The
Monthly Paintball Newsletter
|
The
Monthly Paintball Newsletter |
Welcome Spring!! Hopefully many of
you are now experiencing great weather and can now play paintball after
a long awaited end of winter. No more below zero conditions, C02
problems, paintfull hits, and all other complications that all of you deal
with (mainly, those of you back east). For those of you who plan
on visiting the San Francisco area, the weather has been exceptionally
good considering the amount of rainfall we have had so far. Fields
in the area include Mare Island (field has had water pumped and is awesome
right now, just make sure to bring mosquito repellant!),
American Canyon Paintball (is also a pretty good
field, but unfortunately, I think that it is now closed), and Bear Creek
(out in Santa Cruz, caters to mainly first time players).
Many of you have been sending your emails
to me with questions to answer, wanting to know about new guns, products,
as well as info on joining teams. I have been basing my issues around email
that you the players send me. Just wanted to say, keep the mail coming...!
You can also look for articles from this newsletter to be published in
the Splatter Times!
Thanks,
The Warlock
If you have a Paintball team and a home page, get them on the web! You can do this by visiting the Paintball Web Ring @ www.jps.net/ants/index.html. With the Web Ring, you can get your team advertised to other teams, players, sponsors, and others on the web. You also get a web ring logo to put on your web page, which allows for easy access to other sites. It also gives you full credit for you Paintball site. Join today!!
Recent additionz...
Team Scorpions
www.geocities.com/Pipeline/5938/
Team Joker
www.teamjoker.com
Team Nebelwerfer
home5.swipnet.se/~w-50626/index.htm
Phantom666's Paintball Page (Team D.O.A.)
members.xoom.com/Phantom666
** MPN News Flash **
For all of the requests I have been getting to
add a little life to the newsletter, this months issue will be posted on
a web page too! This way I can add pictures and illustrations to
the articles to help spice things up.
** Looking for guest/full time writers **
If you are interested in sharing some of your
paintball expertise with others, I'm looking for some writers to help out
on the MPN. If interested, email me at warlock1@sj.bigger.net.
For those of you who have already inquired about this, I'm waiting for
you material to be posted in the next months issue.
>> Welcome abord Richard! <<
Richard Hooper is a captain for Team Raptors
in South Africa. The team has been together for about 2 years now and going
strong. Richard is going to be writing for the MPN to help incorporate
a section about international paintball, which would include tourney placings,
special events and any
other general stuff that he thinks would be of
some value to the paintball community. We plan on having some of
Richard's articles and footage soon. Welcome to the MPN Richard!
** The Splatter Times **
For those of you who just can't enough paintball
nfo to read, there is another paintball resource called the Splatter Times,
which is based in Ohio. This is an on-line paintball newspaper which
is similar to mine, however they print hard copies as well (if you are
in Ohio, you can pick one up). They are planning on expanding their
publication, and have writers from all over the US, including yours truly.
You can check them out at www.geocities.com/pipeline/3501 for the new issue.
** Wild Geese Newsletter **
Michael A. Noble of the Wild Geese in San Jose,
also has a great newsletter. This is a recreational paintball club
which goes on trips to fields together, as well as other paintball activities.
If this sounds like it could be for you, you can contact Michael A. Noble
(group administrator) at rush_fan@pipeline.com. His nfo is also listed
below:
** The Wild Geese **
Recreational Paintball Club
San Jose, CA
408-365-0484
TIP# 1661
** Jeremy's Paintball Page and Field **
www.angelfire.com/me/PaintballPage
Hi, I'd like to invite you to visit Jeremy's
Paintball Page Everything to satisfy your paintball needs. New and used
equipment. Live Paintball chat with other players. Also check out
my paintball closeout section with insane prices. Want to spice up
your gun checkout my upgrades page. Sign my guestbook for a monthly chance
to win a splat sticker. If you live in Southern California comePlay
at my Field Quest Paintball Ranch if you dare......
****************************************************************************
Things covered in this issue:
****************************************************************************
~ I Spy, an Editorial by Warlock - NEW!
~ New Products (Guns, Accessories, Equipment)
~ Upcoming Events (Tourneys, Special Events,
Holidays)
~ Tricks and Tips from the Realm / Learn About...
/ Newbies on the Field
~ Q&A for the Warlock
~ For Sale / Classified
~ Coming Soon / Announcements
****************************************************************************
I Spy (Warlock's Editorial) - NEW!
****************************************************************************
This editorial section was created to inform
you the Paintball Players from around the world about things within the
sport the way I see it. As many of you already know, I have been
around the industry for almost 12 years now, and have seen the goods, the
bads, and all the changes which have made this sport what it is and isn't
today. I feel readers can benefit from this section because it brings
foward the way I read, understand, and interpret the way things are running
in the paintball
industry today.
This first editorial is based on a topic
which I saw on the one of the Paintball Newsgroups. It was focused
mainly at amatuer and pro teams, and paintball sponsors within the tournament
circuit. It was a detailed discussion about how these teams
and sponsors and their negative attitudes
towards the everyday players who are not part
of a team or are not sponsored. I guess these "attitudes" can best
be summarized as "I'm better that you are, so I don't have to talk to you
newbie" type attitude. I mean, these are players who may or not have
been around for a while, but also players who basically recieve all of
their equipment for free, or very low discounted prices. I'm sorry
to say, but I think that these team players (and sponsors) should be promoting
a "positive" attitude towards players who are trying to make it into either
novice, amatuer, pro, or whatever teams these players are trying to achieve.
I can't remember the name of the person
who wrote the aritcle, but it was interpreted the way I percieved it in
the following recreated article:
I am the captian of an amatuer tounament
paintball team. I have been around the industry for a while now,
and have played and placed in a great number of tournaments. The
players on my team are great, and I mainly consist of my close friends.
Many of the other players that we have picked up had good attitudes, skills,
and were mainly, just good people. I'm posting this article mainly
from something that I observed in the last tournament we played in.
This tournament hosted all levels of play,
from rookie to amatuer. Many of these players that I observed and
had talked to had never played in a real tounament before. Many of
them were nervous, some scared. Alot of these teams were just a bunch
of good friends thrown together to see what they could do as a "team".
Another thing which I observed (and took great disgust to) were these "rookie"
players getting slandered by the novice and amatuer players. The
one incident which really took me over the edge was when a rookie player
simply complemented a amatuer player on his gun, and where he might be
able to purchase one like. The amatuer player responded "you
are not good enough to play with a gun like this, even if you were, you
couldn't afford it. The rookie player cowered his head, put his spyder
under his arm, and slowly stumbled away.
After the tourney was over, time for the
award ceremony. After all the rookie and novice awards were given,
now time for the good stuff. Guns, masks, cases of paint, sponsorships,
you name it. Yeah it is all good, but why give out this kinda stuff
to players who already have it? Many of these teams are already established
and have all of the equipment that they could possibly need. Yes
of course the entry fee is more expensive, but I ask again why give all
of the "good stuff" to player who are probably just going to turn around
and sell it anyways? Why not give guns and masks to the rookie teams,
they are the players who are trying to acheive better equipment, player
status, whatever?
I believe that tournaments should be more
about the game. I believe that entry fees should be lowered so more
players can afford to play. I think that the more experienced players
should be playing more for the competition, rather that the rewards.
Trophies and bragging rights should be sufficient. Sponsors should
be willing to help out the players who are just starting out. Afterall,
these are the player who are buying the products, not the experienced players.
Experienced players are mainly looking for free stuff, sponsorship usage,
etc.
One last thing that I would like to mention
is game fixing. I think that seasoned players who have no relation
to any of the playing teams should be the only qulified refs for that tournament.
In too many cases have I seen players either from opposing teams, affilated,
whatever, reffing these tournaments and giving inappropriate or even "bad"
calls during these tourneys. I don't think that it is fair to these
teams who lose to the "sponsored" teams, merely so the sponsors get to
see their names in light up at the award ceremonies.
Heres where I come in:
I too play for an amatuer, sponsored tournament
paintball team. In my experience as a paintball player, I have experienced
negative attitudes far too many times. Whether it was when I first
started off as a recreational player to current day where there are teams
which are better than ours.
Far too many times have I observed experienced
players blowing off less experienced player simply because they think that
they believe that they are too "good" to talk to you. I think that
the more experienced players should make an effort to help out players
who they might deem as "newbies" instead of mock them.
During tournaments that I have played in,
I have seen "first time" tournament players treated poorly not only by
the players, but by the field refs and officials as well! If these
players are willing to spend their money to come and play in these often
costly tournaments only to get abused, do you think that they would want
to play in another? I mean, it's really no big deal that you have
the amatuer and pro teams playing because they usually don't buy their
stuff in the first place. They simply wear their sponsors in the
tourneys, use their equipment, talk about their product. That's about
it. The paintball industry can survive only people continue to buy
products. If everything were simply given away, we wouldn't be playing!
I think that tournaments should be more
about the sport, not about getting free guns and stuff. This would
also bring the costs down for the tournaments so more players could afford
to play. If sponsors want to still give stuff away, they should give
it to the rookie and novice teams who are just starting out in their tournament
careers. I think that a combination of these two factors would result
in a better turn out, more teams, and a better reputation of paintball
within the industry.
As for game fixing and bad calls, I think
that it is absolutely, positively, wrong. I have been in too many
tourneys where one team knows the other and will side with them so they
win, get more points, whatever. I also believe that it has to do with getting
the "sponsored" teams to the top, so that not only will the sponsors be
seen in the winners circle, but their products will be going to their own
teams as well. I think that tournaments should have outside paintball,
NPPL certified refs to monitor the events. This way, it will be fair,
and based on skill, not favortism.
Paintball tournaments should be a fun and
enjoyable way of testing your skills against other players and teams, just
like any other sport. When cheating, game fixing, player abusing,
etc become involved, this is when we start having problems. The next
time you are playing in a tourney, consider some of these thing I have
discussed. See how many times these issues occur, I guarantee you
will be supprised. Lets try and the games fun.
****************************************************************************
~ New Products
****************************************************************************
Sorry, Nothing to review this month, check for
it in the May Issue!
****************************************************************************
~ Upcoming Events
****************************************************************************
Have a grudge to avenge?
Need to blow off some steam?
Want to have some fun with friends?
Dreamt of being James Bond recently?
The Splatter Times invites you to a game of paintball
with local celebrities. Scott Sloan and Sean Baligian of Toledo's WSPD
radio station will be taking part in our first ever celebrity game. We
have chartered the field exclusively for our use. The site chosen is the
areas finest and has an unbelieveable playing town and forest.
All ages, sexes, spouses, and sizes are invited
unconditionally. Paintballs don't see.
Date: May 10, 1998
Place: Michigan Paintball (previously Mich Battlefield)
in Jackson Michigan.
Game Time: 9:00 AM
For persons leaving from Toledo we will meet at 7:00AM in the parking lot of Xin Juan chinese restaurant on Secor Road just north of Sylvania.
For Michiganders call (313) 481-0473 for directions. Or email us.
To register please contact The Splatter Times,
Toledo's premiere paintball newsletter, either by email or phone.
We need an approximate number of registrants.
Please feel free to forward to all interested
friends.
Be there!!!
The Splatter Times
TheSplatter@geocities.com
www.geocities.com/pipeline/3501
****************************************************************************
~ Tricks and Tips / Learn About... / Newbies
on the Field
****************************************************************************
Tips for the first time player(s)
The last couple of games that I have played,
I have noticed that many of the "newbies" should be aware of some general
paintball rules of thumb:
- when you get shot, don't automatically "assume" that you are out. Have somebody check to see if the paintball actually borke on you. Many times, the paintballs "bounce" right off. Other times, you might get hit with spray, splatter, or a partial paintball. Most fields require that the paint spot mark the size of a "quarter" for the player to be eliminated. When in doubt, have a fellow team mate or the ref check you. Don't be afraid to call a "paintcheck".
- if you know you are hit, don't intentially continue
to return fire, run away, or wipe. These factors usually enrage players
(especially the experienced ones) who might continue to light you up if
they see you doing any of these. It's only a game, and you only have
a short break till the next game. It's not worth getting lit up over.
- communicate with other players! If you
are playing with a bunch of friends, at least know where your buddies are
going. This way you can help each other out and not leave anyone
out to dry. If the more experienced players are suggesting something,
give it a try, afterall, they usually know what works and what doesn't.
Remember, if it doesn't work, it's only a game, nothing to get angry over.
- don't all bunch up behind the same bunkers. Most bunkers, trees, shrubs, etc. that I have seen on fields are usually larger enough to accomodate one or maybe two players. Anymore than that, and you are all sitting ducks. Remember, only break this rule if you have no where else to go without getting hit.
- this rule I cannot stress enough, but constantly see it. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER take your goggles off when you see guns without barrell plugs. Whether you are off the field or not, if there are potential paintballs which can easily reach your body, KEEP YOUR GOGGLES/MASK ON! I have seen some pretty nasty accidents which have resided from people not abiding by this most important rule. If your goggles are fogging up, you have to blow chunks, whatever, let the ref know immediately for assistance. Remember, the worst that can happen is that you can't see or maybe you throw up in your mask, at least you are not losing an eye.
- save your paint! If you know you can't hit your opponent, don't waste your paint. Many newbies only carry a few hundred rounds on the field with them, or maybe just their hopper. If you can't hit your opponent, either wait for him/her to come to you, or try to position yourself so that you can get a better shot.
That's about it, can you think of anything else?
If so, please send them to me and I will be sure to give you full credit
for your suggestions, tips, tricks, etc.
****************************************************************************
~ Q&A for the Warlock
****************************************************************************
on 4/15/98 SPLATMAN wrote:
Dear Warlock,
I have been looking for a used gun on the internet.
I have been looking through classifieds posted in the paintball newsgroups,
as well as on Warpig. What is a good way to find out how old the
markers are? Many sellers suggest that they have only played with
the guns a few times, or
that they have shot very little paint through
the guns, what is a good way to find out? Finally, what is a good
comparison test to find out if you are getting a good deal or not, at least,
the best bang for the buck?
Thanks for any advice you can provide me.
Splatman
Dear Splatman,
I have been buying and selling paintball
stuff over the internet for sometime now. Its often that you need
to take the persons word for it when they tell you how good a condition
the equipment, guns, etc are in. One good way of finding out how
old the markers are is by getting the serial number. Many times you
can call or write the manufacturer to have them cross reference the Serial
Number. This is also a good method to check and see if could
be possibly stolen, never hurts to check, after all, once you buy its you
they will take it away from.
After you know how old the marker is, its
basically using your judgement on how old of a gun you are willing to purchase.
Its also trusting that the seller is not lying to you, and is trying to
sell you the marker "in good faith". To be honest with you, most
paintball guns last a very long time. I'm still playing with my Autococker
(s/n 6498, about 6-7 years old now). As long as you take care of
it (your paintball marker), perform routine maintenance, and feed it oil
(everytime you play), the gun will treat you right.
Finally, to answer your last quesion, comparison
of prices. This is actually something that you have to a little homework
on. The best way I would suggest is to compare with "like" guns and
packages that others are selling. It's really hard to compare against
new item, because you generally cannot sell stuff at new prices.
A good key to compare to would be to take off about 25-35% off the new
price. If you can sell at a higher price (or buy at a lower price)
thats fine. People who respond will generally try to ask for a little
more off anyways, so usually try to ask a little higher than you actually
plan on selling it for.
Good Luck on your hunt!
the Warlock
****************************************************************************
~ For Sale / Classified
****************************************************************************
Need to sell this gun ASAP. I need it for
my new car down
payment...anyways, here it goes......
A/C #21861
- 2 sets of Full Blown Products grips
(white) wraparound and wgp style
- custom cut aggressive style shroud
with front sight and Full Blown Products side panels
and neoprene
- 1 Check-It Power chamber
- chrome trigger shoe
- Chrome Palmer's rock regulator
w/ stainless steel adjuster
- Stainless steel 3 - way shaft
- threaded timing rod
- beavertail
- venturi bolt with locking block.
(1/2 turn takes bolt out, 1/2 turn keeps bolt in-- no push
pin)
- 1/4 28 adjustable hammer nelson
spring kit
- timing holes
- Decorative cuts w/ eclipse style
sight rail and windows
- custom two sided exhaust ports
for no blow back
- stainless steel rod set (pump arm
and cocking rod)
- 10' Stainless steel Check-It Products
barrel
- PMS 68 minireg system w/ powerline
fittings and quick disconnects
- PMS custom cut drop forward cradle
mounting system
- Custom trigger job with adjustable
shortened trigger pull
- Worr Game Products low pressure
valving modification - to increase gas chamber area
- Clear coat anodizing for silver
look
- Custom Carter Machine valve to
increase gas efficiency
All work done at Carter Machine
Asking $1100 or best offer, this is definitely a one of a kind gun!
email ldrquest@aol.com or warlock@sj.bigger.net
****************************************************************************
~ Coming Soon / Announcements
****************************************************************************
Planning to have another rec players day at Mare
Island. Not sure on a date yet, or whether it will be pump only or
mixing it up with Semis. I will post a proposed date on the May issue.
****************************************************************************
Well that's it for the April issue, i know i know,
late again.
May will hopefully be out this weekend.
Till then....
Happy Paintball'n!!
Sean Takeda <#23>
a.k.a. "the wArLoCk"
***********************************************************
->>>>Play Hard...or Don't Play at
All<<<<- me
***********************************************************
So Cal's SUBZERO - Tournament Paintball
Team
So Cal's YELLA
- Tournament Stock Team
***********************************************************
Visit us at www.jps.net/warlock1/subzero.html
Don't forget to sign my guestbook, that's what
keeps us running.