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So after talking with a number of the top players at OFA we have come to the conclusion that having fresh balls in the table during league nights is needed (especially for tier 1).
Here is the proposal that Casti came up with.
Every Wed before league starts the tables are opened and the 9 old balls are put in the compartment behind the ball return and 2-3 fresh balls are put into the table for the night. The coin-op is disabled until the end of the league. At the end of the league the tables are converted back to normal and the fresh balls are put aside to use again the next week.
To ensure the flow of table revenue continues though all we have to do is collect $9 per team at the start of the night ($18 dollars a table). When Packer/Chris/any other organizer recieves this $18 dollars that table can then be put on free play and 2-3 new balls be inserted and the old balls put in the back compartment.
Having new balls has been an overlooked aspect at OFA for too long. This is how the game was meant to be played and the men/balls are designed to work together when the balls are fresh. Once balls turn into pearls certain aspects of the game become more difficult to execute, such as stick walls, defense to forward passes, and shot set up. For those of us that rely on some of these aspects our game suffers when having to play with pearls. I think the large majority of people in Tier 1 would agree that the last thing they want is to have their results (and in the end the payout) to be effected by old balls after having invested in league over $100 by the end of 16 weeks [$80+($3x16)] = $128
Its up to you Chris.
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1) I don't want to put the tables on free play for various reasons.
2) OFA can invest in new balls for league for each of the tables provided that they are taken in and out at the start and end of league. Otherwise they won't last the full season.
I'll put an order in with Charles and have them ready for pick up at NY State. Figure 100 balls should be enough.
"Man's way to God is with beer in hand." - some Belgium monk
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it does not look good
(one that I can think of)
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I'm not worried about the revenue losses (which there would be). I'm worried about:
1) Setting a precedent/expectation for players to have tables on free play. This would be a slippery slope where eventually every OFA event would be expected to be FREE play. Look at the last tournament, which admittedly had a horrendous turnout, the tables were put on free play and NO entry fees were collected. There were other circumstances that favored these decisions (which I fully support), but nonetheless, a precedent has been set were OFA had a tournament where there was no table fee, no entry fee and OFA paid for all the prize money.
2) Coordinating this with the bar. They understand and the benefit of free play mode for tournaments (all of their tables are on free play) but I can't see this happening for our league.
3) Logistics - when would the tables go on free play? When would they come off free play? What do you do when bar patrons want to play? Plus you will always have Omar and others telling you leave it on free play for money games and other various reasons.
4) OFA revenues come from people pumping loonies into the tables. I don't want to create scenarios where people don't pump loonies in the table. (Note - I'm not saying this like Ebenezer Scrooge, trying to squeeze every last loonie out of your pocket, just pointing out the fact).
5) Tables on free play should be the exception not the rule.
Spending $2-300 on balls is the easier solution.
"Man's way to God is with beer in hand." - some Belgium monk
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Buying new balls was on the 2 do list. Just needed a push to do it. Problem is there are too many ways to spend OFA money that new balls don't always make it to the top of the list, especially when they last only a few months.
"Man's way to God is with beer in hand." - some Belgium monk
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I have followed this with interest. I think all the points of view expressed have merit. The bottom line is we have to satisfy our location just as Chris stated. He is wise is this respect. I however think that for League we should make it as enjoyable as possible. Jesse has raised some good points.
Perhaps we can get Chris to work out the flat fee to go to TG for League revenue. The teams in League who want to play with new balls should have to supply one or two new balls per side. This would save OFA having to buy one hundred balls from the US. Although we should be swapping out the balls on a regular basis as a part of our bi yearly maitenance .
This should satisfy all the OCD's and pass the expense on to the players. OFA should not have to bear additional expense. The players pay to have the new balls. Right after league the tables go back on loonies no exceptions and no questions. If people play money games and want new balls swap the nine balls and this can be arranged with the league coordinator and the machine stays on loonies. End of story.
My two cents worth and I tired of typing.
V
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I like all the points that have been raised so far. Here's what I'm thinking...
I like the idea of having new balls in the tables and am willing as Casti put it "to pay a premium" for this.
Over the last couple weeks I've tried swapping the 9 balls out with fresh ones and leaving the tables on loonies as per usual. It's not that difficult to do, it just takes about 10 minutes at the beginning and end of each night.
I'd prefer to take the 9 balls out, put it on free play, and only use two balls in each table each night. I think it would make it easier to cycle the balls if I keep them in batches of 8 (2x4 t3000s). The 100 new balls would last much longer this way. Plus it would take much less time (under 5 minutes) to set up and put back to normal.
I understand the complications surrounding the free play factor. I think the only way around it is to modify our agreement with Tailgators regarding coin revenue. Such as the previous suggestion of making it a flat monthly fee.
Another idea that Jason came up with was the take the 18 coins at the beginning of the night and running all of them though the mechanism at once at the beginning, then leaving it on free play with the 2 new balls. At the end of the night we put the old balls back in and lock them up.
Would that work?
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replace the balls for league and whatever event
creates no problem
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