the CAGE

[splinter]

It's coming in 2003, a new style of professional inline hockey.
I have found a company that has agreed to make portable inline hockey rinks. We will be playing on a surface 96'x50'. This is quite a bit smaller than a traditional inline rink but this rink will sit on a regulation sized basketball court. We will be playing in arenas that will seat anywhere between 6,000 - 10,000 fans. We want be playing in skating rinks. We will play 4 0n 4 hockey. This game will be quick and full of action.
Players will earn $100 a game.
This is not a joke. More info will be available soon or email me at [email protected]

[missionhockey21]

Sounds awesome, do you have any idea if or when there will be a website for us to check out.

[splinter]

I realize that some of you think that the Cage may be a little out there, but look at it this way. A lot of small to mid size markets would enjoy inline hockey if they could get into the game. The CAGE will allow more involvement. Why? Almost every town or city in the good ole USA has a gym, right? By reducing the size of the team and the playing surface, the CAGE can be played almost anywhere. Okay, now you may say, there are a lot of skating rinks around. That's true, but how many skating rinks can seat 6,000 people.
The CAGE will open a whole new avenue to inline hockey. Sponsorship and a possible TV contract could be in the wings. You gotta agree, the CAGE has some serious possibilites.
There will not be a franchise fee in 2003,so if you are interested in placing a team in the CAGE, please email me at [email protected] I will send you a CAGE info packet.
Another thing, why is the league going to be called the CAGE? Simple. in the old days, basketball was considered to be played in the cage. So we are going to be playing in the same surroundings so why not? Besides is sounds good.

[FLhockeymom]

That's a pretty small area and don't we already play 4 on 4?

[splinter]

SMALL? I guess one could say it's a little small but the point here is that inline hockey can be played anywhere there is a gym. I would imagine when Arena Football (50 yd field) was introduced in the eighties they thought that was small too.
I think that the game will be a lot quicker and higher scoring.

[CoachChrisG]

One thing you should do is lose the dasher boards and surround the rink with a big chain link fence ala the street basketball and hockey cages you see in the bigger cities. That would look very cool and be a good selling point for the game. It would also reduse the chance of people getting hurt by flying pucks shot into the stands.

I would love to be a part of this league. Send me an e-mail!
L8'R

[slapshot09]

Im all for helping inline hockey grow, However this idea sounds along the lines of the ole "pro beach hockey" and its brother the XFL both were terriable ideas, the pro beach thing was nothing more than who you know to get you on a team and play with your buddies, and well I dont think I need to give a single reason why the XFL failed, HOWEVER both were a bit entertaining and Im not going to knock your new CAGE league idea because your at least thinking of furthering roller hockey into the future. Maybe you could some how lay down sportcourt or icecourt instead of a wooden basketball court...Good luck and keep us up to date on how its coming...

[splinter]

We will be playing on a rink that will be laid over the basketball court, not on the court it's self.

[slapshot09]

Cool, Where is the league going to be based out of? Any chance for any teams in the south?

[splinter]

What part of the south are you from?

[slapshot09]

North Carolina....I know this isent hockey rich country, but with the canes having success its a growing market and the youth programs all over the south, NC,SC,GA,FLA both ice and roller are growing. There was also a college roller hockey league started and seems to be growing as well. So maybe look at the south as a possiable option for a team or teams?

[JohnHockey1798]

Is there any chance that you will be playing in Las Vegas, NV. It sounds like fun and i could get a team together.

John

[splinter]

Sorry, we probably want be coming to Vegas anytime soon. We will do a couple of "preview" games in early 2003 and then we launch a 4 team short season. Each team will play 4 home and 4 away and then a Championship Game.
We are doing legal stuff right now, gotta protect the game before we get started.

[sixpack]

I just have to ask. Is splinter really Pat Osbourn? If so do not beleive a word that this guy says. About a year and a half ago he got everybody pumped up about somekind of pro league, and when it came time to start getting things started, he said he was having health problems and could not start his league. The reason that I say this is the same person is that no real specific info has been posted (ie. costs, sponsors, ect.) and they both have email addresses at this billyhill.com thing. don't get your hopes up for any kind of game from this guy. from what I have seen of him he couldn't even organize a pick up game.

[CoachChrisG]

I don't think this guy is a scam. I have conversed with him by e-mail a number of times in the last few days and he has given me some good logistics on how the rinks are going to be built and what not. Pattenting the league is a good idea as Arena Football did the same thing once upon a time.

Having said that I hope this guy can make this thing work because it seems like a novel idea and it looks like fun. It's also going to be done in a region that hasn't been all that tapped yet so it may flop or it may work. If he does it the way the arena league people did it then it could be successful. I hope so anyway.

L8'R
C.C.

[sixpack]

I had exchanged emails with him also, and he sounded like he was for realeverything he had looked good on paper, but when it came time to put those plans into action, he just came up with really lame excuses why things wern't getting done.

I myself would love to see any league of any kind recreational through pro go just to help the sport grow, but I just think that this guy is going to get everyones hopes up again just to let them down again.

[CoachChrisG]

As long as it isn't like what happened in the Great Lakes area a while back. I hope this time they have some quality backers and can get it done.

C.C.

[sixpack]

honestly it is worse than mprh. This guy got everybody ready for a pro league. From what he said players were supposed to make $50.00 per game. You could probably find exactly what he said if you do a search on the inline hockey forum part of this site, look up the ozarks hockey league, or anything posted by ozzie, there from about 11/01

[splinter]

Sixpack, time to set the story straight. Yes, my name is Pat Osborne, and yes, I did try to set up an inline league about a year and a half ago. So what, I got sick and was unable to go forward. I tried to explain but you wouldn't listion.
The CAGE is something I've been working on for awhile. At first, the idea was a little out there, but the more I worked with it, the more it makes sense.
I am not going to go into a lot of detail until I get the concept patented. My plans are to play a short season sometime in 2003. After the game is patented, we will play a couple of "preview" games and go for it. I have not stated a launch date other than 2003.
I am not looking for players or coaches although I am getting several emails and yes, I am getting sponsorship inquiries as well.
If you don't believe me that's okay, because I am going to do this with or without you. You are entitled to your say. I'm sorry that we got off on the wrong foot.

[slapshot09]

I want to first state that I am ALL FOR something that is going to better the sport, but I am with sixpack on this one I remeber all those post about a year ago on here that a new league was coming and never saw anything else from it, the post from yourself(Pat Osborne)just seemed to stop all of the sudden and there was some post from numoruous "allies" that were from the same email account, but the sudden stop could have been due to your sickness and if it was something serious its good to see your back in good health, but I honestly think the people of the roller hockey world wont be totally behind you until they see something for real, so if this new idea is for real and you can make it happen I will definalty be behind you(Pat Osborne)...What region of the country were you shooting for to get this thing going? If its near me I will be more than willing to help you out with support if I get more solid info....So whatever the outcome I wish you luck

[CoachChrisG]

From what I can see so far Pat seems pretty sincere. I will take what he says at face value.

Look at it this way folks, when the Great Lakes guy was on here trying to get support for his league he was trashing everyone, calling names and slandering other leagues that came before them. I don't see this guy doing that so I have to believe he is at least sincere if not serious. Hopefully something good will happen in 2003.

C.C.

[splinter]

That's fair enough, I will not lead you guys on with false hopes. I am going to do this right, so it will take a little time.
I will try to keep you updated as I progress.
I am not going to bad mouth anyone before me that has tried or is trying to launch a pro league, in fact I wish them luck. The CAGE will not be another league, it will be a different game. I believe that there are plenty of quality inline hockey players out there to go around.

[-venom-]

Sounds like a decent idea, the problem is.... will players stick with it? With the MLRH bulding and adding new teams, now spanning most of the US, and the PIHA gaining popularity in the Tri-State area, how can the league be sure to draw GOOD players, when everyone knows how fragile a new league can be, especially one with such a radical (albeit unique and interesting) idea... I definitely support anything that is good for the sport... good luck with it, let us know when it starts and where the teams will be located. If you can get a decent ## of sponsors, teams, and quality players, then it may have the fan appeal and staying power to compete with the big boys of Pro-Level Roller hockey.



http://www.phatwhippincrx.20m.com/images/dumbass.jpg

[slapshot09]

Who are the "big boys" of "pro"(if thats what you want to call it) roller hockey?...

[-venom-]

ok guess it's kinda not the right wording or whatever, but there's a few leagues out there right now that have definite staying power and could very easily be headed in the right direction for main-stream pro/semi-pro roller hockey.

MLRH is growing each year, and early indications are that the league will only continue to grow in popularity.

PIHA has a good chance to get big, although right now it is too centrally located within itself. But every team is sposored, and the games are pretty exciting. If word can get out, and more teams enter the league, it's certainly got a shot at becoming huge....

Also, didn't the NARHL just merge with another league from Michigan/The great lakes area? If it is organized enough, I'm sure they could end up with a huge following, many teams, and a hell of alot of good players.


Basically my point it, what about this league would entice players to choose the Cage over another high-level hockey league? You've got a few leagues out there with their feet solidly on the ground and only looking to grow, then throw another team in the mix, and well....... it COULD get eaten alive. Not saying it will, but you have to think about how sponsors are going to react to it, when they've got multiple hockey organizations vying for their $$......... in the end, it all comes down to money. If this league gets big, and puts on a good show, sponsors will definitely be knocking the door down to fund the teams, etc....... but that all remains to be seen. Either way, it's worth the shot, it could be great for the sport.




http://www.phatwhippincrx.20m.com/images/dumbass.jpg

[njbullets]

NARHL merged into MLRH. The only surviving teams were Marple & Ottakringer

[CoachChrisG]

I know I'm gonna get a lot of heat for this but I don't see MLRH being more then an elite amateur league. I envision it becoming the equivilant of the Allan Cup in Canadian ice hockey. (Which in the first quarter of the 20th century was outdrawing the pros by over 80%.) Bill Raue has never set a timetable as to when or if MLRH is ever going pro. Personally I just don't ever see it happening.

As for PIHA, they have a chance at making it but they are years away from being a true pro league. (When they are filling all of their rinks and can move up to bigger arenas preferably bigger then 1000 seaters they will be a force to be truely reconed with!)

NARHL never had the backing they were hoping for and simply had high level amateur teams with a lot of enthusiasm but NO money. (MLRH is exactly the same but they have stayed alive.) They were simply MPRH with a larger territory. Had they stuck it out and gotten sponsorships and promoted themselves it could have happened.

The Cage on the other hand is a lot different then the other 2 and looks to be a true pro league from the start. The Southern U.S. is something Bill Raue has been very open about not even wanting to deal with and has frequently cut southern teams, (The ENTIRE Texas division in 2000) from MLRH. Since this area is completely untapped the Cage would have it all to themselves and can help the sport grow over there and build a strong following there.

Of all the leagues the PIHA seems to be the most exciting right now and I hope they can make a serious go at it. (They have some of the best players out there so all they need is to really promote the league and the fans will eventually come out.) I'm just not sold on MPRH's ability to organize themselves. Raue seems to be very wishy washy and I don't think he has it in him to push the league to the top. As for the MPRH's growth, the only reason there are more teams is because MPRH (2000-2001) and NARHL couldn't make a go of it so those teams had to go somewhere other then simply NARCh tournaments. When MPRH goes pro after many, many years of promicing it then and only then will I be impressed with that league.

Keeping it real!
C.C.

[-venom-]

Points well taken :)

Only time will tell I guess...



http://www.phatwhippincrx.20m.com/images/dumbass.jpg

[slapshot09]

Bill Raue couldnt organize a sock drawer...Seems that MLRH is just using the AAA league and such as an excuse to call a pro league when all it seems to be is a traveling adult mens league...He only wants to put teams where he wants to put them and has no intrest in other regions that dosent effect him....I mean come on the college boys spanked the "pro" team a few weeks back, now givin I relize there was certain circumstances that didnt play in favor of the MLRH team, but still It seems its just a mini adult traveling league, they have to pay to try-out and play...

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by slapshot09 on 11/07/02 02:36 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

[sixpack]

If your not going to lead anybody on about this league, than why is it that on the messageboard on www.oursportscentral.com is there posts that basically say that you have done there recently there what you did here a year ago. If you really "got sick" for real, and your healthy now it couldn't be all that serious. If you are for real this time I wish you luck, but, don't screw over in-line hockey like you obviously have done before. When hopes are let down it takes more hope away every time, pretty soon, if you don't follow through this time, people will not even blink an eye when sombody wants to start a league for real. So, basically you are going to ruin this sport if you don't follow through this time. I do wish you luck, and just want to say don't screw us over again please!!!!

[splinter]

The CAGE is real, but it will take a little time to get things in order. You guys will have to be patient with the process. The CAGE will not be another inline league, I am hopeful that we will be playing real games in 2003.

[sixpack]

Just a quick question without any B.S. How and when are you going to get players?

[splinter]

I am not looking for players or coaches right now. The game has to be patented before we start looking for players. We will get the best talent available when the time comes.

[yokes]

I know that noone on my team(Marple) has had to pay to play. You say it is just a travelling adult league, well then explain the difference between that and say the NHL. (Only comparison i could come up with)They recieve free equipment, so have my teamates. They dont pay to travel, neither do we. Other than a paycheck there are few differences, and im sure if you checked out the start of the NHL with what six teams, im sure things werent all fine and dandy with them either. Also dont use the RIOT and there game as a measuring stick, its not fair to our league and other teams in it. They played by your rules, which they must of agreed to, but contact is a different game. And for Bill I was with Marple with the whole Colorado fiasco, so my faith in him is yet to be seen. As for right now he and a few others are trying hard to get this done, people are putting in their own personnal time and efforts, along with $. Petty much my bottom line is dont knock somebody for working hard at something, try to build a league of your own and tell me it was easier along with long lasting.

[slapshot09]

Points well takin

[CoachChrisG]

From what I have seen with MLRH your team is the exception, not the rule. Most teams that have come and gone had to pay to get in and Raue did nothing to help promote the league or the teams in their respective cities. For years he has said if we support the amateur league he will grant us a real pro league. 5 years later, no timetable has been set.

Add this to the fact that he kicked the ENTIRE Texas division out of MLRH for reasons only he knows and you have a league that is nowhere where it should be after 4 full seasons. (Why do you think the Gladiators were in NARHL last year? Because of Raue's empty promices.) Get Raue out of MLRH and put someone who actually cares about the sport in there and you have something. Raue is the reason why NARCh is not forming a real league. (Their hands haven't been forced by Raue as he hasn't shown he can get it done for real.)

Sorry if I sound like I'm flaming but we have to be real here. Bill Raue has been bad news for inline hockey for years and can't be taken seriously as long as his amateur league is being masqueraded as a pro league indefinately. Bill: Set a timetable for a real pro league and go with it, then I will believe you sort of. Until then your promices are hollow.

C.C.

[sixpack]

Well, It looks like this one is going to be a bunch of crap too. Its been weeks and no new info or anything, I really hope that nobody gave this guy money, cause it looks like its going to be a rip off. This is what he did before , wait about a week and I bet there will be a post on here about him getting sick or somethimg. He said taid that he is going to get a paten for this league, but it has already been too long, if it isn't in by now it will never come, I knmow cause I have one, and it takes about a month. This guy is just playing with you again. I really do hope he succeedes, but it looks like its going to be another ozarks hockey league

[missionhockey21]

Ah, the ozark hockey league, it is sounding pretty familiar to the cage.

[splinter]

I got my first letter Sat. from the USPTO. Things are still in progress. I will have some info for you doubters this week.

[sixpack]

here we are once again its been weeks since any info was put out. this thing will not go. if you paid any attention to the achl last summer they put news out everyday, even if it was the same exact thing that they said the day before. and that is why this thing will never get bigger than a junior varsity high school game of any kind.

[eastonjc]

I played in the Great Lakes Pro league when it flopped and i played in the MPRH when it flopped, but you have to understand how hard it is to even try to run a league, I respect anyone who even tries to do something like this, it is only good for the game and for the sport, because if there wasnt something like this that may happen,then what would , absolutely nothing, just let him try and if he succeeds then great if not , then we will all be again angry but dont knock him untill we see what he can do , good job and keep it up , hey i would like to play also my email is [email protected]
Thanks
Justin Colmer