Wisconsin Pinball

nmeun87007 wrote:
As far as introducing new members, i will have to look into some of the other leagues and see how they handle this. I certainly do not want to discourage ANYONE from playing in a league.

the easiest solution is to find 20 different hosts and start two leagues... someday we can get there. Then we can have an inter-league playoff and a World Series/Superbowl/Championship night too. until that happens we have to have a system in place to accommodate current and potentially new players. some people are going to get left out, that is the way it is, what we have to decide is how to make it less painful.


Kingpin

I will echo's Chris's comments here as I think he has a good idea. We have grown and the waiting list appears to keep expanding. The hobby itself is growing leaps and bounds, we're probably at the point where we can support two leagues. Boy Scouts do the same thing when their numbers grow too much in a given community. If we can identify 16 to 20 hosts, 8-10 should be enough for each league. I know I will volunteer to host twice per year.

No matter which direction we go in, I've said it before and I"ll said it again. We need to have a structure, not this make stuff up on the internet as we go along"kind of thing that we have been doing. It is fustrating, confusing, and without order. Maybe it worked for the first year as this was the kick off year. Other leagues have committees or a board that is voted in to govern. Basic Roberts Rules - they have worked for 150 years and they are used all over the world because they work. Everyone's voice should be heard.

Maybe we can all meet during Mad Rolling or another league event before the event to discuss. Just my useless .02.

A few basic rules could simplify things. Maybe something like the following? - Which is similar to what Chris proposed.

1. Members can only take part in only one WI league for the upcoming season. This could open up spots for new members in any of the 3 Wisconsin leagues. It would also make scheduling easier. I think Twisted Flippers starts in July so this is probably something we'd need to figure out soon!

2. Members need to host at least once every 2 league years to lock in their league spot. If you hosted season one you wouldn't have to host in season 2 but would have to sign up for season 3 hosting to be guaranteed a spot in S3. For members that don't have at least 4 machines, they do have the ability to use other member's machines at their home to reach the minimum requirement. For members with 2-3 machines this shouldn't be a problem as league members are generally willing to help with bringing a game to share. For people with 0-1 machines this could be tough though... For season 2 we should try to get a schedule posted and give priority to members who didn't host Season 1 to sign up for spots first so they can lock in their league spot for the coming year.

3. For new prospective members that are able to host their first year they are given priority for open spots. Any prospective members or prior members that are unable/unwilling to host are drawn randomly in a lottery for the remaining positions.

4. We could make it a requirement that households with 2 members would need to host every year, but that may not be necessary?

Also, if we can get a few more hosts (16-20) we could consider splitting our league into 2 separate leagues which would allow us to open up the rules/spots to more players.

Thoughts and feedback?

After reading all of this, I think it is best to bow out and let you guys do your thing. This was supposed to be a fun league with focus on family, friends, and pinball, and for the most part it has been fun, but that being said it is clear there are some very different personalities here that I just don't have the time/desire to deal with on a level that I care about. I am tired of speaking on behalf of other members in a politically correct way, (again, this was supposed to be fun) and if they would like to voice their displeasure, by all means have at it, but I am done playing nice to cater to a few.

If anyone is interested in joining a new non-league league, shoot me a PM or email, and we can discuss what I have planned. The only thing I can say about it is that it is awesome, pays out money every month (not a lot), and will be what I thought this league was going to be when we started it. To answer the quick questions- It is non-IFPA, not for points, and is a private group of guys and gals that just want to play pinball without any politics, drama, or anything else along those lines. If you have feelings or are easily upset about what is considered fair, this group isn't for you....

I already have decent sized list of people from Madison and Milwaukee that have expressed interest, so if you are interested, lets talk about what we can do in 2015.

See you guys at Mikes! Looking forward to playing his sweet lineup!

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Hilton wrote:Edited to add.... If people want to discuss in person i prefer NOT at MRP. It is not the place for this discussion and I know some members will not be at it unfortunately. Maybe all current members can commit to attending a future league night slightly early so we can work things out?

It was only a suggestion. I am open to whatever, but i do think that an "in person" meeting would go a long way to helping us with this league. Today is June 14th, our league schedule ends in October. that is only 4 months away. I would like to see if we can get everyone together for a meeting in August.

Is Madison central for everyone? would a random sunday afternoon, monday night, tuesday morning, whatever be feasible? nights are generally better for me. we could even Wednesday August 13th at 530 pm at pooleys. I can make my schedule work for almost anything with enough notice.

please talk with the other members (current and prospective) and see what date and time works for the majority.

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Mine is not a league. If I called it a league, it would interfere with Madison League's potential new policy about getting into the league. The last thing I want to do is force people to make a choice, that is going to be a tough concept for some to grasp....

I will make it clear, I am out of the League. Please don't confuse Growing Pains with a Growing Pain....

I agree that that without our great hosts this league would not be as special as it is! Alec and I are extremely grateful for the time we have spent at your homes this season. We are also lucky to have met so many great people over the past year. I mean what I say. And since I'm not one to mince words the following responses to some earlier posts may come across as uncouth. These responses are not some passive aggressive attack, just my feelings.

Hilton wrote:Corey (CenterFlank) can host > requests to see full roster before firm commitment to host; understandable that he may have some people he does not know or want to invite into his house

Of all the things posted in this thread, this is the most ridiculous. REALLY? If a current non member wants to restrict hosting options based on current members this is not understandable to me. Are we not adults? Can we not be in the same room as someone we don't like (agree with, etc..) and still be cordial?

Hilton wrote:If I am out I can deal with it, because it is better than nepotism!

Definition of nepotism: the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs.

Power? Influence? You see that in our league? I see friends and fun. If anything I think the family bond in our league makes it special. 3 sets of brothers, two father and sons, with the possibility to add two more sons (one of which is a nephew as well). This is bad? I hope league goes on long enough so that those with small children can share in the joy and quality family time that I have been lucky enough to have with my son. And Happy Fathers Day to all the dads.

The offer to bring games to fellow members houses so that everyone can host is another sign of how great this group is. I enjoy our time together enough to buy 2 more machines, but even then would appreciate a game or two being brought over for the variety.

I'm pulling a George Costanza and leaving the Twisted Flipper league on a high note. Another great group of people, but a bit too much pinball (never thought I'd say that).

As always I will abide by what the group thinks is best because I love this group. Thanks to all those who stuck up for Alec and I. See you Saturday.

P.S. Love your idea Tim! Always a little extra something when there's skin in the game.

Hey Chris,
I am going to abandon the 2nd league idea. You have my blessing to go ahead and make that happen.
I am going to participate in Tim's little pinball endeavour, if he invites me.

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I am not attending any more league nights this year and i am not interested in coming back next year. Good luck with your league! I'm sick of all the fighting!

double

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