| While the game or sport of paintball is | | | | proponents claim that it's safe, fun and a |
| familiar to most people, many have never | | | | great way for kids and adults to gain the |
| played the game and don't know what it really | | | | benefits of exercise while enjoying the |
| is, other than people running around shooting | | | | action and strategy of the sport. Believe it |
| each other with globs of paint. But paintball | | | | or not, there are rules to playing a game of |
| is so much more than that, and is great fun | | | | paintball and breaking them is frowned upon. |
| as well. | | | | Sportsmanship is valued in this game, and |
| | | | sore losers generally don't fare well. |
| The object of playing a game of paintball is | | | | |
| to eliminate your opponents in a 'field of | | | | The object of a game of paintball is to |
| battle' by hitting them with a paintball. A | | | | 'shoot' all the members of the opposing team. |
| paintball is made of a round capsule that's | | | | Paintball fields are available with both |
| filled with non-toxic and wash-out | | | | indoor and outdoor settings and cost only |
| substances, more scientifically known as | | | | about $10-$80 a day if equipment is rented. |
| polyethylene glycol, or what is officially | | | | For those who choose to purchase their own |
| described in the American Heritage dictionary | | | | paintball gear, including paintball 'gun', |
| as, 'any of a family of colorless liquids | | | | tanks, and protective headgear and clothing, |
| with high molecular weight that are soluble | | | | prices range from about $100-$1,000 depending |
| in water and in many organic solvents and are | | | | on what you want. However, depending on your |
| used in detergents and as emulsifiers and | | | | skill level, a game of paintball can last |
| plasticizers.' Let's just call it paint for | | | | minutes or hours, so you may opt for renting |
| simplicity's sake, shall we? | | | | the equipment until you get better at the |
| | | | game. Paintball equipment can be purchased at |
| A game of paintball is played in a special | | | | most sporting goods stores, or online through |
| location with plenty of landscape to provide | | | | a paintball supply outfit. |
| a pretend battlefield for participants that | | | | |
| includes trees, obstacles, bunkers and | | | | The game of paintball was first introduced to |
| trenches, among many other landscape | | | | the American market in the mid 1970's. The |
| features. A game of paintball is generally | | | | game was first called 'Survival' and the |
| played between teams, though participants can | | | | first article about the game appeared in a |
| play individually if they want, and if the | | | | 1980 issue of Sports Illustrated. Since then, |
| paintball facility allows for that. Paintball | | | | the popularity of the game has steadily |
| facilities are scattered throughout the | | | | increased until it's reached the worldwide |
| United States and around the world, providing | | | | popularity it enjoys today. Whether you |
| hours of fun for those wanting a little more | | | | participate in the game or sport of paintball |
| excitement than other more traditional | | | | as a player or as an observer, one thing is |
| sports. Over ten million people play | | | | certain. Paintball is a blast, and is here to |
| paintball in the United States alone, and | | | | stay! |