the accumulation of results that tell the final story.
Look for more hard-fought lively action tomorrow.
I'll have more about this field, tournament and the pro play next week in a recap.
If you want a blow by blow recount of the day's events probably the best you'll find is here at PBN. If you're wondering what it may mean for your favorites it's pretty simple. 10 teams start, 6 will go through. The top 2 seeds get byes directly to the semi-finals. The remaining 4 teams are seeded 3 v. 6, 4 v. 5. Winner goes on, loser goes home. With 3 prelim matches there will be some number of teams with identical records and, best I can tell after a cursory examination, there is a real possibility a team with a 1 - 2 record will go through as the 6th seed. That means nobody was determinatively eliminated today.
For the "new guys," Vicious and XSV, it was a long and probably disappointing day 'cus nobody likes losing but the truth is the transition isn't an easy one and both teams have made a number or roster changes during the off season. Another truth is that most of the time, no matter how good the player or players, this remains a team game and it takes time for a group of players to become a team. It's one of the great frustrations no matter what level you compete at, the sense of beginning again, starting over, re-building. For XSV and Vicious they also came to Phoenix with a sense of opportunity, of nothing to lose--but of course that's not true. Look for both teams to accept the Phoenix results as the hard part of an ongoing process, learn from it and come back better.
For those inclined to see the Ironmen and Dynasty losses as signs of decline, think again. Even with established teams roster changes must be assimilated and a new chemistry established. And part of that process is time together, learning the way new teammates play the game. The reality is there's not necessarily a lot separating any of the top teams on a given day and then throw in even a single untimely penalty and that might be all it takes. In matches marked with numerous penalties the outcomes in question were just simple wins or losses. Important in the here and now but no more than that.
Don't read too much into any single result. We play a season and it's the accumulation of results that tell the final story.
Look for more hard-fought lively action tomorrow.
I'll have more about this field, tournament and the pro play next week in a recap.
Enlistments for the Week
World domination is just around the corner as VFTD welcomes the latest recruits to the Deadbox Puppet Army. This week's recruits expand our international brigade as we continue to see that paintball is an international language.
Thanks (and greetings) to Canarias Paintball, Tenerife Paintball & Junior Brown. (Google Tenerife, kids, if you don't know where it is. It's pretty cool.)
I'd like to use this opportunity to say a couple of things about Junior. I'm sure most of you know who he is. A Brit from Nexus who moved to Cali determined to be the best he could be among the best in the world and willing to do whatever it took. Today he's an integral part of XSV and owner of Baller's Cafe. Now I really only know Junior from paintball and truth is I've given him a dose of grief now and again (but only when he deserved it) but none of that is relevant. What is relevant is that Junior is that guy. The guy who is heart and soul committed to this game we play. He's also a symbol of what is possible and a model of tenacity for young players everywhere. For Junior and all those who aspire--enjoy the ride, the destination isn't that important.
Stay thirsty my friends
Thanks (and greetings) to Canarias Paintball, Tenerife Paintball & Junior Brown. (Google Tenerife, kids, if you don't know where it is. It's pretty cool.)
I'd like to use this opportunity to say a couple of things about Junior. I'm sure most of you know who he is. A Brit from Nexus who moved to Cali determined to be the best he could be among the best in the world and willing to do whatever it took. Today he's an integral part of XSV and owner of Baller's Cafe. Now I really only know Junior from paintball and truth is I've given him a dose of grief now and again (but only when he deserved it) but none of that is relevant. What is relevant is that Junior is that guy. The guy who is heart and soul committed to this game we play. He's also a symbol of what is possible and a model of tenacity for young players everywhere. For Junior and all those who aspire--enjoy the ride, the destination isn't that important.
Stay thirsty my friends
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Ask the Coach
This episode of Ask the Coach is called, The Grind. I, of course, have only heard stories of similar situations. Perhaps you have too.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Major League Paintball on Suicide Watch
My efforts to keep things short worked so well yesterday with the Malaga layout I'm gonna try again today.
The not so Grand Tour may finally be getting some traction as registration nearly doubled over last week--which isn't saying a lot but it's movement in the right direction. Still no pro teams registered but I know at least one that intends to compete this season. Among this week's registrants was Empire (out of Italy) which has also nabbed a D1 spot in the MS.
In the Millennium it's becoming clear that promotion and relegation only matter when there is a demand for an artificially limited object--in this case, a spot in a locked division--as Dagnir Dae joins the ranks of the CPL, hopscotching teams that finished ahead of them in the SPL last season. (The same holds true for other teams like the aforementioned Empire buying into D1 and others.) Currently the CPL is at 13 teams, missing one "promoted" team--as neither Lisbon Benfica or Consilium Dei have claimed their CPL spot and neither CPL regulars Joy or Instinct have registered yet. Registration across all divisions stands at 80 teams. Last year Malaga had 147 teams compete. It would be interesting to know if some of the new locked division teams are paying full price to get in. The same thought applies to league sponsors like the recently signed up, Valken. With the move from 5 events to 4 it wouldn't be unreasonable for the league to negotiate fees differing from those initially given in this year's sponsorship package just as they adjusted entries for the teams. Of course no one would ever admit to it.
UPDATE: It's being reported that Joy and Instinct will be back in the CPL and that it may end up being Art Chaos Moscow making the move up from the SPL as the MS is determined to have a full CPL division.
In the NPPL 3.0 the first payment deadline passed last night. (I got my notice from the league time stamped 11:05 pm.) By my count only a couple of teams took advantage yesterday. Registration stands at 119 total teams including 10 pro teams with 91 paid (including the 10 pro teams) according to info available on the league's website. It is however unclear if all the teams identified as having paid have paid in full, including the pro teams. Additionally 40 of the 119 are pump or 5-man teams with much lower entry fees than the 7-man teams. Still, in comparison to what's happening in the PSP and the MS the raw numbers may be considered better than expected. However, given that HB is the NPPL's premier event if it turns out to represent the best the league can expect it could be another long year.
In the last couple of days the league also announced a couple of pre-HB Cali events targeting the lower division teams. One to be played at Warped and the other at Jungle Island on the same weekend of March 27,28. Both are giving free HB entries to division winners with no apparent minimum number requirements I could find. And both will be competing on the HB layout.
The die is cast for PSP Phoenix and there's no reason to expect anything other than the usual well run weekend of national level competitive paintball. There were more than a few last minute unknowns in the Race 2 - 7 divisions but those have finally been resolved with the posting of the 2010 rule book at the PSP website in the last day or so. Even so there will be a few unknowns until matches are actually played. How will the 90 second turnaround work? How quickly will the refs adjust to changes that affect them? What will results coming out of the prelims look like? With 6 of 10 moving out of the prelims it should make the prelim results less controversial but we will still see some teams move on by virtue of tie-breaking procedure rather than clear cut superiority on the field of play. Scoring has also been modified with no OT point for the loser anymore, in fact, no overtime in the prelims anymore. 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and zippo for a loss. Now if you need two points you need to fight for it in regulation because there's no "free" point anymore. And in a 3 match prelim a tie isn't quite as bad as a loss but especially early in an event it is not a result any team will want either. The only objection I have after a quick look at the rules is the swing point in OT for a major penalty. If OT time is open-ended there is no need to decide the outcome by rule.
The not so Grand Tour may finally be getting some traction as registration nearly doubled over last week--which isn't saying a lot but it's movement in the right direction. Still no pro teams registered but I know at least one that intends to compete this season. Among this week's registrants was Empire (out of Italy) which has also nabbed a D1 spot in the MS.
In the Millennium it's becoming clear that promotion and relegation only matter when there is a demand for an artificially limited object--in this case, a spot in a locked division--as Dagnir Dae joins the ranks of the CPL, hopscotching teams that finished ahead of them in the SPL last season. (The same holds true for other teams like the aforementioned Empire buying into D1 and others.) Currently the CPL is at 13 teams, missing one "promoted" team--as neither Lisbon Benfica or Consilium Dei have claimed their CPL spot and neither CPL regulars Joy or Instinct have registered yet. Registration across all divisions stands at 80 teams. Last year Malaga had 147 teams compete. It would be interesting to know if some of the new locked division teams are paying full price to get in. The same thought applies to league sponsors like the recently signed up, Valken. With the move from 5 events to 4 it wouldn't be unreasonable for the league to negotiate fees differing from those initially given in this year's sponsorship package just as they adjusted entries for the teams. Of course no one would ever admit to it.
UPDATE: It's being reported that Joy and Instinct will be back in the CPL and that it may end up being Art Chaos Moscow making the move up from the SPL as the MS is determined to have a full CPL division.
In the NPPL 3.0 the first payment deadline passed last night. (I got my notice from the league time stamped 11:05 pm.) By my count only a couple of teams took advantage yesterday. Registration stands at 119 total teams including 10 pro teams with 91 paid (including the 10 pro teams) according to info available on the league's website. It is however unclear if all the teams identified as having paid have paid in full, including the pro teams. Additionally 40 of the 119 are pump or 5-man teams with much lower entry fees than the 7-man teams. Still, in comparison to what's happening in the PSP and the MS the raw numbers may be considered better than expected. However, given that HB is the NPPL's premier event if it turns out to represent the best the league can expect it could be another long year.
In the last couple of days the league also announced a couple of pre-HB Cali events targeting the lower division teams. One to be played at Warped and the other at Jungle Island on the same weekend of March 27,28. Both are giving free HB entries to division winners with no apparent minimum number requirements I could find. And both will be competing on the HB layout.
The die is cast for PSP Phoenix and there's no reason to expect anything other than the usual well run weekend of national level competitive paintball. There were more than a few last minute unknowns in the Race 2 - 7 divisions but those have finally been resolved with the posting of the 2010 rule book at the PSP website in the last day or so. Even so there will be a few unknowns until matches are actually played. How will the 90 second turnaround work? How quickly will the refs adjust to changes that affect them? What will results coming out of the prelims look like? With 6 of 10 moving out of the prelims it should make the prelim results less controversial but we will still see some teams move on by virtue of tie-breaking procedure rather than clear cut superiority on the field of play. Scoring has also been modified with no OT point for the loser anymore, in fact, no overtime in the prelims anymore. 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and zippo for a loss. Now if you need two points you need to fight for it in regulation because there's no "free" point anymore. And in a 3 match prelim a tie isn't quite as bad as a loss but especially early in an event it is not a result any team will want either. The only objection I have after a quick look at the rules is the swing point in OT for a major penalty. If OT time is open-ended there is no need to decide the outcome by rule.
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Monday Poll
I gotta ask about the Chicago Open. Or more specifically, the location, the Badlandz.
It's two, two polls in one. Sorta. But not really. It's two polls but they are related. Poll number one asks the question. Will the location of this year's Chicago Open influence your decision to compete? The answer is either yes, or no.
The second poll doesn't ask any question. Instead, I'd like you to self-identify your likely level of participation; Race 2-2, Race 2-4 and so on. Between the two we'll get some idea of which group of competitive players are most (and least) likely to be put off by this year's location.
These polls don't answer themselves. If you don't participate nobody gets the answer. So, take a minute, click the old mouse a couple of times. Do it for the future of the game, do it for the kids.
It's two, two polls in one. Sorta. But not really. It's two polls but they are related. Poll number one asks the question. Will the location of this year's Chicago Open influence your decision to compete? The answer is either yes, or no.
The second poll doesn't ask any question. Instead, I'd like you to self-identify your likely level of participation; Race 2-2, Race 2-4 and so on. Between the two we'll get some idea of which group of competitive players are most (and least) likely to be put off by this year's location.
These polls don't answer themselves. If you don't participate nobody gets the answer. So, take a minute, click the old mouse a couple of times. Do it for the future of the game, do it for the kids.
Malaga '10 Field Layout
No shooting lanes otb this time, kids. There are a few obvious and excellent lanes but for this layout effective laning may depend in how teams find ways to get extra guns in play otb. Instead, I want to look at aspects of the design that I think will limit aggressive play and tend to slow points down.I'ma try to keep this short and to the point but we both know how that's gonna work out. Neither 50 dominates. Neither 50 even delivers guaranteed kills. This is, in part, because most of the cross field lanes are blocked or partially blocked. And the lack of cross field shots will tend to push play into half field contests with the snake side battling the snake side opponents and the dorito wire fighting the opposition dorito wire. Alone this simply means there are two games going on simultaneously and if you win one of the battles fast enough (or first) there is the potential opportunity to flank the remaining opponents and close out the point. The primary defining characteristic of this divided field play is that most of the action will be dominated by gunfighting. And in play dominated by various gunfighting combinations the key is not field position, it's the relationship between bunkers. (If the best props were up field or paired with a higher risk factor; for example, can be pinched or at least attacked from multiple diverse angles, that would neutralize or balance their effectiveness.)
Continuing the gunfighting and/or lane control themes let's look at some key bunkers beginning with the snake corner SD. It's important because it's virtually useless except as an alternate primary with access to snake 1. It cannot effectively contest movement up the snake and is at a huge disadvantage in a lane control contest with the opponent's snake side MT. It is also susceptible to numerous direct and indirect lanes of paint. The upshot is that no team will want to play the position consistently and the inability (or unwillingness) to routinely risk a player in that position will strengthen the snake side MT's already dominate position by limiting the possibility of multiple wide guns battling the position.
Looking at the pink marked props we isolate the two MTs and back center Can. The Can has good lanes to both sides of the field, good visibility of the action on both sides and is the ideal early parking spot for a player given the field's tendency to play in halves. A player kept back can respond to either side of the field as needed--which is a sensible take but also a fundamentally defensive one. Snake side MT dominates the snake wire with only snake 1's TCK any sort of viable counter. And the dorito side corner MT offers a dominating wrap on most of the rest of the dorito side bunkers any time it is uncontested by either a mirror or the fifty dorito. If you have more shots, better shots from a more diverse and defensible position like the corner MT why risk moving up field to less effective positions?
The green TCK demonstrates a counterpoint to the elevation advantages of the MT's. [Elevation refers to the line of sight options and gun positions available. Tall bunkers are good.] The snake MT's forward position gives it numerous advantages without corresponding risks. The snake 1 TCK (which may be played standing, sorta) is a mixed bag by comparison. It's useful elevation blocks the corner SD behind it. And in order to make use of it's elevation potential the player also increases the risk from incoming shooting lanes.
The orange marked bunkers illustrate a couple differing qualities. The snake CK (snake 5) is the only one with multiple shots cross field. Examine the shots from snake 1 and snake 5. Keeping with the defensive tendency the field encourages there is little reason to press the snake given the available shots while the risk involved is very high, particularly with an active MT in place. The orange TCK on the other hand is an easy access prop with elevation and lanes that play both sides of the field while still allowing potential rotations to either side of the field. In comparing orange bunkers teams are far more likely to have a player in the back line TCK than they are to press the play of the game and take snake 5--until they've eliminated everyone on that side of the field.
Of course, there remain ways to effectively attack some of these prime bunkers and a player snap-shooting the MT from the snake can still eliminate an opponent despite bunker to bunker disadvantages that normally make it easier for the MT player to shoot the snake. However, my point remains, the design encourages defensive play because the odds of success clearly favors a defensive approach in the basic layout and in the placement of key bunkers. Even so, the strongest gun-fighting teams are likely to be the most successful. (The alternative is a team that gets hot laning and consistently begins points with numbers advantages.)
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Back to the Badlandz
A PSP press release yesterday announced that the Chicago 2010 event would be a blast back to the past, to be held at the Badlandz, OG home of the original Chicagoland tournaments. Drawing on tournament history and tradition it was one part nostalgia and two parts challenge. A reminder of past glory and a gauntlet thrown down for the younger set to prove they have the kind of heart today that the Old Skoolers had in their time. All in all a couple of steps up from the usual blather. Not that this isn't blather too but it is a better quality blather than the norm. And it probably would have worked pretty well any other time. (Heck, it may still work pretty well but there are a couple of things working against it, too.)
For those paying attention it ain't news that until yesterday there had not been an announced venue for the Chicago event. For those paying less attention the PSP has held the popular event next to a water park in Bolingbrook Il for the past few years and a return to a rural paintball field sounds like a step backwards. The real news is Bolingbrook was almost certainly not going to be the venue this year due to rising rental fees and the league was reviewing other possibilities. And personally I am inclined to think (based on zero official information) that the Badlandz is a conservative fallback option predicated largely on the significant decline in numbers seen in Phoenix. If Chicago numbers rebound the Badlandz can handle it (for the most part) and if they continue to be soft the Badlandz won't be an economic albatross around the league's throat. It is a prudent if not ideal choice.
Besides the obvious comparison players will make between the expected venue and the one they's gonna get there's also the unfortunate timing--of the NPPL 3.0's return to Chicago--prior to the PSP. The NPPL Chicago event is scheduled to be held at a paintball venue too; CPX Paintball Park in conjunction with the high profile Big Game, Living Legends, over the Memorial Day weekend. The PSP event will held end of June (as usual) and in conjunction with a UWL event. This means potential participants have two Chicago events within a month of each other to consider attending and it seems to me it's an open question as to the appeal of the two choices. Will NPPL 3.0 draw off local one time 5-man teams? Will a comparison of the venues sway undecideds? Time will tell.
For those paying attention it ain't news that until yesterday there had not been an announced venue for the Chicago event. For those paying less attention the PSP has held the popular event next to a water park in Bolingbrook Il for the past few years and a return to a rural paintball field sounds like a step backwards. The real news is Bolingbrook was almost certainly not going to be the venue this year due to rising rental fees and the league was reviewing other possibilities. And personally I am inclined to think (based on zero official information) that the Badlandz is a conservative fallback option predicated largely on the significant decline in numbers seen in Phoenix. If Chicago numbers rebound the Badlandz can handle it (for the most part) and if they continue to be soft the Badlandz won't be an economic albatross around the league's throat. It is a prudent if not ideal choice.
Besides the obvious comparison players will make between the expected venue and the one they's gonna get there's also the unfortunate timing--of the NPPL 3.0's return to Chicago--prior to the PSP. The NPPL Chicago event is scheduled to be held at a paintball venue too; CPX Paintball Park in conjunction with the high profile Big Game, Living Legends, over the Memorial Day weekend. The PSP event will held end of June (as usual) and in conjunction with a UWL event. This means potential participants have two Chicago events within a month of each other to consider attending and it seems to me it's an open question as to the appeal of the two choices. Will NPPL 3.0 draw off local one time 5-man teams? Will a comparison of the venues sway undecideds? Time will tell.
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Latest Recruits
VFTD welcomes the most recent recruits to the Deadbox Puppet Army. (Yes, this feature is normally called Enlistments of the Week but since I missed last week--I do so have a good excuse--roadtrip to Cali for practice--I needed something more all-purpose.)
The DBSKidz signed up collectively (some are also onboard individually) with dbskidz.blogspot.com so y'all can see what they're up in the Great Northwest whenever you'd like. Thanks to one and all.
Holliday signed on the dotted line when his Pro*file appeared recently--better late than never. (What, no picture, that's not the Holliday I know.)
Next is Shon Saucedo who is playing for X-Factor Pro this season and played with Strange in the past. Thanks Shon and good luck--unless, you know, you're playing us.
And completing this week's list is tsqpaintball. It's a grand gesture as Mick is already a member of the DPA and his T-Square blog (see sidebar) is dueling VFTD for recruits. Thanks, Mick.
Until next time--Puppets Who Kill
The DBSKidz signed up collectively (some are also onboard individually) with dbskidz.blogspot.com so y'all can see what they're up in the Great Northwest whenever you'd like. Thanks to one and all.
Holliday signed on the dotted line when his Pro*file appeared recently--better late than never. (What, no picture, that's not the Holliday I know.)
Next is Shon Saucedo who is playing for X-Factor Pro this season and played with Strange in the past. Thanks Shon and good luck--unless, you know, you're playing us.
And completing this week's list is tsqpaintball. It's a grand gesture as Mick is already a member of the DPA and his T-Square blog (see sidebar) is dueling VFTD for recruits. Thanks, Mick.
Until next time--Puppets Who Kill
Thursday, March 11, 2010
If Bob Says So I Believe It
No, not really--if I worked for the TSA I'd profile Jesus for extra security attention--but it sounded sufficiently jingoistic to be right for a post on small ball, don't you think? The kids at ProPaintball have posted a video of Bob huffing and puffing and blowing a plastic tray down using a 68 cal Victory and a modified 50 cal Victory for comparison purposes.
Best I could tell Bob was advancing 3 basic ideas; small ball shoots and breaks fine at short to medium-ish range (75 feet), small ball can shoot through brush, tree branches and other woodsy obstacles more effectively than 68 cal and small ball delivers less impact at similar velocities. Given those factors 50 cal deserves at least consideration as an alternative to 68 cal in some situations, like games with younger players or new players where the difference between a good time and never again is the potential pain involved.
The first idea is fine as far as it goes but it doesn't go far enough--and elsewhere in the video Bob admits the range is reduced compared to 68 cal and the paint is more susceptible to factors like wind--so kudos for being straight on the observed effects. I just didn't find it particularly persuasive, nor does it motivate me to reconsider the virtues of small ball.
I'm not buying the second notion at all. The video example was not shooting through brush. It was shooting through gaps. Back in the day the VM 68 (and later the first gen clamshell Timmy) punched holes through dense Florida palmettos. You didn't need to see your target. Just start railing and if you hit something, or somebody, you were rewarded with a satisfying yelp unless, of course, you were simply stripping the bark off trees.
But I am buying into the whole reduced impact argument though there is a caveat; breakability. The paint has to break as consistently as a 68 cal paintball, grade of paint for grade of paint. While I find Bob's concern for the children who are our future both uplifting and personally gratifying I also find it more than a little ironic given--how to say this, Bob's past association with guns of dubious legality.
On a completely separate subject one of the first things I did when I heard about 50 cal was to explore the possibility of producing a generic retrofit kit (or two) to convert 68 cal guns to 50 cal. It became apparent in short order that while not hard to do every kit would have to be gun or manufacturer specific and that if 50 cal looked good the manufacturers would jump on it. One other thing concerned me: the possibility of Dye modifying their eyepipe patent. They do have one, don't they?
Best I could tell Bob was advancing 3 basic ideas; small ball shoots and breaks fine at short to medium-ish range (75 feet), small ball can shoot through brush, tree branches and other woodsy obstacles more effectively than 68 cal and small ball delivers less impact at similar velocities. Given those factors 50 cal deserves at least consideration as an alternative to 68 cal in some situations, like games with younger players or new players where the difference between a good time and never again is the potential pain involved.
The first idea is fine as far as it goes but it doesn't go far enough--and elsewhere in the video Bob admits the range is reduced compared to 68 cal and the paint is more susceptible to factors like wind--so kudos for being straight on the observed effects. I just didn't find it particularly persuasive, nor does it motivate me to reconsider the virtues of small ball.
I'm not buying the second notion at all. The video example was not shooting through brush. It was shooting through gaps. Back in the day the VM 68 (and later the first gen clamshell Timmy) punched holes through dense Florida palmettos. You didn't need to see your target. Just start railing and if you hit something, or somebody, you were rewarded with a satisfying yelp unless, of course, you were simply stripping the bark off trees.
But I am buying into the whole reduced impact argument though there is a caveat; breakability. The paint has to break as consistently as a 68 cal paintball, grade of paint for grade of paint. While I find Bob's concern for the children who are our future both uplifting and personally gratifying I also find it more than a little ironic given--how to say this, Bob's past association with guns of dubious legality.
On a completely separate subject one of the first things I did when I heard about 50 cal was to explore the possibility of producing a generic retrofit kit (or two) to convert 68 cal guns to 50 cal. It became apparent in short order that while not hard to do every kit would have to be gun or manufacturer specific and that if 50 cal looked good the manufacturers would jump on it. One other thing concerned me: the possibility of Dye modifying their eyepipe patent. They do have one, don't they?
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