The Evolution Of Paintball - Dispelling The Myth

"Paintball Players On Ice"

The Evolution Of Paintball

Dispelling The Myth

by Chad Ison

Publication Date: May 2000

Recently I received a phone call from Steve Beauman, owner of a local paintball field in Corydon, IN. Steve suggested that I might stop by the field to interview a group that was playing there. When I heard the names of the players, I immediately grabbed the camera, my wife and son, and headed out the door.

Upon arriving at Paintball Fun, Steve introduced us to the group we had traveled to meet. The names were like the "Who's Who" in the professional ice skating arena - Kurt Browning, Steven Cousins, Denis Petrov, Todd Sand, Gorsha Sur, as well as nine crew members of the "Stars On Ice" dream team.

Now I don't claim to be an avid supporter of professional figure skating. However, I do admit watching it every now-and-then with my wife, who loves the sport. So, when I was introduced to these stars, I did recognize the names and faces. There we were in the presence of Olympic and World Champions; bronze, silver and gold medalists. To see these athletes performing backflips, spins, or triple sow-cows in an ice skating arena would be nothing unusual. However, I never thought I'd be meeting these individuals dressed in camouflage clothing on a paintball playing field.

Watching these guys playing the game and laughing afterwards, while they rehashed their game strategies, gave me a renewed sense of what a paintball player is and why they play. To me, these polished, precisioned skaters were the last people I'd ever expect to meet playing paintball. Yet, here they were...laughing and enjoying every minute of it. Before leaving, they all agreed they'd try to play again on one of their next stops.

Lately many paintball fields, and the game in general, have come under fire in our area. And from what I've found out in my travels to fields and stores in other states, it's not just a local problem. There seem to be many misconceptions about the sport of paintball and the flack people have been giving it; to the degree that some fields have been closed down due to zoning changes. Those that remain open are having to jump through hoops to meet the requirements of city and county officials trying to delegate the sport.

In Jefferson County, KY, the sport has been placed in the same category as a firearm. To anyone that has never played the sport, the paintball marker (gun) does not use gunpowder, or a spark to fire a hard projectile such as a bullet through the barrel and into an object. It uses compressed air or CO2 to project a soft, gelatin-coated ball filled with paint that breaks or bounces off upon impact.

Numerous times people have asked me if it hurts when you're hit. I tell them that if you were to stand still and let someone deliberately shoot at you, I'm sure it would hurt like he--! But, when you're playing a game and running around having fun, you usually don't notice it. Sometimes it stings, but that's a part of the sport! A person wouldn't play football without expecting to get tackled, or play soccer without expecting to get kicked on the shin or ankle...it's all a part of the game.

So what is the problem some people have with the sport of paintball? I've been told that since the shootings at Columbine High School and other schools, rumors have gone around that the people who play paintball are survivalists preparing for the end of the world, or a group of good ol'boys perfecting their shooting skills in-between hunting seasons. This might have been possible in the early years of the sport. But paintball, much like man, has evolved through the years.

Today's paintball players have changed. They are business professionals, doctors, lawyers, blue collar workers, single people, husbands, housewives, and school kids. I've been playing the sport for over a year and everyday I come in contact with many people in all types of professions.

Businesses play the sport for numerous reasons. Some play to promote teamwork, relieve stress, entertain clients, or simply to have fun. A Vice President at a local bank invited customers (who didn't play golf) to a day of paintball; Thornton Oil business executives play paintball once a month on local fields; Kinko's employees play one-on-one with the management staff; a local pharmaceutical company invited doctors to play the game...the list is endless! And, not just businesses play the sport - families enjoy the sport. We've hosted paintball parties for our kids and their friends. We've played with college students, high school kids and families with young children. It's a great family activity that helps you get close to your children. Church and youth groups come to the paintball field for a day of clean, wholesome fun.

So what do all of these people have in common? They're not survivalists...they're not a bunch of good ol'boys out drinkin' and shootin'...they're just a bunch of people that enjoy having a good time, playing an action-packed game of paintball. The one thing they all have in common is FUN!

I've seen paintball players on the field deep into the game, running, hiding, crawling and shooting at each other with one thing on their mind...to eliminate the other team's players and win the game. However, these same two teams can be found after the game sitting around laughing and telling stories of who got hit and how each other played. Now, that's what sportsmanship is about.

I've invited people to play a game of paintball for the first time, only to have them love the sport so much that they want to play again and again. On a recent outing, my wife invited a coworker to play in a scenario game. He had never played the game before, but had often thought about playing. He loved the game so much that on his way home he stopped at a local paintball store and bought a full setup for the next time he played.

Paintball fields offer a safe place for people to play the sport. They have officials to oversee the game, to make sure no-one gets hurt, and, that the game is played safely. Without them, players will have to play renegade paintball in their backyards, county parks, wooded lots, or open pastures. This increases the chance of someone getting hurt.

Most people don't want a paintball field near their homes because it may affect property values. I'm not a real estate agent and couldn't say for sure if it does or not. But, to systematically eliminate any chance for a field to open in the county or state by classifying the marker as a firearm is wrong. Lighten up a little! Before you condemn the sport, go out and play it. Once you do, I'm sure you'll see what the game is about and will want to keep on playing it.

Don't let paintball get banned in any area. Contact your local zoning officials, city and county council members, or state representatives, and let them know that paintball is a safe sport that should be allowed in your area.