Eric Roberts has been playing for Southern California's Ironmen since 1996.  Eric has been involved both on and off the field with the sport of paintball.  Living in Northern California, he makes his way down south to practice with the rest of the team.  Here we see a picture of Eric, holding an issue of P8NT with a 2-page ad for DYE's Boomstick.

Sean : How old are you?

Eric: I am 21 years old.

Sean : How and when did you get involved with paintball?

Eric: I first got involved or rather introduced to paintball when I was a freshman in high school, only we did not play with guns at first but with slingshots. We usually played at different schools at night on the grounds, probably not the smartest thing I ever did. Also, with ski goggles not regular paintball goggles. Later my friends started to buy guns and real goggles and I thought that it was a waste of money. About two years later I was at my friends house and he had a Sniper III and that was the first time that I had ever shot a paintball gun. The next day I went up to Pacific Paintball in Santa Rosa and bought my first gun, a spyder. I had that for about a month and then traded it in for an autococker.

Sean : How long have you been playing tournament paintball?  What do you think of the tournament circuit (having the experience) with NPPL, GWS, etc.

Eric: I am very thankful for the tournament circuit because I enjoyed playing so much. I wanted something new to do rather that go out to play walk-ons every weekend. It gave me a new challenge and a stronger desire for the game. I first started off in the Sumo
Series put on by Dan Bonebreak. The next series that I played in was the Great Western Series, put on by Russ Maynard and Dan Bonebreak. Currently I am playing in the NPPL, easily the most challenging and best known tournament series in the world.

Sean : What teams have you played on in the past? What team do you currently play on?

Eric: First starting out, I played for a team called Code 5150, headed up by Gary McNamare. After only one season with 5150, Sean Murphy and I made our own team, Lofty.  We played the GWS as novice. We ended up taking second over all for the year. The following season, I was picked up by Chris Haggin's team, Outta Control. Playing only a half season with OC, I was picked up by Dave Youngbloods's Ironmen. I now have been with the Ironmen for two years.

Sean : How are the guys on the team (Micah, Braheim, Bryan, Billy, etc.)

Eric: When I first joined the Ironmen the only person that I really knew was Billy Wing. Playing with him on the weekends at Mare Island, and practicing with him against OC he was the one that I most closely related to and hung out with. It took me a little while to get to know every one really well and see just who they really were. Since I had only been conceivably playing for three years, I knew who the Ironmen were and that they were a pro team, but other than Dave Youngblood, Marty Bush, Bryon Benini, and Shane Pestana, I didn't even know who the other guys were on the team. I am sure that they didn't even know who I was. After two years I have gotten to know all of the guys pretty well including some of the new guys we have now.

Sean : What/who do you attribute to your fame (i.e. the JT ad in Paint magazine?, getting an interview with the MPN)?

Eric: How do I attribute the fame that I have received, well I guess that it all has to do with being in the right place at the right time, not to mention that being a pro player you seem to attract more attention than usual. The first time that I had my picture in a magazine I was still only an amateur player. But being sought out for an interview and such is really flattering because I have tried so hard and put so much into the sport it feels good to see what benefits have arose. But still, I haven't reached every goal that I have, winning the NPPL series, by placing first in all the events is on the top of my list.

Sean : What position do you play on the field?  Do you play anything else?

Eric: My role on the Ironmen is a front-man. I am supposed to be up in all of the action killing as many people as possible and making holes for the rest of the team to break through. Often times it s expected that I sacrifice my self to allow for us to take control and win the game.

Sean : Who are your sponsors?

Eric: The Ironmen are sponsored by some of the top companies on the market including DYE Precision, JT USA, Diablo Paintballs, Unique Sporting, Air America, Diggers,SC Village, Fair Grounds Paintball, and B&M Pro Shop.

Sean : What have you guys done so far this year as far as tournaments are concerned?

Eric: So far for the 2000 season we have had a few practices in LA and here in SF. Just recently we attended our first tournament, the GTS series in New Orleans. We put in two five man teams. We took first place in the pro division. Coming up March 10,11,&12 we will be reffing the first NPPL of the season in LA.

Sean : What are you goals/schedule for the 2000 season?

Eric: This year so far we have only the NPPL series events on our lists. This year we seem to have a very strong roster as seen by our performance during New Orleans.

Sean : You played on the Ironkids for the 99' season, how was that?

Eric: This last season I played a few tournaments with the Ironkids, along with two other pro's from the Ironmen, Davey Williamson and Todd Martinez. Although I didn't get to play every tournament with the kids, it was definitely a fun experience, except and the hotels,
that was a freaking nightmare. I guess I am just a little too old for video games and the other shit they pull.

Sean : What do you think of Oliver coming to play with you guys for the 2000 season?

Eric: We, just recently, picked up Oliver Lang. I have known him for a couple years now and have played with him a lot. I believe that he will be a good addition to our team. In the recent tournament in New Orleans, he definitely proved that he is a pro caliber player. He handled himself very well and acted instinctively with out any direction from the rest of us.  I can tell you that in the finals he made some moves that not many people could make and helped us win not only those select games, but the tournament.

Sean : You are a pro level tournament paintball player, how would you describe the classification of a pro player?

Eric: Each person's definition of a pro player is different. But my own personal definition is someone that first of all understands and knows the field. You need to know all angles whether you can see them or not. Finding blind shots is another key point in the game. Knowing how to block out other bunkers to make moves or get certain angles on an opponent is very important. The next thing that defines a player is to have the intuition when to make the moves that will give you the shot and break open the game. The last characteristic that one needs, is the skill to shoot a gun. I don't just mean that you can move your finger back and forth to shoot the gun, but to know how your gun shoots. You need to know the line and the arc that your guns shoot. Whether they sit low and arc it into
the target, or to try and lob it into your opponent. Like I mentioned before the blind shot. Air Ball and Hyperball are a games that rely heavily on this. Anyone can just point a gun and shoot, but it takes skill to hit what your aiming at. For those that are just starting out and they get a new gun, get one which you can't just put it on full auto to keep your opponent down, it takes away from the game and your
skill level will never improve.

Sean : How do you become a pro player?

Eric: Dedication to the game and commitment is what it takes to become a pro. Some catch on quicker than others but with hard work and playing against people that are better than you will enable you to mature faster in your play. This game is not all about how fast you can shoot your gun, what you look like, or all the shit you can talk. It is a mental game above all else. A old fat guy could be better than a young hyper kid because he knows and understands the game and know what it takes to win. Its 90% mental and 10% physical.

Sean : What other sports/things do you enjoy?

Eric: Right now the only thing that I do is school and paintball. In the past I played soccer and baseball, all team sports. With that background I know how important it is to play as a team to win.

Sean : Do you have anything you would like to suggest to players out there who are trying to push their way up the tournament ladder?

Eric: Becoming a good player doesn't come to you overnight, it does take time and you need to practice as much as you can and as hard as you can. Some have a ceiling that they hit and they can't go any further but others can go higher and if they want to and they really try, they can do it. If you are trying to turn pro, or would like to some day be a better player, you must practice with those who know the game, and ask them what to do in certain situations. Play as many tournaments as possible that is the only way that you will learn.

Sean : Do you have any final thoughts?

Eric: For some paintball is just a fun sport that they like to play on the weekends, that is how it was for me when I just started out but for others it is a major part of their lives. Everything they do revolves around it. For those that's cool, but manage your time wisely, so far, you can't make a living at being a professional paintball player, but it sure would be nice.

Thanks for your time Eric.  Good Luck to you and the rest of the Ironmen in the 2000 season.
 

Sean Takeda
MPN Columnist