Stay with me for a moment, as I am going to explain some obvious things before I reach my true question; Paintball has struggled to find its identity on the main stage. Paintball has failed over the past 30 years to find some sort of uniformity other than its simplicity… point the gun.. I mean marker, pull the trigger and eliminate your opponent. For such a simple concept, much like throw a ball, kick a ball, score a touch down, or score a goal, we have failed to agree on the sports “mainstream” version we’re going to promote. NPPL, PSP, Macaroni and cheese, what have you, we have one sport, with many different leagues contending for center stage and what’s the big difference?

Are there two NFL’s? How about NBA’s? MLB’s? Why on earth are there 2 national paintball leagues and about to be a third? Where have we gone wrong here? The image paintball portrays on a national level (my opinion), is that paintball is confused as a whole. One minute it’s this, playing under these rules and the next it’s something else, kinda similar but not. Where are you paintball?

I hope this new league is as great as everyone claims. I hope it either is so amazing people switch to playing it with a sense of urgency or on the flip, it fails quickly instead of slowly drawing more and more people and the sport apart.

We need, the sport needs, uniformity if we ever want to play in the real big leagues, where money is made, where people want to watch and companies actually pay to advertise, then we need “A” standard. Until then, national leagues and the majority of “professionals” of these leagues will continue to be part time desk jockeys during the day and 30,000 dollar millionaires at night.

So, in the future, I hope someone can answer the following questions: What does this league bring that’s so different? Is it the format? Is it the cost? Is it the giant financial backing that will bring it to the mainstream? Is it the sound business plan, market research and management team thats going to develop it into a mainstream market? Is it a little different from most, just “more” fun? (which there’s nothing wrong with). Or is it truly what tournament paintball has been waiting for?

Given this is PbNation, I’m sure someone is going to read my post in a malicious manor, call me a dirty name and tell me to mind my own business (being that most know me as a figure in the outlaw ball community). I assure you that this post is not meant for that reason. I wish everyone luck, I hope it succeeds if it’s what’s good for the mass and ultimately stabilizes the tournament scene.

- Murdoc

If you remember, not long ago in a previous article I wrote, it was stated that an honest player almost needed to strap on a chastity belt before they entered a public field. Due to the wallet molesting prices and the venereal diseased players who infested those fields, the days of the 70’s free love were replaced by a post -apocalyptic paintball era, where instead of a hot chick experience, we received a rash.

Nowadays, we’ve seen the suck dissipate, and with regular penicillin treatments, the mongrels have vanished to the shadows. With the weak gone and the strong surviving, we’ve seen one miraculous thing happen… players, teams and fields have come together more now, than ever.

With the economic gremlins eating our dollars, the scene has seen some shrinkage, but what that shrinkage has created, is something beautiful. Though paintball players in the northwest have traditionally gotten along, we have seen a heightened level of love between groups, across genres, and with field owners in Oregon.

For years players have asked for BYOP (Bring Your Own Paint) and cheaper field fees. I don’t know if it’s the economy talking, but the fields and promoters have answered.

Look at High Desert Scenario (D’s Hobbies) in Bend, Oregon. They offer some of the best scenario games in the state for $10. S&F paintball, Lebanon, Or. Which recently hosted Oregon’s first “Quad Tactical Tournament” (which was a success and highly recommended), and what did they charge? You guessed it, $10 dollars, and guess what, both those places are clean, have excellent customer service and offer sweet fields.

In the Metro area, let’s look at Action Acres, they go out of their way to cater to players and teams by offering BYOP and awesome entry prices, not to mention, the customer service and lunch specials are par to none.

Impact Action Sports is new to the scene and after it’s first year in operation, it’s clear they too, are doing it right. Offering and catering to groups and events, they have become a local favorite to many. Both Impact and Action Acres have become new homes for the growing pump scene.

Sniperz Den has seen some amazing growth over the last 2 years by hosting Dan Bonebrake’s Supergame. The field owners have done some sweet construction and hands down offer the best woodsball in Oregon. With that said, most importantly, they care. The owners love to work with the players who strive to run their own events and grow the scene.

What’s the common theme here? The players have come together and are working towards a shared goal of making this scene something we want, rather than just a market.  The relationships of both players and field owners, has come so far, but we hope to see it come further. A huge thank you to the owners and players for bringing us this far.

Now, let’s talk about where we can see growth and we can do to help us reach the next level.

Paintball Suppliers, from being in the scene the time I have, I know this industry is cut throat. It’s widely known that in Oregon storeowners traditionally haven’t gotten along with each other… understandable. We can’t change that, but we’d like to see is more of a relationship between stores, fields and players. A grand example is what D’s Hobbies has in Bend. The role the store has played in establishing The High Desert Scenario paintball field and Club is amazing to me. I would guess they see at least 70% of the paintball business in Bend. You may say Bend is small, I agree compared to Portland, but for those of you who would under estimate what they have over there, I ask you eat your words until you’ve experienced what they have first hand, at that point you will realize that the Portland area is missing the right “store” in our equation.

Don’t get me wrong, we have great stores, but regardless of whose fault it is, players are reluctant to go there. Whether it be price, products, politics, are others, people only drop in, grab the essentials and get out. I’d love to see that change. A store that can work together with a field and players to get the results their customer’s want will win our business 100% of the time.

Next on the list, though we’ve done a great job doing this, I’d love to see the continuation of teams and players coming together whom in the past, have not. The break down of old barriers between groups will be key in seeing the sport expand in our scene. How can we accomplish this? As a team, decide on supporting an event or team promoted game that you normally wouldn’t. Also, reach out and become active members of other teams websites and actively engage them.

We are moving in the right direction here in Oregon. With events like the new WCPS, the Quad Tactical Tournament, Supergame and Black Rock, all of which were demanded by players and were delivered, this scene is going in the right direction. Starting from the attitude of the players, the willingness of stores and fields to support us, we can create the best paintball scene in the nation, much like Portland has done with beer.

In this sport, if you seek play that mimics the intensity of a Slayer song, or strive to reach the inner crescendo of tactical paintball, look to the Quad Tactical Tournament.

The Quad tactical Tournament is just as it sounds, Quad, meaning 4 man teams and tactical, meaning games based ultimately upon strategy and team work. Each 4 man team is comprised of 3 entities, 1 Heavy Gunner who can carry an unlimited amount of ammo for firing and re-supplying teammates, 1 Medic who can heal two members of their team and carries a pump or pistol, and lastly 2 Rifleman who are limited to 200 rounds, but can be re-supplied. Each team is given 7 minutes to attack or defend an objective.

This last Saturday, March 5^th 2010, Some of Oregon’s best tactical scenario players cut their teeth on a new event that will undoubtedly change the face of our scene. We asked for it, it was delivered to us on a silver platter, and let me tell you, those who were there, and those who traveled from near and far, ate that event up.

Everything a tactical player would want to see in a tournament, we saw. Sitting on the sidelines, players lined the netting closest to the first objective as players from both teams met in a close quartered meat grinder. It was obvious in this competition, fear, was left at home as we witnessed players make moves like their lives and lives of their team members depended on it. Hands down, it was the most fun paintball to play and watch that I personally have experienced.  ESPN has always covered various Speedball tournaments. That coverage will have nothing on this and I’m sure Hellfish Videos will make that evident.

OK Company fielded 3 teams. OKC Whiskey, OKC Nick Nolte and OKC Kilo:

OKC  Whiskey: Frog, Toasty, Arturo & Captain A.

OKC Nick Nolte: Sc Phantom, Vicente, Easy & Blitzkrieg.

OKC Kilo: Bogart, Sertcam, DeerKiller & Murdoc.

Going into this event OKC knew they needed to pack big lunch, because the participating teams were comprised of seriously talented players. With names like Moongobbies, Walkons, Central Oregon, Crossfire and others rounding the list, not taking one of those teams serious would be losing mistake.

In the Company’s first round, OKC Kilo played first and was drawn to the third game in a best of three series by Team Crossfire who surely were there to win. Kilo moved on to the second round. Playing against Crossfire was an eye opener and we look forward to finally teaming up with those gentlemen at SG41. great job guy’s.

Second to go was OKC’s Nick Nolte. Again, in a hard fought battle against a team fielded by the Walkons, OKC is drawn to the last game in a best of three series. They won the first match, lost the second, at the start of the third I truly thought they were going to lose the series as two players were eliminated in the opening seconds. The opfor armed the bomb and had eliminated 3 members when SCPhantom charged and in a close quartered house. SC eliminated the opposing force who occupied it, disarmed the bomb and won the round, which took them to the second round.

OKC Whiskey was the last to take the stage. They started off strong in their first game, but ended up losing after some close quartered combat on defense.  Their second game, they had to win. With an initial rush they all reached the outer walls of the objective. Pushing and pushing, they tried to breach the defense that surrounded the objective doors, but were unfortunately able to pull through. OKC Whiskey was eliminated in the first round by a team fielded by Team Walkons and Friends.

In the second round of the competition OKC Kilo and OKC Nick Nolte faced off against each other in a civil war. Intense is the word to describe this series. In a best of three series, OKC Kilo ended up on top, barely squeaking by two consecutive victories. It was said by many, that those two games were hands down the most fun to watch out of the tournament. Although only one OKC team went through, it was obvious both deserved to be there.

The third round of the competition wielded three teams, a team from MGB, Walkons and OKC Kilo. Each Team played each other and the two teams with the best records moved to the finals. After three amazingly tough games, OKC and MGB moved on. My hat goes off to the Walkon team who held strong and kicked butt all day. You guys were awesome and I have no doubts that group will be seen again in the top three next event.

The finals were OKC vs. our brothers of the North, MGB. One game mode, played twice, offense and defense. Attackers had to retrieve and deliver hostages and defenders had to stop them. The first game OKC Kilo was on Defense. We started off bad.  We go too spread out and weren’t able to communicate an OPFOR who breached our line and swooped in behind us. MGB Ironhide eliminated two us and made a move for the hostages. He grabbed two, but was only able to get on delivered as OKC Bogart eliminated him and a hostage while they were on the move. Once healed, OKC  swooped in and were able to re-define our defense line and eliminated the OPFOR.

The second and final round. OKC Was on offense. We had to at least get one hostage to safety to tie the game, two to win or eliminate the opposing force. Right off the bat, We rushed up hill and half mooned the objective. We pushed closer and closer until finally entering the maze where the hostages were held. We snagged two and quickly delivered them. But we weren’t out of the storm yet. We heard word that one hostage was eliminated, so we went hunting. After some intense fights, OKC was able to find and eliminate OPFOR as they strategically moved in around us.

The write up of the matches don’t give the game justice. Each team that played, win or lose, played hard, intense and with honor. This community is proud and humbled to have been part of the first Quad tactical series and look forward to the continuation of the series. Our hats are off to everyone competed, you all made the games great. Even though there was a winner, I think it’s fair to say that our scene truly won the day.

November and December will see multiple outings for the community. Whether it be on the field or off, please be sure to stop in, say hello and throw some paint with us. Our schedule is below:

Here is a tentative schedule:

Nov. 14th – OKC Mtn. Limited Rounds day. Open to the public.

Nov. 21st – The Swamp (Lebanon, Or.) – Team Walkons host a scenario day at their diverse field in Lebanon. Games are open to the public.

Nov.28th – OKC Mtn. Throwback Day – Join OKC at our beloved Mtn as we dedicate a day to our roots nearly 3 years ago. We will host a day of tactical based games on our upper field which is tiered by logging spur roads and old growth forest. Open to the public.

Dec. 4th – OKC Holiday Party (RSVP w/ Murdoc) hosted at the classy Bumpers Bar and Grill. We have a private banquet room reserved with projector and screen for our favorite videos and music. All OKC, friends of OKC and family are invited.

Dec. 5th – Lords of Darkness Scenario by Moongobbie Bros (Vancouver, Wa.) – The MGB invite OKC and it’s community friends for a day of throwing paint.

Dec. 11th – Elves Vs. Reindeer at Warpaint (Keiser, Or.) Hosted by our friends at Impact Action Sports – Join a wide variety of ballers for the annual Christmas game hosted at Dan Bonebrakes, Chemewa Field.

Dec. 19th – OKC Scenario DAY!!! – Join OK Company at OKC Mtn. for a free scenario game! Intense firefights, Hopefully some snow, and the best sportsmanship around. We will release more details soon.

As always, OK Company is an adult community and asks that participants be 18 and older. For games at the Mtn. we ask for no money, we simply ask for a can of food to donate to the local food bank, we ask that you please support your local shop to buy supplies and not Walmart or others. And lastly, but most importantly, we ask you bring nothing less than a great attitude, better sportsmanship and zero drugs.

Please visit our forums for updated games, RSVP and general information.

Cheers

While the majority of the OKC community was over the Mtn in Bend doing battle with the Central Oregon Scene in the 2014 scenario, one lone gunman of OK Company made to Warpaints third installation of Black Hawk Down. Here was Xero’s first hand impressions.

“I spent most of the day running with Crossfire trying to keep up with Xaber when I could see. The rain was horrible. Even with fans, I was blind with fog for the majority of the first 3 games. It finally cleared up for the last game, and that made it all worth it.

This time, it seemed like a fairly even match up. It did seem like we played the same game 4 times, as the way the game was set up this time there was a single choke point that was the tipping point for every game. With the lack of experienced players that day, it ended up just being a longball stalemate at the same spot for 20 minutes at a time with nobody wanting to push. Usually Crossfire, Edge Zero, and the iPaint guys could finally get punched through and get some people up past the point, but for a couple games it was too late. (only lost the second game by a matter of seconds)

My impressions is that this one was a lot better than the last 2. Even with horrible weather and a small crowd, they were able to keep the games interesting and intense. I think things might have been played a bit in our favor to bring it out a tie in the end.

Highlight – final helicopter drop behind the enemy, and taking out 10+ enemies with an Edge Zero guy leaving it wide open for the rest of the team to move in. He was well hidden down low in front of me, and I was out in the open drawing their fire, so they never saw it coming as they were advancing toward me.

Lowlight – learning to re-program my gun well in advance of the Grindhouse. That is not the ideal time to have to reboot. Also had a guy unload full auto into my back from about 10 feet away. Sorry for dragging you into that one Xaber, but Dan was going to pick you anyway since nobody was volunteering.

Paint – that pissed me off quite a bit. Remember the pictures of the paint from the first BHD? Well, mine was even worse this time. I had one bag that contained 3 empty triangle shaped balls. Lets just say that it still had the SG logo on it, and by the condition, I’d venture to guess it could have been from the Spring game. Accuracy was the same as the leftover paint in my garage (from spring SG). Paying $50 for that was not my idea of a good deal.”

Besides the brothers and sisters of OKC, this weekend provided a chance for us to catch up with the great friends we’ve made at past events. I truly do think that my paintball habit is not driven by paintball itself anymore, it’s the friends I’ve made along the way.

Friday night, the majority of OKC opted out of the night game due to non-existent Cong Phat Army. So instead of running around all night searching for a make believe enemy, we sat back and killed some beers with our brothers in arms the Moongobbie Bros and SC Phantom. What a night…

Saturday started off with a very thorough safety briefing filled some laughs and insight. I re-affirmed my beliefs that “rock paper scissors” is still as awesome now as it was when I was a youngster.

After the pods were loaded, boots strapped, cigar was smoked, I was ready for battle. The american army was staged in the DMZ area, while the Cong Phat took the field and pre-placed themselves EVERYWHERE!!! The enemies plan: over run the DMZ and force a re-start in the first two minutes. What happened? Americans broke enemy lines and took over the entire field within the first hour, forcing a re-start.

The American General – Eddie, “SC Phantom” had an awesome battle plan and with his leadership, we were able to take control of the situation and overcome the enemy.
Supporting Phantom in his efforts were some GREAT teams. The Moongobbie Bros, rolled down with their infantry and the infamous MB1 tank, AFL (Assault Force Legion) made the trip from NW Washington with a sizable strong force (congrats on the recognition!), NW Strykers made the trip to add their support and knowledge of the field, Cotilla Tactical also swelled the ranks of the Americans as well. Heck, Jason “Xaber” of Crossfire even showed and threw down for the allies!

Out of the gate, OKC was tasked with taking our HQ, securing it and then moving forward. Off the bat, we swooped left, took out enemy resistance, secured Flag five for respawn support and then linked our three squads and flooded the HQ. It was a matter of minutes before we were golden and moving forward to find OPFOR. The enemy was just a bit too spread out to be effective, thus the first few hours turned into a slaughter fest (Sunday, this was NOT the case).

Throughout Saturday, OKC was tasked with many missions, some easy some tough, but all fun in some sort of way. We were part of many enemy HQ overruns, basically, we were everywhere and quickly learned that Hoskings field is an AWESOME place. It was VERY nice to know that at any moment, OKC would be supported by the Moongobbie Bros. on one side and AFL/NWS/CT on another.

Saturday day game ended with a red push on the lower/middle roads and an American push on their CP. We cut off the push and moved up the hill to support the CP overrun, but, to much avail, the Cong Phat Army dug in and gave us hell! We were close, but by games end, it was no cigar. Awesome work on both sides!

Next… the night game! This was by far the BEST night game I’ve ever played. I don’t know why, but something really clicked with this game and it worked for me. The game was INTENSE!!!! I have never crawled so much in my life. I had a blast working with the Monkeys, Captain and Pappy on the left. Inch by inch we eliminated OPFOR. Hats of to Smeed for being the sneakiest SOB I’ve ever seen.

Saturday night post Night OPS… more debauchery, extended great times at camp!!! Everyone swung by and just relaxed and shot the shit for a while, it truly was very enjoyable. Sleep came easy that night and morning came too early.

Sunday opened with an authentic TAW start. Two teams, two HQ’s, missions… the whole nine yards. Only this time, the field was shrank to ensure enemy contact. In my mind, the field should of been shrunk the day before, but nonetheless, Sunday was intense and the OPFOR finally started to cohesively work together and it was sure effective… and fun for us!

OKC’s first mission, find and assassinate a high priority target. We thanked high command for this one… by far our best and most fun mission we completed. We set out above the HQ, clearing the area, knowing this was one of his more common places of travel. We came in contact with OPFOR, eliminated them, but it wasn’t our target. To our west, a battle in the DMZ was ensuing. We heard all sorts of shooting, so we book it forward until we were able to drop behind the enemy in the DMZ. It was a turkey shoot! No joke, we eliminated a good 15 or more players in seconds and took the entire DMZ and hill side up to the edge of the enemy CP. Once AFL and NWS came forward and held the line OKC/Moongobbies split left and headed back to our mission. A few minutes past and by the sound of his marker and his voice hollering out, we found him. The SOB was entrenched pretty dang well. He got a few of us, but within seconds he was just overwhelmed. Smiles for OKC all around.

We had enemy (mostly Shrek and his WalkOns and Reaper Army) pushing the lower Satellite area and middle road ALL DAY LONG. The rest of day was pretty back and forth until the last 30 minutes of the first game and the blender. Red had “nuked” us, and quickly swarmed key locations. Yellow held out, and defended our CP until game end.

The blender was nuts. Shrek is an animal (and the one of nicest guys I’ve met in the sport), Tim is crazy for even trying to be an invincible… thats all I have to say about that.

We had enemy (mostly Shrek and his WalkOns and Reaper Army) pushing the lower Satellite area and middle road ALL DAY LONG.

For the most part, the sportsmanship was pretty good. We were a little disappointed with one particular group, but stuff happens, and we understand people do crazy stuff when in competitive mode.

Once again, our “outlaw players” reputation was brought to light during a safety a briefing, but, oh well, when people don’t know you, they don’t know any better. And once again I heard that this event, along with all the other big games, “isn’t competitive, it’s for fun and family”, then ended up giving awards out to teams… doesn’t make much sense does it?

Regardless of this, it was miniscule comparative to the overall good time I had with my friends.

Big thanks to all those who attended. You all made the event enjoyable and for that I thank you.

Huge thanks to Hoskings for having such a BEAUTIFUL field. By far the most well groomed and field layout thus far.

Take a peak at our website to see more write ups, pictures and videos of the game.

Cheers

Saigon Fury: When Twilight Falls

Who is the strange voice behind the transmission?  Who or what is the codename Haley’s Comet?  What is about to befall both armies?  Will the Tango-Charlie Element comply with the foreign orders and what will they find?  What transmission was given to the Cong Phat Army?  Will the Tango-Charlie Element pursue and eliminate the CPA?  Or, will the CPA under the command of General Yu Chow Phat suppress, subdue and destroy the Tango-Charlie Element?

Only YOU can decide that!

Come join TAW PAINTBALL INTERNATIONAL SCENARIO PRODUCTIONS at HOSKING PAINTBALL FIELD in Lebanon, Oregon on the 28th thru the 30th of August 2009 for this mind-blowing, adrenaline-pumping game, SAIGON FURY: WHEN TWILIGHT FALLS a specialized TAW 3-Day Scenario Paintball Event!

With the most amount of play found anywhere, intriguing props, unforgettable characters, night play, role-playing, prizes, and much, much more… this event is not one to be missed!

From beginning to advanced players and young and old alike, this game offers a challenge and fun for everyone!  Are you into role-playing and want to get wrapped up into the cloak and dagger aspect of the game?  Are you a mission oriented operative looking to “get the job done” and lay waste to those that find themselves in your crosshairs?  Or, are you an operative that prefers to be on the front lines while leading the charge or providing additional fire support for your fellow operatives?  Or maybe, just maybe are you into just goofing off and having the most amount of fun possible, no matter what?

Then here is the challenge that will put your skills and imagination to the test!

Special roles will be in effect for this event… so if you think you have what it takes… step up and sound off!

This game is limited to the first 300 players and the first 100 Pre-Registered players get a free embroidered game patch as well as all pre-registered players will be entered into our huge prize drawing!

Prize drawing includes Free Markers, Free Tactical Equipment, Free Paint, Paintball Gear, and much, much more!  Pre-register and be entered into the drawing for your change to win some cool stuff!

THIS IS THE MOST AMOUNT OF INTENSE, MULTI-DAY PAINTBALL PLAYTIME YOU WILL FIND ANYWHERE!

Don’t miss out!  Get on the List… TODAY!!

TAW…. DON’T JUST PLAY THE GAME… LIVE THE GAME!