I get suggestion...

I've fallen behind on responding to suggestions I find in the suggestion box. I’ll try to catch up with this post!

Let groups of 5 or 6 play what they want.

Sorry. Not going to happen. A group is 12 or more players. Then if you can get the 12 to agree on what they want to play before the sun goes down we will set you up with what ever you want (within safety limits)! There is a post somewhere in the archives that further explains why I can’t cater to small numbers.

Make group discount for 8 or 10 people. Not 12!

Here is an explanation that is included in the archive post I mentioned above. With a group of ten I lose money. With eleven I break even, and with twelve I make just enough profit to take my granddaughter to McDonalds on Friday night! Twelve is the absolute minimum I can afford. I actually count on groups to bring 15 to 20 or more players.

Limit feet per second, not balls per second.

By show of hands - who wants to be hit by 10 or 12 balls per second by some punk with a DM4? We limit feet per second (under 280fps) AND balls per second in the interest of safety and fair play.

Moving targets.

Yeah, I agree. I’ve seen some games where the opponents are pretty non-aggressive. What would you suggest? Maybe some kangaroos? Or how ‘bout some goats!

Easier to use grenades!

Hmmmm. Shake. Pull the pin. Throw. Maybe I could have the refs shake them and be standing by to pull the pin!

Rearrange the fields.

Ok, lets move the fort field over where the tower field is and let’s move the tower field over where the badlands was and, oh wait. You mean, like, move the trees around and stuff?

I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. We are making it a priority this year to add more bunkers, change up some shooting lanes, etc. C’mon out and check out the work that is being done.

Takes to long between games.

When I decided to open the field back in 1995 I made quick turnarounds one of my top priorities. I’ve had over 50 people working here at one time or another and have only had to fire three. Two of those were for sitting on their butt. My refs know I insist on keeping the games moving.

Now with that said let me throw it back at you and ask, "Why was there a delay?" If it was the ref why was I not informed before the end of the day?

Maybe there was a break while more players were inserted. Or maybe the ref is waiting for a field to clear. Or maybe half your group decided to take a break leaving not enough players to start a new game. Or maybe your ref had been reffing for 4 hours before you got to the field and needs a break! Or maybe an unusual amount of people need to be cleaned up or have equipment checked.

Or, maybe you have a ref who is sitting on his/her butt. Ten minutes max - that’s how long it should take to get the next game going. I will say this, though, at some of the bigger fields, Skirmish, S.C. Village, Challenge Park, etc. it is normal to wait 40 to 50 minutes between games.

In my not so humble opinion my refs deserve a whole lot more pats on the back (and an occasional tip) from players than they are getting now.