The Trouble with Vanguard

[Fung Li]

yes, I was not present at the game, however

Well I remember some group of people all got banned, but it wasn't because they wouldn't do push-ups. It was because they weren't following the rules, weren't listening to refs, and were talking back to the refs. So I think they should have gotten banned, and I was there to see it happen. I think one of them had a cardboard and duct-tape vest, but that might not have been one of them.

Yeah, that's them.  And what you say makes a lot of sense, hence why I left the group.  They only told me they refused to do push ups, and I was not present at the time

[CryWulf]

Yeah, that's them.  And what you say makes a lot of sense, hence why I left the group.  They only told me they refused to do push ups, and I was not present at the time

Yeah, I personally had a few problems with them, but none that were too severe. They got into it with 2 or 3 refs, just being all around assholes to 'em.

[DesertRat2]

Got back from having an 8 hour session yesterday, and boy am I sore. I had a lot of fun... up until the 4 o'clock period hit.

Quite a few highly experienced regulars started playing, and they were "in the pants" with the staff, so they used that and cheated to high heaven. They would constantly not call their hits and bitch at people all the time for the slightest things. At one point I surprised one around a corner, I shot him in the torso about 3-4 times before he started shooting at me back. We exchanged fire at each other for about 3 seconds before I said "Dude.. you're out." and he replied with "Yeah, I guess...." and grudgingly walked off. WTF? The refs were also incompetent. They split the teams so the rental guppies were in one team, and the experienced 1337 tactic00l in-the-pants operators on the other. Me and my buddy got stuck with the guppies, we were the only experienced airosfters in that team. Nothing happened except spawn camping, spawn camping, and more spawn camping. After EVERY SINGLE ROUND I told the refs that the teams were incredibly uneven and we were doing nothing but getting spawn camped, they even saw it on their monitors. They said they'd fix it but never did a single damn thing about it. They continued to camp us in all games up until they suddenly all left a 6:30 and the whole place was empty except me and my 2 buddies.

I think its safe to say that everyone's biggest problems are the refs, and thats what it really boils down to it seems.

[XavierMace]

I think this thread has basically run it's course, but I'll throw in my feedback quick. 

The ref's are Vanguards main CONTROLLABLE issue.  I stress controllable because some of the above issues really can't/shouldn't be controlled, IE spawn camping.  Making no attempt to balance the teams should be addressed but you can't MAKE the kiddies play effectively.  I know that from experience.  I'm not going to point fingers at specific people because that's really besides the point.  Really what it boils down to is Vanguard needs an actual manager.  Period.  Nobody working there (that I've met) is mature enough for that role.  For example, my main grief with them:

I wear prescription glasses and have yet to find a full facemask that comfortably fits me.  So, I run with sealed goggles and a thick shemagh around my face at all times, double wrapped around the mouth area.  It's not hard plastic by any means but it's plenty thick to absorb a pretty decent hit.  Their rules say you have to have full face protection.  With this setup, my face is completely covered.  That meets their rules in my eyes, plus I'm a concenting adult and already signed their waiver (not that they even check that most of the time in my experience).  To me, it seems like I should be set but if they feel otherwise, that's their call.  I just won't play there if that's the case. 

If they just flat out said yes or no, I would have no problem with that.  The problem is they don't.  Take for example the last time I was there.  I showed up on Saturday intending to play all day.  I ask at the register before paying if the shemagh will suffice and show them the shemagh.  The girl decides that is acceptable so I pay for both sessions.  I play through the entire first session without issue.  At one point the ref is standing next me on the field playing, no issues.  End of the session, new ref comes on duty.  He arbitrarily decides the shemagh (that I've been using for 4 hours now at this point) is not acceptable.  I explain it was OK'd by the girl at the front but he won't budge.  So I pack up and go up front to ask for a refund for the second session since I can't use the face protection I use.  They tell me they can't give me a refund, but they will give me a credit for a free roll over next time.

Bullshit.

You are refusing to provide me with the service I paid for, I want my money back.  Period.