If Not SASS - Who?

[Derby Younger]

Afternoon Y'all:

Not wanting to hijack the Marshal's post, the following.

Being a long time CAS-L and SASS member (12000 range) does not quality me as an expert, giver of the final word or anything else. It does, however, give me a certain amount of history on which to base this post.

Before we go further, I'm a member of both SASS and this Community starting back on CAS-l. Additionally, my loyalties reside with both SASS and the Marshal.

Some forum history: The wire expansion was driven by dissent on CAS-l. The formation of TFS was driven by dissent on the wire. WASA, if memory serves, was initiated by Bull Schmidt on CAS-l. W3G was initiated on TFS. An argument can be made that both organizations were formed due to discontent with SASS.

Do I agree with everything SASS does. Nope. Again IMO, the rule book needs a lot of help, customer service needs a lot of help, PR needs a lot of help.

Do I agree with the Chronicle decision. Nope, bad idea. In fact, for those of you that consider SASS too much of a Corporately oriented entity consider this. Ad rates are based on circulation. If circulation decreases, pressure is exerted downward on rates. So why do it? Don't know, like I said, bad idea. Course now, could be an MBA entered the picture and the Model says it makes sense. That wouldn't be the first time in Corporate history. Nor would it be the first time the model was flawed and became a crater.

"Banning". Again, IMO, some posters were in big need of just exactly that. I am not addressing anyone specifically with that statement. But if you've read any of the forums for a any length of time, that would be evident.

OK. Now the original question, "if not, who?".

WASA. Not going to happen. If it was going to, it would have happened years ago.

W3G. Possibly. But the numbers will be far smaller than SASS. Why? Too many of us old folks don't like wind sprints and heavy competition.

NCOWS. I'm a former member (900 series). If that was going to happen, it would have achieved parity with SASS long ago. Internal dissent, more restrictive on clothing and weapons will hold them back.

SASS-X. The number of folks discussing this possibility is statistically insignifacnt. In other words, there just aren't enough to make even the concept of X viable.

Am I bashing any of those organizations. Absolutely not. Griz is in my back yard, Ella knows where I live and Jackson is a friend of a friend.

My point? SASS-X is not going to happen in the forseeable future.

Y'all Have Fun Now, Hear?

Derby

[Forty Rod]

Thank you.

I like a clear, concise message and you've provided that.

I agree with every word, however, I can envision two things happening.

1. The demise (or reduction in size and influence) of SASS because of growing discontent of the members, both foreign and domestic, and decisions that appear to be poorly thought out and self (SASS Inc.) serving.

2. The possible birth and rapid growth of a number of "umbrella" organizations, all fighting for supremacy over the sport, possibly ending in one reigning supreme at some fututre date.

I'll alway be a member of SASS.  I'll probably be a member of other groups at some point.

In the meantime, I'm waiting and watching.  If nothing else, it'll be an interesting ride.

[Doc Shapiro]

Derby, pretty good post.  You laid out some good points.

But I think your view of W3G is a little off.  There aren't any wind sprints, and the competition is only what you make it.  For those that want it, there's the "Open" category.  Nothing says you need to sign up for that.

There were a number of Seniors and Elder Statesman age shooters at the W3G World Cup match and they all had a great time.

W3G is about the shooting first.  SASS seems to be about the socializing first and a shooting match second.  Just different approaches. 

W3G wasn't founded on TFS, just found an outlet for communication there.

As you would have guessed, I'm a proud W3G member and founder of the 2nd ever W3G club, Gold Country 3 Gun.

Doc

[Micheal Fortune]

I agree with every word, however, I can envision two things happening.
1. The demise (or reduction in size and influence) of SASS because of growing discontent of the members, both foreign and domestic, and decisions that appear to be poorly thought out and self (SASS Inc.) serving.

There really isn't any growing discontent with the general membership at large. 

The only place you can find much discontent at all is if you are here, regularly visiting the three main boards. CasCity, TFS and the Wire.

Let's face it.  There are over 25,000-30,000 active members (there abouts based on the Chronicle circulation) A few hundred here on the boards (I was trying to place how many names I remember).

Only about 7-10 percent of them will bash SASS if provoked.  Trying to protect or defend one of our own.  That prairie fire, lynch mob, villagers with pitch forks and torches mentality.  That number might rise a bit in the middle of it before things start to settle down and cooler heads prevail.

There is 2-3 percent of the regular board memberships that, for what ever reason truly have a grievance with SASS and bash the at every opportunity.

There are only 4-5 of us that get on line in our 80+ member club.  Some less than others.  If you ask the general membership what they think I'm sure they don't have an opinion, unless they raise the dues or something like that.  It is quite clear that we don't need them to shoot and we will be out there with or without them.

With the TV shows about us like Cowboys and the show SASS produced last year the memberships around the world are growing with happy excited SASS shooters.

There will be areas of the Country that will be NCOWS dominate, or W3G is what they shoot in that area but by and large I don't see SASS going away or playing the back seat to anything down the road........

Now my numbers on this subject aren't scientific, just what's rolling around in my head (it's ok, I have heard it all before) but these are my thoughts on this matter.

[Forty Rod]

Good points.  I hope you're right.  I'd hate to see SASS go and it would be as bad if it deteriorated.  I love the old gal, for the most part.

[Big John Denny]

Though I disagree with recent decisions made by SASS, Inc, I too don't think it will disappear, though it's influence may be disapaited in coming years.

I do truely wish I could feel more like a member than a customer of SASS.

If a new group was to take over, I would think it would be an umbrella organization that would be able to encompass all the CAS disciplines

[Irish Red O'Toole]

I was going to offer corrected versions of Derby's W3G items, but (as usual) Doc Shaprio is faster on the trigger than I am.  So....what he said!!

[Derby Younger]

Doc. Irish. Many thanks for the clarification.

Derby

[Big John Denny]

Who will it be. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.