Friday, December 31, 2010

Paintball Headlines

Paintball Headlines


Design a Dye NT Contest

Posted: 30 Dec 2010 12:48 PM PST

Dye is having a contest where you can design a NT. The winner of the contest will recieve a Dye NT with their design.

The deadline is January 31, 2011.
Designs are posted to the Dye website and voted on. A panel of Dye members will vote amongst the highest rated designs in order to narrow it down to 10 top designs. Then the top 10 designs will be voted on by the public to determine the winner.


Statement from Lane Wright

Posted: 30 Dec 2010 12:33 PM PST

My name is Lane Wright. Some of you will recognize me as “the guy who runs PSP”. More specifically, I am the Chief Operating Officer for PSP Events, LLC. I am also a partner in the corporation. So, in layman terms, I am one of the owners of PSP and the guy who runs the day-to-day operations of the company.

Lots of you may not realize that I got into paintball as a player. No matter what level of player you may be within this game, I was once just like you. I played recreationally. I played on a scenario team. I played local tournaments in the beginning. I worked my way through the ranks of tournament play from the bottom to eventually playing on professional teams and traveling the world competing at the highest level. I’ve served as coach and organizer for a local team of kids and was the captain of one of the greatest pro teams in the sport.

I also ran local events of all kinds, regional tournaments, and International tournaments. I’ve owned stores, small fields, large fields, worked in the manufacturing side of the industry, etc. I came into the position that led to my running PSP through my work as one of the players selected by my peers to represent them in talks with the owners of the events about how the league was being run. In other words, I was one of the representatives selected by the players in the NPPL to do battle with the PSP. I was there to tell them how to run the events from the players’ point of view. As I listened and learned what actually went on to make the events happen, I realized I could do more good from the inside than from the outside.

This isn’t about my life story. But I do believe some history is worth mentioning so people can see who it is that makes the decisions that take this company and league forward.

Today – and this is what matters – I work day in and day out to assure PSP Events, LLC functions to the best of its abilities at running paintball competitions throughout the United States. That includes overseeing the venues, rules, formats, classifications, structure, scheduling, etc. I also have to consider the economic situation within which we operate these events. There is a business that needs to function in order for any of the aforementioned to take place.

I believe that PSP has facilitated the operational side of the tournaments quite well. Based on the feedback we receive from changes we have implemented, it seems the players are so satisfied with the current product, that they want no change. That is a positive. But it is only one side of the issue.

The other side of the issue is the business that has to function behind, or along side, the events.

As everyone is aware, the economy is abysmal. All indicators are that the best-case scenario is a slow and painful path back to recovery. PSP is caught in this phenomenon with everyone else.

While most of you seem to be appreciative of the way the tournaments have been run, I have to take the current state of PSP’s financial situation, and the predictable future financial situation into consideration on a daily basis. Without a sound financial plan in place, the events cannot and will not continue to happen.

Every business runs with some set of financial considerations. Those considerations consist of two basic parts – income and expense. Obviously, when expense exceeds income, the business either adapts or dies.

PSP’s income has dropped for 5 consecutive years. I have adjusted our expenses, to the best of my ability, accordingly.

PSP’s income will drop again in 2011. It will drop significantly.

PSP’s income has always come from 2 sources – the players and the industry.

The economy has taken a toll on the player’s wallet. The economy has devastated the industry’s financial situation. Both of which bode poorly for PSP’s ability to maintain a solvent business. And a solvent business is absolutely pertinent to PSP running the events.

I cannot fix the economy. I cannot fix the industry. I cannot fix the current players financial situation.

I take the projected costs of running PSP for 2011 as the starting point for my business plan. I subtract the amount of money that I can reasonably expect from the ailing industry. The balance is the amount of money needed from the teams/players. If I take that number and divide it by the number of teams I can expect to attend the events – it simply is an unreasonable expectation to believe those teams can pay that amount of money.

That is the reality of the dilemma PSP is faced with, and the dilemma that you as players are faced with – whether you see it or believe it or not.

I cannot get more money from the industry. It doesn’t exist. I don’t believe there is a lot more money that can come from the teams. I have cut costs to the point that any additional cost cutting would jeopardize the ability of the company to provide even reasonably sufficient events for the people who pay to be there.

The only reasonable option I see is to try to increase the appeal of our events to a greater number of people. This will make them more willing to contribute entry fees into the event.

That’s what I am trying to do.

As I said earlier, our attendance has dropped over the past few years. Some of that has to do with the economy. Some of that has to do with the way we have structured the format.

There is little that I can do with the economy and it’s impact on teams. But I can try to make it so that some teams can feel they have a reasonable expectation of being competitive while spending a little less money in the process. I believe that not having the event specific layout available months prior to the tournament will allow teams who do not have the financial ability to run full on scrimmages 5 times before an event feel more likely to be at least competitive enough to attend.

At the same time, the teams who have been attending 1 event in a season may now enter 2 events in a season as the cost of practice will lessen being there is no means or reason to shoot tons of paint at another team in 5 full on scrimmages on the layout. Teams can just go practice paintball.

There are also people who have stopped playing our events because of the physical demands of the format. I’m not willing to completely undo what we have created. Again, I believe that we provide the format that gives the best team the best chance at winning the events. Obviously, a lot of you feel the same way too. The problem is that there are not enough of us who feel that way to pay for it to be that way. We need help.

I am trying to compromise in order to get that help.

Lengthening the fields and adjusting the bunker placement are efforts to give a wider variety of people a sense that they can now be a little more competitive. This is in hopes that they will once again start to make the choice to attend the events. We had all shapes, sizes, and ages in the events 10 years ago. Changes were made and these made people stop coming. At this point, I’m not willing to make wholesale changes back to 1999. I like what we do today. But, if I want to keep what we are doing alive, I see the need to compromise. We need some of those people back in the sport at this level to sustain it.

There are people who hold the good ol’ days of paintball near and dear to their heart. Nostalgia is a prevalent “emotion” in all sports. It was awesome for us. Today seems awesome for some of you. The difference is that back then – the game thrived. Today the sport is not only not thriving; it’s not even stagnant. It is absolutely in decline. And to put it bluntly, in it’s current position it isn’t sustainable. There are simply not enough people willing to play in the current format to pay the cost of having the events.

I do not agree entirely with the mentality that coaching and crowd participation has taken the skill out of the game. I see people play with coaching and can easily recognize those with skill sets beyond others still win. PERIOD. Even with that said, there is an aspect of the format that we play that keeps others from feeling their skill set – the mental capacity to read an opponents and adjust accordingly – is no longer tangible. I see that as well. We need those people to come back into this sport. Those people, by and large, are a little older, a little slower, and possibly a little less fit. They have learned to use their mind where their body can’t get the job done. They are out there. They played before. They enjoyed it. We need them back. And, again, by in large, these are the types of people who have money to contribute. I am not willing to completely upend the competitive integrity of the format to include them. But, I do see the need to try to adjust some of the things we are doing to get some of them back into our sport. We do need those players.

Taking pit side coaching out of the format will allow some of the people opposed to the format to see a way to get back in. It will be an adjustment for those who are used to having it. PSP will be considerate of that adjustment period. The best teams will win. The best players will shine. The tournaments will still be entertaining, fun, and competitive.

Tournament paintball has been around longer than most of our current players have been alive. It flourished on huge fields, with no coaching, and before anyone ever heard of a layout.

Teams practiced. Fields not only survived; they grew exponentially. Good teams became great teams. Players practiced and got better. Great players developed and became recognized for their talents. Everything players should want today has happened forever and will continue to happen, so long as there is a means for paying for it to happen.

That’s all I am trying to do. I am trying to find a way to pay for these events. The industry is no longer willing or able to subsidize the entry fees with the money needed to make these events happen. The current player doesn’t have the money to contribute to make up for the loss of industry money we are experiencing. I am trying to get more people to see this as a viable source of entertainment worthy of their contribution so that we can stay around.

Some of you see this as taking steps backwards. So be it. I don’t agree. But even if I did, I see nothing wrong with taking a step back to sustain ourselves so that we live to have a chance to eventually go forward again. Hopefully, we will do just that. As long as I’m making the decisions here, I intend to go forward with the best of intentions for the sport and the players in mind. I intend to use the experiences of the past to not repeat mistakes. I intend to look at the reality of what we are faced with and make the correct adjustments. I intend to give the sport the best opportunity to be all it can be. Just as I have been doing, just as I am doing today. It won’t always be easy. It won’t always please everyone. No different than in the past and no different than it is today.

Paintball as you know it today has evolved. In the ideal world there would be thousands of teams clamoring for the chance to play at the national level. This would allow the subsequently thriving industry to be in the position to kick in the big bucks PSP would be able to charge them. Such a world could attract outside money to subsidize event costs. And the costs associated with playing at the top would be minimal for the teams as they would be the stars of the sport. But the reality of the matter is this simply isn’t the case. Chasing that dream, while noble and enchanting, is simply not prudent today. I’m not letting go of the goal. I’m simply realizing that we have to survive today if we ever hope to achieve it in the future. Survival today means we need to open up the revenue stream to more people. To do that – changes have to be made.

Right now, there are things that inhibit lots of people who are competitive by nature and who like the sport of paintball from coming into the PSP. There are others that the nature of the current format chew them up and spit them out. I am trying to change that while having the least amount of negative impact possible. It is my sincere hope that all of you as players and supporters of the PSP will give these changes time to take effect and in the meantime will continue to support and enjoy competing in the PSP.

TL;DR PSP is in a financial downfall and the 2011 changes are an attempt to remedy the situation by attracting more people play PSP.


Friday, December 24, 2010

Paintball Headlines

Paintball Headlines


Tippmann Buys NXe

Posted: 23 Dec 2010 11:59 AM PST

Tippmann Sports has acquired NXe, a manufacturer of soft goods for the paintball industry. The acquisition combines the industry's leading paintball marker brand with the leading soft goods brand. A full line of paintball harnesses, protective gear, tank covers, apparel, bags, pods and other miscellaneous accessories will be immediately integrated into Tippmann's existing product offering.

Howard Kosick, President and CEO of Tippmann, commented, "By acquiring NXe, we're adding a well-known and respected brand to our portfolio with a strong reputation for innovation and quality – two credentials Tippmann has maintained for more than 25 years. This move provides us with a comprehensive new product offering as well as access to NXe's factories, both of which are extremely valuable."

John Bosch, President of NXe, added, "It is with some sadness that we sell NXe, a company we built from the ground up over the past six years. But, it's time to focus on our other businesses and we're very excited that a company with the reputation of Tippmann will continue to carry on the NXe tradition. We really couldn't have asked for a better situation."


New Bunkers for NPPL

Posted: 23 Dec 2010 11:55 AM PST

Sup-Air the official bunker sponsor of the National Professional Paintball League has created a new NPPL bunker kit for the 2011 tournament season. Together the NPPL and Sup Air have decided to eliminate the center U. The League will also eliminate two small cakes and one small dorito from the 2010 field. The new upgrade kit will replace these obstacles with two large cubes and two giant wings. The Official 2011 NPPL Field will still have 44 bunkers, eliminating 3 small bunkers plus the U and replace with 2 Giant wings and 2 large cubes. The 2011 field will offer many different options for the NPPL Field Design Committee to create dynamic play fields. The goal is to provide larger bunkers on the field making it harder to get eliminations off the break and promote longer games.

2011 NPPL field: (44 bunkers)
4 Temples
4 Mayan Temples
6 Giant Beams
4 Cakes
4 Cylinders
4 Medium Cylinders
4 Medium Doritos
4 Small Doritos
2 Bumpers
4 Bricks
2 NPPL Cubes
2 Giant Wings (center bunkers)
New for the season 2011:
2 Giant Wings
2 NPPL Cubes


2011 NPPL Schedule

Posted: 23 Dec 2010 11:52 AM PST

Event 1 Surf City USA Open Huntington Beach, CA. April 1st – 3rd.

Event 2 Chicago, IL May 20th-22nd

Event 3 Washington D.C. September 16th – 18th

Event 4 Las Vegas, NV November 11th- 13th


Friday, December 10, 2010

Paintball Headlines

Paintball Headlines


Changes for 2011 PSP Season

Posted: 09 Dec 2010 11:33 AM PST

PSP thought that the field set ups and game play were a bit sided. They have decided to make some pretty big changes for the 2011 season so that the game is more even.

- Lengthen the field 10 feet per side (Total size will now be 120 x 170 feet)
- Eliminate Pit-side coaching and communication
- Field Layouts will not be released prior to the events
- Adjust position of bunkers to better suit a wider variety of players
- Adjust classification system for D1 – Pro, now that the Semi-Pro division is absent

This should definitely change the game this season. Especially since the field layout won’t be released until the event (get to see what teams and players can learn quickly). Bunker positioning to accommodate larger players could make it easier for the small players to move up. And the elimination of pit side coaching and communication shouldn’t really affect d3 and d4 5-man teams but x-ball teams might have some adjusting to do.


Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Paintball Headlines

Paintball Headlines


PSP World Cup Hotels

Posted: 23 Aug 2010 03:12 PM PDT

Hampton Inn Orlando-Walt Disney World® Resort Maingate South

44117 U.S. Highway 27 North
Davenport, FL 33897
863-420-9898

$69.99/night (Ask for “paintball event” rate)

- Complimentary Breakfast
- Free Internet
- Fitness Center

Days Inn & Suites – Lakeland

4502 N. Socrum Loop Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
Hotel: 863-683-5095 FAX: 863-577-4180

$55/night for 2 standard beds (1-2 people)
$65/night for king suites (1-2 people)
*$5 charge per additional person per night
(Ask for “Paintball Tournament group rate”)

- Free Breakfast
- Free Internet
- Microwave
- Fridge
- 24hr swimming pool
- Fitness center
- Business Center

The Terrace Hotel
329 East Main Street
Lakeland, Florida 33801
863-688-0800

$79/night (Ask for “Paintball World Cup Group Rate”)

- Free Breakfast
- Valet Service
- Room Service
- Internet
- Afternoon Snacks (I don’t know if these are free or not but if they just put some snacks out for their guests in the afternoon, that’s pretty damn cool)
- Happy hour (M-F 4pm-7pm)

The Comfort Inn & Suites Maingate South
4095 Hotel Drive
Davenport, FL 33897
(863) 353-4510

$49.99/night (Ask for PSP World Cup Rate)

- Fridge
- Microwave
- Free Internet
- Complimentary Breakfast
- Business Center
- Fitness Center
- Pool
- Laundry Facilities


NPPL Las Vegas Layout

Posted: 23 Aug 2010 02:48 PM PDT




Saturday, August 21, 2010

Paintball Headlines

Paintball Headlines


PSP World Cup Layout

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 10:21 AM PDT




Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Paintball Headlines

Paintball Headlines


PSP MAO Results

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 11:31 AM PDT

Pro:

1 – Boston Red Legion
2 – Edmonton Impact
3 – San Diego Aftermath
4 – Los Angeles Ironmen

D1:

1 – Chattanooga CEP
2 – Total Karnage Orlando
3 – Hurricanes
4 – New Jersey Jesters

D2:

1 – upton 187 crew
2 – Arsenal Predators
3 – Mirabel Impact
4 – Senate

D3:

1 – D.C. Monstars
2 – Boom II
3 – NCPA All-Stars
4 – Underdogs

D4:

1 – Annihilators EDGE
2 – Avarice
3 – NJ Jesters Kids
4 – Goon Squad

D3 5-man:

1 – Golden State Pirates
2 – Detroit Action
3 – MLP
4 – L A S T C A L L

D4 5-man:

1 – Atlanta Breakout
2 – Wreckage Crew
3 – Richmond Rage
4 – XCAVATORS


Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Paintball Headlines

Paintball Headlines


Heat Warnings from PSP

Posted: 09 Aug 2010 10:31 AM PDT

The National Weather Service has categorized this week’s hot and humid weather for Rock Hill, South Carolina as the highest category of danger in the Heat Index which is “Extremely Dangerous” and that “Heat Stroke or Sunstroke are likely (Not “possible” but ‘LIKELY’) for anyone with prolonged exposure outdoor and/or outdoor physical activity”.

And guess what? You’re doing both. So read on…

Hundreds of people die each year from exposure to heat. Our bodies dissipate heat by varying the rate and depth of blood circulation, by losing water through the skin and sweat glands, and as a last resort, by panting, when blood is heated above 98.6°F.

Sweating cools the body through evaporation. However, high relative humidity retards evaporation, robbing the body of its ability to cool itself. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, body temperature begins to rise, and heat-related illnesses and disorders may develop.

This is what we need you to do:

1) No kids. Children ages 4 and under are especially vulnerable to overheating because their bodies do not adjust to temperatures as well as adults. We strongly advice parents to NOT bring children under the age of 4 or Senior Citizens to our event this weekend, due to the extreme heat.

2) No energy drinks and/or pop. Slam as much water as you can and remember to mix in Gatorade or Pedialite to replenish your electrolytes. When exercising in this level of heat you need to drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.

3) Try to rest often in shady areas. If you begin to feel light headed, let someone know, lay down in the shade and have them bring you water and ice chips.

4) Wear a hat and sunscreen. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

5) Wear minimal clothing between games to provide greater skin surface area for heat dissipation. Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing to reflect the sun’s rays. Wear clothing made of a material that absorbs water, such as cotton.

6) Let your teammates play. Know when to say ‘no’ and sit a point out. Use common sense to prevent heat stress and an ambulance ride to the Emergency Room.

And if it’s too late, this is what you’ll need to do…

Heatstroke
Heatstroke is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms can include confusion, an altered mental state, unconsciousness and hot, dry skin. Call 911 but do not give fluids, which can cause seizures.

Heat exhaustion
This can include cramps, as well as heavy sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, paleness, and breathing and heart-rate changes. People suffering heat exhaustion need to bring their body temperature down by going to a cool place out of the sun, removing excess clothing and placing cool (but not very cold) towels on the extremities. Parents can also mist children with water and fan them dry, give them small sips of water or sports drinks, or provide ice chips to suck on.

Be cautious not to drink too much, however. If symptoms don’t improve with these steps, seek medical help.

Heat cramps (stomach, arms or legs)
These are caused by electrolyte imbalances. Treat them by simply resting in a cool place and hydrating with a sports drink.

Sunburn
Sunburns diminish the skin’s ability to regulate temperature. If children are in pain, cool the skin with moist cloths. Be careful with cooling sprays, however, which often contain alcohol and can dry the skin even more. Take sunburned children to the doctor if they are under 1 year old or if they develop severe blisters. Never pop blisters or cover them in butter (an old folk remedy). To treat less serious blisters, people can use an ordinary, fragrance-free moisturizer.

Heat Rash
Some heat-related problems are more serious than others. Heat rashes are the least serious problem, appearing as red, pimply spots in areas that tend to sweat a lot, such as the chest or neck. People can treat a heat rash by cooling or powdering the area.

You’ve practiced, saved money and worked too hard to come to this point and lose an event because you didn’t get enough sleep the night before, weren’t eating/drinking correctly and are simply out played by a healthier team. PLEASE take these precautions seriously and make sure your teammates do as well!

Information provided by the National Weather Service


NPPL DC Challenge Results

Posted: 09 Aug 2010 10:22 AM PDT

Pro:

1 – Tampa Bay Damage
2 – LA Infamous
3 – San Diego Dynasty
4 – Portland Naughty Dogs

D1:

1 – Arsenal Predators
2 – Warped Army
3 – Dogs Silver

D2:

1 – One 18
2 – Obnoxious
3 – Infamy
4 – Paradox

D3:

1 – Noobies
2 – Tlords
3 – Wiseguys
4 – Minions

D4:

1 – Iron Legion
2 – Justice Kidz
3 – TCP H8 Factory
4 – PB Warehouse Factory

Pump:

1 – Vigilante
2 – Top Gun FP & PL Scrubs
3 – Milaauakee Throwback
4 – Blind Aggression