What is Paintball?

           Paintball is a team sport that can be played indoors, outdoors, woods,

        or open fields  Young and old with varying skill and physical levels enjoy it.

          It is a cross between capture the flag and tag. Most games consist of two

           teams starting at opposite ends of the field. Horn blows and they try and

             retrieve their opponents flag and take it to the home flag station while

            protecting their flag. Each team can eliminate the opposing team using

          "guns" that use compressed air or CO2 to propel "Paintballs"  that marks

         the target with paint. Paintball encourages cooperation with others in a team setting to

                                      achieve a goal. Plus, it is great exercise.

          The paintballs mark players that are shot. Marked players tagged out are

         eliminated from the current game and sit out until the next game. Paintballs

          come in a rainbow of colors to choose from. Since they first were produced,

          paintballs have gotten better.  They are now environmentally friendly

          as compared to what was used when they first were used. These are now

                                                 washable from your clothes.

         Back in the early days, goggles were the only protection used. Not the full-face

     masks like today. Today only specific face protection that is made for paintball was

     allowed.  Goggles are supposed to be on at all times in designated areas and are

         strictly enforced by the referees. If anyone disregards this not only jeopardizes

                                 his safety but will be asked to leave the game.

                              History of Paintball

                    Paint pistols (or markers) were used in the agricultural industry for marking trees

                to be cut down and by cow herders to mark cattle. In 1981, paintball begins in              

                Henniker, New Hampshire by Bob Gurnsey, a sportinggoods retailer; Hayes Noel, a

                stockbroker; and Charles Gaines. The game played was capture the flag. Would you

                believe that the winner captured all the flags without firing a shot? Yep, sure did.

               Then, in the spring of 1982, he first  outdoor commercial playing field is opened in

               Rochester, NY, by a Caleb Strong. The creator of paintball, Mr. Gaines markets

               paintball as the National Survival Game. PMI (Pursuit Marketing Inc.) is founded to

               market and distribute paintball products.

                       A $14,000 cash purse was the prize in 1983 at the NSG National Championship.

          Also in 1983, the sport travels across the border to Canada making it an international

          sport. Skirmish Games was now the name in countries like Australia. Our friend Mr.

           Strong opened the first indoor play field for year round play in 1984. Finally, England

           got a taste of the sport and opened its first field in 1985 with a continued growth in

           other European countries though to 1991. Then, in 1992, the NPPL is formed.

          Up until the late 1980's, all markers were based on pump action, the use of 12g

          cartridges, and limited to 10-20 shot magazines. A typical game day would expel 200

           paintballs, tops.  in the late 80's, constant air was added to markers for extended

           shooting. These systems were commonly known as California Conversions since they  

           first appeared in California. From the late 80's to early 90's, players used both pump

           and semi-autos. Mid to late 90's, paintball markers operated by electronics were

           introduced.

                              Is this safe?

                 Since many people think of shooting each other with guns, they wonder if it really is

           safe. Currently, paintball is very safe as compared to other seemingly safe sports. Like

           bowling  and baseball? Yep Even golf! Insurance and medical statistics have shown

            proof of this. See the stats for yourself.

                    Your own equipment

                 Before investing in your own equipment, play a few games of paintball first; see if

           you like it. I have seen plenty of players spend several hundred of dollars before playing

           a single game and called it quits after the game day. Rental markers are usually  the

            best things to use,  it will introduce you to what to expect in paintball. Almost like

            bowling and shoe rentals.