NPPL now has a 5-man format that will make its debut at NPPL Houston, September 19-21, 2008. The divisions open to the 5-man format are D3 and D4. I guess a new division for NPPL also makes its debut at Houston. In 5-man format, it is center flag rather than the opposite side, and there is a 5-minute time limit instead of 7-minutes. Teams have a choice of what day they want to play their 7 pre-lim matches, Friday or Saturday with finals on Sunday.
Entry fees:
Div3 - Friday/Sunday - $1000 before Aug. 29, 2008 $1100 after
Div3 - Saturday/Sunday - $1100 before Aug. 29, 2008 $1200 after
Div4 - Friday/Sunday - $900 before Aug. 29, 2008 $1000 after
Div4 - Saturday/Sunday - $1000 before Aug. 29, 2008 $1100 after
Division 3 qualifiers – (For players who have never played D2 or higher in the NPPL)
Division 4 qualifiers – (For players who have never played in the NPPL before)
Exalt has designed a pair of paintball specific cleats. These cleats are targeted towards tournament players, as these shoes are built for speed, traction, and durability. They are modeled after track shoes, spikes in the front and very lightweight. Unlike track shoes though, the exalt cleats do not have metal spikes, seeing that in most places metal spikes are illegal, instead there are golf cleats which are very good for traction on turf.
Sizes available are 9,10,11, and 12 (The fitting is similar to casual shoes, if you wear size 11 for casual shoes; choose the size 11 for the Exalt Cleats. If you are a size 10.5 or 10 in casual shoes; choose size 10 for the Exalt Cleats)
Included with the cleats
- 1 Cleat Bag
- 1 set of plastic golf spikes (installed)
- 1 set of rounded aluminum/plastic spikes
- spare spikes and spike tool.
The price for these shoes is $80.00 *Exalt is located in Canada so shipping may cost a bit and could possibly take a while to be shipped to your door. Not really sure, I have never purchased anything from a business based in Canada.
Overall, these cleats look nice and very well made. If I had extra money to spare, I would pick up a pair of these for myself.
I guess it’s official now, Avalanche is out of the NXL and will concentrate on NPPL.
After considerable thought I, Ed Poorman team owner of St Louis Avalanche, have decided to no longer compete in the NXL. In a time when the costs are ever increasing for teams to participate and attend both the PSP/NXL and NPPL, the time has come to make this decision and concentrate on just one league. Although Avalanche would love to compete in the NXL the cost just out weights the rewards. As owner of the team I could not handle all the extra expenses when sponsorship dollars have decreased this season. All the players of Avalanche have done their best to help raise revenue by holding clinics, but it is still not enough to be able to attend both leagues. The entry fee alone for the NXL costs the team $6000.00 per event. That breaks down to $1200.00 per match or $40.00 per minute unless you make Sunday. The team has chosen to concentrate all of its funds, efforts and focus on the NPPL Super 7 format, hopefully this will allow Avalanche to become a top 3 team in both the Pro and Semi-Pro divisions. Avalanche wishes only the best to the league and the teams who continue to compete in the NXL.
NPPL Houston VIP tickets have started to go on sale today. Being a VIP at NPPL Houston means that you will be able meet the pros, get autographs, network, and watch the live webcast on the special VIP television. While enjoying this VIP access, you also get waited on by the NPPL VIP “beauties”. These beauties can bring you snacks and drinks and will also be giving out free stuff. But wait, there’s more, not only do you get to meet the pros, watch the webcast, and get waited on by beauties but you also get entrance to the super exclusive VIP center grandstands.
Order now and recieve a $10 discount (Ticket prices increase by $10 at the event)
- Single Ticket Friday or Saturday - $30
- Single Ticket Sunday - $50
- 3-day Package - $65
The site for team or member registration for NPPL used to be www.TheIDPro.com but has recently been changed to www.RegisterMyTeam.com. Links can be easliy followed from NPPL’s site for registration.
NPPL Houston is getting closer. Deadline for early bird registration special is August 15, 2008.
PSP 2008 World Cup is coming up soon and if you plan on playing it then you may need a place to stay. Here’s a list of hotels that PSP has made deals with for the event.
Best Western Lakeside
- $59.00 per night. Included services fee.
- Reservations must be made by October 6, 2008 for PSP deal(must mention PSP for deal).
Holiday Inn Maingate East
- $75 - $90 per night depending on room type. Resort fee included.
- Remember to mention PSP to receive the deal(s)
Radisson Celebration
- $99.00 + tax per night. Includes resort services charge.
- Reservations must be made by October 6, 2008 for PSP deal (must mention PSP for deal).
Seralago Hotel and Suites Maingate East
- $47.00 + tax per night.
- Reservations must be made by October 6, 2008 for PSP deal (must mention PSP for deal).
Suites at Old Town
- $59.95 plus tax per night. $150.00 damage deposit required at check-in.
- Rooms are subject to availability (must mention PSP for deal).
Probably wasn’t supposed to mention that, but it’s indexed by the Googles, so whatever.
Anyways, it’s a Joomla powered site. The application with the most known security vulnerabilities last year. The menus seem to be done in flash, an incredibly horrible choice.
There is no RSS feed, so I probably won’t be reading anything from them unless they get that done.
There’s a forum running Fireboard, which I’ve never heard of, but it seems pretty lacking.
They have some other sections like gear, game footage, opinions, and a manuals section. The manuals section seems decent, but there’s nothing too great or interesting.
In the video, it says that it used a different approach to ads, which is kinda true. You’ll various other sites with the stupid folding ads thing. It’s actually pretty annoying since it uses a good amount of CPU, and depending on your platform or browser, it’ll screw up the layout of the page.
The sites definitely not ready for public consumption, and they have a lot of work still to do, but I think it could be an okay site. I don’t think it’s going to be a major goto site, but it’ll have some following.
Update: It seems that they at least moved it, so that link doesn’t work any more. Also, changed the logo as per request via Mike, and actually did it since he asked in a totally cool way.
NXe has realesed a new design for their elbow pads. The Techna-flex elbow sheield is significantly better looking than the previous design; mainly for the fact that it’s black. Seeing as it is an armpad, it is not that much different from any other arm pad out on the market. Additionally, like most arm pads, NXe’s armpad also has breathable neoprene and moisture wicking lycra.
One difference though, is that the outer layer of the pad is made from ballistic nylon and is skid resistant. So sliding around on those rocky or rough surfaces should keep the integrity of your armpads intact. Another unique characteristic of these armpads is that they have a three tier securing system. The purpose of the system is to make sure that the arm pad does not move around during play. The first tier is a hand sleeve, much like planet eclipse’s arm pads. The second is a wrist fastening strap which is supposed to “anchor” your arm pad. And the third tier is an upper arm or bicep strap which, apparently, is cusioned. This strap further holds the pad in place, preventing it from sliding down on anyone who has a skinny arm.
The price for the new NXe Techna-flex Elbow Shield is $49.99. Sizes available are S/M, L, and XL.
NPPL referee training will be in Houston September 13 and 14, 2008. Participants will be taught by a certified trainer. Referrees in training will learn everything there is to know about reffing a national level tournament. Training consists of a classroom portion and in field situations. The training course will be held at Tank’s Katy Paintball in Katy, TX from 9am - 5pm. The cost to take the course is $100.00 and can be made payable to NPPL. The $100.00 doesn’t just cover the training but you also get a 2008 level III referee ID card and an official NPPL rulebook.
The NXL schedule for the North East Open has been released. I looked over the schedule and it seems that Avalanche is not playing this event.
Why? I have no idea why. Although, rumor has it that they owe the NXL lots of money and refuse to pay. And with this refusal of payment, Avalanche has decided to drop out of the NXL and on top of that, the NXL commisioner will not allow them to play Word Cup. There has been no offical statement relaesed by any of the Avalanche team members.
