Last year, around this time, I emailed to ask if anybody had hosted a VBB locally. I figured if there were, I'd contact that person to see if another were in the works, in which case I'd play in that; otherwise, I'd host one. The response I received didn't answer the question, only offered a link to the scheduling page. So, I neither played nor hosted a VBB this past year.
I figured this year I'd just host one, as getting info from Vibram about past hosts is obviously not going to happen. Well, now, I have to be a PDGA member to host a VBB? That ain't happening. I've seen no reason to join the PDGA in all the years I've been playing this game and have no interest in doing so going forward.
If I don't find a VBB nearby next spring, then I'll give up all thought of ever playing in one.
As for growing the sport, any additional hassle one places in front of prospective players, the fewer players will show up. Offering reference to an organization they know nothing about and have no interest in doesn't add to the appeal. To grow the sport at a greater rate than has been the case, one has to get more people out throwing on courses, period. Events that reward the players with fun and a smooth experience are more effective than any stack of goodies in a player pack or talk of a pro organization or national championship or anything else a competitive player might find appealing. Grow the sport by appealing to the non-competitive players.
