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This was written by a friend and fellow field owner Jeff McDaniel of Orbital Paintball.
Remember the Game
I hope when you read this you take it in and digest it. Read it all and really think about what I am trying to say.
I have been playing this sport for over 10 years. I have played thousands of games, spread out over 30 different fields. I had the honor to start reffing 8 years ago. I say honor because that is the way it used to be, but my rant on the good ol days will have to be saved for another time. I tell you this so that you know, I have seen it all. I have heard every story told 13 different ways. I have been in every situation at least once. I hope to share a short one with you now. A field owner named Buck, who taught me a lot about this sport when I first started, once told me when I was getting a little too big for my britches, “Remember the Game.” I didn’t understand completely at the time, but I took those words in and have over the years since always remembered what he said and applied it in whatever avenue I continue on with this sport.
I offer a challenge to you now. A challenge to you the “Experienced Baller”. Don’t take this the wrong way, it isn’t an attack on you personally. But honestly, SHUT UP!!! It suddenly seems like there is an influx of players that have been playing for six months and think they are experienced. Or perhaps they have been playing for two years and are now ballers. Yet these people are the biggest whiners I have ever seen. You are not so good that a newbie using a rental cannot shoot you out. Remember the Game. You are not such a good shot that just because you shot twenty paintballs in an opponent’s direction, you must have hit them and they are wiping. Remember the Game. Really, that guy over there is not personally holding a grudge against you because you shot him last week, he doesn’t even remember. Remember the Game. The referee is not playing favorites because he likes so and so better or doesn’t like so and so on your team. Remember the Game.
I have taken it upon myself to start writing down whenever a “regular” or so-called “experienced player” comes to me with a complaint. Here is what I have found. Thirteen out of fifteen players that complained that they were over shot as also complained within a two week period that he had to shoot a guy eight times before he would come out. Oh, and every time after talking to the person that did the over shooting, there were four people around him also shooting at the same player. Ten of those fifteen made fun of another player for whining when they had more then one break on them within a one month period. Seven for seven people who complained of people wiping, were also accused of wiping themselves the same day. Three people, who were personally threatened with violence, also reciprocated the act the next time they came out to play.
I am not going to continue with all of the various forms of complaints that I get on a daily basis. But what I have found is this….it isn’t the new player. Yes, they have problems remembering to keep their masks and barrel covers on. But they Remember the Game. It is the experienced and seasoned players that don’t. They are like preschoolers pointing fingers at each other. The politics are ridiculous. The he said she said. So and so didn’t or did do that. Listen to yourselves. Do you even enjoy it anymore? Do you go to the paintball field and decide that you are going to be miserable, or who you don’t get along with or who is going to piss you off before you even get there? Remember the Game!!!!
What does that mean? IT IS A GAME! You are supposed to have fun. If you aren’t having fun, quit. You are ruining it for everyone else. Take a break. Stop taking it so seriously and then come back and Remember the Game. Remember that for every time you think someone on the other side is wiping, you have also been accused wrongly. Remember that most people that play this sport, are new….and they do Remember the Game. They really aren’t cheating. They really aren’t out to get you and start a fight. Remember that every time you think you hit that guy, someone has thought the same thing about you. Remember to play. Play. There will always be someone better then you. You aren’t as good as you think you are. Just shut up and play.
That is my challenge. Remember the Game. Go out to your local paintball field. Don’t go with your usual group. Don’t go on your usual day when you know all of the “experienced players” are going to be there. Go play with the newbs. Play by yourself. Play as a first time paintballer again. Remember how fun it was. Remember that all of those people you think have something against you used to be your friends. Remember the Game. Stop worrying about winning and losing, getting shot or shooting someone, and being able to talk smack. Just play the game, remember the game.
The funniest part of this whole thing, it isn’t the tourney ballers that this is directed at for the most part even though I have seen it there too. This is directed at you, the woodsballer…the scenario player…and all of you experience ballers.
Jeff Orbital Paintball
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