Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball

I'll play any obscure game out there. If it's offbeat and a little out of the ordinary, I'll be all over it. Yep, whether it's a music mixing title like MTV Music Generator, or a casino game like Bicycle Casino, I am caught playing non-mainstream games whenever I can. So when I first heard about a paintball game coming to the Xbox , I was intrigued to say the least. Being the first game I would ever play of this “sport,” and one of the only in it's genre, I can say that I was a bit anxious to check out this title; and with a name like Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball , you just know it has got to be good.

After beating the Halo 2 campaign mode and logging countless hours on Xbox Live, I yearned for something new. That fateful day of November 9th came and went with much excitement, but what I needed now was an unanticipated title to thrill me where duel-wielding SMG's no longer applied, and one-hit kills ruled the realm. I was ridiculed by my fellow Xbox-Live teammates with such a purchase; but then again, these guys proclaim “Master Chief” to be their messiah. Would I prove them wrong and uncover a good game? After all, a paintball videogame has just got entertainment value written all over it, right?

Since this “Tournament Paintball ,” you compete in tournaments to progress through the game. Unfortunately for the gamer, this is the only way you can play the game offline. You can choose between the actual campaign mode, which is simply a collection of tournaments that get progressively harder throughout the game, or you can choose smaller brackets in “arcade” mode. Either way, if you can't utilize the system link or Live support, don't call your friends over to play paintball on your Xbox as this title is only single player when using one console.

Game variations include the obligatory “Elimination” or deathmatch mode, and two versions of “Capture the Flag,” one with one flag in the center and one with a flag at either team's starting point. Controlling your opponent on the playing field is decently easy to learn, and with a tutorial to start off the game, you will quickly become familiar with how to crouch, crawl, as well as other maneuvers that will greatly help you throughout some of the harder tournament brackets where stealth and strategy become essential in order to achieve victory.

To those unacquainted, paintball calls for one-shot kills. If you get shot once, you're out of the game, only to walk onto the sidelines with a paintball bruise on your body. But developer WXP (known for their horrendous rendition of LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring game back in 2001) implemented a system in which you will actually be able to cheat… that's right kids, leave your Action Replays aside for this one. If you get hit, you will have a chance to wipe off the paint or have the paintball take a “bounce,” meaning it did not break on you. For this to happen, a pendulum-like device will pop up on top of your screen. To walk away clean, you need to stop the indicator at a specific spot. If you fail to do so, you will be eliminated. Also, hitting various penalization points on the scale will eliminate 1 or 3 other teammates along with you! It most certainly makes you choose between the risk of getting caught and returning to the game untouched. If you wipe off the paint successfully and get another chance, the next time you get shot will be increasingly difficult to stop the indicator at the right spot. I found this to be a nice loophole around the rule of getting hit and being eliminated.

The campaign mode is pretty moot as far as depth goes. It's pretty much a straight-up paintball game that allows you to control what teammates you select going into matches (that's right, there's no flying solo here, but rather playing on a team). As you complete matches, you will earn points to purchase various paintball guns, barrels, helmets, clothing, etc. Sadly, besides purchasing better guns, there is little other reward to putting your time and effort into this game offline. I've found that purchasing better equipment made virtually no improvement to my performance, making the whole process of buying better gear pretty much unnecessary; it seems more like a failed attempt to look like a deeper game than it actually is.

It's hard to sit here and compare a paintball game to any other first person shooter. But unfortunately, it is. I can't tell you if Greg Hastings and Master Chief got into a fight, who would win (well, maybe I could), but what I can say is that this game suffers from a few quirks here and there, to make what was supposed to be a pleasant surprise, into an annoyance. Sure, there are no rocket launchers like in some other FPS's; this is not to be expected in a paintball title. In fact, I think that since the critics did not know what to expect is why this game has been receiving surprisingly positive press. I've done my research and have found out that you can actually play paintball and use paint grenades. Heck, I found a website that offered paintball mortars! Imagine if this were an unlockable weapon, it would have kicked the replay value up a notch. To some, this may be a weak point to make, but to the outside gamer that does not know a thing about paintball , this may be a particular point of interest. After all, once I heard they made paintball grenades, I immediately wished for them to be supplied in the game, I was sorely disappointed when I found out they were not.

After being let down with the offline version of the game, I headed onto Xbox Live. With most titles, a good portion of the fun to be had can be found online. Playing offline, and using patience and strategy to achieve victory got me nowhere on Live as I got destroyed by a bunch of 13 year olds running around aimlessly. If I hear the phrase: “You got OWNED” by a prepubescent boy one more time while getting shot in the face by a paintball , I'm using this game as a frisbee, or a beverage coaster.

The offline AI became increasingly challenging as the game progressed, so I figured that I would be evenly-matched when taking this game online. But the AI played nothing like ordinary human beings. As mentioned, all the strategy that was supposed to be implemented in a game of paintball is completely thrown out the window, as I found myself getting rushed and surrounded within a matter of seconds. I guess I really can't fault WXP games for this one, but it certainly annihilates any fun to be had while playing online. Though for the most part, connection to this game on Live was pretty sufficient as I honestly experienced minimal lag, even when a game would load up with the maximum of 14 players.

The graphics were nothing to write home about. A few lighting affects seemed to be overused during some “dawn” and “dusk” playing times. It may be an attempt to seem realistic, but only ends up being annoying; though I'd being lying if I told you this game looked bad. I found a decent frame rate with little slowdown, this was a breathe of fresh air since some of the biggest titles these days are flooded with this problem.

What I found to be a nice feature that most third parties don't go out of their way to offer is the addition of “custom soundtracks.” Since this title was “Xbox Exclusive,” I bet they figured to take advantage of this feature. It's seamless addition into the game works great with such short matches, as you will find your tracks continuing from where they left off when you play the next bracket in the tournament. I appreciated this addition by WXP. While the sound effects are nothing extraordinary, the music already supplied in the game is surprisingly decent; but this still won't stop me from pumping up my own tracks.

Looking back on this purchase, I'm thankful that I picked it up on sale for a mere $20, while other gamers that spend $40 for the same game will not be as lucky. The game even gloats that you can play with real-life pros like Chris Lasoya, Nicky Cuba , and Keely Watson; like you and I would have any clue who these people were. But I do take note that they at least tried to make this the most realistic paintball game out there; even with the wall to wall promotion and licensing of countless paintball companies plastered over every inch of this game. I will say that it was an interesting spin to play, but it could not hold my attention long enough to really enjoy it. My excitement was diminished after a good 20 minutes or so, and the tactics I was looking to learn from this title did not transpire when playing Halo 2. And in the end, my comrades over on Xbox Live were still there to ridicule me of my purchase, so I am here to inform you not to make the same mistake I have. Stay away from this one unless you are in dire need of an on-demand paintball experience.

Medical examiner testifies about violent attack

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) -- The Des Moines County medical examiner who did the autopsy on Michael Harper Junior says he had never seen a body so mutilated.

Doctor Eugenio Torres says the 17-year-old Burlington teen died from a combination of strangulation and stab wounds in February 2004.

Two of his friends are accused in his death. William Lucas Junior and Brent Saner are charged with first-degree murder. Lucas is on trial this week. Saner's trial is set for next month.

In his autopsy report, Torres says Harper was strangled with enough force to break his neck and stabbed or slashed 111 times all across the body.

Prosecutors say Lucas and Saner killed Harper because he planned to tell police about their role in stealing a paintball gun during a garage burglary.

The defense says Lucas doesn't have the capacity to form the intent to commit the crime. They're attempting to pin most of the blame on Saner.

Commission recommends rezoning for paintball facility

By ADAM MORRIS, Courier Staff Writer

WATERLOO --- A popular paintball facility that had been operating illegally for five years north of Elk Run Heights on land not deemed for that use got a nod of approval Thursday from the county Planning and Zoning Commission despite outcry from neighbors.

The commission voted 4-2, with one member absent, to recommend the county Board of Supervisors approve a rezoning of the land.

The rezoning, which would allow PowerStation Paintball on South Elk Run Road to operate legally, would change zoning from agricultural to limited agricultural.

The commission's recommendation included conditions intended to calm neighbors who complain the facility is too noisy and worry that stray paint balls would injure people on their property.

"I have a great deal of empathy for the neighbors," said Peter Beck, chairman of the commission, who cast the deciding vote in favor of approval. "I've played the game, and I even have one of those welts" from a paint ball.

The conditions for the paintball facility's owners include limiting hours of operation to dawn to dusk, creating a 100-foot buffer area where no play can occur, and clearly mark all property boundaries.

Dennis Halverson and Andrew Lusson, who own the facility, said they've already begun similar efforts and would give up plans to hold paintball sessions after dark.

However, the owners disagreed that stray paint balls would be dangerous, saying the projectiles already would have been reduced to a safe speed if they reached a neighbor's land. The two also said they feel their facility, which operates mostly on the weekends and is closed during winter, generates less noise than nearby trains, roads and a neighboring shooting range.

"We don't compare to the noise that already exists there," Halverson said.

The final rezoning decision lies with county supervisors.

Halverson and Lusson opened the facility on South Elk Run Road between Dubuque Road and Independence Avenue about five years ago, but it wasn't until last fall that the county or the two men realized the land was not properly zoned. The rezoning was discussed at the commission's December meeting but tabled because Halverson and Lusson were not present.

Fines can be issued on a daily basis for zoning offenses, but none were issued in this instance because the property owners demonstrated they wanted to correct the problem, said Shane Graham, an associate county planner.

Neighbors remain concerned.

"This is primarily a residential area where there's a certain quality of life," said John Huff III, one of seven neighbors who wrote letters urging the commission recommend denial of the rezoning. Huff was one of about a dozen neighbors and their supporters who attended the meeting, though few others spoke.

"I don't think a paintball facility -- even if it's regulated -- fits into the quality of life of that neighborhood," he said.

In other business, the commission unanimously recommended denial of rezoning that would have allowed a one- to 23-lot subdivision northwest of Cedar Falls. The commission said there was not a satisfactory plan in place for the subdivision near North Union and West Cedar-Wapsi roads. More than a dozen neighbors showed up in protest of the proposed development.

Adam Morris can be contacted at (319) 291-1461 or mailto:adam.morris@wcfcourier.com.

Oldham County Officials Give Nod To Indoor Gun, Paintball Range

By Justin Wilfon

(CRESTWOOD, Ky., January 20th, 2005, 5:30 p.m.) -- A debate has been raging in Oldham County about a proposed paintball and gun range in Crestwood. Some say it will be unsafe and too loud, while others say it would be a welcome addition. On Thursday, the Oldham County Board of Adjustments approved the firing range. WAVE 3's Justin Wilfon was there.

It's a relic of Crestwood's past, but now it will also be a part of the future. "It's going to be brilliant," said owner Barry Laws. "It's beautiful.You need this."

The California real-estate broker purchased the old champs skating rink just two days ago. If all goes as planned, it will be an indoor firing and paintball range by the end of the year.

"Oldham county needs this type of range," Laws said. "They don't have it. There's nothing within a 35-mile radius."

He took his plan to the Oldham County Board of Adjustments Thursday. He was met with plenty of questions, primarily about noise and safety.

Sometimes Laws didn't have the answers.

"I'm not trying to avoid what you're asking," Laws told one person in the audience.

Others have concerns as well -- mostly people who live close to the proposed range, many of whom signed a petition opposing it.

"I'm concerned primarily about the safety, quite frankly," said Rob Hansen, "but also about the noise," said Rob Hansen. "I mean that's a secondary issue to me."

But Laws says the firing range will be state-of-the-art, with the latest noise-trapping technology.
"My experience with other indoor ranges is that in the parking lot outside, you hear next to nothing, so I think from just an experience point of view, I have no concerns whatsoever."

He also says those with guns will be closely monitored, and says the ammunition fired inside will pose no risk to people outside.

Laws says the range will actually make Oldham County safer. ""It's a firearm safety center is what it's going to turn out to be."

The Oldham County Board of Adjustments approved the firing range by a vote of three to one.
That means construction should begin soon, but those opposing the range say they may appeal the board's decision.

Police arrest 4 teens on burglary counts

By Sarah Myrick

The Stuart New

Posted January 22 2005

PORT ST. LUCIE · Police arrested four teenagers in one of the largest car burglary rings in city history and said more arrests could be possible.

Police said Scott Matthew Lindenberg, 19, and three other teens, ages 14 and 15, confessed to breaking into about 30 cars in central Port St. Lucie during a four-hour period beginning late Wednesday. The others are not being identified because they are juveniles.

The teens are being charged with burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief in eight of the cases, but police expect to add more charges later.

Port St. Lucie detective T.J. Scherle said the teens would drive along streets and shoot out car windows with a BB gun or paintball gun, and if no alarm sounded three of them would quickly steal valuables.

The teens were stopped by a St. Lucie County sheriff's deputy. Scherle is looking for two other suspects who might have been involved.

He said the teens -- two of whom are on probation -- had been involved with burglaries in the past. One of the teens is under investigation in a series of home and business burglaries in December and two others are being investigated for other car burglaries, he said.

Paintballers shoot for top prize

Paintballers prepare to go to battle at the Kick'n 2005 Paintball Tournament. The payoff is more than $10,000 in prizes.

Christina Dicken / News-Leader

A paintball competitor takes aim at his opponent during the tournament. The event began with 42 teams.

Christina Dicken / News-Leader

Paintball shooters take cover behind inflatables during the Kick'n 2005 Paintball Tournament at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.

Christina Dicken / News-Leader

Paintballers shoot for top prize

Kick'n 2005 Paintball Tournament includes all ages, sizes

By Amos Bridges

News-Leader Staff

As he watched from the bleachers at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds indoor arena, Drew Summers admitted he has a way to go before he could compete with the paintball players on the other side of the green safety net.

"It's a hobby, so far," said the 13-year-old, who started paintballing about two years ago. His parents bought him his first CO2-powered paintball gun, called a marker, this Christmas.

The Kick'n 2005 Paintball Tournament, sponsored by Springfield Paintball, was the first tournament he'd been to, Drew said Saturday.

While the Springfield teen looked on, five-person squads of amateur and novice players battled it out on the arena floor. Inflatable obstacles provided cover as each team sought to capture a central flag, or simply eliminate the opposition with a well-placed splatter of white paint.

The top five-person teams left from a field of 42 will compete in today's finals for more than $10,000 in prizes.

While he prefers outdoor courses to the indoor set-up at the arena, Drew said both styles of play highlight the sport's allure:

"It's intense — you really have to think on your feet," Drew said, as the rapid, staccato sound of the opposing teams' markers filled the air.

And the pain of being smacked with a paint-filled projectile travelling at 280-feet-per-second?

"It hurts sometimes," he admitted, but tolerance builds fast. "I've been shot a lot."

Drew's father, David Summers, said he's happy his son has found a hobby that, unlike the ever-popular video games, involves physical activity.

"It's good to get him out of the house, and out from in front of the TV," he said.

While David Summers said he has yet to try paintball himself, he may need to watch out — Patrick McLaughlan Sr., a member of Team Hotshot, credited his 16-year-old son with getting him hooked on the sport.

"He wanted me to buy him a $100 paintball gun," the elder McLaughlan said. Before spending the money, he decided to try it out for himself. Now, the duo compete on the team with other Oklahoma players, wielding markers that cost 10 times as much as that original purchase.

Ranked as the third most popular extreme sport — after inline skating and skateboarding — paintball has grown rapidly in the last decade, said Steve Alsup, co-owner of Springfield Paintball, started in 1991. His son and partner Mike Alsup is the tournament's organizer.

Professional players now compete on a national level, he said, and many colleges and universities field teams, as well.

One reason for the popularity is that almost anyone can play and excel, Alsup said. Size, age and physical condition take a back seat to clear thinking and grace under fire.

"It's got its own demands that it places on a person, and a lot of that's nerve," Alsup said.

And while tournament-level gear can cost as much as $2,000, a novice player can purchase a beginner-level marker and other basic equipment for as little as $100, he said.

"It's about like fishing or golf — any price range you want, you can be there," he said.

Alsup said the Springfield tournament, in its sixth year, is a way to promote the family's other business — their own brand of Kick'n Paintballs.

With the increased popularity of the sport, heightened demand and production has made the rainbow-colored ammunition more affordable, he said. While a box of 2,000 paintballs once retailed for $125 to $150, the same box now costs just S30 to $45.

Consequently, players are more willing to shoot, and — with semi-automatic markers that can fire as many as 20 balls per second — shoot often, he said. "Last year, we sold every paintball we could make."

Cops: Robbery suspect caught

A man who allegedly robbed a Highland Avenue packy with a paintball gun yesterday was caught by police after he slammed his getaway car into a telephone pole.

Michael Mitrano, whose name and address were not available at presstime yesterday, is being charged with armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and recklessly operating a vehicle after police say he went in O'Brian's Liquors with a paintball gun that looked like a shotgun and demanded money.

Police said they received a report of the hold-up at the liquor store at 158 Highland Ave., near the Central Street intersection, shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday.

At the time the call came in, Police Sergeant Bernard Cotter was traveling westbound on Highland Avenue and spotted a gray car that could have been involved in the incident, said Police Captain John O'Connor.

"One of our officers happened by just after it occurred," O'Connor said.

Cotter followed the car, but hadn't even activated the siren on his police cruiser when Mitrano turned right onto Willow Avenue and then took a sharp left turn onto Morrison Avenue.

Mitrano then lost control of the Nissan Altima he was driving, drove onto the sidewalk and drove straight into a telephone pole in front of 120 Morrison Ave. near Davis Square, O'Connor said. Both front-seat airbags deployed in the Altima, and Mitrano appeared to be uninjured.

When Cotter exited his cruiser and approached the Altima, Mitrano was "going for a knife in his pocket," O'Connor said.

Cotter pulled Mitrano out of the car and handcuffed him, O'Connor said.

Another police officer responding to the armed robbery call, Detective Ross O'Meara, ran his police cruiser into a parked car on Highland Avenue near Cedar Street while attempting to dodge a taxi cab that pulled out in front of him, O'Connor said.

O'Meara was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital via ambulance for lacerations on his head, O'Connor said.

Police found the paintball gun that looked like a shotgun in Mitrano's car. They also found cigarettes and money that had been reported stolen from O'Brian's Liquors.

Employees from the liquor store arrived at the scene of the crash on Morrison Avenue and positively identified Mitrano as the culprit, O'Connor said.

Mitrano was placed in a prisoner wagon and booked at the Somerville Police Station at 11 a.m.

Paintball and gun range proposed in Crestwood

Oldham County planners will consider tomorrow whether a California man can turn a former Crestwood roller rink into an indoor paintball and firearms range.

Several residents and firearm enthusiasts have written letters supporting Barry Laws' plan, saying there's no comparable facility in the area. But dozens of others have expressed concerns about safety and the noise the range could bring.

Laws, a real estate broker in Los Angeles, must obtain a conditional-use permit and variances from the county Board of Adjustments before renovating the former Champ's roller rink behind the Crestwood Station shopping center. The building is zoned for general business.

If Laws gets approval, he said he hopes to open the range in about nine months.

Some residents, including Harold Boroughs of Centerfield, said the community needs an indoor range.

Boroughs, 75, said it would save him a drive to Clark State Forest in Indiana, where he goes for target shooting. He said it's usually muddy there, and he has to wade through a creek to tend to his targets.

Boroughs said he has been involved in shooting sports most of his life. "I think it would be a boon to all of us."

Kathryn Temple, who lives behind the former roller rink, said an indoor paintball facility would save her house from being pummeled with colored pellets. She said children have played paintball in a nearby field, and her house was hit with paint last summer. The paint has since washed away, but her siding was dented.

"It's good for them to have a safe, contained area to shoot," Temple said.

But Kay Powell, who also lives behind the proposed range, said Laws can't guarantee that accidents won't happen.

Powell said she agrees shooters have a right to their guns and that they need a place to shoot them, but she doesn't want that place to be her back yard. She is circulating a petition against the proposed location, and 97 people had signed it as of yesterday morning, she said.

"If it's in a less-populated area," Powell said, she would support Laws' idea. "We're in Oldham County — let's face it, there are more rural areas to put this in."

Laws said Powell's objection to the location is unfair, saying, "They bought into an area that is zoned for exactly the kind of business I'm opening here."

He said the range is going to be renovated in accordance with industry standards developed by the National Rifle Association. He said his plans include noise reduction and a backstop designed to catch up to .50-caliber rounds.

The range also would rent guns, but Laws said patrons would be given rental guns only when they enter the range and wouldn't be permitted to carry them in open areas of the facility or outside the building.

"It's going to be a very controlled environment," he said.

Laws, who plans to move to Louisville this spring, is certified by the California Department of Justice in handgun-safety training. He said he would conduct all classes and private instruction at the Crestwood range.

He said he sees only positives coming from his venture — giving shooters a safe place to practice, providing potential customers for Crestwood Station and offering safety programs for youth and adults.

Trial begins in teen's slaying

BURLINGTON, Iowa Testimony is under way in the first-degree murder trial of one of two men accused of killing a teenager in Burlington last year.

Nineteen-year-old William Lucas Junior is charged in the death of 17-year-old Michael Harper Junior in February 2004. Also charged is 19-year-old Brent Saner.

In opening statements today, prosecutors said Lucas and Saner lured Harper into a wooded area near downtown Burlington, where they beat and strangled him and stabbed him 111 times.

Assistant Des Moines County Attorney Ty Rogers says Lucas and Saner planned the attack after believing Harper had told police about their role in stealing a paintball gun.

In Rogers' words, the killing was "as brutal as it gets."

The defense reserved making opening statement until it begins its case.

The bench trial, before District Judge John Linn, is expected to last into next week.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Cereal Killerz, a new paintball film classic

Die neue DVD von Monkey with a Gun, Cereal Killerz, ist jetzt offiziell erhätlich. Dazu haben die Produzenten auch eine Pressemitteilung veröffentlicht, welche wir Euch nicht vorenthalten möchten. PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Bonnie DeMenge
Phone: (760) 942-1620
Email: bonnie@monkey-with-a-gun.com
Website: www.monkey-with-a-gun.com

Press Release: Cereal Killerz, a new paintball film classic released on DVD!

Cardiff by the Sea, CA – Tuesday, January 18, 2004: Monkey with a Gun, the new production company headed by Patrick Spohrer, the director of PUSH and Sunday Drivers, is pleased to announce after a year-and-a-half in the making their new film Cereal Killerz is now available on DVD. They began shipping it last week to stores across the USA, Canada, and Germany, which means it is probably at a store near you. Once again, Patrick has directed a film that is setting record sales from pre-orders and rave reviews from viewers. The film is destined to become this year's hottest selling paintball DVD.

Cereal Killerz highlights specific prominent individuals in paintball in a way no other paintball film has been able to capture in the past. “We have hand picked some of the best tournament players in the world and some of the best mentors in the sport to feature in the film,” says Bonnie DeMenge, the Director of Marketing for Monkey with a Gun. “We have this amazing group consisting of Chris LaSoya from Infamous, Rocky Knuth from the Naughty Dogs, Bob Long the Captain of Bob's Long's Ironmen, Oliver Lang and Alex Fraige from Dynasty, Davey Williamson and Matty Marshall from XSV, Fred Halmone from the Ton Tons, Ron Kilbourne the Captain of the Bushwackers, and Max Lundqvist from Joy Division, together in one film. This crew truly gives paintball the recognition it deserves as an extreme sport.”



Patrick is extremely pleased with his newest creation. Evidently, those who have already purchased the film are too. One player, “Legitkid,” posts on PbNation.com, “ [this is] not a movie, but a piece of art…the type of quality that you see in a 5 star high budget movie.” “Insaneplayer” posts, “I have to say this movie has got some of the best footage I have seen.” Perhaps this is due to the fact that Patrick spends weeks, merely color correcting every shot of the 65-minute film. This is just one example of the attention to detail in this project.

A tremendous amount of effort was put into making this film unique among the previous films in the paintball community. You will notice this from the moment you pick up the DVD. The impressive packaging sets it apart from the rest. A DVD case with a printed slipcover was selected. The slipcover pulls off to reveal the equally notable packaging inside, a foldout case decorated with hand-drawings of each of the ten players featured in the film.

“The players are incredible. When you follow players like Oliver Lang, Alex Fraige, Chris LaSoya, Matty Marshall and others that are at the top of their game and you film them for a whole year, you can bet there is going to be some unreal footage there,” says Bonnie. “Mix these player's talent with Patrick's filming and editing ability and you're in for a treat.” Get a taste of this, by checking out a trailer of the film on the Monkey with a Gun website, www.monkey-with-a-gun.com .

“We had a tremendous amount of assistance in the production of this film. We are very grateful for the support of National Paintball Supply, JT USA, Worr Game Products, WDP, and Smart Parts in the production of Cereal Killerz. The music labels we worked with were also very generous in providing us with tons of great music to use in the film. Interscope Records, Vagrant Records, Jade Tree, and Bay Root Productions had the perfect mix of songs to collaborate with the players segments. Our goal was to pick songs that actually matched the player's personality,” continues Bonnie. To handle the numerous emails and posts asking about the sound tract Monkey with a Gun has set up a link from their homepage www.monkey-with-a-gun.com to iTunes where many of the songs from Cereal Killerz are available to purchase.

Amazing players, amazing action, amazing cinematography, accompanied by an amazing soundtrack makes up Cereal Killerz. Own it now on DVD!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information on Monkey with a Gun or the Cereal Killerz DVD please go to the firm's website at www.monkey-with-a-gun.com or contact:

Bonnie DeMenge
Director of Marketing
Monkey with a Gun
2033 San Elijo Ave, Suite 270
Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007
(760) 942-1620 Tel

Nhance Paintball opens online store

Nhance Paintball is proud to announce the grand opening of the first online store completely dedicated to tournament-style players.

NHANCE Paintball is the first online paintball store completely committed to tournament-style ballers. Our sole purpose is to offer a complete selection of the best high-end equipment available. You won’t find any newbie gear at our store. Instead we’re stocked full of the paintball guns the pro players actually use like Intimidators, DM5s, Shockers, Impulses, and Cockers.

We are also pleased to announce we are the exclusive online distributor of Ill Gear & Pro Paintball Statistics Products!

We are running a special promotion for the grand opening taking place this week (January 18th – January 25th)

Place an order at www.nhancepaintball.com and the first 100 orders over $65.00 will receive a $15.00 gift card for future orders.

Tippmann teams up with EMR Paintball Park

By Bob Lanstrum, Tippmann Sports
Jan 18, 2005, 19:00

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Tippmann Sports the premier manufacturer of high-performance paintball markers and accessories, has announced the formation of a promotional partnership with EMR Paintball Park.

Located in New Milford, PA, EMR Paintball is one of the most popular venues for Scenario and Big Game play in the eastern United States. EMR’s 24 fields include the newly-sponsored “Tippmann Town” featuring two streets lined with buildings and lighted for night play. Situated on five acres of prime real estate adjacent to the Castle, Tippmann Town will see dramatic growth with three additional two-story buildings and a set of new, 12 x 64-foot townhouses. “We’re really thrilled about teaming up with Tippmann”, said Michael “BLUE” Hanse, owner and president of EMR. “We’ve been using Tippmann markers for over 15 years, so we feel like we’re part of the family. This sponsorship will help us improve and expand the park, making it even more exciting for the players.”

Tippmann’s hallmark of quality-made products is an integral facet of the partnership, as all of EMR’s rental markers and accessories carry only the Tippmann brand name. This benefits both enthusiasts and first-time players alike, as product performance and reliability are key to maximizing the EMR experience. “From exclusive equipment rental to naming rights on all the buildings in Tippmann Town, this is definitely a win-win for both Tippmann Sports and EMR.”, commented Cheryll Sullivan, Director of Marketing for Tippmann.

Tippmann Sports, LLC is affiliated with Summit Partners, a leading private equity capital firm. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tippmann sells its products throughout the United States, with a growing presence in Europe, Australia and Canada.

E.M.R. Paintball Park is owned and operated by Michael “BLUE” Hanse, his wife Susie “WOB” Hanse, and their son Christopher “DEUCE” Hanse. For more information on EMR’s fine facility and for photos of Tippmann Town, go to www.EMRPAINTBALL.com.

Police Blotter: Man Attacked By Paintball Gang

A man told police he was attacked by five black males wielding paintball guns.

Shannon Vinson said he was walking along the 2700 block of 6th Avenue when a large maroon van pulled up beside him. He said two of the men started shooting at him with paintball guns, and the other three were cheering them on.

He said he was hit three times, including twice in the back and once in the shoulder. He went to Parkridge Hospital for treatment of minor abrasions.

He said he did not recognize any of the assailants.

On Dogwood Drive, Gwen McKinney said she came home to find her rear door unlocked. She found a drawer open and $6,500 missing.

Jeff Partin, of Woodland Street, said one of his neighbors saw a white male and black male pull up near his garage in an older gray four-door vehicle. The black male got out, loaded up his tiller and lawnmower, then they drove away with the items worth $900.

An intruder threw a large rock through the front glass door of Hobbytown USA at Northgate Mall and went straight for a safe inside.

A video showed a white male wearing a black toboggan, black jacket and black pants.

Chris Kennett of the Rossville Boulevard Pizza Hut said he had a delivery to 3116 14th Ave. He said he arrived with the pizza and was met by two black males about 16 years old, who pulled a silver pistol on him. They took the pizza and ran off.

At a video store at Highland Plaza on Hixson Pike, an explosive device went off emitting a green smoke. Ten customers and employees evacuated.

It was found that a fireworks type smoke bomb had been placed in the video drop box.

A similar incident happened at the Krystal on Hunter Road. The fast food restaurant was evacuated as it began to fill up with smoke. Tri Community Volunteer Fire Department sped to the scene.

Firefighters found a large smoke bomb on the roof top air conditioner.

The manager identified one person he said had a fascination with fireworks. His car was searched and numerous bottle rockets, fireworks and wrappers for smoke bombs were found. Also found was a sword with an 18" blade.

The man said he had given a smoke bomb like the one that was found to another individual. He said he asked for it just before the incident happened.

Shameca Burt said she was arguing with her boyfriend, Bruce Lee Woods, when he pulled a pocket knife and took $50 out of her bra while choking her around the neck. She said he then pushed her to the ground while holding the knife to her throat and threatening to kill her.

Warrants were taken out against Woods on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated robbery.

Lakisha White of Read Avenue said she had just gotten home from work when her ex-boyfriend put a large black semi-automatic pistol to her head and said, "- - - - -, give me everything."

She said he took a $250 gold necklace off her neck, two $20 bills from her pocket, two gold rings worth $100 and a gold wedding set worth $1,500. She said he then walked calmly to his Buick Regal and drove off.

She said he now has a new girlfriend, and he had been talking about getting back items he had given her.

On Culver Street, Robbie Creech was getting up to go to the bathroom when she slipped and fell to the floor. She was taken to Erlanger North Hospital by EMS.

Robbie Creech is 99.

Change in gun laws will help paintball players

By Jonathan McCambridge

18 January 2005
New legislation governing the legal use of guns in Northern Ireland will allow paintballing clubs to operate for the first time without the need for a firearms licence, it can be revealed today.

The move will bring Northern Ireland's gun laws into line with regulations introduced in the rest of the UK after the Dunblane School massacre in 1996.

The new Firearms Order 2004, which will govern the use of all legally held guns, will become law at the beginning of next month.

Security Minister Ian Pearson welcomed the new laws, which he said would be accompanied by explanatory guidance for the public.

Changes to the law will include:

an increase in the duration of firearms certificates from three to five years;

de-certification of low powered air guns and deactivated firearms;

a period of supervised shooting for first time certificate holders;

provision for the borrowing of shotguns and estate rifles;

provision for paintball guns to be used without the need for a firearms certificate;

provision for transactions involving the exchange of one shotgun for another to be carried out by firearms dealers;

provision for the PSNI's civilian support staff to play a greater role in the firearms licensing administration.

Mr Pearson said: "I believe that the new controls are relevant, effective and proportionate and that they strike a balance between public safety and the reasonable expectations of those who enjoy shooting as a sport or leisure pursuit and the firearms trade."

Paintball battle set for Jan. 17

Kirkwood-Webster Journal

Kids ages 10 to 16 are invited to join the Kirkwood Parks and Recreation Department as it battles both the Webster Groves and Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation departments in a game of paintball Jan. 17.

The bout is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. at Wacky Warriors Paintball in Millstadt, Ill. Participants must wear old clothes they don't mind getting paint on. Participants also should dress warmly.

The cost is $40 for Kirkwood residents and $45 for others and includes transportation from the Webster Groves Recreation Complex, goggles, paintball guns and 300 rounds of paint ammo. Extra ammo can be bought for an additional cost. Interested youths must register in person at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road, and a parent or guardian must sign a release form in order for the child to participate.

PAINTBALL TOURNEY: Red Wings make their mark in a different arena

You may not be able to watch the Red Wings play hockey these days, but that doesn't mean you can't watch them in action. Just don't expect ice, sticks or a puck.

Kris Draper, Darren McCarty and former Red Wing Chris Osgood will form the nucleus of a five-man team in Sunday's daylong paintball tournament, "The Throwdown," at Atomix Paintball, an indoor arena in Walled Lake.

For the uninitiated, paintball is the fast-growing militaristic sport featuring teams of clear-masked players wielding specially designed guns (called markers) that shoot paintballs -- projectiles of goo -- while pursuing a capture-the-flag-like objective.

The popularity of paintball has exploded in recent years and is played worldwide. The game has grown from cultish origins in the 1980s into organized leagues, amateur and professional teams and tournaments.

Between 30 and 40 teams are expected to participate in the tournament. Atomix Paintball arena encompasses 65,000 square feet and includes two playing fields outfitted with artificial turf, inflatable bunkers and protective netting. Draper will be the captain of the Red Wings team, which has recruited paintball pro Andy Kopcok, described by some insiders as the sport's Wayne Gretzky, to serve as its coach.

By Mark Stryker, Free Press staff writer

Kindergartner Suspended For Carrying Paintball Gun

Fairfield school leaders have suspended a kindergarten student after he brought a paintball gun to school.

School officials say the five-year-old took the gun out of his backpack on his way home from school one day last week.

While they won't say how long the student will be suspended, they did say his ban from riding the school bus will last longer than the school suspension.

Paintballs of fire

Alan Plews, Evening Gazette


A Tees valley company is on the verge of clinching a deal which will shoot it onto the world stage.

When finalised, it could see the Darlington company as one of the biggest players in the paintball and associated equipment sector.

Just Paintball, sells paintball clothing and equipment in the UK through a conventional paintball store, online shop and telephone mail order service.

Now it is in the final stages of negotiations with partners in Germany, France and the Netherlands for both the rights to use its website software and to distribute its Hangar 18 branded paintball equipment.

The company has already tied up deals in Croatia, Czechoslovakia and Slovenia, where the market is in its infancy.

Jim Mann, who heads the company, which already operates with partners in North America and Europe, said: "We have also held preliminary talks with more contacts in North America and are also looking closely at Spain and Portugal.

"We are also developing the company and through this venture we expect to earn 20pc of all the gross revenue of the businesses abroad and see our profits increase significantly."

He added: "While anyone can obviously access our website from any part of the world, shipping costs are ridiculously high which means we can't be competitive in the export market."

Mr Mann, who also runs the Point Blank gaming centre near Northallerton, found that buying his equipment from America was too costly so he decided to manufacture his own range of battle packs and built his own website.

The company now has a workforce of eight in two superstores - Darlington and Reading - and more are planned to form a national chain.

On a tour of the region Denis MacShane, Minister for Europe, visiting the company, said: "This success shows that if you can spot a niche then it doesn't matter how big or small your business is, there are opportunities to be seized in Europe."

Just Paintball has had help from UK Trade and Investment to attend trade shows in Portugal, Germany, France and the Netherlands and further trade shows to North America, Pakistan and Malaysia are expected in the next 12 months.

Indoor paintball site targets the rapid growth of sport

Game's intensity clear at Lawrence facility

By Bill Ewing, Globe Correspondent  |  January 13, 2005

LAWRENCE -- The first sounds a visitor hears upon entering Planet Paintball are the exuberant sputter of paintball guns being fired and shouts emanating from the walled-off playing field. This clamor is punctuated by brief moments of near silence, as players are knocked out of the game in session and others ready themselves for the next onslaught.

In a heartbeat, the noise rains down again, and one team is defeated, each of its players bearing the mark of a colorful paintball. It's game over, sometimes in a matter of minutes, and the referee declares a winner.

The game creating the racket is called Speedball, a fast and furious contest of elimination played by two teams across a cavernous space strewn with inflatable bunkers. One of several forms of indoor paintball, Speedball is the game of choice at Planet Paintball, which opened in Lawrence's Riverwalk Mill Complex on Merrimack Street last June.

As one of only a few indoor paintball facilities in northern New England -- the next closest being Boston Paintball in Somerville -- Planet Paintball is starting to attract players from a wide geographic radius.

On a recent Wednesday night -- Team Night at Planet Paintball -- a sizable crowd of teenage boys and young men (it's a male-dominated sport) mill about the staging area awaiting their turn to play.

Decked out in brightly colored jerseys and protective clothes, the group is orderly and focused, many fussing with their equipment or talking strategy with teammates. When they get on the playing field, however, it's a whole different story. Then it's all about the adrenaline rush. All are happy to have a new place to play, especially now that winter has arrived.

''An indoor course was long overdue in this area," said Scott Vavak, 37, of Bradford. The first customer to walk through the doors of Planet Paintball when it opened, Vavak is now both a regular player and an employee.

''Outdoor paintball is about the hunt -- you can walk a quarter-mile looking for people," he said. ''But with indoor, the ref says '3, 2, 1, go' and you're off. There's no way to get away from the action."

Seasoned players like Vavak like to say that paintball in any of its various forms is more about stealth and strategy than it is about mindless shooting and aggression.

''It's kind of like chess," said Brett Bunke, 34, of Manchester, N.H., who drove down to Lawrence to play with his team, Swerve. ''If your playing isn't solid, the other team will see right through it and exploit your weaknesses."

Planet Paintball is owned and operated by brothers Darren and Ron Ramsden, their retired father, Richard, all of Methuen, and Denise Roy of Chelmsford.

Gila River officer shoots, kills man

Put on leave; bat-wielding claimed

Lindsey Collom

The Arizona Republic

Jan. 13, 2005 12:00 AM

A Gila River officer is on leave after police say he fatally shot a bat-wielding man who lunged at another officer.

A man in his 20s died Monday outside a home eight miles north of Maricopa on the Gila River Reservation. The officer is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an FBI and internal investigation.

Authorities have not released the names of the victim or officer, who has one year of law enforcement experience. advertisement



Chief Ken Witkowski described the events this way:

The officer went to the home about 9:30 p.m. Monday on reports that a man with a baseball bat broke a window and smashed items in the house.

The officer and the suspect got into a verbal altercation after the suspect's father, who was wanted on several warrants, was arrested for interference. A second officer arrived and tried to subdue the suspect by firing a pepperball at him, but he retreated to the house. A pepperball is similar to a paintball and explodes on impact, but it's filled with pepper powder.

The suspect's brother emerged moments later and was combative. He also was arrested on suspicion of interference.

As the brother was being handcuffed, the suspect came out of the house and moved toward the arresting officer with the bat. He was shot at three times and hit by an undisclosed number of bullets, Witkowski said.

The last officer-involved shooting on the Gila River Reservation was in May, when officers shot and killed one of two carjacking suspects who fired at patrol cars during a chase. The three officers were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Paintball.com - How to go about getting sponsored

Wie erfragt man ein Sponsoring oder besser, wie sollte man es nicht machen. Darüber berichtet heute die Website Paintball.com, wir haben den Artikel für Euch.

Now some of you may have called and asked for a sponsorship of some kind. You want to hear the most common answer when I say "sure what do you guys want?"

A : Lots of free stuff!!!
B : Free paint!!!
C : Our entry fee paid!!!
D : Uh...umm...uh... I don't know...

The answer is not A , nor is it C , nor is it B ... yup the answer 99.99% of the time is D !!! Can you believe that? The most common answer is D !!!

My rant is this... some of you don't know how to ask a person for a sponsorship. Answer D just drives me up the wall. In fact some of you don't even know what it means to get sponsored. And it's frustrating. It frustrates me cuz I'm the guy that gets tons of phone calls, paper mail, and emails asking for "sponsorship" and the problem is you don't even know what "sponsorship" means!

To be sponsored is a business deal where the Sponsor gives the Sponseree money, deals, or anything else so that the Sponsor makes that money back and some. There... to the point that is all that it means or is.

Now, please read what I have prepared for you all and take it to heart. Please copy and paste my words of wisdom to all the paintball messageboards everywhere. This is free advice that could raise you and your team some money! So please, no more emails or phone calls or letters unless they are professional!!! If you do send an email or letter, please leave contact information (like an email address or phone number.) Even still, emails and paper mail usually will end up in the garbage so a face to face is the best way to approach a potential sponsor.

You want to be specific with what you want. Don't be broad cuz your request for sponsorship will just go in the garbage.

IE Local business: like car dealerships and restaurants- approach these guys with a monetary amount like your entry fees. If entry fees are $150 per event each month then ask them for $150 per event. Just make sure that you bust your butt advertising for them in return so you can renew that sponsorship the following year. If they decline, go onto the next business. KEY POINT, YOU ARE OUT THERE TO MAKE THEM MONEY.

Paintball Stores- don't ask for anything right off the bat, you will look like moochers and will be detested for it. Instead help them out first. Send business their way... be at the store and offer to clean the bathroom or take out the garbage, vacuum, sweep, dust, whatever... make your team a presence that shows that you care about that store. Become friends with the owner, bring them something to eat. Very quickly, you will find that they will hook you up with discounts (deep discounts) for helping out and caring.

Paintball field- once again, don't ask for anything right off the bat or you will be detested as a moocher. Instead play and support that field as much as possible. Just help out with reffing, picking up garbage, offering to do maintenance, clean up, clean rental guns and masks, and just show the owners that you care. Become friends with the owners and you will also see discounts.

Paintball stores and fields are wierd in the business sense. Not too many will pay outright for help but will sure as hell barter whatever they can for help. Doesn't cost out of direct pocket for you or the owners.

Trust me, it is much easier to "hook up" a friend that shows that they care for the business than it is to hook up a stranger that all of a sudden emails right out of the blue.

Out of paintball businesses- hit them up for money and be specific to how much you need, not want. If you need $3000 a month to support a team then ask for $3000. If you only need $150 a month then ask for $150 and back up why you need those amounts.

Keep this in mind, if you can help your sponsors make 10 times the amount of what they gave, you are sure to get money. Be ready to back up, with facts, how you will do this... not "uh well... uh... well... uh... what do you want us to do... uh..."

There are so many ways that you can get money if you just work at it.... unfortunately too many of you fail by not getting off your lazy butts to do anything for it or by not even trying. And some of you just down right just piss off the business owners from ever wanting to ever help a team out. So plan your strategy smartly and then execute it. Don't waste business owners' time and energy for the rest of us. Nothing is worse than a phone calling asking for sponsorship and not knowing what you want.

The Evolve Newton Valve Kit for the Angel

Evolve Paintball, Ltd. is a U.K. based company that specializes in making parts to improve efficiency and improve the shooting characteristics of several marker designs, including the DYE Matrix and Smart Parts Shocker.  In 2004 Evolve turned their eyes upon the Angel 4 generation markers made by WDP.

For the current generation Angels, the Newton Valve Kit adds a new valve system and adjustable Low Pressure Regulator assembly.  Included in the foam lined, metal case that the kit comes in is a new volumiser, the adjustable LPR, a new valve, a 10 gram hammer, a ram tool, LPR gauge, and spare parts, and instructions.

The test marker for this review is a lightly upgraded 2004 Angel Fly, which is equipped with a Centerflag Products Low Pressure inline regulator and a magnetic trigger job by Russ Urasaki of Angel Service Center.  The performance of this particular marker was typical of the Angel 4 generation, getting around 1600 shots off of a 68 cubic inch, 4500 psi Centerflag Dynaflow air system.  The current generation Angels is quite a bit more efficient than their IR3 and LCD generation predecessors.  One of Evolve's claims was to increase efficiency of this already very efficient marker.

Installation took about an hour to complete.  The first step in installing the Newton Valve Kit is to remove the ram from the marker and remove the stock stainless steel hammer.  Using a strap wrench's rubber strap to protect the ram shaft, I clamped down on the ram shaft with a pair of vise-grips to hold the shaft in place while I loosened the set screw holding the hammer on, then carefully unthreading the hammer from the shaft.  Next I put a drop of blue (#242) loctite on the shaft and threaded on the Evolve 10 gram hammer.  This part is made of a combination of steel and delrin, and would prove to be a central part of the performance increases noted later during field testing.  I then reinstalled the ram normally.

The next step involved the Low Pressure Regulator, which is adjustable on stock Angels by adding or removing shims to increase or decrease pressure.  I disassembled the Evolve LPR Cap and the LPR in the marker and lubed those using Southern Paintball Concepts “Slick”.  I then recalibrated the stock LPR to 100 psi using shims per the Newton Kit instructions.  It's very important to get the stock LPR pressure to the recommended 100 psi, to avoid shoot down.  I then installed the adjustable LPR cap and adjusted it to a recommended 50 psi, using the supplied LPR gauge that screws into the side of the LPR cap.

The final step is to remove the stock cup seal and volumiser to be replaced with the Evolve parts.  Instead of a long spring connecting to the cup seal, the Newton valve is a steel rod with a cup seal shaped part on one end, and on the other end, which goes all the way forward into the Evolve volumiser, is a lug to bear against a short spring that keeps the valve closed until hit by the hammer.  This lug has an o-ring on it, and once again I used “Slick” to lube it.  If this o-ring isn't lubed properly during installation, first shot drop off and shoot down will result.

After the installation was completed, I calibrated the Newton valve to eliminate blowback.  This is accomplished by adjusting a set screw in the front of the Newton Volumiser with two paintballs in the feed neck.  On ball gets fired, and how far the second paintball jumps out of the feed neck indicates how much blowback is present.  The initial shots had the second paintball jumping nearly 2 feet out of the feed neck!  After a few minutes turning the set screw in the front of the volumiser out to reduce tension on the valve, the second paintball would stay in the feed neck with no movement whatsoever when the marker fired the first paintball.

On the field, the most noticeable change in the marker's demeanor was the utter lack of recoil.  At high rates of fire Angels have a tendency to ‘climb', bringing the barrel up due to the marker hopping around in the player's hands.  With the reduced reciprocating mass of the 10 gram hammer, felt recoil was reduced to nothing.  I also noted that the sound signature of the marker was reduced somewhat as well.  Test Crew member Kurt Wise used the marker for a few games and was very impressed with the marker's change in personality.  Kurt is a long time Matrix user, and he is used to the lack of recoil that those markers have.  He noted that the Fly was now nearly as smooth as his Matrix, but much, much faster.  Observed efficiency was improved as well; to roughly 1800 shots per 68/4500 fill.  This was accomplished using a 14” DYE Boomstick which matched the X.O. Industries Velocity and Hot Box paint used during the review.  Due to the lack of recoil, perceived accuracy was noticeably improved as well.  Without the marker jumping around in my hands, it made it much easier to put the paint on target.

With an MSRP of $155, the Evolve Newton Valve Kit is an expensive upgrade.  However, the complete change in personality that it provides and the ease of adjustability make the upgrade a worthwhile addition for the Angel user who insists on having as much efficiency as possible.  The 10 gram hammer helps immensely with perceived recoil and accuracy.  The Angel Force Master Techs are offering the kit for sale in the US, and for those who aren't confident in their technical abilities, the Master Techs will install the kit as well. 

For more information on the Evolve Newton Valve Kit for the Angel, or to see the other products that Evolve carries, check out www.evolvepaintball.com .  The author wishes to thank 68Caliber.Com Test Crew Member Kurt Wise for his assistance during this review.

PBStar - Keely Watson Interview

Der PBStar führte ein Interview mit dem DYE Girl Keely Watson, dieses möchten wir Euch nicht vorenthalten.

Keely Watson Interview

Keely Watson is one of the most famous paintball players in the world. She is a model for Dye, NXL field coach for the LA Ironmen, and now an employee of Paintball Sports Promotions (PSP). We figured it was about time we interviewed this paintball icon, and ask her about her new job, the PSP, and a bunch of other sweet questions.

Pbstar: For any paintball players out there who don’t know Keely Watson tell us a few things: Just who is Keely Watson, how did she get started into paintball, what teams has she played for, and why do people conducting interviews always ask questions in the third person?


Keely: Well, I’m a 22-year old graduate of the University of San Diego. I plan to continue living here in San Diego and have recently begun working for Paintball Sports Promotions.

I got started playing paintball about ten years ago, because of my younger brother, Ryan. He really wanted to play paintball and finally convinced my dad and stepmom to take him. I went with them the next time and was hooked. My dad has a habit of going full speed into things that he is interested in, so he took us to Las Vegas to watch a tournament. Shortly after, we began playing tournaments ourselves.

That was the start of The Family which originally consisted of my brother, my dad, my stepmom, my uncle, and myself. That team evolved over the years to include numerous people in both five-man and ten-man. After the team split up, I played with Team Maxim and then the Femmes Fatales.

Pbstar: So when you were a little girl, did you like playing with guns instead of Barbies?

Keely: I was definitely somewhat of a tomboy as a kid. I was always playing sports, although I did have Barbies too.

Pbstar: So now you’re working for the PSP what’s your position? Will we get to hear you sing the national anthem at every PSP event from here on out?

Keely: I will be doing various things this year. I am in charge of media relations, league sponsors, promotions, and various other tasks.

Pbstar: So if people have any questions for the PSP should they ask you or Lane Wright?

Keely: It depends on the question, but for the most part they can direct questions towards me.

Pbstar: With you taking on an important role at the PSP will you still coach the LA Ironmen next year? Still doing modeling for Dye?

Keely: Yes, I believe that I will still be helping to coach the LA Ironmen in between everything else and I will definitely still be doing stuff with Dye.

Pbstar: I hear you’re like a legend in BMX racing circles. Ever gone off any sweet jumps?

Keely: Ya, you should see my new bike. I love to build jumps on my sidewalk for it.

Pbstar: But seriously, it’s been said the PSP did an amazing job putting on events last year, but no one really talked about it. Is that where you come in?

Keely: Lane Wright was basically handling most of the league by himself last year which is just insane. There’s so much to do! I really admire him for the great job he did putting on all the events as well as he did.

I was hired just to help with the mass amount of stuff that needs to be done in order to run an event. Also, with my degree in Communications I hope to have more outside media involvement in the league this year.

Pbstar: The PSP did a lot of great things last year. Player registration database that anyone can go and search, an active ID card system to prevent sandbaggers, live scores from the events, the list keeps going…

Keely: Again, its really amazing how well the league has run in the last couple of years. That’s really why I’m so excited to be working for the PSP now. There’s so much great stuff already going on within it and I only hope to be able to make it even better.

Pbstar: Have the dates and venues been announced for the ‘05 season?

Keely: Most of the dates and venues have been confirmed and are available on pspevents.com. We’re set to kick off the season February 16-20 at the Pomona Fairgrounds in Los Angeles.

Pbstar: I’m sure you’ve noticed we have a lot in common. Like, we both have a degree in communications. We should go out sometime…I don’t think my wife would really mind at all. Would you?

Keely: Well, I guess if she wouldn’t mind…

Pbstar: It sure is great talking to a fellow communications scholar. Would you care to comment on women’s role in paintball where women have become victims of false consciousnesses and have their bodies objectified by the hegemonic male gaze?

Keely: Well to really address that question properly, I think we would have to look at Sut Jhally’s Dreamworlds 3, as well as Jean Kilbourne’s Killing Us Softly.

Pbstar: Speaking of objectification, I hear Keely Watson calendar sales at PaintballGear.com are outpacing Dynasty calendar sales. Two questions: would you like to gloat? And could you autograph every page of my Keely calendar I keep hidden from my wife?

Keely: I’m just very, very thankful for how well my calendars have done. Sales have definitely exceeded my expectations for the second year in a row which is fantastic. I would be happy to sign all pages, but only because it’s you.

Pbstar: I’ve got a friend at work (he won’t let me use his name so we’ll just call him Paul-E) who claims you wiped 2 hits off your hand after he shot you at a 10man event in Vegas a couple years back. Personally, I think he might be jealous the team you played for beat his team.

Keely: Jealously is a terrible thing.

Pbstar: Speaking of 10man, it appears to be abandoned in favor of Xball. What will we see at the PSP next year?

Keely: Ten-man has been dropped for this year. Teams will now be able to compete either in five-man or three different divisions of X-Ball.

Pbstar: Carrots, Krispy Kremes, or Dunkin Donuts?

Keely: I’d have to go with Dunkin Donuts on that one. Big fan.

Pbstar: Do you still have time to play paintball? Any advice for girls looking to get into the game?

Keely: I do still find time although not as much as I would like to. The best advice I can give is to tell girls to just get out there and play. Don’t be intimidated by the guys and don’t give up. This is an incredible sport that can change your life so stick with it.

Pbstar: So I’m going to ask my next question like a 12-year old whose writing skills have been degraded by the use of instant messenger… I’D ALSO RILLY LIEK 2 HAAR UR THOUGHTS ON DUKES OF HAZARD!11!11!1 OMG WTF GRAAT SHOW EH??!!!?!?? OMG WTF… OUR AOL TRANSLA2R IS A LOT OF FUN U SHUD TRY IT OUT!1!! OMG WTF

Keely: YA DUKES OF HAZARD ROKS!1!!111 WTF LOL GOTA LOVE IT!111!1 OMG WTF LOL

Pbstar: Hmmm…this interview appears to have gotten off track. I don’t blame you for thinking less of me now…Where were we?

Keely: That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out.

Pbstar: Oh ya, the PSP...So what did you get for Christmas?

Keely: Good stuff all around; jewelry, clothes, and a new Ipod.

Pbstar: Care to discuss anything new the PSP is doing this season? I think it would be really neat if you got those guys at Action Village to make some killer PSP apparel for 2005.

Keely: I think that sounds like a great idea. Besides that, the PSP this year will be featuring deals on event hotels available through pspevents.com, some great players’ parties, and about a billion other new and improved things.

Pbstar: Finish the following sentences:

Pbstar.com is the best website around because…

Keely: Because Chris Williams is part of it.

Chris Williams is super hot and sexy because…

Keely: He’s a man, baby, ya!

You should play in the PSP next year because…

Keely: Otherwise, you’ll be missing out.

Pbstar: Anything else you’d like to add? Or ad? We don’t care, you can do either one around here…

Keely: Always have to give a shout out to Dye Precision. They’re an awesome company with the best products on the market. I thank my lucky stars every day that I’m involved with Dye.

GHTP makes Top 10 list

By Bryan Gilchrist

Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball is a big hit with Xbox Live™ members. GHTP has made the XBox Live Top 25 list at #8 in the United States and #9 Worldwide.

If you're a fan of the game or have wanted to try it, then you'll want to be playing online Thursday, January 13, 2005.

Greg Hastings himself, along with other pro paintballers including Chris LaSoya, Keely Watson, Alex Fraige, Pete “Mr. U” Utschig, Oliver Lang, and Nicky Cuba will be playing on Xbox Live from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. Eastern (2:00 to 3:00 P.M. Pacific). Look for the Gamertags ProPaintballer1 and ProPaintballer2.

For more information, visit the following link:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/news/events/gamewithfame-paintballers.htm .

GHTP makes Top 10 list

By Bryan Gilchrist

Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball is a big hit with Xbox Live™ members. GHTP has made the XBox Live Top 25 list at #8 in the United States and #9 Worldwide.If you're a fan of the game or have wanted to try it, then you'll want to be playing online Thursday, January 13, 2005.Greg Hastings himself, along with other pro paintballers including Chris LaSoya, Keely Watson, Alex Fraige, Pete “Mr. U” Utschig, Oliver Lang, and Nicky Cuba will be playing on Xbox Live from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. Eastern (2:00 to 3:00 P.M. Pacific). Look for the Gamertags ProPaintballer1 and ProPaintballer2.

Game with Fame: Pro Paintballers

Greg Hastings Tournament Paintball ist wahrlich ein Erfolg und befindet sich in der weltweiten XBOX Live Rangliste auf dem neunten Platz, in den Vereinigten Staaten liegt es sogar auf dem achten Rang.

Am Donnerstag den 13. Januar kann man mit Greg Hastings, Alex Fraige, Pete Utschig, Keely Watson, Oliver Lang und Nicky Cuba GHTP auf XBOX Live spielen.

Dazu der Artikel von XBOX.com:

Game with Fame:
Pro Paintballers

Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball is a big hit with Xbox Live™ members—just check the Top 25 Games List. If you're a fan of the game or have wanted to try it, then Thursday, January 13, 2005, is your lucky day!

Greg Hastings himself, along with other pro paintballers—including Chris LaSoya, Keely Watson, Alex Fraige, Pete “Mr. U” Utschig, Oliver Lang, and Nicky Cuba—will be playing on Xbox Live from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. Eastern (2:00 to 3:00 P.M. Pacific). Look for the Gamertags ProPaintballer1 and ProPaintballer2 .

About Greg Hastings
Greg "Red" Hastings has been an avid paintball player for 18 years. He started his playing career just before entering into the Submarine Service in 1988. He served on the U.S.S. Gato (SSN 615) as SONAR supervisor and senior SCUBA diver during the Persian Gulf War and received two Southwest Asia Campaign Medals among others.

After he was honorably discharged in 1994, Hastings started his international tournament level career. He was a member of the World Champion Ground Zero team and also played for Bob Long's Ironmen. Hastings is a world-class product designer for companies such as R7 Inc. He now plays for Brimstone Smoke. In his free time, Greg enjoys bass fishing.

In August 2002, Greg conceived the idea for a paintball game on Xbox. He partnered with his friends Jeff Connelly, Sky Kensok, Patrick Moynihan, and their team at The Whole Experience (WXP), a videogame developer based in Seattle, Wash. Greg also brought together a team of the top professional paintball players to be featured in the game, with the goal of providing them an opportunity to develop their careers and promote the sport of paintball.

After 30 trips to Seattle from his home in New Jersey in a little more than two years, Greg's vision of an Xbox paintball game was realized with the launch of Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball . Based on the initial strong sales, this title is expected to go Platinum on Xbox.

The game has received positive reviews from many gaming sites, including a nomination by GameSpot for Most Surprisingly Good Game of 2004. The game is also popular on Xbox Live .

About Keely Watson
Keely Watson started playing paintball with her family more than 10 years ago. Her first team was appropriately named "The Family." She has also played for Team Maxim and the all-female Femmes Fatales.

Recently graduating from the University of San Diego with degrees in both Spanish and communications, Watson is now working for Paintball Sports Promotions doing event planning, marketing, and public relations.

Watson is the spokesmodel for Dye Precision and has produced her own calendar for the last two years. In addition, she models outside of paintball and has worked for companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Audi, and Maxim in both the United States and Hong Kong.

About Pete “Mr. U” Utschig
Pete “Mr. U” Utschig first played paintball in the woods with his friends at age 15. In the same year, Mr. U began playing tournament paintball and joined the New York-based pro team Ground Zero at age 17. While playing with Ground Zero, Mr. U won the World Championship and the Millennium Series.

Mr. U graduated from Mercy College in New York with a degree in elementary education. He was teaching special education students in middle school and continuing his education at Columbia University Graduate School in 2001. Following the tragedy of September 11, Mr. U left his job teaching, interrupted his paintball career, and entered the New York City Fire Academy.

He is currently stationed at Engine 16 Ladder 7 and plays for New York Extreme, which changed their name from Ground Zero after September 11.

About Chris LaSoya
Chris LaSoya was first introduced to paintball more than 18 years ago by his father. He has played for several of the top teams, including All Americans, Washington Reign, Chicago Aftershock, Image, Avalanche, and Miami Effect. LaSoya has won World Championships and tournaments around the globe, including major tournaments in eight different countries.

LaSoya now plays on the team that he owns, Team Infamous. On the side, he produces concerts and enjoys snowboarding.

About Alex Fraige
Alex Fraige grew up in Northern California playing paintball with his friends and teammates Oliver Lang, Ryan Greenspan, and Josh Rau. Alex is the backbone, founder, owner, and captain of Team Dynasty, which has won the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) series championship in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Team Dynasty also competes internationally and has won the Millennium Series in Europe.

Alex loves punk rock, paintball, and video games. As demonstrated by the mohawk on his Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball character, Alex has a rebellious spirit.

About Oliver Lang
Oliver Lang played for the legendary Ironmen team at age 17. The Ironmen are the only paintball team to win the World Cup and NPPL series championship in the same year. In 2002, Oliver rejoined his friends and helped start Team Dynasty.

Oliver has received the Player of the Year Award in 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2004. With his tournament prize money and paintball clinics, Oliver has been fortunate to make a career in paintball. He loves the sport more than anything. It is his passion and pleasure.

About Nicky Cuba
Nicky Cuba started playing paintball when he was 11 years old. He was lucky enough to grow up next to a paintball store that was 10 feet from his house, which helped keep him out of trouble and focus on playing paintball and his schoolwork.

Nicky won the World Championship playing with Ground Zero in 2001. With his buddies Rich Telford and Matty Marshall, Nicky helped to form the team XSV, which was the number-two-ranked team in the 2004 NPPL season standings. Nicky enjoys traveling with his friends and playing basketball in his spare time.

If you get the chance to play against the paintball masters, we want to hear about it! E-mail xlmail@microsoft.com and tell us what happened. Don't forget to include your Gamertag and hometown

Paintball.com - How to go about getting sponsored

Wie erfragt man ein Sponsoring oder besser, wie sollte man es nicht machen. Darüber berichtet heute die Website Paintball.com, wir haben den Artikel für Euch.

Now some of you may have called and asked for a sponsorship of some kind. You want to hear the most common answer when I say "sure what do you guys want?"

A : Lots of free stuff!!!
B : Free paint!!!
C : Our entry fee paid!!!
D : Uh...umm...uh... I don't know...

The answer is not A , nor is it C , nor is it B ... yup the answer 99.99% of the time is D !!! Can you believe that? The most common answer is D !!!

My rant is this... some of you don't know how to ask a person for a sponsorship. Answer D just drives me up the wall. In fact some of you don't even know what it means to get sponsored. And it's frustrating. It frustrates me cuz I'm the guy that gets tons of phone calls, paper mail, and emails asking for "sponsorship" and the problem is you don't even know what "sponsorship" means!

To be sponsored is a business deal where the Sponsor gives the Sponseree money, deals, or anything else so that the Sponsor makes that money back and some. There... to the point that is all that it means or is.

Now, please read what I have prepared for you all and take it to heart. Please copy and paste my words of wisdom to all the paintball messageboards everywhere. This is free advice that could raise you and your team some money! So please, no more emails or phone calls or letters unless they are professional!!! If you do send an email or letter, please leave contact information (like an email address or phone number.) Even still, emails and paper mail usually will end up in the garbage so a face to face is the best way to approach a potential sponsor.

You want to be specific with what you want. Don't be broad cuz your request for sponsorship will just go in the garbage.

IE Local business: like car dealerships and restaurants- approach these guys with a monetary amount like your entry fees. If entry fees are $150 per event each month then ask them for $150 per event. Just make sure that you bust your butt advertising for them in return so you can renew that sponsorship the following year. If they decline, go onto the next business. KEY POINT, YOU ARE OUT THERE TO MAKE THEM MONEY.

Paintball Stores- don't ask for anything right off the bat, you will look like moochers and will be detested for it. Instead help them out first. Send business their way... be at the store and offer to clean the bathroom or take out the garbage, vacuum, sweep, dust, whatever... make your team a presence that shows that you care about that store. Become friends with the owner, bring them something to eat. Very quickly, you will find that they will hook you up with discounts (deep discounts) for helping out and caring.

Paintball field- once again, don't ask for anything right off the bat or you will be detested as a moocher. Instead play and support that field as much as possible. Just help out with reffing, picking up garbage, offering to do maintenance, clean up, clean rental guns and masks, and just show the owners that you care. Become friends with the owners and you will also see discounts.

Paintball stores and fields are wierd in the business sense. Not too many will pay outright for help but will sure as hell barter whatever they can for help. Doesn't cost out of direct pocket for you or the owners.

Trust me, it is much easier to "hook up" a friend that shows that they care for the business than it is to hook up a stranger that all of a sudden emails right out of the blue.

Out of paintball businesses- hit them up for money and be specific to how much you need, not want. If you need $3000 a month to support a team then ask for $3000. If you only need $150 a month then ask for $150 and back up why you need those amounts.

Keep this in mind, if you can help your sponsors make 10 times the amount of what they gave, you are sure to get money. Be ready to back up, with facts, how you will do this... not "uh well... uh... well... uh... what do you want us to do... uh..."

There are so many ways that you can get money if you just work at it.... unfortunately too many of you fail by not getting off your lazy butts to do anything for it or by not even trying. And some of you just down right just piss off the business owners from ever wanting to ever help a team out. So plan your strategy smartly and then execute it. Don't waste business owners' time and energy for the rest of us. Nothing is worse than a phone calling asking for sponsorship and not knowing what you want.

Wuchiu -- a paintball and Matsu hub?

CNA , TAIPEI

Monday, Jan 10, 2005,Page 10 Advertising The Executive Yuan is eyeing the tiny islet of Wuchiu -- located between Matsu and Kinmen -- as a possible new tourist attraction, as well as a religious site for followers of the goddess Matsu.

With its beautiful coastline and relatively clean water, Wuchiu -- which is under the jurisdiction of the Kinmen County Government -- could be turned into a tourist attraction.

This was especially because of streets with old stone cabins of unknown origin, said Executive Yuan tourism spokesman Chang Ching-sen (±i´º´Ë) on Sunday after making a trip to the outlying islet last Tuesday.

Wuchiu, with its unique military history and infrastructure, including buildings, could also be turned into a recreational center for those younger people interested in informal combat training and playing war games, Chang said.

The tiny island of 1.2km2 could also be turned into a religious center, taking advantage of its proximity to Fujian Province's Meizhou City, where Matsu is said to have originated, Chang said.

Thousands of worshippers of Matsu would see their annual pilgrimage to China considerably shortened if they could proceed to Meizhou City via Taichung and Wuchiu, he added.

Wuchiu's name hit the front pages of newspapers a few years ago after it was chosen by Taipower ( ¥x¹q ) as a dump site for its nuclear waste. The plan was aborted after opposition from locals and the central government.
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Vengeance Paintball Distributors & East Coast Paintball Ink Tournament Deal

By Steve Davidson

Vengeance Paintball Distributors, the Southeastern Distributor for X.O. Industries paints (Hot Box, Velocity, Menace and Vein) are pleased to announce the signing of a tournament support deal with East Coast Paintball, one of the premiere competition fields on Florida's North East coast.

East Coast Paintball – well known as a center of X-Ball activity and a regular practice site for the Doc's Raiders team – will be hosting a series of tournaments throughout the 2005 season, including rookie, novice, amateur 3, 5 and 7 player events, X-Ball events and several other ‘concept' events.

Beginning with a 5 player Rookie and Novice event to be hosted on February 12th, 2005, with a MINIMUM prize package value of $5,000, the series will feature X.O. Industries paints at $65 and $70 per case, refereeing that is independent of any teams competing and relatively low cost entry and air fill packages.

The February 12th tournament will be the first of the East Coast Tournament Series, with additional prizes, bragging rights and trophies given to the Series champion as well as the usual prizes and trophies awarded  at each event.

First place prizes for February 12th include a PAID entry to Skyball 8 and a PAID entry to IAPTE.

Additional prizes currently include packs, loaders, paint, barrels, apparel and entry fees to future events.

Vengeance is looking forward to an exciting 2005.  Be a part of it!

For more information, please contact Vengeance Paintball Distributors at (386) 437-7220 and Steve@VengeancePaintballDistributors.com or East Coast Paintball at (386) 749-4680 or ecpaintballemail@aol.com .

Paintball vandals hit two area towns

MARIAVILLE - Deputies at the Hancock County Sheriff's Department are searching for whoever went on a paintball spree this weekend, spraying several homes and public buildings in Otis and Mariaville. The vandals hit buildings on a circular route that took in Routes 180 and 181 in the two towns, according to Deputy Shane Campbell.


Starting at the junction of the two roads, they struck the Otis Church, a residence on Rocky Cover Road, the telephone company building, the sign at the Beech Hill School and three other residences on Route 180.

It then appears they cut across Piles Road, where they struck one house and then headed south on Route 181 where they hit four more houses and the Mariaville town office.

According to Campbell, the vandalism probably took place late Friday night.

"Several people heard it happen, but did not report it until the next day," he said. "If they had called, we might have been able to catch up with them that night."

This has been an ongoing problem in the area, Campbell said. No permanent damage was done to the homes, but the owners may face some cleanup costs.

Deputies have no suspects but are following leads. The case remains under investigation.

Taunton couple faces drug dealing charges

By Terence J. Downing, Enterprise staff writer
TAUNTON — A woman who is in her 9th month of pregnancy and her boyfriend were charged Friday with dealing crack cocaine and OxyContin near a school, police said.

Jessica Brady, 26, of 11 Highland Court, and her boyfriend, Domingo Jenkins, 29, of 816 County St., are accused of dealing crack cocaine Thursday night near St. Mary's School.

Detective Sgt. Michael Grundy, head of the vice unit, said Friday that Brady was released on personal recognizance after her arrest because she is about to have a baby.

"She is due any moment," said Grundy.

Patrolman Robert Kramer, who is working with the Drug Enforcement Agency, said he found 22 OxyContin tablets in Brady's left sock when she was being processed at the police station.

She was also charged with possession of two rocks of crack cocaine, Grundy said.

Police said they found a large bag of crack cocaine on Jenkins and they confiscated $800 in cash.

The incident began around 8:40 p.m. when Kramer saw Brady and Domingos in a car near Governor Street, which is across from Morton Hospital and near St. Mary's.

The car stopped and an unidentified male approached the vehicle, which Brady was driving. Jenkins was the passenger.

Grundy said the male approached the driver's side of the car and handed money to Brady.

Jenkins then reached over and handed drugs to the male, police said.

Kramer believed it to be a drug transaction, based on his training and the fact that Brady and Jenkins are known to police for drug activity, Grundy said.

Kramer radioed Grundy and they followed Brady and Jenkins to Highland Court, where they were stopped by police.

Police were assisted at the scene by vice Detective Christopher Williams and several deputy sheriffs.

Jenkins was arraigned in Taunton District Court Friday on charges of distribution of cocaine, drug violation near a school or park, conspiracy to violate a drug law and possession of marijuana.

Judge Brian Rowe ordered him held at the Bristol County House of Correction on $1,000 cash bail or $15,000 surety and his case was continued to Feb. 3.

Brady was arraigned on charges of drug violation near school or park, possession to distribute Oxycontin, distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to violate a drug law. Her case was continued by Judge Rowe to Feb. 16.

Police Investigate Paintball Vandals

Dozens Of Complaints Received

BOSTON -- Vandals armed with paintball and air guns are targeting windows in cars and houses in three towns south of Boston, police said Friday.

NewsCenter 5's Pam Cross reported that police have received dozens of complaints from residents in Bridgewater, West Bridgewater and Brockton.

Police believe that the incidents are random acts of violence.

"It's extremely frustrating. It makes you feel unsafe," said Bridgewater, Mass., resident Robert Korvitz.

Two nights ago, something was fired at his family room.

"You can see where it hit, and again, we were lucky that it didn't break the window and it wasn't earlier because that is where the family room is and there are people usually in there," Korvitz said.

About 15 houses and cars have been hit with air gun blasts since New Year's Day in Bridgewater. In West Bridgewater, paintball guns are the weapons of choice, where at least 15 homes have been hit.

Resident Robert Smith took pictures of the blue splatters left on the front of his house.

"They were hard enough so that they shook the wall of the house when they hit. It is amazing that one of them, that hit glass, didn’t break the glass," Smith said.

"There are no suspects. We received information about a possible vehicle, but it is conflicting from the different people we hear from. The surrounding towns all seem to be having the same problem. It's localized to a particular area of our community," West Bridgewater Police Department Lt. Raymund Rogers said.

There have been no injuries in any of the incidents.
Copyright 2005 by TheBostonChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Low Country Paintball signs deal with TC Paintball for 2005 Free Finale

Low Country Paintball's Billy Smith has signed a deal with TC Paintballs to be the only vendor for paint at the 2005 Free Finale.  The Free Finale had its' inaugural event in December 2004, drawing 750 players from literally all over the world to participate.

The Free Finale broke the mold for most scenario events, allowing players to bring their own paint.  Several vendors attended, including Vengeance Paintball Distributors, Archon Paintball, TC Paintball, and General Chester's Paintball.  For the 2005 event, TC Paintball will be the only vendor on the premises to sell paint, with pricing starting at $25 a case for white box, and moving up from there for the different grades of paint that TC Produces.  Players will still be allowed to bring their own paint, which is a hallmark of the Free Finale.

At the 2004 Free Finale, NOCER Productions announced that they would be writing and producing the game for 2005.  It was recently announced that Ben Torricelli of Millennium Paintball Productions would join NOCER in writing and producing the 2005 event as well.

For more information on The Free Finale, go to www.thefreefinale.com , and for more information on TC Paintballs, check out www.tcpaintballs.com .

Paintball guns target of burglary

By Carrie Petersen
Albany Democrat-Herald

Eleven paintball guns were taken from Albany Outdoor Paintball sometime Monday night.

The burglars entered a shed on the property, at 150 41st Ave. S.E., through an unlocked window and broke into a padlocked freezer that was being used as a safe, according to an Albany police report.

Business owner Lee Ingram said the building had motion detector lights, but that the light bulbs had been unscrewed.


Ingram, who lives on the property, said he heard his dog barking during the night and went outside about four times with a flood light and shotgun but did not notice anything suspicious.

Tuesday morning he realized the building had been ransacked and items were missing.

According to the police report, the missing items were 10 Tippmann Prolite guns, one silver Tippmann 98 Custom gun, 10 black C02 tanks, and a repair box with miscellaneous parts. The total value is $2,995.

Ingram said he later noticed that 500 paintballs worth $25 had also be taken.

Ingram called the Tippmann Prolite guns "old-fashioned" and said no one would want them compared to the styles and technology of recent paintball guns.

He said the guns are worth about $250 each to him because they are high-quality for rentals and he does maintenance on them every time they are used.

Ingram said he would be surprised if anyone selling the guns on the street could get more than $25 for one of them.

The most unique feature about the guns is that they have a shoulder strap, something the newer guns do not have.

"Any gun out there with a shoulder strap is probably mine," Ingram said.

Police have no suspects in the burglary.