Another pile of paintball rumors have come across the ProPaintball news desk. Check out the latest on DC Arsenal, Shane Howe, Markus Nielsen, Alex Savino, X-Factor and more!

Contrary to rumors suggesting the teams demise, DC Arsenal is rumored to be starting a divisional farm program. In addition, team owner Tom Fore is said to be taking a more active role in the team and will be competing on the pro field. According to ProPaintball insiders, Shane Howe is making the leap from BLAST to Arsenal for 2012.

Alex Savino and Markus Nielsen are said to be back in paintball for 2012. Markus was killing it at the 2011 PALS World Cup Asia with Malaysian pro team XTIONEER XFOX and expressed sincere interest in returning to the US division 1 and Pro fields in 2012.

Alex Savino took a break from professional paintball in 2011. After playing back to back seasons for nearly 10 years, he decided to take some personal time and focus on life. ProPaintball insiders tell us Savino has the paintball itch and is ready to jump back in the mix.

Players Chris LC Wilson (former Thunder) and Drew Hire (former Aftershock) were spotted at San Antonio X-Factor practice trying out for the team.

Speaking of X-Factor, the team is rumored to be jumping into the Ultimate Woodsball League starting with the Dallas event. Right on guys!

Chad George of Impact was said to be playing with Houston Heat last week during the teams first practice.

Ryan Martin is rumored to be in talks with LA Critical for NPPL league play in 2012. Last season Martin played with Sacramento XSV (NPPL) and Top Gun Union (PSP). A few weeks ago he announced he would be leaving both teams to join the LA Ironmen (PSP) team, and leaving options open for NPPL play. LA Critical is said to be using crossfire air systems, HK cleats, shooting Bob Long G6R’s

Having trouble on the field? Looking for advice? Try JT ProTips

Sometimes- teams and players don’t know where to look to improve their game. Here is a video from a series of JT ProTips with Thomas Taylor of Sacramento XSV. Try giving these videos a go!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Find more videos here by visiting the JT USA video channel on YouTube! // http://www.youtube.com/user/JTUSAPaintball

French pro paintball team Marseille ICON has unveiled their new paintball documentary. In 2011, ICON experienced a series of up’s and downs and the video footage documents all of the action. Check out over 26 minutes of professional paintball and tour the European pro series with one of one of the top teams.

Click here to view the embedded video.

We didn’t see this coming! Longtime Paintball Legend Chris Lasoya Joins San Francisco EXPLICIT!

You might remember as we reported earlier this year the recent additions to the EXPLICIT roster. With players like Neil Eberle, Tyler Harmon and now Chris Lasoya- EXPLICIT is putting together what appears to be a powerhouse team. Core cohesion will be critical for the team in 2012: team managaement and results will matter when it comes to game time. EXPLICIT will be competing in the 2012 NPPL Super 7 Tournament Series.

Chris Lasoya, the Ageless Wonder, has signed with San Francisco Explicit to participate with them in the NPPL Series. Rob Montiero, Owner and President of The Explicit Group, states “We are extremely excited about having this great addition to our team. We know that his experience coupled with the current roster will be an added value and benefit for Explicit.”

“I am looking forward to this year and this new venture with Team Explicit. Rob and company have taken the steps to create a team that will be very competitive. I would like to be a part of that. I have always liked the guys currently on the roster and the new pick ups I have played against for years and I have always had the utmost love and respect for. ‘Talent wins games … but Teamwork and intelligence wins championships.’ MJ said that.” – Chris Lasoya

With less than two months to go until the first event (NPPL Surf City Open March 29- April 1st) fans are eager to see the results.

We’re Giving Away An Empire Paintball Prophecy Z2 Loader to One Lucky Winner!–

Empire Paintball provided us a brand new Prophecy Z2 loader to give away to one of our fans! Just follow these four easy steps to be entered to win this awesome loader. Good luck to all participants!

Step 1 – ‘Like’ Empire Paintball on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empirepaintball

Step 2 – Comment on their wall with ”PROPaintball.com sent me to Win a Z2!”

Step 3 – ‘Like’ PROPaintball.com’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/propaintballcom

Step 4- Comment on the PROPaintball Facebook wall “EMPIRE Paintball sent me to Win a Z2″

ProPaintball insiders report that Sup’Air is preparing to unveil an upgrade kit for the 2012 Paintball Sports Promotions (PSP) regulation paintball field.

Are more bunkers coming to paintball fields?

The current Sup’Air paintball bunker set for PSP fields comes in at 44 pieces. According to inside information made available to ProPaintball, the upgrade kit will feature 8 new bunker pieces. While we are not sure if these will be in addition to, or designed to replace existing bunkers, ProPaintball insiders report the new bunker kit will primarily effect the snake side play.

Is the paintball field changing?

ProPaintball insiders mentioned that Sup’Air has been looking for ways to reduce the cost and increase the life span of the paintball field kits. Unfortunately these changes will come a price tag of $1100.00 per 2012 upgrade kit.

The community has long called for adjustments of field layouts to open competitive paintball to players of different shapes and sizes. Fields have requested that Sup’Air end the yearly bunker upgrade kits to help reduce costs and standardize play. Unfortunately it does not appear that upgrade kits are going anywhere in the near future. However, the addition of 6-8 new bunkers raises some interesting possibilities.

What is your opinion? What adjustments can we make to improve paintball game play?

Discussion Board: NPPL 2012 New Rules and Regulations

We want to hear from YOU on the latest changes in the NPPL.

In a recent newsletter on behalf of the NPPL it is revealed that new rules and regulations will be set in place for 2012.

The most important change coming to the NPPL in 2012 seems to include a required ROF-fi technology (produced by Virtue Paintball LLC.) to be attached to all electronic paintball markers used in the NPPL (NPPL ROF Document). This technology is said to track player rate of fire statistics using Wifi (RF signals) which report data to a virtual NPPL “hub” (NPPA Ranking system) among other variants.

“The network effects of automatically “sharing” some of your key stats with thousands of Facebook friends, Twitter followers, etc. can not be overlooked. With Rof-fi statistics, paintball has a chance to not  only legitimize itself as a serious, high tech sport, but to leverage the network-effects of social media to increase awareness and interest in the sport of paintball.” (More information on the ROF-fi system).- Virtue Paintball LLC

This all sounds well and good on paper but we must ask what is the responsibility of a “piggy-back” chip technology produced by Virtue in line with NPPL regulations and marketing principles?

Additional questions arise-

Will the NPPL produce media and marketing campaigns beyond social networking based on this information? It is almost assured. Clearly, social media is a valuable means to an end but there is no explanation on how players, advertising or provided sponsorship will directly benefit or be affected. How will the NPPL use such information past this idealist future? This isn’t the first time such a system has been suggested or the description of a utopian paintball world pitched by a private company or Major League Paintball.

How does one improve a faulty system of authority by automating results they themselves did not create? Should the NPPL do so?

Case by case, most players would agree that the basis for this decision, unregulated rate of fire, is not the root cause of the issue: a league which has understandably lost participants due to poor reffing and bad calls is the problem. Rather it is suggested the required use of this product is the extension of a surface context, a mismanagement of the rules and a clear avoidance of fair and proper policy made in part by the NPPL.

Why require anything at all? The argument is cicular in this case.

The regulation change does not go to address the actions of players but instead requires the collective into justifying a product placement. With such a valuable asset as automated and processed analytical information, where is the transparency provided for fans, players and teams? What assurances can be made? Will players be rewarded for producing and providing this information as participants under the NPPL/NPPA—and if not, what incentive is provided to play by the rules and use this technology? Is there any at all?

Are there any protections given towards the players for using this technology? What about their personal information? There are none listed or cited.

Despite misgivings, the technology is sound and stands to benefit major attraction for end users. That isn’t the issue- nor is the thought of a required purchase. There is a clear disconnect that somehow using technology will improve performance in officiating results on behalf of the NPPL regulatory staff and that by requiring such integration, everyone will benefit. Based on the working history of the league- we must disagree.

We want to know what you think.

Comment and share your thoughts with us- we would like to hear from YOU on this issue.

Pro Paintball caught up with Cassidy Sanders, arguably the best paintball videographer in the world. In this exclusive interview, Cassidy tells ProPaintball about his background, influences, and news of a fresh series of paintball videos.

Cassidy Sanders - photo by CreedShot

ProPaintball: How old are you and where do you hail from?

Cassidy: 26, Southern California…currently Newport Beach.

ProPaintball: Tell us about your background in paintball. You were one of the original Hostile Kids/HKArmy, right?

Cassidy Sanders playing paintball with HKArmy - Photo: Warpig.com

Cassidy: Yea, one of the few originals from when we created HKarmy almost 10 years ago. I got out of playing a season or two after xball was created because the pro teams were constantly picking apart our core. I always preferred playing with a core HK team and was way too shy back then to leave my friends to play on pro paintball teams. The core HK team was always a last minute ordeal and after a few seasons, I decided to go back to school and work full time. I came back to paintball after a few years to see that a few of the core guys had turned HK army into a clothing company. I jumped in and applied my creative talents to the cause. I rarely play now days because I enjoy filming so much.

ProPaintball: Where do you look for inspiration?

Cassidy: I don’t know if you can call it looking because I am literally inspired by everything. Any type of art form…be it through paintings, music, film, web designs, you name it, I have great appreciation for it.

ProPaintball: Which musician or type of music is your favorite, and why?

Cassidy: Man that is a tough one. That is almost like asking what is my favorite film haha.

ProPaintball: Haha, that was our next question. Do tell..

Cassidy: Honestly, this is a hard one to pin down. I enjoy almost every type of music and film.

ProPaintball: We understand you spent a considerable amount of time traveling last year to shoot paintball videos. What event and host country was your favorite? Care to share any memories from your trip?

Cassidy: The first Millennium event in Paris, France I didn’t plan on filming paintball. The event was used as a trick to get my lady out to France. My goal was to surprise her on the Eiffle Tower with a successful proposal. Being in Paris during the Millennium event I couldn’t leave without filming paintball. Paris was above and beyond a perfect trip and I’m excited to get married in a few months. Norway was also amazing and everyone I met was beyond friendly to me, which isn’t always the case because I’m a weird looking American ;)

Cassidy Sanders Filming Paintball - Photo: Roggie Photo

ProPaintball: You set the trend in paintball videography by introducing Dubstep music into your videos. What trend do you see popping up next?

Cassidy: Dubstep has taken over all media forms lately. I just happen to know a good amount of friends who made dubstep back when not many people knew about it. I always thought Dubstep would be perfect for paintball. The other thing that aided me was that very few were using DSLR’s for filming paintball back when I started. With the way technology is advancing I think there won’t be just one really big trend. The quality of these cameras are perfect for anybody to be creative and be original with there own type of style for film.

ProPaintball: What type of equipment are you using these days?

Cassidy: I still use my personal outdated Canon t2i 550d for paintball, but when ever I have the opportunity to use better equipment I jump for it. The latest event I filmed with a Red Epic and plan to use cameras at that level for many more projects.

ProPaintball: Here is one of our favorite videos by Cassidy – NPPL 2010.

Click here to view the embedded video.

ProPaintball:Which paintball videographer do you watch most? Any favorites out there?

Cassidy: Big fan of my buddy Drew Templeton’s Grind Paintball videos.

ProPaintball: Your videos are blowing up on Youtube and the paintball community is clamoring for more. When should we expect your next video release?

Cassidy: Next one will be released tomorrow (Feb. 2nd.) I hate not having videos done as soon as possible just like everyone else. However, I film and produce videos outside of paintball for a living. Unfortunately the paintball videos all began to pile up in a backlog. The rest of last years events will all be dropping through out this month and early march before next year’s season begins. I’m never going to let the event videos fall behind like that again.

ProPaintball: Awesome, we can’t wait to check the new videos out. What can paintball players do to find themselves in your videos?

Cassidy: I film anyone who supports paintball. Of course since my roots are HK and I now do videos for them, I will always hit record for anyone supporting HK army.

ProPaintball: Any advice for aspiring photographers or videographers?

Cassidy: When I began filming I couldn’t afford even the cheapest DSLR at the time, so I would test out friends cameras and learn everything I could while saving money. I would say don’t stop trying something new or making mistakes. So many good ideas happen on accident.

ProPaintball: What is your schedule looking like for 2012? Anything special we should be looking forward to?

Cassidy: 2012 is going to be huge. I have lots of big plans for paintball and plan on finishing the first HK Army DVD/BluRay some time during this season.

ProPaintball: Thanks for your time dude! We can’t wait to check out your new releases. For more information about Cassidy and his videos, you can visit CassidySanders.com, follow him on Facebook, and Subscribe to his Youtube Channel, ThePBFashion.

Photo 1 credit: CreedShot

Photo 2 Credit: Warpig.com

Photo 3 Credit: Roggie Photo

Today’s paintball photo of the day comes to us from Norway. Player Jonas Kjoel was playing with Christiansund Oilers at the Norwegian Masters in 2011. Jonas broke his wrist a few weeks prior to playing in the tournament. The best part is, he didn’t let an injury stop him from competing with his teammates.

Dedication or insanity? Tell us in the comments below.

Playing paintball with an injury

Pro Paintball is proud to welcome Guerrilla Air as a partner for 2012. Guerrilla Air goes far beyond developing and manufacturing high quality paintball gear. Guerrilla Air works hard to support the growth of our game. They provide paintball players and teams with first class service, free paintball programs, and partnerships (ProPaintball!).

Guerrilla Air Paintball Gear

About Guerrilla Air:

Guerrilla Air is a leader in paintball technology. Guerrilla Air specializes in superior quality Air Systems & offer the lightest Carbon Fiber tanks on the market. In addition to its superior systems Guerrilla Air also offers additional high end paintball products including the Cobra Coil Remote Hose. Whether you play Scenario/Woodsball, Tournament or Airsoft, Guerrilla Air has a product you need. With their cutting edge technology and raw brand power, there is no calming the beast.

Support from Guerrilla Air and our other loyal partners helps keep ProPaintball running free of charge and funds our continued development. We urge you to visit GuerrillaAir.com. Be sure to keep Guerrilla Air products in mind when making you are in the market for paintball gear.

Pro player Billy Bernacchia

A long time staple of the Northeast Paintball Scene is relocating to Texas for the 2012 season. Last week we reported that Billy Bernacchia was in Texas and hanging out with the X-Factor pro team while they were hosting tryouts. New information has surfaced indicating a permanent move is being made.

ProPaintball insiders report that Billy has joined the team and an “official” announcement on his move to San Antonio X-FACTOR is forthcoming. Prior to joining X-Factor, Billy was a core player of the recently dissolved New England Hurricanes and St. Louis Avalanche pro teams. During the 2011/12 off season, the Hurricanes and Avalanche teams merged to form a new pro team know officially as New England Avalanche. ProPaintball insiders suggest that initially the Hurri-lanche team was considering play in both the PSP and NPPL pro series. However, as time went on it became clear that the new team would be competing exclusively in the NPPL. Bernacchia has been competing in both pro leagues for as long as we can remember and ProPaintball insiders suggest this could have been a reason for him seeking a new home.

Pro paintball team X-Factor at PSP World Cup 2012

San Antonio X-Factor is wearing Sly Profit Goggles and paintball gear. In addition, the team will be shooting Planet Eclipse paintball guns.

ProPaintball.com insiders are awaiting an official announcement to be made concerning the future of Bernacchia with X-FACTOR. Billy Bernacchia is well known on the national circuits – his ability and experience on the field will no doubt help to boost the defensive power of the X-FACTOR pro team.