I'm curious on everyone's thoughts about registering their leagues with the IFPA. I run a small league at Madcap Brew Co in Kent Ohio. We have around 16 players that play every Tuesday night. We use matchplay to run a swiss style total points league. $5 entry with all proceeds paying out to the first and second player and champion gets their name on a plaque mounted by the games.
Last season I decided to register the league with the IFPA to try and drum up more interest as running the league is more of a hobby than a main thing for me so I struggle finding time to maintain social media. I figured the dollar per player covers marketing and stuff and it would give the league exposure.
Well they gave me a hard time about registering the league because we don't have a website. I alleviated this by talking to the social media manager at the bar and had him add the league dates to their facebook as well as posting an announcement on the gameroom instagram. They finally approved the league which I had pushed back the start date so we could fit into the 30 day window to post a league ahead of a start date.
First day of league and we get zero new players. Not only that but the players in the league do not even know what IFPA is. I reach out to the IFPA and they suggest I talk to the other leagues in the area to try and get them to promote my league?? I talked so some members of other leagues that pointed out the new point structure limits the amount of points a league gets based on the ranking of the members. So basically unless I go out of my way to recruit someone that is high ranked, the league is worth minimal points.
I was under the impression the point of the IFPA was to spread pinball but at this point I don't get the benefit. They don't market your league and they also set up the point structure to discourage new leagues from even being created. I just feel like I'm paying for nothing.
The icing on the cake was when I submitted the league results, they mentioned the winner wasn't posted on the facebook and didn't accept the results. Everything is documented in matchplay and the link was sent. Maybe other people haven't had such a crappy experience. I'd really like to hear your opinions on what I should do.
Next league won't be registered with IFPA since it starts next Tues but I'm trying to figure out what to do for the next session. I appreciate any input.