Growing pump culture at your local field

[BigBalla23]

So, I'm looking to spread the love and help grow the pump scene at my local fields here, and kind of (hopefully) maybe build up a group to be able to have pump days here. Anyone have any ideas or success stories they could share, to help me figure out my next steps? Thanks all, appreciate you.

[$L!mBo]

where are you located?

buy enough loaner guns to provide for folks who are interested but dont own a pump

work out a promotion with your local field

[$L!mBo]

you just have to make it happen.
if your local field doesnt have enough pump players, attend the events and network.
if the field doesnt want to work with you on a "Pump Day with a bag of paint/lunch/raffle ticket included with entry" , outlaw field time.

[BigBalla23]

I'm in Wisconsin, near Milwaukee ish. I play mostly at Apocalypse paintball out in poynette. Love the fields, and it's a healthy mix of renters and gear owners, but most of the gear owners are going the electro route. Good ideas, I'll work on that!

[Skipdogg]

siege has some pump players. come to siege and start asking around....

[BigBalla23]

Word. I just don't love the actual fields at siege itself. But I will!

[Skipdogg]

I understand. Apocalypse has the best woods fields. Hopefully I'll get there more often this year, and bring some others. If you pick some days this spring, lemme know and we can try to come out with our pumps for it.

[$L!mBo]

in my experience, the hardcore speedball guys are the most fun to play pump with. they communicate and snap shoot very well and once they figure out the big moves are easier to pull off without having to dodge 10bps of paint in the air, they usually have sucha good time, they come back or permanently convert!
the easiest way to get folks to try it out is by having a cool variety of loaners, and being a skilled player yourself. i cant tell you how many times i went for a big move against the electro guys because there was a group watching from the other side of the net and afterwards had everyone asking "That guy was shooting a PUMP?"
"Yea man, this is the funnest way to do it. Theres no better feeling than poppin the dude with $3k of the newest gear, going machine gun mode, with a single shot right between the eyes with a gun from the 80s!
Hey i brought some more pumps with me, you guys wanna check em out?"

[Drcemento]

Definitely Talk to the field owners about hosting a regular pump event. I work with Midway paintball here in Norcal to host a quarterly pump event and its been great - each one is a little better than the last - would always love more bodies, but were getting there. Be persistent. the slower pace of play and smiles on everyone's faces has definitely garnered the interest of the semi crowd and by then end of the day they often try it out - some have even bought pumps. its especially fun to run the pump vs semi game where we often kick their asses. Make Flyers and work hard to get the word out. Bookface sucks balls but is by far the best way to advertise - start a group for your area. Its allot of work but worth it.

[jakejett]

The last one was a blast! We're all hyped to get out there for this month's event. Hoping our group from Reno/Truckee is a little bigger than last time.

[Chuck E Ducky]

If you are starting from scratch it will take time building it. Start small and network with like minded players. MCB has been a huge source for our success in the North East. It won’t come overnight but getting out there and trading paint with the electro guys is the easiest way to convert players. Extra gear in good working order is very helpful. Having an extra pump for someone to try really helps. Hosting events or get togethers at a local field helps build that community as well. In the North East we travel a lot some more than others but it has really expanded our reach as a group. When people can guarantee a good day of Ball by the Group playing it will naturally grow and people will travel for Good Paintball.

[BrickHaus]

Be the light house man... Keep playing pump while everyone rips their electros. Have fun and just play your game. People will eventually want to see what its all about.

Work with the dudes carrying 6 pods they will lay cover for you to take point. Play just as aggressive as they do with your pump to remove the stigma of pump play being slow. Make jokes about how you can move faster cuz you carry less weight.

Leave the field with a smile, and answer any question randos ask as they notice you are playing pump. Explain that you get more satisfaction out of 1 pump kill, vs 10 electro trash kills. Put the stigma into the group that anyone can do well ripping 10bps. They are all essentially noobs unless they can play pump.

People will start wanting to see what all the fun is about and give it a try. Thats when $limbo advice of have loaners would really help thw most. Because in my expierence even if you have loaners, people seem to be afraid of going on the field with one.


I say all of that, and Im im an area with a great pump grassroots group already. I have been deep in that group for 10 years now, but ai was once a guy who was afraid to hit the field with a lower performance marker.

[Pumps4ever]

Ready to get a Quarterly Pump or event or even semi annual event going at Jungle Island Paintball in Lake Elsinore

Lookout for info coming soon!

[frd333do33]

Did you ever get this going?

[JeepDVLZ45]

The above posts cover 99% of it, BUT offer anyone who shows interest in your pump a chance to shoot it. They don’t have to play a game with it, even just shooting it over the chrono or at a bunker will start to get the hooked.

if you have a decent “loaner” or something cool in the car, even better. You might get someone to take it for a spin on the field.

And make sure you represent the sportsman ship that goes with it. Have fun, call yourself out, tell someone that they landed a nice shot after a game while you’re walking off the field or in staging (and don’t be a dick 😂)….people will gravitate towards you and the pump and want to know more about it

[BigBalla23]

Y'all are awesome, great ideas, thank you!

[Chemical-x.....ahain]

keep playing pump and be a steward for it and the sport alike. bring a few extras that you can loan out too, you will cultivate.

[Grendel]

Play pump, be friendly, and they will come. It helps if you are at least competent at playing pump, but the main thing is to have fun and be friendly with both your teammates and your opponents. This will often pique others' curiosity, and every once in a while, you will get someone who wants to try and gets hooked.

Big things are don't be a dick, talk down other forms of paintball, or be a dick.