1. Valken and Vanguard Paintball, the makers of the Creed team up for US Distribution: http://thefordreport.com/2010/08/valken-sports-and-vanguard-paintball-announce-distribution-agreement/
2. The NPPL announces their 2010 Championships 8th-10^th in Las Vegas. I wonder if this means Chuck is going to challenge Frank again to a Poker game…
3. I had a Minion ‘procure’ video from the Dynamic Paintball video shoot a couple of weekends ago….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyc3log2cVo
4. Blue and Deuce dropped in with this: “BLANDING CONQUEST in Florida on Feb. 19/20 of 2011 now has a Leader for the DEFENDERS in Kevin Cassidy of Team DICIPLES. He is a long time veteran of numerous CASTLE CONQUESTS at EMR and several BLANDING GAMES and will be joined by Teams DELTA, DOOM TROOPERS, EXILED SOULS, DALE FORD and the SOUTH BEACH PIMPS. The defender’s spots are filling up fast so if you want to defend in this epic game, get your registration in. Bill “DUNCAN Dunlap will be leading the attacking Horde trying to take over the town so join his forces if you want to attempt to crush the defenders. For more info on BLUE, DEUCE, and DXS bringing Paintball back to BLANDING, go to http://www.bluescrewtv.com/Blanding/BlandingConquest.htm .”
5. PSP is starting to announce host hotels and other info for World Cup, which is October 21st-24^th, 2010.
6. Guerrilla Air steps up to support the RPL South Africa. Guerrilla Air is famous for supporting and developing new international markets and South Africa is no exception. Visit http://www.sarpl.co.za for more information.
7. ANS Gear announces a price increase on the Empire Prophecy coming soon. http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh280/G_ansxtreme/prophecyloader_bannerlarge1.jpg
8. Having my phone and email blow up over the weekend with questions about White Hats, LLC got old real quick, so I spoke out on the issue: http://thefordreport.com/2010/08/white-hats-dark-hearts/
9. A Furious Barrel arrived this week. Look for the review coming soon!
10. Valken’s Waverly “Wibby” Muller has been nominated along with some other worthy ladies to be PBWoman of the Year 2011.
11. UNA General Damian Allen won this year’s Decay of Nations IV event at SC Village.
12. I’m hearing that Bob “Hawtie with a Nawtie Body” Cartwright is on the move…should be interesting…
13. Things are starting to spin up in Georgia for LCP’s “A Modern Warfare II”. Bill Murray kicked my door in with this: “Low Country Paintball in conjunction with Jesup Shrine Club Misfits is having a fundraiser for the kids. Dont just play Call of duty on your Xbox or Playstation come play it for real!!! The event starts at 12 p.m. Saturday September 25th with day and night games until 12 p.m. Sunday afternoon! So break out your tents or pull out your campers and come enjoy real fun! This event is designed for beginners and for the novice paintballers. Please remember if you don’t have equipment don’t worry there is a proshop where you can rent all the gear you need! Concession stand will also be open serving drinks and food. Also Low Country Paintball is giving proceeds to Jesup Shrine Club Misfits which donates funds to Shriners kids hospitals for medical care and research. These hospitals have burn centers, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Care and Cleft Lip and palate treatments for children. So not only will you come to have fun but you will leave feeling great knowing you have helped a child or children somewhere get the medical care they deserve! So go to www.lcpscenariogames.com to register now or register at the proshop at Low Country Paintball!! “
14. Do what Bill says. Trust me, you don’t want him cross with you.
15. GHTP 2 is starting to spin up as well…even for PS3 owners! http://www.ghtp.net/2010/08/03/ghp2-ps3-release-release-date-info/
16. ETV’s “Grind” is now up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1z_5rW2ZD4
17. New Designz rolls out a bolt for the Tippmann Phenom.
18. Win a Geo 2! http://www.p8ntballer-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?137814-Win-a-Geo2-And-not-just-any-Geo2
19. IYAOYAS Midwest Strongman Shawn “Soulcar” Collins has this to toss into the mix: “A few members of the Midwest Chapter will be heading back to our “unofficial home field” Fort Knox Paintball this weekend to play the game titled “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” this will be a two day event. Iowa killers Killswitch and PonyBoy will be making the trek over to Indiana for the game. This will be a preperation game for next months Modern Warfare game down at LCP. We get to hit the field with great teams like, Team WOW, NWI (North West Indiana Paintballers) and the Region Rats. While we will be play against some friends we will do our best to bring the win home for “Mrs. Smith” and the green side. No Fear, No Pity, No Remorse!!!”
20. PSP Affiliate DSS Series is having their 4 man Classic: http://www.viciousseries.com
21. Valken crew on the road again, providing full support to GFOA 5 man series at Dan’s Land Paintball in Jackson GA.
22. Irish Airsoft Site Oddy’s Airsoft of Ireland reviewed some of S-Thunder’s goodies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COcckJ2amyg
23. During the reassembly of Ashley’s Ego 7, I managed to break the battery harness. Many thanks to Virtue Paintball for sending out a new one (it arrived today) and they didn’t laugh at me too much…
24. From the ruined underwear department: I was driving home from work today, and out on I-275 South heading out of Tampa, I went around this huge truck that was going marginally slower than I was…maybe 5-10 seconds later, the driver’s side front tire on this huge truck blew, taking off the truck’s hood causing the driver to lose control and nerf hard into the guard rail. 5-10 seconds sooner, and…well. Apparently God has something else in mind for me. It’s amazing how you can feel sound.

Get your Labor Day weekend off to a bang with SHM’s Dale Ford and TechPB’s Mike Phillips squaring off in the SHM “Fight Club” for “Who IS the Deadliest Paintball Warrior?”, coverage of Wasaga Beach’s “Archangel”, New European Editor Tim Barnett’s take on team troubles, TB’s excursion into the Lowest Common Denominator, Dynamic Coating’s Dyna-Clear review, and so much more!

Head over to http://www.shootinghotmagazine.com today to get in on the party!

“We are very excited to be partnering up with Valken, an experienced company with storied management group. It is not very often that you get to be on the ground floor of a new business that has already shown so much potential, and being able to be a part of their future success is a very exciting experience for the team. This marketing partnership represents a new chapter for the Delta Paintball Team, and the forging of a strong and lasting partnership between our two groups,” said Josh Foote, Team Captain and CEO of Delta Paintball, Inc.

Valken Brand Manager and Sales Rep, Will Bourgalt said, “Delta Paintball is an excellent example of a teams’ commitment to the game, a product-testing platform and a springboard in organizing and leading Valken Corps teams. “We’re proud to have them onboard and look forward to seeing them on the field.”

Delta team member George “Shaffer stated, “From our initial meeting with Valken, it has been clear that the company’s attention to detail, coupled with their desire to meet players expectations was a natural fit with the Delta Paintball Team. With their ever growing array of products to fit every player’s needs, Valken was the obvious choice when we were looking for a company to partner with on and off the playing field.”

For more information on Valken Paintball and their full line of equipment and apparel visit www.ValkenPaintball.com

For more information on the Delta Paintball Team visit www.DeltaPaintball.com

Central to Mrs. Adair’s deal was the decoration of her paintball marker by Dynamic Finishes’ Scott Catton. The Planet Eclipse Ego 7 was given a silver base coat, skull hydrographics, topped off with a candy blue color coat, sealed with urethane clear coat and to protect the work, Dyna-Shield nano-ceramic coating.

TFR Group’s Dale Ford said “Ashley Adair is the embodiment of what Southern Paintball is. She’s an aggressive, fearless player with command experience and as an added bonus, she’s an attractive young woman. She’s approached this sponsorship with professionalism and we’re looking forward to working with her for the 2011 season and beyond!”

Mrs. Adair has only seen pictures of the gun at this point. She’ll be presented with it at LCP’s “A Modern Warfare II” set for September 25th-26^th, 2010. In addition to her exploits as a player, Mrs. Adair and her husband Benji will be at LCP’s Finale this year with Ashley as the “Dark Side” Commander vs. Waverly “Wibby” Muller of Valken Paintball.

For the remainder of the 2010 Season, Ashley Adair will be at the following events representing Dynamic Finishes:

September 25th-26^th, “A Modern Warfare II” at Low Country Paintball in Ludowici, GA.

October 9th-10^th “Monster Mash” at Fort Knox Paintball in Winamac, IN

October 15th-16^th “Bloodlines IV” at Old River Paintball in Ocklawaha, FL

December 10th-11^th “Galaxy Wars” at Low Country Paintball in Ludowici, GA (commanding)

Mrs. Adair will also be attending the 2010 World Cup at Fantasy of Flight October 21st-24^th near Orlando, FL. She’ll be hanging out with us at the Dynamic Finishes booth near the ProCaps Trailer…come by and say “Hi”!

Dynamic Finishes specializes in Hydrographic decoration as well as developing and marketing nano-ceramic coatings like Dyna-Shield for your paintball gun and Dyna-Clear for your mask! Check out http://www.dynamicfinishes.com today for more information, and come out to LCP, Fort Knox, and Old River to see what Dynamic Finishes can do for your favorite paintball gun!

“Georgia” Joe Hamilton and his elite crew are putting the finishing touches on the game right now, and the two Generals are busy building their plans of attack. This game will pit two players on the same team, but different chapters of Team IYAOYAS.

Aaron “Hoot” Skolnick, fighting for The Americans:

Height: 5’8”

Weight: 250 pounds

Age: 23

Weapon of Choice: Planet Eclipse Ego Ten, “Asuka” or Planet Eclipse GEO 2 “Mari”

Team: Northeastern Chapter of IYAOYAS

“Hoot” brings a lot of energy and experience to this game, and he’s got one goal for dealing with the Russians: Annihilation! With 4 years of living the paintball lifestyle under his belt, he’s going to have his hands full dealing with teammate Gwaltinator.

Jeff “Gwaltinator” Gwaltney, fighting for the Russians

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 225 Pounds

Age: 39

Weapon of Choice: Planet Eclipse Ego 8 equipped with Apex-tipped barrel or Planet Eclipse ETEK II

Team: Southeastern Chapter of IYAOYAS

One of the founding members of Team IYAOYAS, Gwalt brings years of scenario experience to the table, the Hybrid player will be working hard to keep the Imperialist Americans in their place. The father of four has patience and experience on his side, but will it be enough to contain Hoot?

Start your scenario season off with a bang at this year’s Owner’s Group Forums Meet and Greet event and do a good thing for the community too, since LCP is working with the Jesup Shrine Club Misfits to benefit needy children. A portion of the entry for every player is going to be donated to this worthy cause!

Sign up today for “A Modern Warfare II” at http://www.lcpscenariogames.com

EMR is still looking for an individual or Team to command  the DEFENDERS at the DXS CASTLE CONQUEST XXX coming up Sept. 25th.  The following teams have already registered to help the commander defend: BONEHEADS, BRIMSTONE, CARTER’S COMMANDO, EXILE, FREAKS of NATURE, LI BOYS, MASS HYSTERIA, MERCS, MISDIRECTED HOSTILITIES, and PITBULLS.  Any others wishing to defend need to get registered for this PURE PAINTBALL INSANITY and come shoot the top quality DXS BLUE’S CREW PAINTBALLS.  For more info and registration, go to http://emrpaintball.com/conquestfall.shtml .

“This agreement will ensure that we continue to offer our players extremely authentic products, so that they can take the field with unparalleled confidence and pride,” said Patrick Ehren, vice president of sales and marketing for Tippmann Sports. “The greatest impact from this new partnership with H&K will be evident on our popular X7 platform, where we will continue to offer various H&K “looks,” which will allow the X7 to maintain its status as the most customizable paintball marker in the world.”

About Heckler & Koch:

Heckler & Koch is the world’s premier small arms systems company and a major supplier to global military, law enforcement agencies, and civilian shooters. An innovative leader in design and manufacturing, Heckler & Koch provides technologically advanced firearms, logistical support, training, and specialized services with the highest standards of innovation and reliability to its customer base. Heckler & Koch’s well-known range of products include the USP series pistols, MP5 submachine gun, the MP7 Personal Defense Weapon, the G36 weapon system, the HK416 enhanced carbine, and the recently introduced HK45 and P30 series pistols.

About Tippmann:

For more than 20 years, Tippmann Sports has been dedicated to quality manufacturing and the pursuit of cutting-edge technology and design. The company serves the paintball industry from its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Tippmann Sports’ complete line of paintball markers and related accessories can be found at paintball stores and fields as well as mass retail and sporting goods outlets throughout the world.

1. Hydrotec is coming soon…here’s what VP of Sales and Marketing Chuck Hendsch had to say: “HydroTec is a new company that has invented a better way to manufacture Paintballs. This Paintball is going to change the Game, HydroTec will be debuting the technology and show samples at the PB Extravaganza September 14th in Anaheim Ca. Hope to see you there.”
2. Boston Red Legion wins PSP MAO.
3. I’ve gotten to see some of the video clips Dynamic Finish’s Dave Peirano and crew shot this week…r0wr.
4. Holy Water Balls! http://www.scenarioarms.com/holywaterballs.html
5. PSP rolls out the field layout for World Cup: http://thefordreport.com/2010/08/psp-releases-field-layout-for-world-cup/
6. Travis Dusek is no longer with Custom Products. Here’s what he had to say on the matter: “I just wanted to give you a heads up that I was laid off from Custom Products yesterday. Anyone wanting to stay in touch can reach me at: TravisDusek@gmail.com 817-905-0260 cell
7. Delta Paintball Team signs with Kohn Sports: http://thefordreport.com/2010/08/delta-paintball-team-signs-with-kohn-sports/
8. The Pre-Registration Deadline has been extended to September 1^st for the Tippmann World Challenge…sign up if you’re going to go! http://hellsurvivors.com/tippmann/index.php
9. While Gio wasn’t looking, I snuck into his warehouse and check out some of the goodies in the goodie bags they’re going to be giving away at Decay of Nations IV. Most Impressive.
10. Speaking of Gio, he’s teamed up with Kingman Group to expand awareness of Spyder’s .50 line.
11. Fog Doc rolls out their new line of “Clarity Products”: http://thefordreport.com/2010/08/fogdoc-com-announces-the-newest-member-to-the-family-of-clarity-products/
12. Headhunter had this to say: “Great attendance and a fun scenario based game along with beautiful weather made the 3rd annual Cousins charity event a huge success. The folks from vet dogs brought out some new recruits who were all to happy to try to gobble up stray paintballs or give you a paw to say thanks. Info is here http://vetdogs.org/ Pics from the event can be found here. http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h301/headhunter_photos/VET%20DOGS/ Who won the day? The dogs did!
13. Gentle interrogation of Paula Smith at LCP indicates that registration is going well for “A Modern Warfare” at LCP in September. http://thefordreport.com/2010/08/a-modern-warfare-ii/ get the Deep South Scenario Season off with a bang!
14. RAP4 rolls out “EndWar” : http://thefordreport.com/2010/08/operation-end-war/
15. Artifact Episode 4 is out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1z_5rW2ZD4
16. Tim Barnett of Shoreline Paintball has been promoted within the Shooting Hot Magazine organization. He’s going to be heading up our European Desk as the European Editor.
17. The guys over at TechT have been busy rolling out new products. Check out http://www.techtpaintball.com to see what’s up!
18. Tim over at Fox Paintball near Chicago dropped me a line: “Fox Paintball outside Chicago is hosting its annual All Day Scenario Training Day VI on September 19th. This year’s theme is “OUTBREAK”. Play as Army Rangers or Navy Seals and compete to stop enemy attacks of Biological and Chemical Warfare. To pre register Check it out here – http://www.foxpaintball.com/all_day_scenarios.html .”
19. Gen-X Global is now making Pod Steins to serve up your favorite beverage using a paintball pod. Arfan’s such a party animal… http://www.ansgear.com/Paintball_Pod_Stein_Blue_p/podsteinblue.htm
20. Grey Ops did a review of the S-Thunder Step and Release Land Mine: http://www.greyops.net/2010/08/s-thunder-step-release-landmine-review.html
21. E-Money is up to something pretty cool that’ll make scenario players happy…I’ll keep you informed.
22. This just in: The Planet Eclipse Ego 7 I had decorated to sponsor Dynamic Finishes’ first sponsored player just arrived. It’s been unboxed, and it made me fill my pants with glee. Dave and Scott really, really outdid themselves. Even The Tiny Blonde Goddess, who is a hardcore Angel girl, was impressed.
23. In addition to ANS Gear having the Valken 2011 line available for pre-order, Gino is going to unleash Will Bourgalt upon some poor unsuspecting Canadians at Wasaga Beach this weekend. They won’t know what hit them.
24. Kurt’s condition continues to improve. Keep the prayers coming!

Before I get too far into this excursion into the exercise of the first amendment, let me start off by saying one thing about White Hats, LLC:

I Don’t Care.

There, I said it. Aside from having dinner with Adam, Frank Connell and some of the guys on the All-Americans years ago at a nice place in New Orleans during a Mardi Gras Open, I have no real connection to Smart Parts, other than I use a Freak Boremaster Kit with my Deadlywind barrel.
So in a very real sense, I have a clean slate when it comes to commenting with regards to talking about this particular company and its’ ignominious end in US Bankruptcy Court. For the moment, we’ll have to take White Hats’ word on how things are progressing with their agreement in principle with the bank and the Bankruptcy Court Trustee to purchase the assets of Smart Parts.

Like my friend John Amodea, I was besieged with questions and requests for information this past weekend once White Hats, LLC made their announcement regarding their potential purchase of SP. Aside from Steve Davidson being brought on with his media powerhouse to handle PR and Media Relations, it’s not yet known who or what is involved with White Hats, LLC.

What came as a surprise to me was the speed and vociferous reaction on the various paintball forums who immediately set to speculating about who was hiding behind Davidson in his role as PR Guy. While it’s not certain fact as yet who is involved, I can say without hesitation that Valken Paintball’s Gino Postorivo is NOT involved. Yes, he had some fun posting up a picture of him standing next to the Smart Parts sign on FaceBook, but it has been made crystal clear to me that he is NOT involved. A guy’s gotta have some fun, right?

What I find particularly funny on certain forums there are those speaking with an air of authority like they’re really ‘in the know’, then proceeding to some blatantly obvious speculation and hoping that this air of authority and even outright arrogance would give their words the patina of truth.

In either event, what White Hats’ intentions are aren’t known at this time, and it’s been made painfully clear that the release of information will be on their schedule, not ours. I would hope that those at the helm of White Hats, LLC are at least reading the forums to get an idea of what people would want from this notional new company product wise, so once things are in motion, they’ll have a running start on what the market desires.

Speaking for myself, my interest is mainly limited to morbid curiosity as to who would want to invest in a company specializing in a luxury sport during a time of recession, “Summer of Recovery” or not. I suppose that if the price was cheap enough, it’d be worth doing to acquire the business and its assets and sit on them until genuine economic recovery begins. But that’s speculation on my part, not anything based on concrete evidence.

At the end of the day, it’s not in the paintball playing public’s hands as to what will happen with Smart Parts, White Hats, LLC, and whomever or whatever is behind the machinations of purchasing the company and assets from the Bank.

However, if you people at White Hats, LLC really are listening, would it be too much trouble to do a run of Stainless Steel bore kits? I had a set years ago and I regret selling them. Just sayin’.

The best teams in the world will converge in Las Vegas to see who will be crowned the 7 Man and 5 Man champions. If you think your team is good then sign up to compete in one of the 7 divisions.

Team Registration opens August 21! Don’t miss your chance to save, and to guarantee your teams spot, this year end paintball spectacle will sell out quickly!

NPPL Divisions are:

Professional -7 man

Division 1 -7 man

Division 2 -7 man

Division 3 -7 man

Division 3 -5 man

Division 4 -5 man

Pump 5man

Prize money will be issued to 1st though 4th place and Trophies for 1st through 3rd place.

In addition the normal competition the NPPL will host an Exhibition Match on Friday and Saturday debuting the new NPPL S7 Format. This new format was played in DC during the All Star Game and the league is considering using this format for 2011. The League is looking to invite one player from each D2 and D3 7man team to play the new format along side Pro Players.

The NPPL will also host the Paintball Celebrity Poker Tournament and a Players party where the NPPL Hall of Fame inductees will be announced. Each Team Packet will be loaded with discount coupons for Vegas nightclubs, shows, restaurants and deals at the trade show.

In addition to the competition there will be a Hugh trade show where many of the Paintball Manufactures will be debuting their 2011 paintball line of products. The trade show is open to the public.

The National Professional Paintball League is committed to hosting the highest quality paintball tournaments at the most affordable price. Our vision is to provide you, the player and team, a professional stage to compete on while giving you the best possible experience. We will focus on quality referees and organization while giving you an incredible vibe to have the time of your paintball life.

Come join the Pros and experience the Greatest Paintball Show on Earth.

National Professional Paintball League

www.nppl.com