Cover Glowing Goblins
Dispatch
Archive
Updated: 01/07/10
05-10-11 pg1 Date: 05/10/11
From: "Stitch"
Re: Event Debrief - EMR Castle
Conquest XXXI
Congratulations again Goblins on another successful Castle Conquest! This year saw us on the outside of the castle walls for the first time for most of the game anyways. Our opponents, deemed the Unholy Alliance, were teams hand-chosen and led by the collaboration of teams Joint Fury and Pub Crawling.
Our trip to EMR also saw us patch-in two new full members, Austin Mailman Winkelspecht, and Eileen Wildcat Kline as well as formally recognize two prospects, Rick Thomas and Mark Hoffman. We had six players along with us this year with four being brand new to the Castle Conquest event at EMR, and everyone handled themselves impressively.
This year we were on the same side of the walls with our fellow Harrisburg-area team the Targets of Unusual Size and partnered with them in a plan to breach the ramp at the corner of walls two and three.
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05-10-11 pg2 The strategy was to build small waves of attackers to release as needed. This would avoid sending a slow trickle of attackers that the Unholy Alliance could easily repel indefinitely. Wave after wave surged forward and we soon began working our way along the top of the castle walls. Two hours and five minutes after the game began; it ended with the Attackers victorious.
For our part, we managed to get Goblins on the walls and speaking for myself, I know Wildcat and I were at the leading edge of the push across wall one near the end of the game. I am so proud of how well everyone worked together, both within our own team and alongside the rest of the attackers. With four players brand new to the Castle Conquest event, I could not have asked for more!
Thank you to all of the Goblins who were able to make it to the event! It is one of the most expensive events we attend each year, but your sacrifices for the good of the team are appreciated and we continue to build our reputation, as well as the respect and friendship of many teams and players at EMR. Without each of you and the efforts you put into this, we would have no team.
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05-10-11 pg3 Now is the time to begin looking forward to the next event, Tippmann Extravaganza at EMR on August 13th & 14th. With the paint left over from Castle Conquest, this should be a very reasonable event to attend. I look forward to seeing you all there.
~ End Transmission ~
02-10-11 pg1 Date: 02/10/11
From: "Stitch"
Re: State of the Goblins Address
It's time again for our annual State of the Goblins Address. This is my opportunity as Team Leader to take a few moments and recap the previous year and look ahead to what 2011 will have in store for us.
2010 was a big year for the Glowing Goblins, and we were able to participate in two of the three big events we'd placed on our schedule at EMR Paintball. Last year saw us truly becoming a part of the paintball family at EMR and building relationships with many of the established teams we had the privilege of playing with and against. Despite our small number, we managed to make noticeable impacts in the events we attended, and received several comments from some of the more experienced and larger teams we encountered.
In addition, our team roster saw some changes in 2010 with the departure of one member, but the addition of two, very enthusiastic prospects.
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02-10-11 pg2 These two new (in the most literal sense) players took part in the annual Toys for Tots scenario game in November at EMR, and without hesitation proved themselves very valuable assets to our team and our allies. I think we all look very much forward to seeing what 2011 will bring with these new recruits as they are already registered with the team to take part in Spring Castle Conquest coming quickly at the end of April.
Sadly, money woes and the economic downturn did unfortunately continue to affect our team in the past year as it did in the year prior. Our plans to play more frequently at our local fields did not come to fruition, and we were unable as a team to attend EMR's Fall Castle Conquest as we had scheduled. In one very unfortunate instance, we had a prospect who was able to pre-register for 2010's Spring Castle, but had to back out due to financial strain and lost his non-refundable registration fees.
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02-10-11 pg3 Now is the time to look ahead however. 2010 is passed and despite some disappointments in some areas, I can say without hesitation that I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish as a team even with our limited time on the field.
This year we have two major events on our official calendar: Spring Castle Conquest and Gangland 2011 (Toys for Tots), both at EMR Paintball. In addition, I am keeping my eyes open for local scenario games that can fill that gap between April and October to give us one or two more events to participate in. I still feel we need to begin to build our name locally in the same way that we have managed to build it in a larger arena at EMR.
We have been generously allowed to play and practice on land at the Whispering Dreams Farm, and I intend to utilize that opportunity this year to hone our skills and continue to add cohesiveness as a team that will benefit us greatly at the big games.
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02-10-11 pg4 Lastly, I want to see our ranks grow. I want to see more prospects inducted as full members in 2011, and I want to see us reaching out to bring in more quality players to help our team grow and evolve.
2010 saw big things happen for us as a team, and though the going has been slow, I can see the momentum building, and I can see us moving forward to even bigger things ahead. Lets keep moving Goblins and see what we can do!
~ END TRANSMISSION ~
11-18-10 pg1 Date: 11/18/10
From: "Stitch"
Re: Event Debrief - EMR Toys for Tots game - "Gangland 2010"
Another job well done, Goblins! This year's Toys for Tots game at EMR was worlds apart from last year's game. This year's 7-hour scenario game was something we'd never had opportunity to experience before, and I am proud of how we handled ourselves. We brought a compliment of four players to the game, and recieved several positive comments on our performance throughout the day.
Our missions ran the gamut from robbing NPC's, to retrieving props, to holding flag stations, and we did admirably in all situations we encountered. I'm especially proud of our two prospects who jumped in feet first into the game without hesitation, completed even the most mundane of necessary tasks without complaint, and held their own in the most heated exchanges with the opposing forces. I look forward to spending more time on the field with each of them.
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11-18-10 pg2 Thank you to those players who came out to represent our team at one of the premier fields in the world, and most of all, to benefit a worthy cause.
Our big-game focus now shifts ahead to April. Start planning now Goblins for Spring Castle Conquest (April 30, 2011)! The next few months will pass much more quickly than you expect!
~ End Transmission ~
04-29-10 pg1 Date : 04/29/10
From : "Stitch"
Re : Event Debrief - EMR Castle Conquest XXIX
Congratulations Goblins! I feel certain that our big game debut at this year's Spring Castle Conquest was a success. We had the opportunity to play alongside and against some of the best teams in the sport, and I feel we held our own. I'm proud of our showing at this event, and I hope all of you are as well.
I want to extend another congratulations to Wolfman for his promotion to Assistant Team Leader. Since the beginning of this team, he's latched on to the concept and his enthusiasm and commitment to the team has been unparalleled. The promotion is well deserved.
To the entire team, I want to say, thank you! Thank you for doing what you needed to do to make our big game debut a success! Thank you for your investments in time as well as money for us to be able to have ALL of our membership in attendance.
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04-29-10 pg2 I know for many of us it is a sacrifice, especially at an inherently expensive event such as this one, and I truly and appreciative.
Now we look forward to the next! Time to start planning and focusing on Fall Castle Conquest. Much is still up in the air at this point, but I look forward to another opportunity to put our name and our faces out there at one of the premier paintball fields in the country! Mark your calendars and start saving your pennies... September will be here before we know it!
~ End Transmission ~
01-25-10 pg1 Date: 01/25/10
From: "Stitch"
Re: Dog Tags & Uniforms Revisited
With more new prospects joining our ranks, and further potential team growth on the horizon, I felt it necessary to revisit and revise some old team policies regarding Dog Tags & Team Uniforms.
On the subject of member dog tags: Per the original dispatches, a player who becomes a full member must create a "Special Ops Brigade" page on the www.specialopspaintball.com website to receive their dog tags. Since that time, Special Ops Paintball has changed hands and the "Brigade" feature on the site doesn't hold the same benefits it formerly had. For that reason, members are NO LONGER required to open and maintain a "Brigade" page to receive their dog tags. Where the Brigade ID number is on the original dog tags the line will be stamped with that member's "enlistment date", or when they became full-members of the Glowing Goblins. In addition, players dog tags are no longer a requirement at events. They are highly recommended, but not required.
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01-25-10 pg2 Regarding team uniforms: As of this date, it is now a REQUIREMENT for full members to purchase and wear a team uniform at events. Prior to today this was not mandatory, but as 2010 is showing great promise for team participation at large paintball events, it is in our best interest as a team to show cohesiveness. The standard Glowing Goblins uniform is pictured below.
The uniform we will be using is standard woodland pattern BDU's that can be purchased from military surplus stores new or used for very reasonable prices. I recommend summer weight as most of the season is in the warmer months.
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01-25-10 pg3 The patches to be sewn on to the uniform will be supplied to the player upon becoming a full-member. These patches belong to the Glowing Goblins and if a member leaves the team for any reason, the patches should be returned.
Players are free to choose any headgear, gloves, or footwear they are comfortable playing in. Players who prefer to use ghillie suits in the game are allowed to forego the standard Glowing Goblins uniform for the time spent on the field. Once the game is over, they must return to their standard Glowing Goblins BDU's.
Wearing the team uniform at events will benefit the team in several ways. Firstly, when other players can see our team in matching uniform, it solidifies the concept in their mind that we are a TEAM and that we take pride in that fact. Secondly, the more exposure we are able to get at large events as a team, will help us to gain recognition in the paintball community which in turn may assist us in gaining sponsors as the team grows and moves forward.
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01-25-10 pg4 Finally, when on the field, uniforms will help us to find teammates at a glance via the radioactive patches on our shoulders. Being able to locate teammates will allow us to more effectively work together in chaotic situations in big games, as well as re-join the team on the field when re-inserting after taking a hit.
It is my hope you will all embrace the team uniform and the thoughts behind it. It is simple, but unmistakably our own.
~ END TRANSMISSION ~
01-07-10 pg1 Date: 01/07/10
From: "Stitch"
Re: State of the Goblins Address
2009 has come and gone and all of the grand plans and hopes from last year's State of the Goblins Address fell flat. It's no mystery why those goals never panned out, and I'm sure none of us are suprised. The economy put a pinch on everyone in some way or another, and activities like playing paintball tend to be among the first things to be set aside out of necessity.
Allow me to briefly recap those goals I had laid out for the 2009 season.
First off was team participation. The goal was to make every effort on my part to schedule events in a manner to allow the maximum number of team members the opportunity to attend. Unfortunately as the economy would have it, there were few favorable dates or times that would allow us to assemble as a team to meet this goal in any respectable manner.
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01-07-10 pg3 We're already off to a strong start. The team calendar has already got 3 large events on it. Spring Castle, which we have 4 (out of our current 6 players) pre-registered, Fall Castle, and once again the annual charity Toys for Tots event. Between spring and fall Castle Conquest is an entire summer to make our presence known locally at Linglestown Paintball and other fields. That will be the time to gel as a team and to recruit prospective members.
With the pre-registratsions for Spring Castle already going on and 3/4 of our players attending that single event, we're already matching our 2009 efforts! The paintball is already rolling Goblins. All we need to do is keep up the momentum and the rest will take care of itself. This is our year, let's show the Harrisburg area and beyond what we can do!
~ END TRANSMISSION ~
01-07-10 pg2 Secondly came team growth. This goal was simple enough... get more team members on the roster. As of this dispatch, we currently have two prospects, only one of which was picked up during the 2009 playing season. This isn't much, but considering the meager amount of field time we managed to get in during 2009, we can't really complain.
Our final goal from last year was regarding events. Again, the plan was to get to at least one large event. In this goal we actually were successful. We managed to get a pair of Goblins (Wolfman and myself) up to EMR Paintball for their annual Toys for Tots scenario event. EMR is the host of the two annual Castle Conquest games so famous in the paintball world. The facilities, atmosphere, and people there were outstanding and I look forward to returning again this year.
Now we enter 2010. My goals are not changed from 2009. The economy is showing signs of picking up, and I still see and hear passion when I speak with Goblins.
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10-26-09 Date: 10/26/09
From: "Stitch"
Re: Rough Times
Wow Goblins... the economic crisis hit us hard this year. Our grand plans of making 2009 our "big splash" into the paintball world quickly dried up in the baking sun of financial woe. As liquid assets froze, so did our team into something like a state of suspended animation. We all waited and watched.
I am pleased and excited however to point out to all of you Goblins that this team is not dead. This idea is not forgotten. As this economy begins to climb back out of despair, so shall our plans for this group of players.
I am given hope by the fact that the Glowing Goblins paintball team will have a presence at a big scenario game, just 12 days away from this transmission. Two of our members are attending a Toys for Tots charity scenario game at EMR Paintball. I can't think of a better reason to finally get some of our guys up to that field for an event.
Things are turning around Goblins. We are not dead. We are not forgotten.
~ End Transmission ~
03-16-09 Date: 03/16/09
From: "Stitch"
Re: Get Ready
Welcome to the 2009 Glowing Goblins season! This friday, winter will be over, and the Goblins will begin to emerge from hibernation. It's time to get down to the business of the new year.
Our first game is on the calendar, March 28th at Linglestown Paintball. We'll be shaking off the cobwebs of the winter break and getting back out in the mix as a team. Looking forward into the year, we've got our first scenario events on the calendar... "Wasteland" at Wanna Play Paintball in Dillsburg in may, and in July, we're tentatively planning on having a presence at one of the biggest scenario games in the world, Invasion of Normandy at Skirmish paintball in Jim Thorpe.
Things are looking like they're off to a great start so far this season. I'm really liking the enthusiasm I'm seeing from the Goblins, and hope that we can keep that passion going to make this team great.
Time to get ready, Goblins. Gather your gear, make your preparations, and I'll see you on the 28th.
~ End Transmission ~
12-22-08 Date: 12/22/08
From: "Stitch"
Re: State of the Goblins Address
As 2008 is coming to a close, I've been taking some time to look back at the past year and in turn, look forward into 2009.
2008 saw the foundations of the Glowing Goblins laid and the first opportunity for our team to take the field together. I was proud of all our members' performances as we got our first real chance to try to gel our separate skills together. Watching us move together and communicate as well as we did in our first match together as we routed the opposition, I knew we had something we can definitely work with.
As I've been thinking about it, I've been looking forward into 2009 and trying to get an idea of what I'd like to see from us in the coming year. I am looking very much forward to the Goblins emerging from hibernation in the spring and getting down to business.
I've got three main areas I'm hoping to concentrate my efforts for the team this year, and hope the rest of the Goblins will do the same. Participation, Growth, and Events.
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12-22-08 pg 2 In '09, I hope to see our team members participating more. I know it sounds simple, but many of us have families, financial obligations, and some have unusual work hours that all take priority over the sport of paintball. There's not much any of us can really do about most of those things, but it's my goal for 2009 to try to make it easier for members to be able to get out and play as a team. No, I'm not planning on paying your field fees, so don't get excited, but my hope is to be able to plan outings that will coincide with the majority of our members' availability. Those with the least flexibility in time or finances will receive the most attention, and those with the most flexibility, I expect will exercise that flexibility and work us, so we can present as many Goblins as possible when we go to fields throughout the year.
Beyond trying to get the members we already have on the roster out as a team more often, I hope to add to those numbers. It's not goal to have a massive team of people, but I want to eventually have an ideal balance of players that will allow everyone to really get to know each other, and build real friendships, as well as having a roster large enough that we can put on a good showing at any field or event.
The idea is that, it's typically not going to be plausible for every single member to be able to attend every single outing, however, if we have a roster that is large enough, we can get an average number of team members who can attend.
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12-22-08 pg 3 For example... out of say, 15 total members, 6 can't make the next event, we still field a team of 9 players. Then the next event some of those who couldn't make the last outing can attend this one, and conversely, some who were at the last event can't come to this one. We can still have a strong Glowing Goblins presence at a field or event even if every member can't make every trip. Truth be told, this is a long-term goal. I don't expect to see us growing exponentially over the next 12 months, or having members at all the large events in and around our area. Even so, it's something to continually work towards as time passes and we get to know more and more players.
I alluded briefly above to the idea of playing as a team at large events around our area. We're lucky to have so many fields within a three-hour or less driving distance that have such large events. Skirmish's Invasion of Normandy comes to mind. Skirmish is only two hours away from Harrisburg, and it hosts some of the largest paintball games in the world. Three hours away is EMR Paintball which annually hosts the Castle Conquest game which hosts upwards of 1200 players. Even more locally, Wanna Play Paintball in Dillsburg hosted a multi-part scenario series throughout 2008. All of these events support and encourage teams to participate and most have team-based prizes and awards such as "Most Valuable Team".
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12-22-08 pg 4 As mentioned above, and elsewhere on our site, most of our team members have families and other commitments that obviously rank much higher on the priority list than the sport of paintball. Our team is based on having fun together, and there will never be undue pressure on players for participation as long as I am Team Leader, because I understand the limitations most of us have on our time and finances.
My goal for this season, as far as events go, is modest. I want to see the Goblins in force at one large event. Everyone will have a say in what event that is, so we can try to accommodate everyone as much as possible. If it's possible for us to have a Goblins team represented at more than one large event, that's great, and I will be very, very pleased, but I only ask that each member would commit to doing all they can to all take part in one big game in the 2009 season. I want to start putting the Glowing Goblins name out there and start making our presence known in the coming year.
Goblins, my paintball career has been short by most standards, and our chances to play together have been few thus far, but I have sincerely enjoyed every moment of 2008 as a Glowing Goblin, and I hope you all have as well. I can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for us!
- Brad "Stitch" Lehigh
~END TRANSMISSION~
07-18-08 Date: 7/18/08
From: "Rev"
Re: Dog Tags
In order to make sure members receiving dog tags are serious about joining the team, we have added a few basic requirements one must meet before actually receiving their dog tags. Previously, one had to simply create a Spec Ops Brigade page. However, to ensure strong bonds and sincerity of team members, we are going to add:
Initial update of the Spec Ops Brigade page with all information possible. Accept the invitation to the Spec Ops Brigade team's page Play one round of paintball with the Glowing Goblins This is just to make sure we are using our limited funds in a more productive and rewarding way.
~END TRANSMISSION~
07-17-08 Date: 7/17/08
From: "Stitch"
Re: Team Uniform
As we gather new members and prospects, I've realized that the time to make uniform decisions is upon us. It is not mandatory at this time to have a uniform, but team members are strongly encouraged to purchase one as the opportunity arises in order to display team cohesiveness.
The camoflage pattern we'll be using is the standard Woodland pattern. This pattern works well in the typical environment we'll find ourselves in, and is very easy to find. I suggest checking local military surplus stores in the area such as Top Gun Military Apparelwhen looking to purchase your uniform.
In addition, I would suggest to team members choosing to wear the team uniform, that they also purchase name tapes to sew onto their shirts. These can be obtained for typically less than $7.00 on ebay. The name tapes will be custom made for you. One should say: GLOWING GOBLINS, and the other should be your last name. If you need assistance in sewing the patches, feel free to contact me and I'll take care of it.
~END TRANSMISSION~
06-06-08 Date: 6/6/08
From: "Stitch"
Re: Dog Tags
Attention prospective and active Glowing Goblins...
As acting Team Leader of the TMI Glowing Goblins... When any member is officially inducted into the team and has created their Spec Ops Brigade page, I will present them with their own Glowing Goblins set of dog tags to be worn at all events, effective immediately.
Click the photo below for a closer look at the actual tags.
~END TRANSMISSION~
