In a Dilemma...

[Toestr]

So I've been having a hard time convincing myself to go out and play lately.

I live close to (walking distance) my current 'home' field (at which I work). The fields are great, but I dislike the clientele it has been attracting lately (macho men looking for a 'hollywood' or 'combat' paintball experience, rental groups from a fairly close major city who don't speak a lick of English, and kids whose parents bought them a mid end spacegun they have no clue how to use or maintain). I'm the only one who works here who has any sort of 'involvement' in the paintball community or knowledge beyond what is required for my job, and I don't particularly get along well with the management. The owner is an ok guy, but doesn't take criticism very well, is known for being cheap, and has basically been shunned by the local paintball community for trashing other local fields/stores for no reason.

The next closest field is 30-45 minutes away, on roads that can be dicey in the winter. It is a fairly famous/notable field, and while the fields aren't quite as good as the aforementioned's the owners and staff seem to be genuinely involved in the game.

There is also a third field on a military base about 20 minutes away, which is currently closed due to covid, but even in regular seasons, it was open sporadically (volunteer run). The prices here are unbeatable, and I have a feeling it's a good community.

I have considered outlaw ball, but right now I'm especially leery about meeting up with strangers, and also just the aspect of playing uninsured with strangers.

This is half me getting this off my chest, half asking for advice. I enjoy playing, and feel bad having all this gear laying around the house (and buying more) when I hardly use it. It's also something my dad and I enjoy doing together, and I'm not sure how many years of this he has left in him. I'll be moving away for school this coming fall, and I know there's a few members here who play in that area, and I've heard it's a good community.

Thanks, any advice is appreciated.

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[NONOBLITUS]

Sounds like your a young guy here and I say go play at the other field with your father. My kids are in high school and I’m not ready for them to go away to school mentally but it will happen. Play as much with your dad as you can at the cool fields because believe me he loves that time. As for working at the field if you can walk there while your still at home and make some extra money then do it until you find something else. You sure don’t want the association of being with a trash talker because that stuff spreads amongst the community.



*Side note \ My Photo = Father and Son playing = great times.

[Jordan]

Ditch the toxic field, find one you can enjoy. Life's too short and uncertain to waste mindspace on crap like that.

Don't feel bad about the gear thing, either... as far as I'm concerned (and many of us on here as well, I think), collecting is one more facet of this hobby that makes it enjoyable.

[JeepDVLZ45]

Sounds like your a young guy here and I say go play at the other field with your father. My kids are in high school and I’m not ready for them to go away to school mentally but it will happen. Play as much with your dad as you can at the cool fields because believe me he loves that time. As for working at the field if you can walk there while your still at home and make some extra money then do it until you find something else. You sure don’t want the association of being with a trash talker because that stuff spreads amongst the community.



*Side note \ My Photo = Father and Son playing = great times.

I agree with this 100%...especially the comment about playing with you dad. Enjoy playing with him while the two of you can still play together

Keep weekends open over the winter and an eye on the weather....and keep an extra set of clothes, toothbrush in case the weather turns and you need to bunk-up somewhere

Closest field to me is 45 minutes, and the other field I play is 2 hours away. Use the ride and a good time to talk shop and banter about the game. Even the time in the car chatting is gold.

I play with my nephew now (and my brother when I can get him to go) and it’s a great experience since we’ve never been super close (big age gap)

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

If you ain't enjoying yourself dont keep doing the thing that makes you unhappy. Ditch the field that don't treat its customers well, they don't deserve our hard earned money. Especially if they are trashing other fields, the paintball community should not tolerate that at all. We need to work together. .

[COB]

I agree with the others. Life is short and unpredictable. Enjoy your time with your Father. Some day circumstances will make that no longer an option. I travel 1 to 2 hours to play with people I like. My closest field is poorly run and has unfriendly clients. When life allows you the choice, choose to be happy, go where you feel you can be happy. Good luck

[Arthur]

I drive from Seaside, OR to Bend, OR (5.5 hrs one way) because the field and community there are the best in Oregon (HDS). I won’t even bother with other fields here, with the exception of The Swamp, which is the only other player run, player operated PB field in Oregon.

[Jonnydread]

I go where the games are. I am fortunate enough to have a fairly consistent outlaw group, but I'll drive 3+ hours each way to go to the local pay-to-play fields when they run events I'm interested in. I understand why you're keeping your location on the down low, but you should reach out to other local players and see if anyone has a good outlaw connection.

[iamthelazerviking]

I know how this type of dilemma feels. Where I live, what I consider to be a "good" field is no where near me. I am picky and also just don't play often, so I have narrowed it down to really only going to one field that is not very close. But it's a great place. There is one other that is a bit of a drive, and a well known outlaw field, that I need to make a trip to one of these days.

There are two closer fields, both indoor. One is .50 cal/rental/children only...the other is shut down due to covid, but they are a joke and I opted to never step foot in there again.

Support the good places, even if it is a bit more inconvenient. That will be cancelled out by the better experience you will have there.

[glaman5266]

I have considered outlaw ball, but right now I'm especially leery about meeting up with strangers, and also just the aspect of playing uninsured with strangers.

Well, do you have the ability to host a game? If so, you can make the rules. Chrono before, random chrono checks, etc. If not, ask if there's going to be a chrono. If not, then don't go. I don't play outlaw unless there's a chrono. Lock everything up, talk to a few people & feel them out, etc. It's not much different than going to an established field with random players. It's just more "on your honor." Maybe go just to watch once or twice & if you're comfortable with the rules/precautions & their enforcement then give it a go.

As for the uninsured argument, that's your call. I totally understand your concern over that.

[Toestr]

I appreciate the help guys. I think for the upcoming season I'll try to hit up the field on base. From what I understand they're in the midst of planning for the 2021 season.

As for hosting outlaw ball, realistically I do have all the resources necessary to run an outlaw game with friends other than property (and air fills might be a challenge).

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[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

I appreciate the help guys. I think for the upcoming season I'll try to hit up the field on base. From what I understand they're in the midst of planning for the 2021 season.

As for hosting outlaw ball, realistically I do have all the resources necessary to run an outlaw game with friends other than property (and air fills might be a challenge).

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To make outlaw easier just run off 12gram, dont have to be stock class. Pump or mech guns, just get your air and co2 tanks fiilled ahead of time and run low cap hopper (like under 100rd) and no pods. makes a fill last multiple games. Especially if you use efficient markers. . Do a brass eagle talon game just for a goof. .

[JasperStout]

Your next closest field that's 30-45 min away doesn't sound too bad

[Toestr]

Figured I'd update this a bit.

Shortly after the last post, my area went back into lockdown, where we still are, and will be for a few weeks yet. I also found out that the military base field won't be opening this season.

I bought a pump for my tanks, so outlaw ball is looking more realistic, but there still is the issue of places to play, and people to play with. My neighbours do have quite a bit of property, and are interested in shooting and outdoor sports in general. I've considered asking them to play, but I can't think of a way to ask them that doesn't go along the lines of 'can I shoot at you, and can I do it at your place', and sound like I'm taking advantage of them for their property.


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[Cunha]

Are all the fields closed?

Definitely make the drive to the better field. If you can keep your dad playing, bend over backwards to do so. My paintball experienced peaked when I had my dad and brother with me.

For your neighbors just ask them if they want to set up a field and play. Tell em you can help them with the gear and stuff and you can all have some fun.