Why we paintball - definition!

[glowball]

Hey what's up all you ballers out there! I wanted to share something with all of you that paintball, A Definition of thought, a reason behind what we do, this is something that someone has bloged up on myspace, Just read!
Here is the BLOG ----------->

Thursday, August 16, 2007



Why I ball.
A few days ago, someone asked me a few questions. Pat, why do you play paintball? Doesn't it hurt? It looks silly and what does it do for you getting hurt? Do you like shooting people that much?


I looked at this person and only answered them with a smile at first. I sat back and thought for a few minutes. People that never play competitive paintball will never understand what it takes and what it means to play the sport. I am not one of the best out there, but I do try my hardest. I know that every time I step out on that field to compete that I know I will push myself as hard as I can to get the job done. But, the answer didn't do, it wouldn't do the sport justice.


I answered the person's questions in this manner:
I play the sport because it is the only sport that I can play that does not judge me by my size. I have a purpose on the field. As long as I play smart paintball and communicate with my teammates, I get the job done. I can be just as important as the person that makes that last kill or hangs the flag. In my team, there are no huge egos that take all the credit. We all share the glory. Everytime I step on the field, even though there is an audience yelling and screaming for either or both teams, it is silent to me. I can only hear my breathing, my teammates at the huddle before the break. I can hear last minute adjustments to where our firing lanes need to be and the last minute words of encouragement. It is a special feeling being on the paintball field sharing the joys of victory or sharing the sadness of defeat. Paintball is a very raw and simple sport, contrary to the non-players.
Paintball is very black and white. It's whether you're out or not. It's whether the flag hang is clean or dirty. It is whether or not you can make that bunker off the break. The simplicity is what makes me play the sport. You aim to take over territory. Whether by cunning and wit, or by pure un-adulterated force. It is a team that plays like a team that wins and not when a few all-stars run around and make a total mess of things.
I also told the person that the team I play on is more than just team of guys and gals that like shooting people and being around people that shoot people. It is a family. We are in each other's lives. We take care of one another and discipline each other. We're a mob, is what I tell the person. The tightness in my group is insane. Letting them down on the field is my biggest fear. I may be a failure in life that can't do anything right, but the moment I step onto the field, I make sure that I don't let anyone down.
The pain? ****, that's just the bonus of it all. You don't feel it until after. And, when you win, it is all worth while. The shooting people? I don't like the act of hurting people, but like any sport, there is some type of malevolent action towards the other team. Football with chop-blocks. Baseball with bean-balls. Basketball with the hard intentional foul. Hockey....well, you know. Paintball, we don't need to make it a hidden thing. We go out there to put 68 caliber paintballs on the other guy. That's it. No blood lust. No private militia.
My life is paintball. My family is made up of paintball people. My pride is paintball. And, that is how I answered the person.