Paintball in Atlantic City Press

The AC Press came out to my field to take some pictures and interview a few players. Here's the link to their article:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/ats/inside_story/story/67 91629p-6659740c.html

and here's the text portion of the article. Some of the quotes are a little off, but they get the point across. You also have to understand that the guy writing the article was not a player, so cut him a little slack. :)

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Guppie or hopper? This is the question facing Mike Everland and his fellow paintballers on this Thursday afternoon. It’s the difference between bringing refills for their paintball guns (guppies) and going without. After little discussion, hopper it is.



Everland, leader of the Cumberland County Paintball Club, heads a group of eight players onto the field behind his Millville home: a fenced-in area littered with inflatable obstacles. Joe Scrocca, video camera in hand, stands off to the side, ready to record the game.
“Ten seconds,” the 15 year old from Tuckahoe shouts. “Go! Go! Go!”


To a soundtrack of hollow pop-pop-pop-pop-pops, paint pellets scream through the air. They pelt the inflatable barriers, exploding into pink, green and blue starbursts as excess paint dribbles down the side. Everland and the other players dive through the air to avoid being shot, shimmying along the ground.
Man, does this look fun.


“I can’t really express how it’s fun, other than it is,” says Everland, 37. “It’s just such a rush. Before you’re even starting your heart’s beating.”
Take capture the flag and meld it with a game of cops and robbers, and you’ve got paintball. Play in the woods, where nature offers obstacles and strategy rules, or opt for an enclosed field like this, where speed is the name of the game. Either way, you’re looking at a visceral thrill like a video game come to life.


At the Egg Harbor Township Police Athletic League, the paintball program is in its third year and growing more popular each season. Run by Marie and Ed Eldred to give area players a place to play, it attracts 20 people consistently for its Sunday games. That’s up from a half-dozen people early on.
While paintball is certainly a rush, it comes with some risks that can be avoided with proper equipment. In most places, facemasks are required, and players often choose to wear gloves, padded clothing and knee and elbow guards.
Ed Eldred thinks he knows why the game is taking off.


“For the kids, I think it’s real easy,” he says. “It’s the old cowboys and Indians.”


Scrocca likes the fact that to play at Everland’s you need a mix of agility and quick thinking to navigate a speedy game that knocks out players swiftly if they’re not careful. It keeps you active, running, diving and squeezing into tight spaces all in the name of keeping your body paint-free.
“Somebody said once, you get to shoot your friends and then have pizza with them,” he says. “It’s the greatest thing.”


Everland has played since 1991, or about as long as Scrocca’s been alive. He used to play in the woods, but this is so much faster, it’s hard to top it.
“I like the one where the action starts right away,” Everland says. “As soon as the game starts you’re shooting at one another.”


To e-mail Kevin Clapp at The Press:
[email]KClapp@pressofac.com[/email]

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Just thought it was cool to get some positive press about our sport.

JohnnyCanuck wrote:

a5Tpp789 wrote: In most places, facemasks are required,

Like he said, the guy writing the article is NOT a player. He mind a minor mistake. It was a good article overall.

Yeah, a few of the things in the article came out a little off (like mentioned above and calling it "War Games"). Overall though, I think it was a good article from a non-player. Much better than the articles bashing the sport and trying to get it banned.