Not sure who among "the Cleveland crowd" complained about this. I was personally excited to have an opportunity to play Phoebe's collection and I know some of the others were as well. As part of the NE Ohio group of players, I definitely wouldn't throw a fit about an SCS in Southern Ohio if that's what made the most sense for a given year.

Curious to know more about why you think the players in Cleveland are so stubborn, but I don't want to clutter this headache of a thread with another tangent. Send me a PM if you feel like discussing.

To reach the top of the world rankings and maintain your position requires having some extra money to toss around, I agree with you there. However, it really doesn't cost much at all to organize and play regular events at a local location to build up SCS points throughout the year. We run a free weekly between league seasons and it's not a ton of points each week, but they definitely add up!

http://www.ifpapinball.com/rankings/custom_view.php?id=151

That sucks that you put in work and then found about the location change. I'd be annoyed as well in your position.

If you're referring to the 2014 OH SCS, there were 10 NE Ohio players and I can say that myself and at least 3 or 4 others had no issue with the trip. I can only think of two people from the list who could have been vocally against the travel, but I'm not getting into personal names on a public forum. I think whatever opposition from the Cleveland crowd you were informed of must have been the minority speaking louder than the rest of us who were down for whatever.