Paintball Journal

NPPL has released the field layouts for the 2007 Huntington Beach event. Most are pretty generic, snake side and dorito with stuff in between. You know, the usual layout. But then there were two that caught my eye: the Spyder Field and the Bawls Field.

The Spyder field is just down right weird for an NPPL event. It has like…this diamond thing made up of pipe bunkers, or whatever you’d like to call them, sitting right on the entire left side of the field, right on the fifty. That’s not real uncommon, but then they have another pipe connecting the left side doll house to a right fifty stand up wedge. Bah, I can’t explain it, just look at the picture!

The Bawls Field has a double snake going, but both are fairly short. It seems like an interesting field to play, and should match up some wicked battles as both teams try to fit players in them.

Anyways, here are the links to the rest of the fields.

NPPL
Angel
JT
Eclipse

Evil also releasing their newest 07 Evil Minion, and what a surprise, another PM clone! Only this time I think it looks even more like the real PM! Oh well, I guess it’s still pretty cool…I guess. But seriously, I think we need some new gun designs to spice things up. The only new thing we’ve seen lately is the Mini.

And as if the school weeks don’t drag on long enough as it is, they now decide to coordinate a massive attack by giving us an AP Biology test, AP Precalc test, and then a physics test, none of which I really pay much attention too because I’m too busy doodling paintball things on my desks. Saturday won’t come soon enough, because then we’re heading up to Friendly Fire and bringing some new players along with us. Just three days left…

PBNation is also offering up another great deal! This time it’s a drawing for annual supporting members (ASM) to win a free Dangerous Power Fusion. They will be giving away two Fusions, and you must sign up for a membership by March 13, 2007 to be eligible to win. Don’t forget to read the fine print as well, because there’s plenty of it! You can find the registration details here.

What has to be the most exciting news I’ve heard all year, is that an indoor field is coming to Evansville, Indiana. It will be approximately 15 minutes from my house, about half an hour closer than any other field.

Some people from the Toyota plant north of Evansville, towards Princeton, will be running the field. Hopefully, they’ll be good field owners. Already, they’ve decided on FPO, which makes sense for a field that is just starting out. A large portion of profits come from paint sales. Just because of this, though, they can’t gouge prices, because no ‘baller is gonna pay more than $60 for a case more than once or twice.

The field will be about 120×70, with turf and airball bunkers. I honestly can’t wait for the day (tentatively scheduled for May of this year) that I will be able to leave church and go straight to the field. It’s gonna be great, a perfect three-man field for me and my team.

Real Action Paintball, popular for their realistic mil-sim styled paintball products, has now developed a fully functional 40mm paint-grenade launcher. It’s based off of the popular AK-47 paintball marker design, and is very accurate in looks compared to the real thing. They claim it can fit any AK-47 style marker as well as fires Thunder Grenade rounds, and has working, adjustable sites and safety.

This is clearly a fine achievement, and I think most people will be impressed by it. This is just one awesome reason why I wished I had the money to go out and buy everything paintball related. I don’t even play woodsball anymore and I’d still like to get one!

Here’s the official release from their site:

Real Action Paintball is proud to announce the new 40mm Grenade Launcher. This amazing new tool is designed for the AK47-style markers, or as a standalone unit. This is the first 40mm Grenade Launcher-style unit designed for AK47-style paintball markers!

The 40mm Grenade Launcher comes in two versions: one for standard .68 paintball markers, and the other, .43 caliber paintball markers. The .68 caliber version can be mounted on all .68 caliber AK47 look-a-like paintball markers!

The 40mm Grenade Launcher is made of aircraft aluminum with a functional trigger and safety switch. It also has an adjustable sight - it’s externally the spittin’ image of the real thing! They are solidly built and made to last, and RAP4 fans take heart: it’s compatible with all Thunder Grenade cartridges!

The 40mm Grenade Launcher is designed to take paintball to the next level of realism! For games with tanks or “rocket launcher rules,” get their special-color paint and prove you took out that tank with a “grenade!” Take ‘em out with the 40mm Grenade Launcher!

This is especially for the opposing force - when you want to play OpFor in realistic scenarios - so you can have a little more fun playing the bad guy. The 40mm Grenade Launcher is the first grenade launcher that is compatible with the AK47 style paintball makers, to help the bag guys enjoy the game and to give the opposing team a real challenge.

Brass Eagle is soon to release a new marker called the T-Storm tactical marker. I figure I could give them another chance at redeeming themselves from all the other worthless trash they’ve created before, so I clicked on the link. Nope. Not even close. Honestly, why do they even try anymore? They fail at paintball! They don’t even make semi-decent equipment, and yet they continue to crank out more and more junk.

The hopper, what’s up with that? It looks like it somehow defies the laws of physics because it sits a mile above the gun. Actually, looks more like a sledge hammer. Either way, it’s absolutely ridiculous. And the silver barrel? Not hardly something I’d want on my gun if I was going to be “stealthy� and all ninja leet.

I don’t care how poor you are, you do not have to buy Brass Eagle guns to play woodsball or what have you. Buy used, save just a little more money, just do not waste it on BE! You’re going to enjoy the game so much more when your gear works properly, believe me.

Here’s a link to the video ad on Google. It’s hard not to laugh.

I just found out not too long ago just how many colleges are now supporting paintball teams, and I’m guessing that this number is going to increase in the near future. Here’s one that I didn’t see coming, though. How about a $5,000 scholarship to help you along the way, offered by Brass Eagle? Sounds real good to me!

You can continue reading to read the official article, or you can find it here at the National Collegiate Paintball Association website.

With generous support from Brass Eagle, the NCPA is pleased to offer a combined total of $5,000 in scholarships towards college education. Students who are enroll in an accredited, two- or four-year program during 2006-2007 or 2007-2008 school year are eligible for scholarships to be awarded in the spring of 2006.

The primary consideration in awarding the scholarship will be a candidate’s achievements promoting a positive public image for the sport of paintball in their community. A candidate must have applied to or be attending a college, accredited trade school or university and have demonstrated scholastic ability by submitting SAT or ACT scores and transcripts of high school and any college courses taken. A candidate must demonstrate character, integrity and leadership through participation in extra curricular, civic or community activities.

Promoting a positive public image for the sport of paintball would include, but is certainly not limitted to, promoting charity paintball events, conducting paintball safety or awareness campaigns, and organizing service projects performed by and attributed to members of the paintball community.

As part of the application, candidates must write an essay, maximum 2,000 words in length, answering the following questions:

- How have your activities promoted a positive image for the sport of paintball?
- How will you continue to promote paintball’s positive image while completing your college education?

Candidates must complete and submit an application by April 1, 2007. If a recipient does not enter school within one year of receiving an award, or leaves school at any time after starting, any scholarship award may be automatically canceled.

Depending on the quality of the pool of applicants, available scholarship dollars may be split between one and five selected candidates. Scholarships awarded to candidates enrolled during the 2006-2007 school year may be applied towards the Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 semesters or 2007-2008 semesters.

Payments of scholarship awards are made only to the school upon receipt of each semester’s billings.

Candidates must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the College Scholastic Service. After the FAFSA has been processed the candidate will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in six weeks from the College Scholarship Service. A copy of both the FAFSA must be included with the application and the SAR must be forwarded to the NCPA upon receipt if not also included with the application.

This is exactly what the sport needs right now, and I’m glad to see it come from a company like Brass Eagle. It’s a very generous move on their part, and I can only hope that others follow their example. Brass Eagle, I salute your efforts!

I do love ‘07 Eclipse gear, so I searched around to find some more pics of stuff that you’ll be seeing this season.

The Gauntlet gloves sound like they might be cool, but they look like oven mitts. Which, if you’ve ever tried some on, are insanely likely to get bounces. Good thing… maybe. The gloves look comfy at the very least.

The pants look pretty sick, but many people are complaining about the sheer volume of Planet Eclipse logos. Seems like Eclipse is doing that to everything these days.

Last, but not least (especially in my case, because I still need one) are the new tank covers. All camo, they look tight. I’m definitely looking into buying one.

There are loads of things that one can wear on one’s head to protect from the inevitable headshot that will most definitely happen if one isn’t wearing anything.

Here are some ideas on what to wear (almost all of which I’ve tried at some point or another).

- Nothing! You can even try styling your hair, like Thomas Taylor or Glenn Takemoto.

- Reverse baseball cap. JP is a big fan of that. And the Cubs.

- A beanie. Always stylin’ in a beanie. Evan pimps an IU beanie most of the time these days.

- A t-shirt. Seriously, one of the more comfortable things I’ve worn about my brains over the years. However, it does tend to impede hearing.

- A sandanna. Like a bandanna, except pretty much made for paintball.

- And finally, my personal preference, a santa hat. Comfy, and looks very sexy. At least it does on me.

CFOA 2006 had some sick moments, and leave it to DerDer to capture them all on film. “Sticks and Stones” is soon to be released and by the trailer, looks like it’s gonna be a must have. I’m still amazed by “Obscure Influence” after over a dozen viewings. I’m eager to see what the latest by DerDer is gonna bring.

I don’t know, do you? It appears to me to be a Lucky Ion, completely revamped, with new uhm… EVERYTHING.

Grip frame looks like a complete departure from the stock frame, the barrel will probably be UN1tec or something like it, the trigger looks sick, like an old JT Protium or something, and the body looks like one of the best I’ve seen for the Ion.

Other notables: snatch grip, CP reg…, feedneck, grips. All looking like… well, certainly not stock.

My estimated retail price for this complete Ion: $400+.

I came across an interesting product earlier called the RAP4 Hand Grandade. It’s going to apply to scenario paintball and airsoft more than anything else, and I can see how it will add a whole new level of play to the game. This one actually seems like a promising design too.

I know the Tippmann Squad Buster we bought one time was a complete waste of five bucks! We pull the cap off and toss it up in the air. It makes a funny bounce off the ground and then sort of squirts tiny droplets of paint around in a circle. Useless; never buy them.

Here’s the article:

Real Action Paintball is proud to announce the release of the NEW, reusable, Hand Grenade. The RAP4 Hand Grenade is a safe replica of the military “pineapple” style grenades. It weighs .5lbs, and is the same width, height, and dimensions of the real thing!

The New RAP4 Hand Grenade is designed to enhance scenario games and take them to the next level of realism. The RAP4 Hand Grenade will also serve as an excellent training tool for both the military and law enforcement.

The RAP4 Hand Grenade is designed to function similarly to the real grenade - pull the pin, throw, and it detonates a few seconds later. The detonation time is adjustable from 1 to 8 seconds, and propels airsoft BBs or discharges simulated smoke. To detonate the RAP4 Hand Grenade, hold the grenade in the throwing hand, thumb over the safety lever, pull the safety pin (pull force of 5 - 10 pounds), and throw! When the spoon flips up the countdown begins!

The RAP4 Hand Grenade is powered by 134A green gas, and can also be operated with CO2 or compressed air at 75-80psi by using the AG1 grenade charger and regulator. The RAP4 Hand Grenade can be loaded with powder and 6mm airsoft BBs for different effects. The powder leaves a noticeable residue and the BBs work like the fragmentation effect of a real hand grenade.

The RAP4 Hand Grenade provides the ultimate realism in war game sports for both paintball and airsoft. It also provides the military and law enforcement a new training tool. Use it to set up booby traps, throw it, or roll it under a wall in their base - you can create realistic conditions and tactical concerns without the danger!

The ‘07 Distortion line by Planet Eclipse is looking pretty sick this year. I loved the ‘06 line, and these ‘07 jerseys blow my mind. They are that fine.

The features!

* Anti irritation transfer neck print. Actually a good feature, my JT does irritate my neck…
* Ribbed cuffs. Always… good.
* Section padded forearm protection. Nice! Padding!
* Air cool mesh venting. Good for the summa’time.
* Styled piping. Come again?
* High contrast sublimated design. Ya, aka, looks hot.
* Comfort hem finishing. Nice?
* Microfiber internal lens cloth. Whoa, so you can wipe you mask after the game? Sick!

There is a common trend occurring right now in the world of paintball fashion. We’ve all worn it before; most likely have played in it at some point or another. The object of it is to conceal yourself from your opponent, but in speedball, why does it matter? Why are the camo jerseys becoming the new rage? Hell if I know! But I do really like the looks.

We have JT, Planet Eclipse, XSV – everybody is going to camo.

JT

Planet Eclipse

XSV

I’ve even heard rumors that a lot of Pro teams are going commando this season – you know, really commando.

Or maybe not. I like the look of the camo, I can’t complain. Just two weeks ago when we were out I think I saw two or three guys already wearing the XSV pants, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about them. Actually, those pants are miracles. I don’t know how they do it, but I’ve seen some crazy bounces off them. Friend who wears them gets bunkered – shot in the leg like six times and pretty much figures he’s out. The game’s over, and he begins to check himself; not one of them broke. I really just don’t know, is that even legal?

Friendly Fire Paintball is going to host a 3-man Young Guns tournament on the 28th of this month, a Sunday. They will also host a 2-Man as well. The competition is great and the field is a great experience to play on, so if you are in the Central Illinois/Indiana area, look into it. The tournaments are open to teams under 18 years old, and there’s usually open play afterwards.

The more that show up the merrier. I think we’re planning on going just to learn – there are not too many other tournaments that only cost $20 to enter. It’ll just be like a regular day of practice, so why not give it a shot.

Here’s some pics I took of the new gear, just in case anybody was wondering. I think they are good references in size because I really hate it when the online stores give some tiny little picture and you can’t tell jack about them. So here you go.

This year, the NEPL Combine, which helps players find teams and teams find players, will have something a little extra. While having the standard drills and scrimmages for players to show off their stuff (and win an 07 Ego if they are the overall champion in the 1 on 1), there will also be a little tournament on the side.

Run by the man himself, Greg Hastings, this side tournament is strictly for paintballers who know how to ball by playing Greg Hastings’ Tournament Paintball. If anyone beats Hastings in the bonus round, they also get an autographed XSV jersey, as well as getting an Ego 07 for winning the overall tournament.

So, with autographed jerseys and two Egos up for grabs, what are you waiting for? Head to the NEPL Website for more info about registration and rules.