Jeremy wrote:Yeah I'm sure he'd make BAP - but to make bap you need to go to big tournaments - I think on that criteria Jason just isn't good enough
This is why BAP is so silly - because of the term "bap quality"
Also re: 30 guiltless. I think there are lots of people - myself included - that could pretty easily hit 30 guiltless most of the time- especially if I only did moves and combos I could rely on - but that would be boring to watch and I don't think I am good enough to be in BAP just yet (if I wanted to be in it). I don't think you can set particular goals for BAP - the truth is you'll get into BAP if the people who are in BAP like you and think you're good at footbag. It might be a fun little group and it may have helped footbag once when things were very informal and lacking professionalism but these days I feel it's completely irrelevant to the sport of footbag.
With fear of sounding like a character from the Matrix - it's all about purpose. The purpose of BAP is to congratulate good footbaggers. The purpose of competition is to recognise good footbaggers. They both serve that purpose well - however BAP reflects footbag as a past time - which it is and if that's the important part of it for you - great. Competition reflects footbag as a sport. BAP has nothing to do with footbag as a sport.
The thing that has held footbag back for so long is its image - which is the image of a past time not a sport. In Australia (and many other countries) sport is taken seriously while past times are not. Past times are flying kites or collecting stamps - worthy activities and I don't have a problem with them (well stamp collecting is a bit nerdy) but not taken very seriously. Skateboarding is taken seriously, rock climbing is taken seriously. Even chess is taken seriously. By taken seriously I mean - shown on tv - given sponsorship - given government funding - has books written about it.
My big goal in footbag (apart from personal skill goals) is to make footbag a real professional sport – so that all the players that spend countless hours of hard work (and a lot of the time it is hard work – it’s not fun – it might be rewarding) can get recognised for it – so that they can be appreciated for the time and effort they put in to improve themselves.
I know that some people would like footbag to stay a little underground community – where everybody knows everybody and are friends. That’s great. I see no reason why that would change if footbag suddenly became a pro sport. There would still be footbag forums – some of which could be kept underground – maybe even invite only. I will still be friends with all the people who post on this forum.
I’m not saying BAP is wrong or that it hurts footbag – just that it doesn’t help footbag anymore. It’s irrelevant. That’s why I don’t want to be in BAP. I don’t think I’d turn down a nomination to be honest – I just wouldn’t care. I’m proud to be a footbagger and I’m proud to have the respect of other footbaggers. I don’t need to divide myself away from other footbaggers of a lesser ability to have that respect or to be proud of it. I’m more proud of my IFPA membership than I would ever be of being in BAP.
Hmm... That was more of a rant than I intended- I still enjoy discussing who will get in BAP - it's like discussing who will win Big Brother - pointless but somehow intriguing...
In my opinion people discuss who are the few players whose induction can't be passed over.
Isn't it?
Otherwise your post made me thinking about the sense of BAP.Indeed senseless but useful. I guess it is an honour that legends of our small sport told you you are good at footbag. Otherwise they will do the same when you visit them in a circle and duck your barraging set - so it is the same I guess.
One more thing : in my opinion you cannot standardize a holistic impression you got when you watch anyone and say : oh this guy kicks ass.
Maybe you can try to find criterias which will suit the "holistic " aspect of the game --- good luck!
btw jeremy thanks for your rant
Yes, we're famous, infamous really...
