Whos is Bill Cookston, and what's he stand for?

[cledford]

Here is a question (attached below) I posted to another thread - but I think the issue is important enough to go ahead and start it's own thread. I want everyone to know I'm not trying to bash Bill Cookston - I don't even know him. I am curious as to his position, why NPPL (which I thought was a "players" league) allows him unilateral (at least it appears) authority to make up rules as he sees fit, what his credentials and experience are, why triggers and other technology that allow us to realize the full potential of our markers seem to be such a concern for him, and if the rampant cheating is as high a priority.

I'm raising this issue because I see his name come up virtually every time there is a question about marker technology but there isn't much else out there about the guy.

-Calvin

[AGD]

I have known Bill personally for over 10 years and he is a good friend of mine. He is actually the best thing that ever happened to the NPPL. His job is so crappy and so stressfull that no one wants to do it. If he ever quit no one would step up to take that job.

EVERYONE complains about his calls but deep down they don't want him to leave because they know he is steadfast and fair. Heck he was the one that banned the RT from one tourney 8 years ago and I agree with what he did (there were a lot of circumstances and we got caught in the crossfire).

When there was the whole issue about Turbo Mode triggers he came to AGD and put the shocker on the gun dyno to really see what it was doing before he made a statement. That right there blew his weekend and he wasn't getting paid a dime.

Bill DOES NOT MAKE THE RULES, he just interprets and enforces them. He does not watch individual games for wiping or infractions, he only handles the big picture or calls that are not clear by the rules. I know for a fact that if he has a big problem (like Salm) he consults with the rules committee before issuing a statement.

He is the FOCAL POINT so everyone naturally hates him for the authority that he stands for. I for one could never have a job were everyone says you suck at the tourney and when the next one rolls around begs you to ref.

If Bill gave me the worst possible call I know I could ask him and he would absolutely give me a clear concise answer why he did it. Of all the years we have talked about problem calls he has never had a reason that didn't make sense.


AGD

[shartley]

[cledford]

AGD,

Good enough for me. As I said I don't know him. I have see many posts at PBN and some here that seemed to paint him as the "one man show" with regard to rules. I'd also seen more about his policing of trigger/trigger-pull rules then anything else.

As you indicated there is plenty of unflattering info floating around out there about his calls also. I get your drift that a lot of these criticisms are "sour grapes."

I will say that as a ref (head or not) his job shouldn't be confused by having to "interpret" the rules - only enforce them. Maybe NPPL needs some sort of body that addresses questions about rules. It's like our system of government -one group to make the rules, one to enforce them, and one to interpret.

This is all slightly above my head - but I'm still interested because the rules that the NPPL sets affet trends in the industry and filter down as well. I wasn't attempting to bash Bill (not saying you thought I was either) I just see his name more often then not driving how the rules are interrupted and some of those decisions really affect certain things. Also, I'm very concerned about the cheating I keep hearing about.

Anyhow, if he's got your respect he's got mine.

-Calvin

[Jonesie]

Originally posted by AGD
Bill DOES NOT MAKE THE RULES, he just interprets and enforces them. He does not watch individual games for wiping or infractions, he only handles the big picture or calls that are not clear by the rules. I know for a fact that if he has a big problem (like Salm) he consults with the rules committee before issuing a statement.

AGD

I'm sure he's an understanding and fair man. I cannot claim to know him, but based on the above quote, I have a question of my own...

I think we all know that CHEATING, WIPING, and SPORTSMANSHIP are problems that affect the BIG PICTURE of our sport. the Salm incident, while a huge problem of the World Cup, is a small problem for our sport. Paintball will NEVER grow until the pros, amatures and rec players all stop cheating.

Perhaps Mr. Cookston SHOULD watch some individual games, or video of past games, and recommend that the Rules Committee come up with rules governing Sportsmanship, Wiping, and Cheating in general. It's there, we've all seen the footage where you can, without a reasonable doubt, say 'He just cheated!'

Until then, neither the NPPL, Mr. Cookston, nor the Pro Players are doing anything good for our sport's future.

Jonesie

[manike]

I have huge respect for Bill Cookston. He is a nice guy who is very approachable and genuinely concerned about paintball. I enjoy talking to him and discussing paintball and the rules when I get chance.

His job can't be easy, but I'm glad it's him doing it. I think he does very well considering the circumstances and conditions.

The rules are not 'perfect' so often he does have to interpret them. I have found he always does it fairly with serious reasoning and thought.

He is doing a huge amount of work to clean up the NPPL. Unfortunately he can't be on every field so he needs others to help with judging etc. and mistakes, wiping and bad judgs calls are not under his immediate control when they happen on field. He does take effort to watch all the big important games and so be there to help with any difficult situations.

He interprets and enforces rules (like the trigger one) to keep thing fair. This is something he can directly be involved in, so is.

I don't know about his history but WDP had enough belief in him to pay for his wages for a year to try and clean up paintball.

Sometimes he comes down hard but he has valid reasons.

manike

[Jonesie]

Originally posted by manike
He is doing a huge amount of work to clean up the NPPL. Unfortunately he can't be on every field so he needs others to help with judging etc. and mistakes, wiping and bad judgs calls are not under his immediate control when they happen on field. He does take effort to watch all the big important games and so be there to help with any difficult situations.

He interprets and enforces rules (like the trigger one) to keep thing fair. This is something he can directly be involved in, so is.

manike

OK, then something needs to be done about the Refs in paintball, and they SHOULD fall under his control. Perhaps there should be a seperate set of 'unbiased' Refs like in the NBA or the NFL or any other professional sport. My understanding has always been that players stand in as refs most of the time. If this understanding is correct, then there is the first problem.

2nd, there needs to be definate, firm and FINAL sanctions for cheating. The ban of Salm is a good start, but it shouldn't take something that extreme to get banned. Wiping should be a suspendable offense, as well as bad sportsmanship. Maybe not a year's worht, but some period of time that would affect the team and the sponsor.

Financial punishments would not only deter unethical play, but will help the NPPL with additional income. Fine a player for wiping, in theory he will be less likely to do it. Fine a sponsor for wiping, the problem should be handled in house. Of course, the fines would only affect the Pros.

The key is the refs. If they will enforce the rules, and call out cheating when they see it, paintball would advance by leaps and bounds.

Jonesie

[manike]

Originally posted by Jonesie
OK, then something needs to be done about the Refs in paintball, and they SHOULD fall under his control. Perhaps there should be a seperate set of 'unbiased' Refs like in the NBA or the NFL or any other professional sport.

Exactly! There is it's called PRO. Proffessional Reffing Organisation. It is something Bill Cookston is developing but it isn't easy.

How do you find good people that understand the rules and can enfore them that aren't affiliated to a team, and who will travel to judge event after event with all the abuse and aggro and bonus balls they get?

Not easy. But Bill Cookston is working on it. Still got some ways to go but it had to be started. This is what he started in conjunction with WDP.

manike

[shartley]

Originally posted by manike
How do you find good people that understand the rules and can enfore them that aren't affiliated to a team, and who will travel to judge event after event with all the abuse and aggro and bonus balls they get?

Not easy. But Bill Cookston is working on it. Still got some ways to go but it had to be started. This is what he started in conjunction with WDP.

manike

I know someone who would be perfect for that.... if he was paid to do so.

[manike]

Originally posted by shartley

I know someone who would be perfect for that.... if he was paid to do so.

OK, that's one... we need another 7 per field

If he wants to do it tell him to get in touch with Bill he can PM me for his e-mail.

manike

[Jonesie]

Originally posted by manike


Exactly! There is it's called PRO. Proffessional Reffing Organisation. It is something Bill Cookston is developing but it isn't easy.

How do you find good people that understand the rules and can enfore them that aren't affiliated to a team, and who will travel to judge event after event with all the abuse and aggro and bonus balls they get?

Not easy. But Bill Cookston is working on it. Still got some ways to go but it had to be started. This is what he started in conjunction with WDP.

manike

I think that is a GREAT idea!

You know, with all the money these Tournament seem to take in with entry fees, $100 cases of FPO, and sponsors, the refs should get their fair share.

You're right, there is a challenge in finding qualified people who are unbiased. As paintball becomes a little older, you'll find the guys who used to play, but don't or can't at the Pro level anymore.

Make it like any other sport. If a player argues a call, cheats, or displays poor sportmanship; kick him out of the game and/or suspend him from subsequent games or the entire tournie. Fine him or the team sponsor even.

Come up with a Card system (similar to SOCCER ) where the first offense is a warning with some sort of reparation for the other team (like a free advance or something). Then, further offensive costs the team a player for that and/or subsequent games.

These are just a few ideas off the top of my head that seem to work in other sports. They may or maynot successfully apply to paintball. I'm just brainstorming in an attempt to help better the psort we all love.

This is what I'm doing instead of legitimate work

Jonesie

[cledford]

And find refs who don't get busted committing felony theft in the vendor area between games

Seriously, I think the PRO is a good idea. I'm just having trouble seeing who would have the time to take off work, fly around the country, attend all of the major tourneys (at several days per event), and not PLAY.

Hopefully they find some good people.

Manike, how does one get involved?

-Calvin

[shartley]

Originally posted by cledford
And find refs who don't get busted committing felony theft in the vendor area between games

Seriously, I think the PRO is a good idea. I'm just having trouble seeing who would have the time to take off work, fly around the country, attend all of the major tourneys (at several days per event), and not PLAY.

Hopefully they find some good people.

Manike, how does one get involved?

-Calvin

The key is not to find people who can take time off of work to do this, but to PAY people to do it AS their job. Also if you have Refs cover certain areas of the country and not ALL of the country, you can eliminate much of the travel expences.

[hitech]

Originally posted by shartley
The key is not to find people who can take time off of work to do this, but to PAY people to do it AS their job.

Do you think "we" are at this point yet? I can't imagine something like the NPPL being able to afford that. Are even NFL refs full time now (they weren't 10 years ago)?

[ogre55]

I would not normally qoute APG for anything, however, they printed a statement by Chuck Hensch (sp) of the NPPL in the last issue.

Two things that he said was that cheating and unsportsmanlike conduct are a problem with needs to be resolved and that for the Super 7 tournaments there will be a PROFFESSIONAL reffing staff that will be flown it to officiate the tournaments.

This next season may be very interesting indeed. If these reffs are as good as they should be, we should be seeing a severe crackdown on the tourny BS.

Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Ogre