I know this has been discussed MANY times, but since I was just on the subject, I was wondering if there would be any interest for a Montreal Pinball League, like the OPL and TOPL. What it comes down to is 2 things:

- player participation
- host participation

I for myself am more than willing to host, but I only have old school pins. It doesn't necessarily represent a wide range of types like when we had an OPL meeting at Tuborg's, with EMs, SS pins and a DMD (but I am working on it...), but I am willing to work with that. But we would need a couple more hosts. Same as players... people from Ottawa would be most welcome to join as well, just like OPL has been open to Montreal players.

Let me know what you guys think...

You don't need more hosts or more players, if you can get 3 - 4 guys to meet once a month at one place it will grow from there.

I'd stop worrying about variety of games and host and locations, pick a spot, figure out how often, create a website and go from their.  People will come I'm sure of it, the only other thing you need is a rule set and that is it.  

Hey, great idea!

Then there'll have to be a MoPL - vs - ToPL tourney! Ha! I can just hear the 'tabernax' flying as we mop the floor with them!

*ducks and runs for cover*

Quoted from Sparky

Same as players... people from Ottawa would be most welcome to join as well, just like OPL has been open to Montreal players.

But NO players from Toronto!  

Quoted from jonny_eh

But NO players from Toronto!  

Yeah, it wouldn't be fair to you Ottawa / Montreal players.  We could come up with some sort of handicap system that would give you guys a fighting chance.  ;

Quoted from mrniceguy

Yeah, it wouldn't be fair to you Ottawa / Montreal players.  We could come up with some sort of handicap system that would give you guys a fighting chance.  ;

Ya! Good idea! We could tie one arm behind our backs! Hahahahahaha!

*ducks back down*

Quoted from jonny_eh

But NO players from Toronto!  

On the contrary... the TOPL were AWESOME when I came over on their last meeting. Mike Hanley of the Church of the Silverball was one of the nicest guys I've met with the hobby. They are ALL welcome .... to get their a** handed to them.

We should have an annual national championship where the OPL, TOPL, and MPL champs all compete.

Quoted from OTTOgd

Hey, great idea!

Then there'll have to be a MoPL - vs - ToPL tourney! Ha! I can just hear the 'tabernax' flying as we mop the floor with them!

*ducks and runs for cover*

I dunno... Montreal has lots of "hidden" talent. I have seen many local players that can surprise many of the top TOPL players. Guys like Mrhide and Splitskull are no slouches. heck, when he puts his mind to it, I have seen JD3 clean house. same goes for Ottawa players. I consider myself an above-average player (and I seldom play today... maybe a game a week), but guys like the Gratton brothers, Frosken and MrMikeman, can kick some serious butt.

Quoted from Sparky

I dunno... Montreal has lots of "hidden" talent. I have seen many local players that can surprise many of the top TOPL players. Guys like Mrhide and Splitskull are no slouches. heck, when he puts his mind to it, I have seen JD3 clean house. same goes for Ottawa players. I consider myself an above-average player (and I seldom play today... maybe a game a week), but guys like the Gratton brothers, Frosken and MrMikeman, can kick some serious butt.

Geoff Parr is also known to be REALLY good. I've never seen him play though.

OK... how's this... Once the OPL starts it's schedule, I will try to schedule MOPL meets 2 weeks after, so they alternate. If someone wishes to attend both the OPL and the MOPL league nights, they can.

And as for the separate website, I don't know... I could just add a chapter in the MAACA forums and list it as MOPL, and we could even do the same for the OPL. Easy enough...

My only thought process on the separate website is you are limiting your player base by leaving it here.  

Even if you just create a 1 page website that says "MPL: Montreal Pinball League, for information on the Montreal Pinball League please follow this link" which directs you to the forum here, that way you are at least getting the separate exposure without having the get the person to find MAACA and then wade threw allt he other stuff that goes on here.  

A Montreal pinball league is a great idea !!   I'm ready to make my inscription !

ok.  i know we are small city here.  but i am really trying to get a peterborough league going.  i have mostly just been promotting the idea and have at least 15 dedicated people i know that will go out of their way to attend at least once a month.  there is another 10-30 that would show up every so often depending on work and such.  we have the shop so far and soon my house.  both will have at least six machines or more.  mcmean is in and so is bish.  both have nice machines in their collection.   there are two barry's that collect here and both i think are in's for hosting as well.  a couple bars have told me if i want to set pins up in their locations that they would try their best to watch over them.  but also that we could also hold meetings at those locations as well.  
   now what i need to know is where to go make it all legit.  point me out in the right direction, thanks.
   then maybe i can get some more peterborough guys to travel and go to other leagues to play.  i really enjoyed the travels to play in ottawa a few years back.  eve is at a age where i don't mind travelling longer distances with her or without her.  so road trips to play would  be great.  

As an example, right now if you google Ottawa Pinball, nothing comes up at all about the OPL here, so exposure is limited to the people on this site only.  

Maybe you want to keep it that way, but if you want the league to thrive you going to need to expand outside the MAACA community.  

Quoted from Vengeance

My only thought process on the separate website is you are limiting your player base by leaving it here.  

Even if you just create a 1 page website that says "MPL: Montreal Pinball League, for information on the Montreal Pinball League please follow this link" which directs you to the forum here, that way you are at least getting the separate exposure without having the get the person to find MAACA and then wade threw allt he other stuff that goes on here.  

THAT we can do... same for the OPL if they wish.

This being said, I have asked that MacPhreak add 2 new categories to the Forums... MONTREAL PINBALL LEAGUE and OTTAWA PINBALL LEAGUE. Any posts in regards to these can be put in there for quick reference. A set of rules can also be put in as a sticky.

and if there is a OPL meting in August, I will try to attend (since I cancelled mine). I believe Tinyrodent is the OPL manager... we can always sit down and discuss how far we want to take it.

I am very serious on this... I am even willing to dust off the MAACA Cup...

Quoted from gorydeath

ok.  i know we are small city here.  but i am really trying to get a peterborough league going.  i have mostly just been promotting the idea and have at least 15 dedicated people i know that will go out of their way to attend at least once a month.  there is another 10-30 that would show up every so often depending on work and such.  we have the shop so far and soon my house.  both will have at least six machines or more.  mcmean is in and so is bish.  both have nice machines in their collection.   there are two barry's that collect here and both i think are in's for hosting as well.  a couple bars have told me if i want to set pins up in their locations that they would try their best to watch over them.  but also that we could also hold meetings at those locations as well.  
   now what i need to know is where to go make it all legit.  point me out in the right direction, thanks.
   then maybe i can get some more peterborough guys to travel and go to other leagues to play.  i really enjoyed the travels to play in ottawa a few years back.  eve is at a age where i don't mind travelling longer distances with her or without her.  so road trips to play would  be great.  

To make it legit?  I'm not sure what you mean by make it legit, but if you want some help with the rules and format and stuff like that, your more then welcome to to copy the TOPL format, just ask and I can send you all the information I have.  I did the same thing for OPL and they modified the format to suit their needs.  

Quoted from Vengeance

To make it legit?  I'm not sure what you mean by make it legit, but if you want some help with the rules and format and stuff like that, your more then welcome to to copy the TOPL format, just ask and I can send you all the information I have.  I did the same thing for OPL and they modified the format to suit their needs.  

Can you send me that too please?

And Gory... GO FOR IT!!!

Quoted from Sparky

Can you send me that too please?

And Gory... GO FOR IT!!!

email sent, let me know if you need more info

Quoted from Vengeance

As an example, right now if you google Ottawa Pinball, nothing comes up at all about the OPL here, so exposure is limited to the people on this site only.

I already made a website http://ottawapinheads.ca/ but Google hasn't indexed it yet. I just submitted the address so hopefully that will be rectified soon.

However I have been remiss in updating the site since the playoffs... will do that soon.

Quoted from tinyrodent

I already made a website http://ottawapinheads.ca/ but Google hasn't indexed it yet. I just submitted the address so hopefully that will be rectified soon.

However I have been remiss in updating the site since the playoffs... will do that soon.

No prob.

Let me knwo what date you guys schedule a meeting in September. I will do the same then.

Quoted from Vengeance

To make it legit?  I'm not sure what you mean by make it legit, but if you want some help with the rules and format and stuff like that, your more then welcome to to copy the TOPL format, just ask and I can send you all the information I have.  I did the same thing for OPL and they modified the format to suit their needs.  

  please..  that that would be great.

Quoted from Sparky

Can you send me that too please?

And Gory... GO FOR IT!!!

  i am trying to go for it.  painted a nice size wall with chalkboard paint and did up a message about starting a league and people come in almost everyday asking.  
  

Quoted from Vengeance

email sent, let me know if you need more info

thanks.  will do.

I put my name!  Not a good player, can't really compete but meeting with people will be enough for me

Quoted from Sparky

No prob.

Let me knwo what date you guys schedule a meeting in September. I will do the same then.

  should be enough time from now till then for us to arrange one as well....

Quoted from tinyrodent

I already made a website http://ottawapinheads.ca/ but Google hasn't indexed it yet. I just submitted the address so hopefully that will be rectified soon.

However I have been remiss in updating the site since the playoffs... will do that soon.

It might help Google if you stuck "Ottawa Pinball League" in the page title. It's a simple "SEO" thing to do.

"stop talking and start chalking!"

Quoted from Mrhide

"stop talking and start chalking!"

Why does that sound so familiar...

Quoted from Mrhide

"stop talking and start chalking!"

"You sure need that ramp shot."

"You sure need that ramp shot."

"You sure need that ramp shot."

"Rowdy Ramp Round!"

I'm in... and if my machine is Ok for you can host a meeting...

Bye Gino

I ' d be willing to drive to MTL once a month . People who begin to know me know that it ' s no trouble for me to drive long distance . I ' ve already been to OT 3 times in the last 6 months . All pin related trips !!! . As for hosting , i ' d be glad to do so , sleep over and pancake breakfast included , 10 persons max , but i don ' t think to many people would drive such a distance . 2 to3 hres from MTL , 5 from OT and 10 from TO . It could be once a year , due to the distance .

PS . I ' m also old school ! 2 EM and 4 1980"s era . I ' m in for a MTL pin league . Doing OK , but far from kicking buts ...

WDYT?

Acronym is too long for my tastes.  

Quoted from Vengeance

Acronym is too long for my tastes.  

What do you expect from the guys that came up with MAACA?

Sounds like a cat coughing up a fur ball.

Quoted from necro_nemesis

What do you expect from the guys that came up with MAACA?

Sounds like a cat coughing up a fur ball.

But at least MAACA sounds like an actual word when you say it, MTLPL, you can't even say that.  

Quoted from Vengeance

Acronym is too long for my tastes.  

You have more than one Taste?

Quoted from 1

You have more than one Taste?

you don't

Quoted from Vengeance

you don't

Quoted from Vengeance

MTLPL, you can't even say that.  

Metalpill.

Actually, it was my idea to name it the MTLPL, merely because http://www.MPL.ca or other suffix was already taken. And besides... the Toronto league is tOpl... not TPL. And topol (the way members say it) is a tobacco-stain-removing toothpaste from the 70's.

Simply put, MTL is short for Montreal just like TO is for Toronto, and a domain is available.

As for MAACA being long, here is the argument:

Canadian Pinball Association.... can't... we do vids too... and there is no way this will work across Canada (so we thought at the time...)

ok then... Montreal Arcade Association... yeah, but we are collectors, not distributors...

fine then... Montreal Arcade Collectors Association... sure... but we also can talk about jukes and other games...

ALRIGHT ALREADY... Montreal Arcade and Amusement collectors Association.

...

fastforward 2 years later...


So now we have members all across Canada... do we change it to Canadian Arcade...

CAACA?

Uh... no.


Point is, it's just letters and a name. We can call it the QPL (Quebec Pinball League) or the EPL (Eastern Pinball League (I like that one)) for all I care.

Fine... we poll.

I like your logo MacPhreak.

I would love to drive back to Mtl for a regional tournament between Ottawa, Mtl and T.O. for eatern Canada Supremacy!

Quoted from Vengeance

you don't

Potty-mouth... here... use this to wash that mouth.

Does anyone even realize the inspiration for this logo? I know Sparky does.

Quoted from Ricker

I like your logo MacPhreak.

I would love to drive back to Mtl for a regional tournament between Ottawa, Mtl and T.O. for eatern Canada Supremacy!

Probably a lot less savage than a Leafs/Habs game but it would be fun nonetheless! In the end, we all play great pinball, have a beer or six, eat some pizza and have a few laughs... what the hobby is all about.

... then, we beat the TOPL to a pulp.

At least make it green if your going for a clover

Quoted from 1

WDYT?

Make the balls silver...

Quoted from Ricker

I like your logo MacPhreak.

I would love to drive back to Mtl for a regional tournament between Ottawa, Mtl and T.O. for eatern Canada Supremacy!

I like your logo as well ! As for the acronym , anybody from out of the "belle province" driving out to MTL once a month ? I know i will do the 3 hres driving . So , i ' d vote for QPL ...

Quoted from Sparky

... then, we beat the TOPL to a pulp.

Not likely   But we'll be waiting when and if you ever get your league off the ground.  

The Toronto Game Room show is taking shaping, I'll most likely be running the Tournament there, maybe Montreal will have some representation to send by then.  

Starbust has also said the Canadian Pinball Championship is coming as well in Oct, how much truth to that there is I have no idea.  

Quoted from sentinelking

At least make it green if your going for a clover

not a clover

As i said , long driving distance is fine with me . I , m no but kicker , but i ' d do my best . I ' d arrange to make it a familly trip . Any dates yet . Anybody could shelter a couple and 2 kids ?  

I like this logo as a regional one.

One spot for each league, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal & Peterborough.

I think we should start talking about a yearly week-end tournament for 2010 (I think it's too late for this summer).

We could switch the event each year to a different city.

What does the gang for the Ottawa, Montreal & Peterborough leagues think ?

Thanks
Mike Clinton
President
Toronto Pinball League
topl.org

Quoted from 1

WDYT?

We should all meet in Ottawa since it's the centre between TO and MTL

Quoted from Sparky

Make the balls silver...

Chrome Balls or Chrome everything with red accents.

Chrome everything looks awesome

Quoted from 1

Chrome Balls or Chrome everything with red accents.

Quoted from jonny_eh

We should all meet in Ottawa since it's the centre between TO and MTL

How so?  Ottawa is 5 hours from TO and MTL is 5 hours from TO, MTL to Ottawa is 2 hours.  

Kingston Ontario seems to be about the half way mark for everyone.

3 hours to Kingston from MTL

2 hours 10 mins from Ottawa

2 hours 50 mins from Toronto.  

To be honest I think the only fair thing would be to have it at a Pinball Event, like PAPA or Allentown, or Expo, that way it is even ground for everyone.  

Quoted from Vengeance

How so?  Ottawa is 5 hours from TO and MTL is 5 hours from TO, MTL to Ottawa is 2 hours.  

Kingston Ontario seems to be about the half way mark for everyone.

3 hours to Kingston from MTL

2 hours 10 mins from Ottawa

2 hours 50 mins from Toronto.  

To be honest I think the only fair thing would be to have it at a Pinball Event, like PAPA or Allentown, or Expo, that way it is even ground for everyone.  

I agree. Kingston is the central point for everyone. Logistics-wise, it is easiest. But organization-wise, Allentown is a best bet. No hassle... the machines are all there. But difficult for a tourney, unless we all register for the in-house tourney. Then, we don't even have to deal with any stats.

Quoted from 1

Chrome Balls or Chrome everything with red accents.

Definitely the second. Chrome it all!

Guys... may I make a suggestion here, for a central meet point for a large meeting?

Considering that a large meeting would not necessarily be many times a year, and that considering that we have a member that is spending a lot of money, time and effort into opening an arcade museum, I think we all owe it to GJD to have our large meeting at the Arcade Museum.

And I even offer to bring a pin or two over to play there directly. Others can do it too. I am sure GJD won't mind!

I have no problem driving to Toronto for a big shindig...

Quoted from Sparky

I agree. Kingston is the central point for everyone. Logistics-wise, it is easiest. But organization-wise, Allentown is a best bet. No hassle... the machines are all there. But difficult for a tourney, unless we all register for the in-house tourney. Then, we don't even have to deal with any stats.

My only problem with Allentown is that it's run by P3 which is the worst pinball tournament format I have ever played in.  But it would make things easier to keep track of for sure.

PAPA is really the best place, but Pittsburgh is another 3 hour drive for the guys from Montreal so I can see how that wouldn't exactly be ideal.  

Quoted from Pinball-Addict

Chrome everything looks awesome

Add a chain and you could sell it to a rapper.

Quoted from necro_nemesis

Add a chain and you could sell it to a rapper.

It is actually the old logo for the City of Montreal... pimped out of course.

euh... this thread start with the possibility to have a league in MTL... and now with talking about Maaca annual Tournament in the US

Let's start local leagues first and after that we could about league vs league or Maaca National tournament.

And for a logo, maybe just adding a fleur de lys so it will represent the Quebec too... not sure people knows the logo of MTL city..

MacPhreak, I think that your logo is related to the Montreal sign, correct? I am trying to remember exactly where I saw it, somewhere downtown for sure.

Quoted from Ricker

MacPhreak, I think that your logo is related to the Montreal sign, correct? I am trying to remember exactly where I saw it, somewhere downtown for sure.

YUP

Other Variations

Quoted from Hyann

euh... this thread start with the possibility to have a league in MTL... and now with talking about Maaca annual Tournament in the US

Let's start local leagues first and after that we could about league vs league or Maaca National tournament.

And for a logo, maybe just adding a fleur de lys so it will represent the Quebec too... not sure people knows the logo of MTL city..

Thing is that Montreal is that, Montreal. IMO if we were doing a Quebec league then use a Fleur de Lys. I added a few Variations that do not include logos.

What ever ' s the acronym and what ever the logo looks like , i ' m in ...

Quoted from Hyann

euh... this thread start with the possibility to have a league in MTL... and now with talking about Maaca annual Tournament in the US

Let's start local leagues first and after that we could about league vs league or Maaca National tournament.

And for a logo, maybe just adding a fleur de lys so it will represent the Quebec too... not sure people knows the logo of MTL city..

No offense, but I strongly object to the fleur de lys... wherever that goddamn symbol appears, it gets political. I don't want that...

Logo should only reflect pinball hobby imho !

Keep it basic.

Quoted from necro_nemesis

Keep it basic.

Good work ! I like it ...

WOW AWESOME !!! I am IN ALSO !!!!

Flippers and Chrome, same as Whips and Chains for Bikers....YEAH !!!! Gotta LOVE THE CHROME !!!