Dale Ford's take on Blanding Free Finale...

[Locopaintball]

Originally Posted by the boss

I agree interesting that this is so hotly disputed seems everyone has Billy's best interest in mind (ha ha )

I never new before that they cared so much.

thanks for your support Boss, give me a shout when you can.

[thundertb]

OK, OK, let's cut to the chase here. Instead of using 'those people' and 'some people' let call a spade a spade shall we? Is there another statement somewhere other then mine that calls into question Billy's ability to handle the venue? If so, please let me know so I can read it, otherwise I will be responding per the belief that mine is the only one and that I am that person mentioned by several others above, forgive me if I am wrong on that.

Some seem to think that I am angry or upset that Billy got Blanding. Some seem to think that I am un-happy that the 'common man' as they call it gets to play Blanding for the never before seen price of free. Some seem to think that I am trying to help Viper in maintaining his place in Blanding or whatever. So let me tell you all that you are wrong. I have no reason to lie and if you want to go back and try to use my words to prove some point that isn't there, by all means go ahead.

I am sincerely glad that Billy got Blanding, and I knew that it was coming. I also know that MXS is doing a Game in Feb. again, reported to be the last event of MXS ever. And that Viper is doing at least one game, possibly in the summer and maybe another if the VIP game is a success. Chances are that if Billy is successful and chooses he will get another game next year maybe even moving the Free Finale there permanently. And that is all good for the players, the producers, and the sport.

I am not knocking Billy Smith, but I am not going to shirk from the politics of the situation and hang on one side just because of personal likes or dislikes. I did that for far too long as it is. I have talked to Billy (not about this, but other things) and while he and I aren't best friends, I think I can have a pretty fair assessment about him. Now I am sure that my opinion is not 'popular' and that to me is the difference. I see people saying that Dale's was the only objective piece, and I don't know if I agree with that.

The purpose of putting the money out there isn't jealousy on my part or anyone else. It was to show the players that are 'cost conscious' that there is more the Blanding then setting up a pop-up tent and putting on a game. That there are real and tangible costs. It wasn't a slam that someone 'like' Billy was going to do a game there and he couldn't do it. It was simply to put out there all the variables so that EVERYONE knew what was expected of them. And to make sure those corners weren't cut, because you can have all the experience in the world doing games at your field, but Blanding is unique. I say that because as experienced as MXS was, they had stumbles, as experienced as Viper is he has had stumbles, and yet each of them had given themselves some reserves (monetary) that each of them has wound up using every time. Or did people forget about the clean-up debacle in Feb?

I don't see anyone getting mad because MXS offered to help Billy, if he needed it? Yet because some said he might not be able to do the game, I am looking down on Billy? I guess it is all perspective and in this case, I am on the 'un-popular' side of the equation. And hey that is ok, if nothing else, people will make sure that they pick up their trash, and the base will get cleaned and people will do the right thing, if for no other reason then to not give someone like me the ability to come back and say something bad. They want to be able to give me the 'finger' and as long as Blanding is a success and new rules aren't implemented making holding games there so cost prohibitive unless you sacrifice something.

Several people have mentioned that promoters like Billy drive the costs down and that is a good thing. And on agreeing with that is not where I stand. To me, you get what you pay for. I have produced games; I have helped produce games with MXS and Viper. And I have seen the difference in games where the extra money was spent and when the corners were cut. And there was a suffer in game play and presentation. Whether the person who showed up just to shoot people noticed it or not, is beside the point. However I am sure that some will say I don't care about story, or cards, or props, I am there to shoot paintball so make them cheaper. And that may be where general scenario paintball goes in the future. It may become that those scenario games promoters win out over the traditional ones.

But if the 'common man' as some has made this out to be, can have his Blanding game, then there should be no problem in the other end of the spectrum having their own game. If it isn't your cup of tea, that's fine, no biggie. I am not going to sit and tell you to go play it before you don't like it. You don't have to eat a nasty sandwich to know it is nasty to you. However someone is likes that nasty sandwich, and then let those that want to eat it, eat it. Do I think that my posts hurt the Free Finale? Not at all. Do I think that someone will read what I posted and say I was going to that game, but now I am not because TB said this stuff: No, I haven't gotten one email or response that said that. I am sure that Billy will have 1200 players and that the majority will have fun. I am sure that there will be some who don't and get on various forums and post things and I will be watching to see that. If it is the same old things that always seem to be posted after a Blanding game then I will know without a doubt that the players are really the ones driving most of this not the promoters. What do I mean by that? Simply this, I have heard people complain similarly about MXS-produced and the one Viper-produced games at Blanding. So we will see if they apply the same 'logic' to the Free Finale. I doubt that they will me, since politics dictates against it. Just as some have seized on Viper being the enemy in this battle of Blandings, even though MXS has been in Blanding for several years and was not happy that they brought Viper in (you can quote me on that). Although I am baffled at this, I am not surprised. The SE is so either for Wayne or against Wayne and there are big players on both sides that drive the games there.

But I do find this interesting that all the 'major' promoters follow the same pricing scheme, the same similar formats and such and so many people support one and dump on the others and say that promoter A is against the players while promoter B is for the players and the simple fact is that unless you are trying to make a statement, they all have to feed their families, they all have to make money. And a bigger portion of nothing is still nothing. To me the Southeast is rife with politics, followed closely by the NE. The only difference is the NE is still with team politics and the SE has progressed to promoter/field politics.

Sorry for the book, and I am not trying to slam anyone or insult anyone. Just trying to point out the inaccuracies if someone tries to paint my comments as Anti-Billy, or Anti-Free Finale or trying to keep down the common man because I think I am so elite. None of those are accurate or factual; I am one of the fairest people out there when it comes to people doing what they want to do. It is only when people try to tell others what games they should play or try to influence people to their politics that I have issues with. As for Furby, I hope you see me as the other side of the coin, either heads or tails.

How's that for punditry. Dale?

[thundertb]

Originally Posted by Locopaintball

With the negativity that one forum or site have posted has worked in reverse for them. I have had an enormous amount of e-mails and phone calls from supporters all around with people volunteering to ref, help set up or to help take down just because they want to make this event right.

And that is part of the reason I posted what I did. Since I know that there are enough people out there that want to be able to say that 'they told me so' that you would indeed be flooded with offers to help and players policing themselves so that you don't have to. It should be a great game.

I hope to speak to you today, Billy. Since I do not want you to believe as you have been told that I want you to fail or I am trying to hurt your game.

[Furby]

Outstanding punditry, sir. For the record, I received an email or two and heard some unsubstantiated rumblings from other quarters that led me to write that piece. Your well-reasoned doubts and concerns were a contributing factor as well.

However, you're wrong on at least one fact, and I feel you're reading more into the piece than there is. I don't work for Billy in any way, shape or form at this time, but I am somewhat familiar with how he runs his operation and I have a reasonable understanding of how he intends to make money on a lower cost event like Free Finale.

What the hell took you so long to react to that piece?

[thundertb]

LMAO, too busy bashing other aspects of the sport in my attempt to ruin it by cheating, playing on, shooting hot and well taking on pillars of the scenario community in an attempt to manipulate and short cut my way to the top of something that has no top. Couple with that my vain attempt to put the 'common man' in his place while asserting my dominant 'elite' superior attitude as I attempt to make myself feel better by bashing those that I deem less then myself.

Seriously though, Dale I know that you don't work for Billy, but are close enough to him to understand the inner workings better then some and in some areas better then me. And I do not work for Viper or any other promoter. I used to be a close part of MXS, but I will not be a part of anything like that again. And I have taken Viper to task publicly as well. I was not offended by your editorial, I found it as I said to be the other side of the coin. I just din't want people thinking that I was knocking Billy Smith or his event. In fact, I do hope to attend to see first hand how the 'common man' plays a Blanding event. Even us 'elite' players like to rub elbows with 'commoners' now and again. It's what keeps us feeling so superior.

[gfgjester]

I stand corrected, Lawrence. I read your extensive op-ed on your site and it is interesting as well as constructive. Since I don't know Billy and have never been to one of the Free Finales, I am in no position to form any opinions on his abilities. I did originally note that Dale had presented a constructive viewpoint. Now I sound like Fox News!

BTW, your "World" looks good. Take care...

[thundertb]

No worries Jester, the personae of TB is at times misunderstood. In fact the PR of the 'Boogeyman of Scenario Paintball' has probably been too successful. I certainly enjoy your articles in PB2X and I am glad that you have kept it up. I hope to be able to attend one of GFG's scenarios in 2008, and even venture to the MOUT site in AL.

And I have been compared to Bill O'Reilly already. Only that I am more sanctimonious then even he is. Is that possible? I mean, I don't dare say that my 'world' is fair and balanced or is a 'no spin' zone.

[ace007]

I'm hardly one of LCP's favorite people, nor am I trying to become one, but I'll step up to the plate and say that I see no reason why Billy can't put on a good game at Blanding. No promoter bats a thousand, but you can bet Billy will put forth the effort to do a good game.

While in life you generally get what you pay for, paintball can be unique at times. $70/ case paint doesn't necessarily shoot any better than $40.0/case paint. The big thing, at all events, is the true cost of attendence. People want to feel like it was worth their time to pack their stuff, travel for hours, & spend a bunch a money. We have fields in the upstate S.C. area that aren't doing squat for their customers, but they charge $75.00 a case for white box. That doesn't help the sport at all.

We all know that promoters have to make a profit, the question becomes how much profit and how. Most people I know would rather pay a decent entrance fee(1 time fee) and then buy paint at a reasonable prices. From what I've seen & read, we actually have 3 types of games going.

1. Low tech games with few props; game tends to be focused around the story line and straight-forward "capture this" or "hold this" missions. These games can be family friendly & are promoted by the field owner. Can seem like a giant, mindless shoot-out at times.

2. Low tech games with some, maybe even a lot of props; Story line tends to be more focused and communicated better in general than with #1 above. The game still tends to be focused around fairly straight-forward "capture this" or "hold this" missions. There seems to be more of everything at these games (tanks, people, rocket launchers) because they have been well promoted. These games can be family friendly & are usually promoted by the field owner AND an outside team.

3. Higher end games, where there are field special effects and an "all out story line" where you can expect very difficult, even complicated missions. The fire fights you can expect here make it most likely all-adult event. This is the type of stuff I believe Viper is specializing in. I play with my kids in tow, so I've never played one of these yet. The price for these types seem high to me, but if that's what a certain segment of paintballers want to do, I don't have a problem with it. For me, I love my kids too much to do this more than once a year. These events generally will have to keep the attendence numbers down for everything to work.

Truth is, most woodsballers have done the first 2 types, some all 3, but regardless, people want to get a good value for their money. And that's where Billy's sucess has been--at giving people a good value for their money.

[gfgjester]

Originally Posted by thundertb

No worries Jester, the personae of TB is at times misunderstood. In fact the PR of the 'Boogeyman of Scenario Paintball' has probably been too successful. I certainly enjoy your articles in PB2X and I am glad that you have kept it up. I hope to be able to attend one of GFG's scenarios in 2008, and even venture to the MOUT site in AL.

And I have been compared to Bill O'Reilly already. Only that I am more sanctimonious then even he is. Is that possible? I mean, I don't dare say that my 'world' is fair and balanced or is a 'no spin' zone.

Thanks, Man. "TB O'Wright"... The No Tard Zone! Kinda has a ring to it. The PB2X Oct cover has the Memorial Day McClellan event. I'm looking forward to seeing it. Out the last week of tis month. Lata!

[the boss]

I sometimes think that most people have come to understand that paint that cost 18 - 20 a case and sells for 75 a case is price gouging to the extreme and you know how we common people from the hurricane states feel about price gouging. Personally if a man wants to produce a cheaper game than don't condem him hell support him he may well pave the way for better things to come. Besides what is the hype of getting the blanding mount site for an event, it's not that hard you get a date , pay for the event , buy the paint set up the air vendor for the event host the game , pay the keystone FD to clean it up and wash it down, walk it over check for trash and have the blanding folks ok that every thing is clean. Wow there it is now everybody knows how it works you don't have to sell your soul to satin or know GW Bush to have a game there, not bad for a common country boy. Ohh yea, try to satisfy all the naysayers and try to smile while a certain few complain like they always do, if you let them in free gave them a truck load of paint and free air they wouldn't like the weather. so there it is. Jester maybe you should have an article in the mag producer vs producer let the people vote on that. OH well there I go rambling again (Florida Heat)