I thought I was lucky that my kid was marching with the Cub Scouts in the Memorial Day parade two towns over since that is where the closest base to me is. I submitted as many reports as i was able to help build the base. Imagine my surprise later that night adter returning home that in order to progress in the story you needed to submit to a base not once, but TWICE!?!?! I live over half an hour driving from thus base, I am not making a special trup just to play this game. 

The rollout and implementation of bases in this game is laughable at best. How can you make what many consider to be necessary gameplay to progress/improve unavailable to many players? I have never had a chance to fight any monster outbreaks nor battle ruftcharged monsters as both are not only gated due to distance, but arbitrary times.  Every time ive been near a base it has been on a day/at a time where no extra monsters are available to battle. 

I wish there was a way to remote battle so long as you contributed to a base (say the 2,000 pts required to earn the seasonal tewards).  Either that or have an alternate map option that was fixed to one location, but was within range of a base so everyone has a chance ro contribute.  Having so much content/progression unavailable just because Niantic decided my litttle town does not deserve a base is a real kick in the pants to someone like me who has been playikg this game since day 1. 

If bases are not available to everyone, do NOT make interactions with them in order to progress with weekly tasks!