College Paintball On-Campus Field Petition

[xxkylexx]

Signed.

[flying Dutchman]

Actually, I have addressed the long-term within the proposal, as attached to this field is a school sponsored club. I will actually be running the facility to the point of graduation, where upon I will continue to take a class once a year to remain an active student. As long as I continue doing such, I will be able to continue operating the field without issue. (I also have a plan to live in the area, therefore I will not be gone for a good amount of time if at all.)

As for an online survey, again, it is only for added pressure. Though it may be insignificant, it will only be tacked on to the very end; behind a student petition, as well as faculty petition.

I do not exactly see how I ignored any advice given in this thread, I took each point of your and explained and elaborated fully. As far as I can see, the only advice I heeded from your post was that I should not open this field. Nothing further.

I do not ask whatsoever to be babied, or coddled, I took your post, and responded to it with full respect and contemplation.

Hawk. I think you may have found the answer already but haven't yet seen it. You mentioned that one field was up to the standards that should be maintained in the sport. And it's no surprise they are the ones struggling to survive. The folks that cut the corners and put nothing back in are the ones that require the least out of it to survive. If you can talk with the field operator and link with him to bolster his business, I'd bet he would entertain a speedball field or two for your interest. So many times players seek only the cheap way out, and they doom the field that's doing it right. Years ago people understood that the best buy was a comparision that included both cost and quality. Too many folks today pay no attention to quality. If the field owner see a little hope out there he will overcome the lease problem. But if the players turn their backs on good fields they will anly have poor fields left to play on. Remember when you talk to to a field owner he may have access to numbers you don't. Things like (15% of players preder speedball type games) So you have a field operator going after 85% of the market. Show him that the other 15% is worth the effort. Another thing that kind of rots. Any injury in this sport even if it's back yard play is used by the number crunchers to raise the premium paid by insured fields. Their calculations view the sport as a whole. They don't go by injuries on a facility. This sport was much stronger 8 years ago before the two styles of play virtually split. Neither is strong enough to do well on it's own. One more number to consider, active players today are estimated to be 20% less then in 2004. That means we are not doing it right. The entire industry has to get it head out of its you know what. We are here to safe guard this sport and to keep it alive and healthy. I've served players from 2 generations and in about 2-3 years I will start seeing 3 generation players. I'd like to be around for that. I'm not kidding a young man of 20 played on my field in 87, he had a 6 year old son. That boy played his first game in 92 at 11 years old. That boy started a family in 99. His little girl is now 8 and will be coming in to play in a few years I'm sure.

We need people in this sport for the long haul not the quick buck.

[teufelhunden]

I'm not kidding a young man of 20 played on my field in 87, he had a 6 year old son. That boy played his first game in 92 at 11 years old. That boy started a family in 99. His little girl is now 8 and will be coming in to play in a few years I'm sure.

Jesus, the gap between grandparent and grandchild in that family is less than the gap between parent and child for me [I'm the oldest of 4, my dad was 28 and my mom 27 when I was born].

[Hawk1216]

Seriously, Teufel.

Actually Dutch, the thing is, is that they actually aren't having financial difficulties at all. The problem is, is that the current field is located on a gravel pit company's land, and the company is wanting to expand their dump into the field. The owner is getting pretty old, (80's) and does not have kids that want to continue the sport if the land is lost.

So really, this isn't an issue of supporting any of the local fields honestly, otherwise I'd be much more inclined to support rather than start anew; but rather it's a situation of losing what is here, and wanting to keep quality paintball alive here.

[flying Dutchman]

Seriously, Teufel.

Actually Dutch, the thing is, is that they actually aren't having financial difficulties at all. The problem is, is that the current field is located on a gravel pit company's land, and the company is wanting to expand their dump into the field. The owner is getting pretty old, (80's) and does not have kids that want to continue the sport if the land is lost.

So really, this isn't an issue of supporting any of the local fields honestly, otherwise I'd be much more inclined to support rather than start anew; but rather it's a situation of losing what is here, and wanting to keep quality paintball alive here.

That sounds like your on the right track then. We just lost 3 major fields in the state and a 4th hads been put up for sale because the owner is dying. This season is going to be wild and crazy for us. Good luck on your field and if I can help don't feel shy to ask.

[Hawk1216]

I'm glad you see the need for a field now, with further explanation.

I appreciate the offer, most likely, I'll be in contact. (As help is always excellent to have.)

[ObieJ30]

Im talking math112 and english 110 online, you gotta be kidding me that chilli might close, i go there each and every saturday unless i take the trip to joilet and go to CPX. if chilli closes down i might have to go postal on some people

[Hawk1216]

We'll see what happens, I honestly hope it doesn't, but can't do anything about them crazy landowners.

I've got all kinds of random classes this semester, it's kind of wierd honestly. Here for an hour a day, then I leave, then on Wednesday night I come back.

Uggg. >.<

[neppo1345]

I wasn't trying to be condescending (although rereading it I can see how it reads that way). I run into no shortage of extremely intelligent, enthused people who are just missing some experience I and others have unfortunately learned the hard way. Clearly, you're not 14. But, you are doing some things that do scream overenthusiastic kid - trying to do an online petition is one of them. Not addressing the long-term operation of the field is another.

Assuming you are a college student, you are at a point in your life where things are very transient. You are asking to establish a permanent facility at a school you are going to leave soon - unless you plan on being a college student for 10 years or something. What happens to this facility when you stop going to the school? You need to address what happens to the field after you, as you don't currently seem to have any organization to run the field that outlives your enrollment.

Also, ignoring good advice because one sentence of a post offends you is also not a good sign. While I wasn't trying to be in any way offensive, I'm not just trying to pat you on the back either. The real world doesn't care about babying your feelings.


- Chris

I think (Chris) the president of the NCPA would have some good advice on this issue guys...