(from forestfire paintball)
Wednesday the 11th - November/Veterans' Day Charity Game
Time: 10AM-3:00
Cost: $15/$10 (Own paint / Field paint)
*Receive up to $5 off your field fee by bringing five non-perishable food items ($1 per item up to $5)
100% of field, co2, and HPA fees will go to charity. All money will go to Lake Stevens War Memorial Fund and all food items will go to Lake Stevens Food Bank.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Halloween Paintball Game for Charity
That’s right, Jailbreak part II is taking place at Mad Dawg Paintball Field on October 31st. Mad Dawg is teaming with local scenario team Shattered Angels to put on this charitable, scenario event. They will be collecting canned food at this event. 5 cans of food will get you 5 dollars off the admission ($35 + paint).
Did I mention the game is on Halloween? For that reason costumes are encouraged!!! The scenario has an old west theme if you need any hints on picking a costume, but if you just have to be Darth Vader, be Darth Vader, maybe just add a 5 point, tin star.
The field opens at 8:00, the event is field paint only. Mad Dawg field is located on Camano Island. Here are the rules to the previous event.
So come to the game
Bring 5 cans of food
Bring your costume
& bring some friends
I hope to see a lot of you there
Caff
Did I mention the game is on Halloween? For that reason costumes are encouraged!!! The scenario has an old west theme if you need any hints on picking a costume, but if you just have to be Darth Vader, be Darth Vader, maybe just add a 5 point, tin star.
The field opens at 8:00, the event is field paint only. Mad Dawg field is located on Camano Island. Here are the rules to the previous event.
So come to the game
Bring 5 cans of food
Bring your costume
& bring some friends
I hope to see a lot of you there
Caff
Friday, September 25, 2009
Paintball this Saturday & Sunday
Paintball this Saturday & Sunday
I haven’t had a weekend free in awhile, why not go twice! Who knows when I will get another chance? Weather calls for clear blue skies and a crisp autumn morning leading to a high of 70; in other words, perfect paintball weather.
Anyway, open invitation continues as always. Send a reply if you are wanting to tag along. I have lots of extra gear. Forestfire paintball on Saturday, CDR on Sunday.
I haven’t had a weekend free in awhile, why not go twice! Who knows when I will get another chance? Weather calls for clear blue skies and a crisp autumn morning leading to a high of 70; in other words, perfect paintball weather.
Anyway, open invitation continues as always. Send a reply if you are wanting to tag along. I have lots of extra gear. Forestfire paintball on Saturday, CDR on Sunday.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Saturday game
No rain this Saturday, should be a great day to shoot at other people. I have the gear for one other person so which will save you the cost of a rental. Let me know if you want to tag along or carpool. Game will be at Forest Fire paintball located outside Lake Stevens. http://forestfirepb.com
If you are one of those under the age of 18, be sure to download and fill out the waiver on the field site and have it signed by a parent.
If you are one of those under the age of 18, be sure to download and fill out the waiver on the field site and have it signed by a parent.
Game this Saturday!
I'm thing of heading out there again. Weather looks like it will be cooperating. Want to come along, just leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.
A write up of last weekend's game will be coming soon.
Caff
A write up of last weekend's game will be coming soon.
Caff
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Reviewing Promotions/Customer Relations
Promotion/Customer relations
This is the everything category. It really comes down to how the field connects to it’s customers and what they are doing to improve the local paintball environment. Things looked at are special events the field puts on. Are these special events run for the benefit of the players and give them an extra special experience, or just a ploy to get more players to shoot more paint? Is there any kind of loyalty programs? Even keeping waivers on file so that us players don’t have to take the time to fill one out every time is a help. Lastly, how do the fields communicate with their customers? Do they have a web site? Is it up to date? Nothing is more frustrating that driving out into the woods to find that a field has changed it’s hours, or is changing locations, or out of business. I have no idea why this is so difficult, but it speaks volumes about how serious an owner is to be a reliable source for our paintball entertainment.
This is the everything category. It really comes down to how the field connects to it’s customers and what they are doing to improve the local paintball environment. Things looked at are special events the field puts on. Are these special events run for the benefit of the players and give them an extra special experience, or just a ploy to get more players to shoot more paint? Is there any kind of loyalty programs? Even keeping waivers on file so that us players don’t have to take the time to fill one out every time is a help. Lastly, how do the fields communicate with their customers? Do they have a web site? Is it up to date? Nothing is more frustrating that driving out into the woods to find that a field has changed it’s hours, or is changing locations, or out of business. I have no idea why this is so difficult, but it speaks volumes about how serious an owner is to be a reliable source for our paintball entertainment.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Reviewing Staff
Staff:
Reviewing the staff starts with numbers. Are there enough staff to run the field effectively? I have seen too many times a field with one or two staff members who are running the whole show and slow the whole process down. As much as number is important, quality is what shines through. How many times have you been to a field to see it staffed by young tournament players whose compensation is practice time, equipment from the field. These people have no interest in being a referee on the weekends for a bunch of rec-ball players, who of course they look down on. In fact there is such a difference between good and bad refs that I’m planning a future blog just on this topic. Concerning these reviews, this is what I am looking for. Refs need to manage the game, turn games around quickly, assist new players, pay attention to what is happening on the field and not be scared to perform paint-checks.
The rest of the staff review comes from their personality and how they treat their paying customers. Are they helpful? Do they go above and beyond the task they have been assigned to do? If I need an air fill, or need to purchase paint or for some other reason need to give money to the field in exchange for something I need to keep playing, how long am I waiting for someone to show up to serve me. The quality of the staff can make or break a paintball experience. You'll know when you see great staff, and you will really notice when the staff is substandard.
Reviewing the staff starts with numbers. Are there enough staff to run the field effectively? I have seen too many times a field with one or two staff members who are running the whole show and slow the whole process down. As much as number is important, quality is what shines through. How many times have you been to a field to see it staffed by young tournament players whose compensation is practice time, equipment from the field. These people have no interest in being a referee on the weekends for a bunch of rec-ball players, who of course they look down on. In fact there is such a difference between good and bad refs that I’m planning a future blog just on this topic. Concerning these reviews, this is what I am looking for. Refs need to manage the game, turn games around quickly, assist new players, pay attention to what is happening on the field and not be scared to perform paint-checks.
The rest of the staff review comes from their personality and how they treat their paying customers. Are they helpful? Do they go above and beyond the task they have been assigned to do? If I need an air fill, or need to purchase paint or for some other reason need to give money to the field in exchange for something I need to keep playing, how long am I waiting for someone to show up to serve me. The quality of the staff can make or break a paintball experience. You'll know when you see great staff, and you will really notice when the staff is substandard.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Reviewing Competition
Competition:
Mostly this has to do with the kind of players that show up to the field. How good they are is only part of the evaluation. Sportsmanship is of an even higher consideration when it comes to me rating the level of competition. Does a local tourney team show up to overshoot the newbies, or are the more experienced players good natured and welcoming/teaching those who are still developing their game.
Some may say that it isn’t fair for me to rate the level of competition because it is out of the field owners, but the how the field is run has a lot to do with what type of players continue to show up week after week. Do the refs keep teams balanced? Are tournament players grouped together with rec players? How friendly are the games to new players? And how do the refs/owners deal with players who make the games un-enjoyable for the others on the field.
Mostly this has to do with the kind of players that show up to the field. How good they are is only part of the evaluation. Sportsmanship is of an even higher consideration when it comes to me rating the level of competition. Does a local tourney team show up to overshoot the newbies, or are the more experienced players good natured and welcoming/teaching those who are still developing their game.
Some may say that it isn’t fair for me to rate the level of competition because it is out of the field owners, but the how the field is run has a lot to do with what type of players continue to show up week after week. Do the refs keep teams balanced? Are tournament players grouped together with rec players? How friendly are the games to new players? And how do the refs/owners deal with players who make the games un-enjoyable for the others on the field.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Reviewing Amenities
Amenities:
Lets start this section with one of the first things I notice about a field. Bathrooms. Is there an adequate amount of bathroom facilities for the number of people who show up at the field. If it is a special event, has more bathrooms been added. Are they clean? If they are port-a-crappers are they serviced regularly?
The rest is pretty simple to impress me. Have enough parking spaces, some benches and tables for people to sit down between games and work on their gear, and some undercover spaces for when it rains. With that said, I saw a recent thing on TV. They served a meal to two groups of people. One group was served on paper plates and plastic cups and forks, the other had crystal, china and waiters and the food was arranged and garnished. Those at the “fancy” place reported that the food tasted significantly better than those who ate with the bare minimum of elegance. The lesson, if your place looks like a dump, you’re customers aren’t going to be expecting much.
Lets start this section with one of the first things I notice about a field. Bathrooms. Is there an adequate amount of bathroom facilities for the number of people who show up at the field. If it is a special event, has more bathrooms been added. Are they clean? If they are port-a-crappers are they serviced regularly?
The rest is pretty simple to impress me. Have enough parking spaces, some benches and tables for people to sit down between games and work on their gear, and some undercover spaces for when it rains. With that said, I saw a recent thing on TV. They served a meal to two groups of people. One group was served on paper plates and plastic cups and forks, the other had crystal, china and waiters and the food was arranged and garnished. Those at the “fancy” place reported that the food tasted significantly better than those who ate with the bare minimum of elegance. The lesson, if your place looks like a dump, you’re customers aren’t going to be expecting much.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Reviewing Pricing
Pricing:
There’s not to much to say about price. Fields need to turn a profit for their owners and property, staff, insurance and paintballs cost money. We the players get the honor of paying for these things. Maybe someday in a perfect world it wont be necessary, but I don’t see that day coming soon. So in the mean time, prices are going to be comparative to other fields. As long as there isn’t some massive overcharging of something, there won’t be much to say.
There is another part of price, and that is the value of what we the players are paying for. Some fields offer have better staff, better fields, or in some way are just better. This can also include how many hours of play you are paying for. Better often costs more to produce, and I for one am willing to pay more for a better product, within reasonable levels anyway.
One last comment about pricing. Rentals. Rentals are the door thorough which most new players enter this sport. For some reason, it seems that there are a large amount of fields who want to charge top dollar of a poorly maintained rental equipment.
There’s not to much to say about price. Fields need to turn a profit for their owners and property, staff, insurance and paintballs cost money. We the players get the honor of paying for these things. Maybe someday in a perfect world it wont be necessary, but I don’t see that day coming soon. So in the mean time, prices are going to be comparative to other fields. As long as there isn’t some massive overcharging of something, there won’t be much to say.
There is another part of price, and that is the value of what we the players are paying for. Some fields offer have better staff, better fields, or in some way are just better. This can also include how many hours of play you are paying for. Better often costs more to produce, and I for one am willing to pay more for a better product, within reasonable levels anyway.
One last comment about pricing. Rentals. Rentals are the door thorough which most new players enter this sport. For some reason, it seems that there are a large amount of fields who want to charge top dollar of a poorly maintained rental equipment.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Reviewing the Field
Fields:
The important parts of a good woods/scenario field is are primarily 3 things; the size of the field, the construction of the field, and the layout/maintenance of the field.
Fields need to be the correct size for the game that is being played. A good woodsball field needs to be long enough so the teams can’t see each other at the start of the game, and wide enough that the flankers on one sideline can shoot those on the other. Also, the field needs the be big enough for the number of players that use the field. If there isn’t enough room for the players to maneuver, then the game stalemates into a game where both teams form a line and shoot at the other team, eventually thinning their numbers until movement is once again possible. These games are quite boring, and expensive as players are shooting at the worst possible angle, at close to max range. Fields will sell a lot of paint though, and that is why these smaller fields can be found quite regularly. Paintball is first and foremost a game of movement, and fields need to be built with this in mind.
When you construct a woodsball field, for me, the most important thing to start with is some woods. I am a little fed up that in the state of Washington, where trees are quite plentiful, people are choosing clear cut land to place a field on. Granted, there are ways to make a recreation field like a town or theme field where there isn’t much in the way of vegetation, and it’s okay to have one of these fields as it is a good change of pace. But lets be honest, paintball is made to be played where there are trees and shrubs. Shrubs are important, they obscure vision, can be shot through and can also provide cover. Also, use the terrain of the field to your advantage. I hate fields that are built on the edge of a cliff or around some impassible wetland. Lastly, are the bunkers made out of things that are safe? Rusty old cars may not be the might be fun, but can also require a tetanus shot.
The maintenance of the field is important to keep the fields playable. Are the boundaries well marked? Are blackberry bushes kept back to a manageable level? Have bee hives and wasps nests been disposed of or at the least marked off? Are safety hazards taken care of? Such as rusty metal on bunkers, towers about to collapse, holes or roots in major pathways.
The important parts of a good woods/scenario field is are primarily 3 things; the size of the field, the construction of the field, and the layout/maintenance of the field.
Fields need to be the correct size for the game that is being played. A good woodsball field needs to be long enough so the teams can’t see each other at the start of the game, and wide enough that the flankers on one sideline can shoot those on the other. Also, the field needs the be big enough for the number of players that use the field. If there isn’t enough room for the players to maneuver, then the game stalemates into a game where both teams form a line and shoot at the other team, eventually thinning their numbers until movement is once again possible. These games are quite boring, and expensive as players are shooting at the worst possible angle, at close to max range. Fields will sell a lot of paint though, and that is why these smaller fields can be found quite regularly. Paintball is first and foremost a game of movement, and fields need to be built with this in mind.
When you construct a woodsball field, for me, the most important thing to start with is some woods. I am a little fed up that in the state of Washington, where trees are quite plentiful, people are choosing clear cut land to place a field on. Granted, there are ways to make a recreation field like a town or theme field where there isn’t much in the way of vegetation, and it’s okay to have one of these fields as it is a good change of pace. But lets be honest, paintball is made to be played where there are trees and shrubs. Shrubs are important, they obscure vision, can be shot through and can also provide cover. Also, use the terrain of the field to your advantage. I hate fields that are built on the edge of a cliff or around some impassible wetland. Lastly, are the bunkers made out of things that are safe? Rusty old cars may not be the might be fun, but can also require a tetanus shot.
The maintenance of the field is important to keep the fields playable. Are the boundaries well marked? Are blackberry bushes kept back to a manageable level? Have bee hives and wasps nests been disposed of or at the least marked off? Are safety hazards taken care of? Such as rusty metal on bunkers, towers about to collapse, holes or roots in major pathways.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Spring: New Life/ New Season
I'm looking forward to getting back out there and trading paint with fellow players at the local fields. I am in the process of thinking about reviews and what I am looking for as I go to fields and rate what they have to offer. I'm going over this because I would also like to post reviews by others who stop by and have something to say on the places they've played. I'm going over this now so that everyone who may wish to enter a review will be on the same page when the are rating their experience.
Fields will be rated on the following
I will be describing these categories in more detail in the coming days. See you on the field
Fields will be rated on the following
- Fields
- Staff
- Price
- Amenities
- Competition
- Promotions
I will be describing these categories in more detail in the coming days. See you on the field
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Events Happening this Spring
Make your plans now, here is the upcoming events planned at our local NW fields.
March 7th
Hamberger Hill
@ Danger Zone Paintball
Big Game
MARCH 14TH
MARCH MADNESS
@ TPS
Free field fee and air day.
MARCH 14TH
Hey that Leprechaun’s Armed!
@ Royal Ridges Paintball
March 21st
Armed Forces War 2
@ NiteHawk Paintball
4 team Big Game
March 28th
Blue – Grey Game
@ K.C. Crusaders
Big Game/scenario
April 11th
Easter Egg Hunt
@ Danger Zone Paintball
No info yet
April 18th
Any Bunny wanna play?
@ Royal Ridges Paintball
April 18th
There are rumors of a possible game
@ Hosking Field
May 2nd
Supergame XXXVII
@ Warpaint International
Very Big Game/scenario
May 9th
All Pump Day
Royal Ridges Paintball
May 9th
Girls Play Free
@ Forest Fire
May 23rd
Mass Distraction
Royal Ridges Paintball
March 7th
Hamberger Hill
@ Danger Zone Paintball
Big Game
MARCH 14TH
MARCH MADNESS
@ TPS
Free field fee and air day.
MARCH 14TH
Hey that Leprechaun’s Armed!
@ Royal Ridges Paintball
March 21st
Armed Forces War 2
@ NiteHawk Paintball
4 team Big Game
March 28th
Blue – Grey Game
@ K.C. Crusaders
Big Game/scenario
April 11th
Easter Egg Hunt
@ Danger Zone Paintball
No info yet
April 18th
Any Bunny wanna play?
@ Royal Ridges Paintball
April 18th
There are rumors of a possible game
@ Hosking Field
May 2nd
Supergame XXXVII
@ Warpaint International
Very Big Game/scenario
May 9th
All Pump Day
Royal Ridges Paintball
May 9th
Girls Play Free
@ Forest Fire
May 23rd
Mass Distraction
Royal Ridges Paintball
Monday, February 23, 2009
Groundhogs Day
Like bears, paintballers hibernate. The chill air comes, the days grow short and the woods grow quiet as its creatures retreat to their shelter to fatten up on Thanksgiving turkey and wait out the winter. But now the power invested in some stupid, subterranean rodent has decreed that spring is on the way. The creatures are stirring, awakening to the coming dawn. Once again the woods will be filled with the pitter patter of paint breaking on trees.
Okay, enough poetic crap!
Spring is on its way and it’s time to start thinking about this upcoming paintball season. Time to clean up gear, browse for new toys, and set goals for the year.
Groundhogs Day
I’ll start with a note about being prepared. Now is the time to check your safety gear. Replace lenses people! You only get one set of eyes. Also, check to make sure that your air tanks are up to date and if not, replace or get them tested.
Goals for the year? Lets see.
Play more
Keep reviewing fields
Update the blog on a more regular basis (bi-weekly?)
Network, with other players, teams, field employee’s etc.
Start/join a team as to better get involved in the NW scenario games.
Not a bad start. I’ll be getting ready, hope you are too. 2 weeks till the time change. See you on the field.
Caff
Okay, enough poetic crap!
Spring is on its way and it’s time to start thinking about this upcoming paintball season. Time to clean up gear, browse for new toys, and set goals for the year.
Groundhogs Day
I’ll start with a note about being prepared. Now is the time to check your safety gear. Replace lenses people! You only get one set of eyes. Also, check to make sure that your air tanks are up to date and if not, replace or get them tested.
Goals for the year? Lets see.
Play more
Keep reviewing fields
Update the blog on a more regular basis (bi-weekly?)
Network, with other players, teams, field employee’s etc.
Start/join a team as to better get involved in the NW scenario games.
Not a bad start. I’ll be getting ready, hope you are too. 2 weeks till the time change. See you on the field.
Caff
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
What's happening
So in case you are wondering what happened to me and if I just gave up on this project. The answer is no-ish. I still am going to try to create the ultimate website for paintballing in the pacific north west. My absence was due to me working the late shift, college football season, the change in weather and my general laziness. With a new year a new start. When the weather heats back up I will be going out again and leaving more reports in addition to new things. Look for it in March. I might post some rants or something up before then.
Caff
Caff
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