new 8-man, 50 yard field, outdoor league

[ChampionOfSteel]

What would be so wrong in selecting a big city and having 4 or more neighboring semi-pro teams play in an amateur league tournament at some high school stadium? $5 bucks per fan per game? I'd go.

http://home.columbus.rr.com/cfrankings/football_field.jpg

Don't have dasherboards at all. Have PVC pipe goalposts, too anchored to the ground. I think a sturdy/safe tent anchoring idea could have the goal post dangle from the air just like in the indoor arena. Play in the spring and summer months when you can have use of a high school football field any where you want. The local high school association runs the concession stands, etc.

What do you guys think? Got the idea from the NIFL playing a game outdoors this past year. Really surprised no one has done this yet.

[Freedom]

Don't worry, with the NIFL burning up markets and usable buildings at an astonishing rate, this is what they will be left with. Only question is if they change NIFL logo to NOFL.

[phydeaux72]

Only question is if they change NIFL logo to NOFL.

Wouldn't that essentially be the NFL? How about NOIFL?

[ChampionOfSteel]

I'd call it the N8MFL (National 8 Man Football League).

If the NFL and NCAA can stretch a cable north/south across the field for a moving camera, why not stretch a long grounded cable from the top of the home seats to the visitor's seats at a big high school stadium that would support a dangling light weight PVC yellow-colored goal post, or...just hammer down two temporary flag poles like the NFL does for its camera that runs north/south?

The possibilities are there guys, for even a semi-pro league to play without goalposts as well.

Who will jump on this first?

[Tomcats]

I'd call it the N8MFL (National 8 Man Football League).

If the NFL and NCAA can stretch a cable north/south across the field for a moving camera, why not stretch a long grounded cable from the top of the home seats to the visitor's seats at a big high school stadium that would support a dangling light weight PVC yellow-colored goal post, or...just hammer down two temporary flag poles like the NFL does for its camera that runs north/south?

The possibilities are there guys, for even a semi-pro league to play without goalposts as well.

Who will jump on this first?
Cleveland Gary, especially if he thinks he can make money and not have to do anything.

[exit322]

I think you'll see 8-man semiprofessional football in the indoor sense boom more with time.

Illinois already has a league (has for a few years), the 8FL, but they don't play truly with indoor-style rules.

[tony-o]

This could work, but I imagine it wouldn't be the same way you have it planned.

There are 53 1/3 yards from sideline to sideline on a regular football field, and there is usually room between the sidelines. As long as there are is at least 6 1/3 between the sidelines ans the stands, you could hold games horizontally. That way you could have fans viewing from seating sections on both sides of the field.

The only problem is field goals.

[coffin]

Actually, there is a league here (MO) that is in their first season that plays 8 man outdoors using indoor rules. Good bunch of guys that have some GM/coaching experience indoors that chose to start their own league. 4 teams in it's inaugural season, with the Wichita Wild playing exhibition games.


www.mwofl.com

[phydeaux72]

I'd call it the N8MFL (National 8 Man Football League).

If the NFL and NCAA can stretch a cable north/south across the field for a moving camera, why not stretch a long grounded cable from the top of the home seats to the visitor's seats at a big high school stadium that would support a dangling light weight PVC yellow-colored goal post, or...just hammer down two temporary flag poles like the NFL does for its camera that runs north/south?

The possibilities are there guys, for even a semi-pro league to play without goalposts as well.

Who will jump on this first?

I think it could work. The only question is; How do you pull it off at a professional level?

The only place you could play it at would be at a park, high school, or junior high practice field. Then, how do you charge admission? It would be too easy for people to just walk up and watch it for free. I don't know for sure, but I would think that renting a high school stadium would be too expensive, especially if the concept didn't catch on right away and attendance was low. Also, since most high school stadiums these days have artificial turf, you wouldn't be able to paint the 50 yard field on it. It appears that the CPFL has a good solution when it comes to goal posts. But they're playing on grass fields. Also, from what I can tell, the CPFL is closer to semi-pro than pro. And from the pictures I've seen, they are playing in places where you can't really charge admission in order for people to come and watch the game.

Like I said, I think it could work. But it would take a callaborative effort from people who are willing to put a little money into putting a quality professional product on the field.

For example:

1. Buying property, probably anywhere from 5 to 10 acres.
2. Installing bleachers for spectators.
3. Securing the property with fences and/or barracades preventing walk-up spectators from getting into the game for free.
4. Setting up concession stands.
5. Maintaining upkeep of the playing field.
6. Installing addequate locker rooms for the players.
7. Electricity for lights, play clocks, scoreboards, etc.
8. Installing lights, play clocks, scoreboards, etc.
9. Space for parking.
10. Etc, etc, etc.

That's just to name a few. Anyone else have any thoughts or ideas?

[exit322]

I don't think it'd be feasible at a professional level. But semipro, especially as a perhaps way to get guys moved up to the indoor leagues, I think it's something areas should consider.

And if not semipro here, perhaps semipro at those indoor soccer park-type places.

[nksports]

What would be wrong with playing under the high school eight-man rules (80-yard field by 40 yards). Three down linemen, a TE, WR, QB, RB and second WR or RB? When they are playing on regular fields, they have portable goal posts.

[jwalters]

Good night guys! You don't have to play football only on football fields. If you have a field that is the size of an indoor field or increased to 50x30 yds. with ten yard endzones you should try to play in baseball stadiums. That way you will almost always have a few nice box seats and quality bleachers. The fans will be closer and the stadium will be more fenced in. Think about it most high school stadiums aren't worth going to and you can watch the games for free because they are playing fields not stadiums. If you want an outdoor 50 yard field play in baseball stadiums.

[ChampionOfSteel]

Good night guys! You don't have to play football only on football fields. If you have a field that is the size of an indoor field or increased to 50x30 yds. with ten yard endzones you should try to play in baseball stadiums. That way you will almost always have a few nice box seats and quality bleachers. The fans will be closer and the stadium will be more fenced in. Think about it most high school stadiums aren't worth going to and you can watch the games for free because they are playing fields not stadiums. If you want an outdoor 50 yard field play in baseball stadiums.

Here in Ohio, the higher income schools have a brick wall that encloses the stadium. If there is a view of the action it would be from behind or in front of the action (north/south), and the height of yourself off of the ground would be the view -- I'd rather pay the $5 or $10 and see the action elevated and from the side.

The other problem in Ohio is the tradition of track and field surfaces that separate the stands from the sideline. I wish the track programs would be around a practice soccer field instead so the football field could have the stands right up against the action like a U of Michigan.

You say baseball? Well, the only problem is baseball season would be in the same season as spring/summer mini-football. Tearing up the infield or outfield could be a problem for whatever baseball association that would share the facility. In addition the infield would have dirt.

I guess any layout with decent lighting that could map a mini-football field of some type on it would be good.

[phydeaux72]

The other problem in Ohio is the tradition of track and field surfaces that separate the stands from the sideline.

I've been to high school football stadiums in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Florida and California. Everyone of them have had a track & field surface surrounding the field. That's nothing unsual.

[jwalters]

The POV from the seats in a baseball stadium is not a problem. No one complains about the view from the first few rows in a hockey arena during indoor games. You are right about the problems with high school stadiums. There are too many with tracks and too many of the stadiums have wide sidelines which would put you farther from the action. Baseball stadiums are usually cheaper to rent also than football stadiums. I really don't know why but they are.

[ChampionOfSteel]

I've been to high school football stadiums in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Florida and California. Everyone of them have had a track & field surface surrounding the field. That's nothing unsual.

I was on business a few years back in Texas and New Mexico, and I never saw a running track at any of the high school and college football games I attended on the weekends. Must have been a coincidence.

Each stadium seated 10,000+ fans, so maybe I observed games in facilities reserved for high school playoff action.

Unbelievable in Texas I witness the equivalent of a Ohio Div. VI game being played in front of a sellout 10,000+ crowd. It was a regular season game.

[twgmdd]

I've only been to one high school stadium without a track.

[phydeaux72]

Ok, now that I've thought about it, all of the high school stadiums that I've been to have been at least 5A stadiums. So, I could see some of the smaller school stadiums not having tracks.

[DestroyersFan]

What's the benefit of playing indoor football outdoors?

If you take away the protection from the elements, the controlled temperature, and the intimate accoustics of fans supporting their team inside a building, would the game really be any more appealing than a traditional style football game being played?

[preeths]

That's the same question to which I keep coming back.

[ChampionOfSteel]

What's the benefit of playing indoor football outdoors?

If you take away the protection from the elements, the controlled temperature, and the intimate accoustics of fans supporting their team inside a building, would the game really be any more appealing than a traditional style football game being played?

Worth experimenting? Seeing indoor football outdoors in driving rainstorms/muddy fields/sunshine/wind, etc. could be just as entertaining as seeing the Broncos and Packers playing in snow, etc.

1) Doing something different in the offseason that won't run head-to-head with regular 11-against-11 football for everyone's attention could be fun and breaks up the usual so-so. It's dumb for the ladies in the WPFL to play in the fall. The NWFA and IWFL did it right with their spring/summer format. In the same way, do indoor football outdoors as 7 or 8-man football in the spring/summer.

2) Semi-pro teams regularly struggle to have a decent roster of players to field a 11-against-11 team. Fewer players (7 or 8 ) on the field reduces player salary costs too for those leagues considering paying their players. Having the need for a smaller roster makes the idea attractive.

3) The all-gravy format of AFL/indoor football (always in the redzone) may be cool as hell to see outdoors.

You might like it. Just make sure the season is in the spring/summer so there won't be competition with regular outdoor football -- curiosity factor.

[preeths]

Semi-pro teams don't really have salary costs, and talent is bound to be pretty light for teams which can't even field a full roster. Existing outdoor fields with goal posts are set up for the 100-yard game, so you would have to re-mark the lines, getting the host's okay, and move in a goalpost. For some, it may be more work and red tape than simply beating the bushes for a few more players.

I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it if they see an interest, but in the end, I can't even see it doing even as well as the semi-pros.

[Pounder]

I know a 9-man league in the southern Willamette Valley- which is handy for being able to take from Oregon and Oregon State as well as some high school lads. Full field, 30 minute halves (instead of quarters) with a running clock... and it seems like it should be a scorefest, BUT (1) not too many talented QBs, and (2) for whatever reason, the talent seems to be somewhat spread out.

If you add better QBs, you probably have a better product, and it's POTENTIALLY something you could make money with. Potentially, anyway...

[Dan K]

The Springfield Stallions evolved from an eight-man league in Illinois [www.8fl.org]. I think most teams played outdoors, but some played indoors. Check out some of the action photos of www.limfa.com and see what they are calling indoor football in this Mexican league.

[nksports]

I've only been to one high school stadium without a track.

Our local high school stadium does not have a track. It's about the only one of its kind in the area. The stadium is in the city park. The track is behind the high school. They just poured about $5 million into renovations for the stadium, including artificial turf, new lights, remodeling the grand stand, remodeling the band shell (which is the side of the grandstand that faces the park), redoing the locker rooms, new rest room-concession stand building, new ticket booths, paving the parking lots. Expanded seating on both sides of the field.
The payoff, besides renewed interest in high school football and soccer locally, was the eight-man championship games the next year, which drew a sellout of over 3,500 (this isn't Texas, they don't build 10,000 to 15,000 high school stadiums around here). The stadium also landed a semi-pro football team that drew about 250 to 500 a game.
But for the eight-man games, they painted temporary lines and used a portable goal post on one side.
To see the HS eight-man dimentions, go to http://www.nfhs.org/web/2006/08/football.aspx/ where they have the field diagrams for eight-man and six-man fields.

[ChampionOfSteel]

Our local high school stadium does not have a track. It's about the only one of its kind in the area. The stadium is in the city park. The track is behind the high school. They just poured about $5 million into renovations for the stadium, including artificial turf, new lights, remodeling the grand stand, remodeling the band shell (which is the side of the grandstand that faces the park), redoing the locker rooms, new rest room-concession stand building, new ticket booths, paving the parking lots. Expanded seating on both sides of the field.
The payoff, besides renewed interest in high school football and soccer locally, was the eight-man championship games the next year, which drew a sellout of over 3,500 (this isn't Texas, they don't build 10,000 to 15,000 high school stadiums around here). The stadium also landed a semi-pro football team that drew about 250 to 500 a game.
But for the eight-man games, they painted temporary lines and used a portable goal post on one side.
To see the HS eight-man dimentions, go to http://www.nfhs.org/web/2006/08/football.aspx/ where they have the field diagrams for eight-man and six-man fields.

Are those eight man games comparable to the CIFL when it comes to lopsided scores?

[nksports]

These were the state finals, so they were pretty close. Eight-man HS games are pretty high scoring, but there is a 45-point mercy rule in Kansas. When the point spread reaches 45 points at halftime or beyond, they end the game.
To play eight-man in Kansas, the schools' enrollment has to be below 100 for grades 9, 10 and 11 in an enrollment census taken every two years.
Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri also play eight-man around here. Colorado plays nine-man. Nebraska and Texas also have six-man (you could probably play that in a high school gym).

[ChampionOfSteel]

These were the state finals, so they were pretty close. Eight-man HS games are pretty high scoring, but there is a 45-point mercy rule in Kansas. When the point spread reaches 45 points at halftime or beyond, they end the game.
To play eight-man in Kansas, the schools' enrollment has to be below 100 for grades 9, 10 and 11 in an enrollment census taken every two years.
Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri also play eight-man around here. Colorado plays nine-man. Nebraska and Texas also have six-man (you could probably play that in a high school gym).

That 45 point mercy rule tells me the Kansas game system potentially has the same issue -- teams with a slight advantage can blowout their opponent.

[reds1935]

http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=ac50fl
THEY ARE TRYING TO LIFT OFF THIS FALL-TO EARLY WINTER SO IF YOUR INTRESTED EMAIL REDS1935@AOL.COM
Hello my name is alex winokur i am hopeing to get this 50 yard outdoor football league started. i like the idea and am a buisness man and go through with things i am mainly looking for teams in the nj,pa,ny,delaware area. so if your intrested for just the field expensies no franchise fees for first year teams. Also this is a 8 on 8 out door full of action on a 50 yard field no field goals only 2 point conversions league. also we will be playing in highschool or small college staduims probly highschool.

[SignGuyDino]

Howw caun eye sayy dis nicc ely?