Re: New England Bull Session Proposal

[Frank Pittelli <frank-at-rctankcombat.com>]

William and Melissa Johns wrote:
> At 11:15 AM 4/12/2004 -0400, you wrote:
> 
>>> I am considering the possibility of hosting the previously mentioned 
>>> New England Bull Session in Late August here in Athens NY (population
>>> 600). I'll have to find a place to run t! he tanks (my yard is about
>>> as big as my living room), chill the beer, etc.
> 
> My father is tickled pink over the idea of a paintball tank convention.  
> He wants to call in the media and the whole nine yards.  How do you all 
> feel about total strangers looking over your tanks?  Probably ought to 
> keep them away from the battlefield (assuming this is a battle and not 
> just a BS session).
> 
> P.S.  Speaking of finding a field, what should I be looking for?
> 

Hey Bill.  We're starting to make plans for the summer.  Have you set a 
date for the Athens Invitational?

I think that the convention center sounds like a great place to put the 
tanks on display and let the local crowd and media take a look at them. 
   That would give your dad some publicity for his new center and let us 
show off our stuff as well. If we came up on Friday, we could spend the 
evening at the center BS'ing and letting everyone take a close look at 
everything.  I'm sure most of the guys wouldn't mind letting kids drive 
the tanks around and shoot the guns without paintballs loaded. 
Alternatively, we could hold the show on Saturday morning if that works 
better for everyone.  Then a couple battles on Saturday and Sunday 
morning, getting back on the road Sunday afternoon.  We've got extra 
vehicles and artillery, so any battler attending without working gear 
can still participate in the fun.

As far as a battle field goes, any open field will do (or a treed area 
with light undergrowth --- an old orchard would be perfect).  An area at 
least 100 yards square is adequate.  The most important aspect is 
ensuring that we can control access to the field.  We don't want people 
wandering in while a battle is going on without proper safety gear.

Regarding spectators, if you can find a sports field with bleachers or a 
field with a hills around it, that would allow spectators to watch 
without the need for them to wear shields.  If not, then we'll have to 
provide goggles and keep them in a designated area.  (We have a couple 
dozen pairs of goggles, but face shields are preferred.)  In general, I 
wouldn't tell the media where the battle is held, because if the crowd 
is too large it becomes a big problem.  Having lots of friends and 
family isn't too bad, but the local paper can sometimes generate 
hundreds of spectators, which becomes a chore.

We're already looking forward to the trip and hopefully lots of other 
battlers from the area can attend.

        Frank "Let's Put The Show On The Road" Pittelli