| Is paintball here to stay or is it just another fad that's | | | | markers, AKA paintball gun, (due to BATFE |
| going to be put away after a while, kind of like boy | | | | Regulations they can't be called paintball guns, or else |
| bands and bell bottoms? I know that's like comparing | | | | they fall under the National Firearms Act.)What I |
| apples to oranges but Paintball is a very fast growing | | | | suggest doing is going to a local field and see if they |
| sport. They have professional paintball leagues and | | | | rent out equipment and try the game out. Remember |
| semi pro leagues that are played on ESPN at 10pm | | | | the rental equipment is just that, a rental, they do this |
| Saturday, so it's the nerdy guy that sits there and | | | | so new players (newbs) can try out the sport without |
| watches this thinking “hey I can do that”. | | | | going into a financial hole. Then if you want to continue |
| They run around the field and shoot little balls filled with | | | | playing, start buying your equipment. There are four |
| paint at each other. Believe me its harder that it looks. | | | | things that any new player has to have to get started |
| The sport messes with your head. The first time you | | | | and not get frustrated with the game. First, buy a |
| have one of those little balls wiz by your head at | | | | decent marker. Don't buy the Wal-Mart $99 package |
| about 300fps, you start thinking things. Your mind won't | | | | deal. When it comes to markers you get what you |
| register that it's not going to kill you; it's telling you that | | | | pay for. Second, buy a good mask, not the cheap |
| hey that ball is moving pretty damn fast. Just to ponder | | | | ones that fog up on you when you're playing. The |
| how far that is lets do some math. 3feet = 1 yard, | | | | worst thing is when your mask fogs up and you have |
| 100yards = 300feet, 100 yards is also the distance of a | | | | 2 guys of the other team flanking you and now you're |
| football field. So theoretically a paintball can travel the | | | | going to have welts on both sides of you. GET A |
| distance of a football field in one second. Now there | | | | GOOD MASK. You will also need a good air system. |
| are other factors involved in how they travel but I am | | | | There have been a lot of debates on whether CO2, |
| not going to go into that right now. Let me tell you | | | | N20 or CA is best. Compressed Air is a bit expensive |
| though the first time you get hit by one of these you | | | | so for the beginner it is probably not the best choice. |
| will know it. It's a stinging sensation for about a minute | | | | Depending on the marker, some of them require either |
| but then it goes away. The only bad part is that you | | | | a CO2 regulator or using CA. C02 is a good way to |
| will remember that hit for about a week afterwards | | | | start, make sure you get a large enough tank so your |
| until that welt goes down. | | | | not refilling every game and don't leave the tank in the |
| The game is also physically tough; you have to run | | | | sun. When CO2 gets warm the pressure in the bottle |
| jump, crawl and sit, depending on what type of game | | | | rises and you will have your own miniature missile. (I |
| you're playing. When I first started I was playing speed | | | | know what you're thinking, don't try that at home). The |
| ball, took a run off the starting box and did a dive into | | | | last thing to get is if your going to play speedball, get a |
| a bunker. To this day I still have a chunk missing out of | | | | pod pack. They are small little backpacks that hold 2 to |
| my thumb from where it slammed into the ground. Be | | | | 8 pods of paintballs. Remember if you run out of paint |
| prepared for anything. It's the closest I think humans | | | | in a game, you're a sitting duck. |
| get to war without being shot at with real bullets. | | | | Remember the most important thing in this game is |
| So you want to know how to get started? The first | | | | safety! Always wear your mask on the field, and if |
| thing I can say is the sport isn't cheap. I have played | | | | you're in an area that the barrel condoms come off |
| with guys that spend thousands of dollars on their | | | | your mask goes on. Have fun! |