Anyone who cares about the growth of APBA Football owes a debt of gratitude to Ray Dunlap. Ray worked tirelessly throughout the weekend drumming up interest in APBA Football. Upon my arrival at the convention late Friday afternoon, the first thing I saw before entering the tournament area was a stack of flyers outlining our intentions of promoting alternative techniques for playing solo. I was unable to go say “hi” for a good 45-minutes because he was too busy demonstrating his “Match-Up” system to a handful of people. During Friday night’s induction ceremony, Ray manned the podium and discussed the greatness of APBA Football when played face-to-face and how the “out of box” solo experience pales in comparison. He then cordially invited anyone who was interested in learning two superior alternatives to stop by the “Football Station” and see for themselves. Throughout the weekend, I watched Ray patiently explain and demonstrate his system to over 25 individuals.

Now I don’t want to give the impression that I was sitting on my hands but the truth of the matter is, his system is better for teaching folks who have never played or have been absent from the game for a number of years. My “Method of Play” is geared for the accomplished player, it’s the equivalent of a “graduate” course in APBA Football solitaire.

Throughout the weekend, we both fielded several questions and provided step-by-step instruction on playing techniques and innovations. I truly believe our presence at the convention got APBA Football “in the door” and will lead to bigger and better things in the future.

With the APBA Convention only two weeks away, I wanted to provide an update regarding the status of the 8-person, single elimination Football tournament. If I was a betting man, I would wager that there would not be one. Several people have contacted me to inquire about the tournament but it conflicts with their ability to participate in the Baseball tournament. I completely understand and my intention was never to compete with the “Official” tournament but to have some type of Football presence at the convention and there will be. I’m very excited about attending the convention and not only meeting folks that I’ve corresponded with for years either on the Delphi forums or email but to be in a room filled with people who share the same passion for APBA regardless of the game being played.

Going through this process I realize the only way to ever have an APBA Football tournament type setting is if it is the only featured event. With that being said, my appreciation of Geoff Giordano’s “APBA Football Club (AFC)” has grown ten-fold. I’ve not spoken with him but I look forward to working with him to have another AFC sponsored event for either later this year or in 2015.

In closing, this is a real good time for APBA Football fans. Beginning this year you will be able to attend the APBA Convention and have the ability to play a pickup F-T-F game, watch demos or just talk APBA Football. You will also have the ability to attend an AFC sponsored “APBA Football” type event in the near future. If you are currently not a member of the AFC, I highly recommend you visit Geoff’s site (link on blogroll) and join the team.