Why no Clear hoppers?

[CoFFeY[NiTrO]]

As mad as I am about just buying a clear shell, it is a genious idea. I never even thought about the whiping part, of course I have a warp so my arm is usually covering most of the hopper.

[Blennidae]

Whats the big deal?

OK, I don't play tourneys, so maybe I'm missing something.

Its a rule to make things easier on the Refs so they can watch for other things. I'd think it was more important for the ref to be looking for someone wiping or something instead of having to concentrate on if that color he/she sees on a hopper is a hit or not.

The sponsored players should not care as its not money out of their pocket.

The serious unsponsored players have probably put a boatload of cash into their gear already. A set of different colored shells isn't going to break them.

The new to tournament player gets a taste of the unexpected expenses a tournament has.

If you want to play in the NPPL, its a new rule. Accept it and move on. You pay to play.

Just my opinion...

[JEDI]

Originally posted by -=Squid=-
I do ref, and I also know how. Its is NOT hard to tell when a player is hit... in fact, its very simple. Sometimes you have to get closer than 20 feet away to check. Fact of the matter is, if a ref wanted he could easily tell if the players hopper was hit regardless of the shell color.

My sentiments exactly!

And Blennidae, its your own opinion, fine. But in a sense you're wrong. I fall into the category of serious unsponsored player. I own 3 hoppers, all of which are clear to some degree. Buying new shells at the whim of some promoter is rediculous.
Sure, you're right, its a new rule we're forced to accept. But where does it lead to next? Everyone HAS to wear black pants?
And as far as refs needing to keep their eyes on other things... Hits are basically the ONLY thing they need to look for. Its not the ref's game, its the players. The refs should be doing everything in their power to make a judgement. We cant change little minute details of the game just to make reffing easier.

[Blennidae]

Jedi:

Fair enough, I can see your viewpoint. You said your hoppers were "clear to some degree". I thought I read somewhere that smoke and other transparent colors were OK, only "clear" was banned.

Its true that refs should only be looking for hits, but they are pretty busy out there and might not actually see the impact. Since not everyone calls themselves out, wouldn't you rather have the ref not having to to do a double take on someones equipment when he/she should be looking for hits.

A hypothetical example:
You break a ball inside your clear hopper. Ref sees it and calls you out. You either leave and contest it, or contest it on the field. Either way is no good for the players, as you are either out, or the ref is distracted.

The rules get changed to cover a problem (real or not) that the officials see as a potential problem.

As for your point about the pants, I'd bet if people tried to market and wear pants with quarter sized colored dots all over them, they would ban those as well.

[SlartyBartFast]

Originally posted by JEDI
But where does it lead to next? Everyone HAS to wear black pants?

It might just come to that. It may be a good thing too.

Ever try to distinguish splats on Belgian camo?

If players will stretch the limits of the rules, eventually they will be snapped back into line by more draconian rules that aren't open to interpretation.

Hopper covers were abused to increase bounces. = No hopper covers at all.

Hundreds of stickers over the hopper to conceal hits. = No stickers at all/one black and white sticker.

As the various clothing manufacturers are pushing the limit of bagginess and included padding, there may just be a mandated uniform at some point.

[JEDI]

Yeah, I wont DISAGREE with either of you. Fairly good points. I'm just looking at it from a financial point of view. Do you know what its gonna be like to tell the other 6 guys on my team that all recently spent +/- $100 on hoppers, that now they all have to be solid?

If we all knew this kind of ruling wouldn't get out of hand, the hopper thing wouldnt be that bad... Its down the line that I'm afraid of. My gear is at a point where all I need to do is maintain it. I dont need to be buying new sh*t every time a rule comes out.

[Strider]

I know that clear hoppers were one thing I semi complained about last time I reffed a big tourney. While I hate the idea of buying new shells (esp for Egg users) I agree with the rule.

Personally I'd like to see paintball companies just not make same color shell to fill balls...

[JEDI]

Originally posted by Strider
I know that clear hoppers were one thing I semi complained about last time I reffed a big tourney. While I hate the idea of buying new shells (esp for Egg users) I agree with the rule.

Personally I'd like to see paintball companies just not make same color shell to fill balls...

Dude, I dont want to say you're missing the point, but its not really about same color shell/fill. In the NPPL, players are free to use what ever paint they want. If it was event paint only, no one would benefit from their paint sponsorship. So, that translates to hundreds of teams using 10 to 20 different kinds of paint.

Even if every company agreed to not make their shell the same as their fill, you might STILL have one companies shell the same as ANOTHER companies fill.

A pink fill ball could break on a hopper filled with pink shelled paint. In fact, their arent many companies that DO make same shell to fill balls. Changing shells/fill color isnt the answer, nor should changing the hoppers.

Their needs to be an answer that doesn't require us schmucks to spend even more money. But why would we expect any different from $$ hungry companies.

[Brophog]

Here's a good answer.

Support the NPPL in similiar movements to start retroactively enforcing this kind of stuff. As long as they dont go back on their word (again....) then people will only have to make the changes once.

[sneakyhacker420]

god damn!

and i just got a clear reloader b...

time to check on when yellow shells will be available again :o *sigh*

[Oddball]

So are tinted hoppers ok or does the hopper need to be solid, as in not see the balls inside?

[sneakyhacker420]

sounds like its only crystal clear to me

[AcemanPB]

What about Warps and Q-loaders? Aren't they clear? Are they considered "hoppers?"

[-=Squid=-]

Originally posted by AcemanPB
What about Warps and Q-loaders? Aren't they clear? Are they considered "hoppers?"

Aye! Excellent question which I to would like to see the answer to. Golf clap, everybody.

[RoadDawg]

I've been to the HB NPPL 7 event the last two days and I've seen plenty of crystal clear hoppers. So looks like to me it isn't in effect for this event.