| Ron Fowler said it feels like being hit with a wet towel. | | | | getting hit," Vasaris said. "There is such an adrenaline |
| Bryan Vasaris said it's like being snapped with a rubber | | | | rush that you don't even feel it." |
| band or stung by a bee. Being shot by a paintball gun | | | | For those who want to experience that rush, there are |
| doesn't sound very fun. So why is paintball one of the | | | | plenty of paintball facilities around Cincinnati. A good |
| fastest growing sports in America, according to the | | | | place to start for beginners is the Hueston Woods |
| National Sporting Goods Association? "It's a stress | | | | Paintball Club at Hueston Woods State Park. |
| relief, because you can go out and shoot at people | | | | Tom Arvan, who has been the paintball club's general |
| and not dangerously hit them," Vasaris said. "But it's | | | | manager for 12 years, likes to promote the game to |
| also being with a group of guys that you like to hang | | | | new players. "My personal enjoyment is seeing the |
| around with." | | | | kids play and seeing first-time players come off the |
| The most commonly played paintball game is "capture | | | | field with a grin on their face," Arvan said. |
| the flag." There are rules variations, but the object is | | | | Hueston Woods is open every Saturday and Sunday |
| for a team to capture the opposing team's flag while | | | | from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and offers two fields, including one |
| protecting its own. Players eliminate opponents by | | | | that is wooded with some constructed obstacles. The |
| shooting them with their paintball guns. | | | | cost to play is $27, which includes a gun, a carbon |
| The games can be played outside in an open field or | | | | dioxide tank, 200 paintballs and protective gear. Players |
| forest, or inside at a specially designed facility with | | | | who have their own equipment pay $12. The fields are |
| inflatable bunkers and other obstacles. "It's not the | | | | open Monday through Friday by reservation for groups |
| hide-and-seek game everyone thinks," Vasaris said. | | | | of 15 or more. Arvan said Hueston Woods has |
| "It's really action-packed and fast-paced." Players use | | | | catered to birthday parties, bachelor parties, fraternity |
| carbon dioxide- or nitrogen-powered guns that fire thin, | | | | and sorority parties and corporate outings. "We have |
| gelatin capsules filled with non-toxic paint - the | | | | had high praises from corporate groups for |
| "paintballs." | | | | team-building," Arvan said. "It's a game that really |
| Vasaris, 22, who has been playing paintball since he | | | | fosters some friendship and sportsmanship." |
| was in high school, will be a senior at the University of | | | | Arvan said his paintball field is open to players of all skill |
| Cincinnati this year and is the president of the school's | | | | levels. "Paintball is a sport that isn't dominated by youth |
| paintball team. He said getting shot isn't as bad as it | | | | and physical size," Arvan said. "We've had mom, dad, |
| seems. "After the first time, I didn't even think about | | | | grandma and grandpa out here. |