Righto fellas...
About these porta fields.....
The last 3 weeks of BPL I've had opposition teams approach me to ask if my team is OK with just using cones for the night instead of using the porta-fields. (Each of these weeks those teams have been on setup duties.) Well, let me just say for the record that we are NOT OK with just using cones. Not now. Not ever.
Certainly not when we have the opportunity to play with fully lined fields.
Yes the porta fields take 10mins to setup and yes they are a bit of a pain, but they add so much value to the game that this small time cost is a miniscule price to pay. It sucks to have to stop and argue about whether someone was in or out every time the play goes near the sideline. It sucks for a team to turn it over because a cone was kicked out and not put back in line.
An understanding seems to be creeping into the league that use of porta-fields is at the player's discretion. Well ... it isn't. The LD publishes the draw and includes the teams that are on setup and breakdown. If your team is on setup then you make sure you arrive early enough to get it done. If Captains need to make up a roster for this then so be it. Whatever works.
Let's be clear: It is not at the player's discretion; it is a competition expectation.
The BPL is great. And it's great because it's a genuine sporting competition. We're no longer singing songs and holding hands and wearing dresses or stupid hats. That stuff is cool and has it's place in the social leagues, but let's not take the BPL back there.
This is OUR BPL. We all have a responsibility to make it the best we can. Do your bit.
Poor organisation is not a valid reason to undermine the standard of the league.
" Setting up fields
ReplyDelete19 A team will be designated to set up fields, and the other to pack it up. We have portable fields (tape) available - it is up to the captains to decide whether cones or porta fields are used - ifeither captain wants the porta fields, then they are to be used."
I think that the rules itself are pretty clear.
My main objections to the portable fields:
1. They aren't straight. You do get a defined playing space, but it isn't correct.
2. They don't fit in our playing space. Often times they are either too long and have to be manually tied down to a corner, too wide (week 1 Slamtown vs. Blitz we were playing on about 40% of the width due to the portafield on the other side being past halfway).
3. They are a hazard. I don't think I have ever played in a full game where someone hasn't tripped on them, and it usually occurs multiple times. It is only a matter of time, if it hasn't happened already, that someone is injured directly due to the lines. Added to this are the 8-10 steel pegs that we are placing around the perimeter of our playing area.
4. They don't really do away with the in/out disagreements. Whether a foot was up or down, or touching the line, or under the line are all still 'calls' that can be made.
5. Setting up and taking down time.
Boys we need to keep those lines. They make the league better.
ReplyDeleteMike
BW: Thanks for the response. You have raised some reasonable points about some weaknesses of the porta-fields which deserve a response. The porta-fields aren't perfect but there is no doubt that they are still superior to playing without any lines at all.
ReplyDeleteNote: Check the 2012 rules released by Adz on 29th Mar. There is no rule 19 stating that porta-fields are optional. There are however a couple of rules stating that teams are responsible for the setup and breakdown as per schedule with stipulated penalties for non compliance. That said, the rules certainly could be more explicit if the expectation is for porta-fields. Watch this space....
1. Bent: Even a bent line is still a line, and far, far better than no line at all. If conditions are windy, weigh them down with bags to keep them straight. It would have to be extremely windy to choose not to use them.
2. Sizing: Yup. They do sometimes need to be adjusted to fit. It's perfectly possible and easy to do. We have done it for a number of seasons and has never been a problem before. that said, it does help if you know what you're doing. If we need an instruction manual on how to do it, then that's what we should do.
3. Hazard. Yup. Sometimes people do trip. (I've done it myself) but that in itself isn't really a hazard because the lines are soft and have so much give in them. The metal pegs do need to be well hammered in and covered by a cone. I would note that these hazards have been considered to be a minor/acceptible risk by a large number of frisbee associations around the world, and that porta fields (exactly like ours) are used in domestic and international competitions.
4. In/Out calls: Porta-fields wont totally eliminate these In/Out disputes (these happen even with painted lines), but they will hugely reduce them.
5. Setup/Breakdown time: Yup. They will take some time. Plan for it.
These are all good points. The porta-fields aren't perfect. But they are way way better than nothing.
I don't see any e-mail on the 29th March. Just one on the 29th Feb (which is where i got #19 from)? If there is a more up to date rules, I haven't seen them. That may be the case for others as well. I was certainly under the impression that it was up to the teams to decide.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I know there are positives to the portafields. I guess ideally we would have permanent lines, or in the interim have some of the other concerns nullified (like having hammers for those pegs).
What are your thoughts on the 'no endzone line' portafield? I know some teams prefer this concession because there are no tripping hazards on the playing field proper. However, that line is probably the most contentious line when it comes to calls and thus the most important.
Minor point - I suspect QUDA's full sized portafield has entered BPL circulation. BPL purchased three customed sized portafields (94 x 35 iirc). At the same time, QUDA purchased a full sized field (100 x 37). This was usually kept away from Annerley, but after it passed out of my keeping after Regionals I assume its at Annerley. So next time someone finds the full length one, please ensure its IDed so it isn't used for BPL.
ReplyDeleteMy major point: I'd suggest that we actually have a "How To Set Up A Portafield" session in the first week of each season. Not kidding. Based on my observation of people setting them up, and Mat's suggestion of creating an instruction manual, I'm guessing very few have actually seen/read the manufacturer instructions that originally came with them...
ReplyDeleteMinor points:
- Like BW, don't recall seeing updated rules, though this could've easily been my own fault.
- Let's find that full-size field.
- I'm not a huge fan of the 'no endzone line' idea... Can see the benefit, but I feel that it somewhat defeats the purpose of using the portafields.
- Hammers for pegs may be a good idea.
Having played a league up in FNQ, I can't wait to get back to Brisbane with portafields that are clear and defined. No situation is going to stop the in/out disputes, but without painting lines they are by far the best situation.
ReplyDeleteThe port-a-fields didn't come with instructions but I did create diagrams and notes on how to set them up and take them down. Hard copies of these used to be in the captains clipboards. I gave the electronic copy to Graham, so not sure where it is now.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately as people didn't read the rules on how to set them up, they stretched the sh*t out of them to try and get them to fit back to the last point. And as JDR has pointed out one of them is probably the full sized QUDA port-a-field.
The port-a-fields are now in their sixth season and probably need replacing anyway. It would be worth complaining on how quickly the brick marks fell off, to see if you could get a discount on a re-order.
Stu
p.s. Graham did introduce the rule of making port-a-fields optional, I'm not sure what rules are being used now.
thanks Stu, I'll follow that up.
Deletead
Next time we get portafields, we should put a few loops of clear packing tape over the brick marks (rather than relying on the glue they use).
DeleteHi all, figured I'd clarify a few points.. my comments are designed to stop the discussion however. Anyway we can make BPL with players input I get excited about.
ReplyDelete1. A new set of rules were given to the captains (and if those captains were a bit out of the loop, a senior player). Largely, these rules didn't differ from the previous ones except when it came to MVP voting and additional spirit points for competitive games. 100% my responsibility to send out, and I haven't for a few reasons, none of them good ones. Will rectify now.
2. I'm all for the idea of having a learning session and manual on portafields.
3. There is a hammer in the bottom of the bin where the lines are kept... although certain elements of BPL tend to go there to die. And I can see how multiple hammers would be far more beneficial, so I'll grab some as soon as I can.
Finally, my initial decision to continue the previous season's rules of portafields (set it up if either of the teams wants it) stemmed from it being low on the list of things to worry about (in the face of field organising, draws/fees etc). Recently more than a few people have remarked on this, and so Mat's generated the discussion. More than a few people have remarked how much better it is with them. Although at the time it wasn't in (either) rule set, the point isn't about the last 6 weeks and what people have done... its about how we want to move forward. At the moment it seems like everyone's discussion is pretty positive about the portafields, so I'm happy to make it a rule that all teams should set them up. We'll chat about it at the end of the season, opening it up to anyone that feels different.
See you all tonight. ad
If you know how to set up a portafield, next time you are doing it, make sure you get a helper who hasn't done it before. Best way to learn is to do.
ReplyDeleteKnowing what you are doing speeds things up considerably. Because I'm part anorak, for BUML finals last season, I timed myself setting up two portafields on my own, including cones. 18 minutes (no wind though) iirc.