Riley Sullivan from Paintball team XSV

Rumors circulated that pro paintball team XSV has been considering a color change for 2012. After using the colors black and gold for five consecutive years, Sacramento XSV will be moving to a neon green and black color scheme.

Earlier this morning, XSV pro player uploaded a copy of the revamped logo on twitter. The logo continues to use the same font, nautical star, and shield that has become an icon to many in the paintball community.

New paintball gear logo for XSV

ProPaintball insiders rumor that this change was suggested by team sponsor JT Paintball to better support the companies new line of paintball equipment and color ways. Could the neon green and black colors be an indicator of the future of JT Paintball? Only time will tell.

News is circulating this morning that ASSAULT, a North East Division 1 paintball team is throwing in the towel. Reports of players in talks with other paintball teams local to the area are coming in to ProPaintball.

This story is developing. Stay tuned for more information.

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.

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.

San Francisco Explicit is ready to roll with the MacDev Clone– Sign Partnership for 2012! (Practice Schedule Below)

The MacDev Clone line of paintball markers has become a popular choice among teams. San Francisco Explicit has signed into a partnership with MacDev for the 2012 season. We spoke with President and team owner of San Francisco Explicit Rob Montiero about what this means for the team:

“Macdev immediately treated us as part of their Family. James took the time with us, made himself available and within the first 5 minutes on the phone with him I knew MacDev was the right place.”

Why did the team choose the Clone?

“Plain and Simple, the Consistency & Accuracy”

MacDev had posted an official Press Release which you can read below.

“MacDev announces not only the sponsorship but partnership with Pro Team San Francisco Explicit to shoot the Clone for the 2012 season!

 

Rob Montiero, Owner & President of San Francisco Explicit, a Professional Paintball Team who plays in the NPPL states.

 

“We as an organization are extremely excited and honored about this partnership with MacDev. We believe that MacDev is the right fit for our team and look forward to the future.”

 

Macdev are very happy to be associated with team Explicit, the Clone has proven to be a top tournament gun which more and more players are starting to figure out. Explicit look set to have a great team for this season!

 

Fans can follow Explicit by liking them here on FB, get behind the Macdev teams and sponsored players!”

Following this announcement, we found San Francisco Explicit’s practice schedule posted on Facebook. With plans to practice Sacramento XSV, San Diego Dynasty and Edmonton Impact, we’re looking forward to hearing the results. The team will be practicing at Extreme Paintball Park, Camp Pendleton Paintball Park and Capital Edge Paintball Park. Be sure to say “hello” and support local paintball in the California area.

February 5th- Extreme Paintball Park w/ Sacramento XSV

February 11th-12th- Camp Pendleton Paintball Park w/ Sacramento XSV, San Diego Dynasty & Edmonton Impact

February 18th- Capital Edge Paintball Park w/ Portland Uprising & Vancouver Vendetta

San Antonio X-Factor and New England Avalanche are rumored to be making moves. Read on for the latest Pro Paintball news and rumors.

X-Factor puts the beat down on Impact

San Antonio X-Factor is playing both the NPPL and PSP paintball leagues this year. According to ProPaintball insiders, the team has signed with Valken for new paintball gear and will be wearing SLY Equipment (including sly profits, pads and other soft goods). X-Factor will be hosting tryouts this weekend and Billy Bernacchia of New England Avalanche is said to be mixing it up. Is he trying out, playing with friends for the weekend, or both?

Pro player Billy Bernacchia

For those of you scratching your heads about this New England Avalanche bit, here goes. Jeff Stein retired the New England Hurricanes and shortly after it was announced that St. Louis Avalanche and the Hurricanes were merged together. The combined team will be called New England Avalanche, and has relocated to the North East. If rumors hold true, Bernacchia, a long time Hurricane and Avalanche player, will be a big loss for the pro squad.

New paintball team by Vanguard?

New England Avalanche is in the midst of building a pro and divisional franchise program. According to ProPaintball insiders, Avalanche’s gun sponsor Vanguard is stepping it up for 2012 and merging in their teams. The Vanguard Division 2 team is said to be joining NPPL division 1, while the Vanguard D3 team will be joining NPPL Division 2. According to sources, no home field has been established for Avalanche as of yet. ProPaintball insiders note the team is setting up to maintain both a West and East Coast programs in order to create better brand recognition and increase the talent pool.

What are your thoughts on a cross country professional paintball program? Will it succeed, or encounter difficulty? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Pro Paintball Team VICIOUS Re-Sign Sponsorship with EMPIRE Paintball

Pro team VICIOUS is proud to announce their latest sponsorship with Empire for 2012! With a very strong year behind them, VICIOUS will be looking to put on the wins wearing Empire gear. E-Vent Goggles, the Empire Prophecy Loader Z2 and Contact ZERO pants will adorn the team heading into the new year.

“Empire Paintball is very happy to have Team VICIOUS back again this year. We are excited to watch them build upon the momentum they had at the end of last season and we know that 2012 is going to be a rewarding year for the guys”, says Johnny Postorivo, Vice President of U.S. Sales at Empire Paintball.

Sacramento XSV is setting the stage for another successful year in the pro paintball circuit. The team recently picked up Jason and Corey Bornstein from Oakland BLAST. The Hebrew Hammers as they are known, previously played with Ballistic and XSV Influence in divisional paintball. Later they worked there way up  into the semi professional world and played with the OC Bushwackers, San Diego Aftermath and Newport Entourage. The two are known to feast on the field and will be solid additions to the team.

Pro paintball players Jason and Corey Bornstein

Also in the news, Patrick Slattery is said to be returning to the team. Pat played with XSV from 2008-2010 and then joined San Francisco Explicit in 2011.

The question remains as to whether or not the team will be competing in one or both of the pro paintball leagues in 2012. Prior to the merger rumors, XSV’s Junior Brown mentioned a sincere interest in playing the PSP in conjunction with the NPPL in 2012. Team owner Rich Telford has been known to been a devout 7-man supporter. However, with the NPPL format adopting more of an Xball structure, who knows where the team will end up.

What format would you like to see XSV play in 2012?

ProPaintball insiders have been hearing rumors that a transition was in progress for the Hurricanes. Not clear on the details, we called Jeff Stein, Owner/Coach of the Hurricanes for the inside scoop. Stein confirmed the rumors, adding that he was retiring from the Hurricanes, and the Hurricanes name would not be used going forward.

Early this morning Jeff Stein told Pro Paintball,

Effective immediately I have stepped down from owning and operating the Hurricanes paintball team. We have enjoyed a great run and tons of good memories. This change has opened me up to several new opportunities, both in and outside of paintball. I am excited about the future and plan to take my time before committing to anything new.

Paintball continues to be a source great enjoyment for me. I have the field and will enjoy continuing to run it, and have begun playing woodsball at the field – i had forgotten how much fun that was and i’m looking forward to gearing up and getting back into the fun side of this game. Paintball is in my blood and I have no intention of going cold turkey. But after 13 years of running NEH, it was time for a change and time to put more focus on myself, my life and what I need.

Jeff posted a closing statement in his New England Hurricanes forum on PbNation.

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I’ll never look into your eyes…again

OK, so it’s a bit melodramatic. Especially that last line. But they were the only song lyrics that seemed to fit.

As I expect everyone (who cares) knows, I have stepped down as the head of the Hurricanes. And as it turns out, the Hurricane name will retire with me.

The Hurricane forum will be closing and moving into the Former Pro Team area.

Remnants of the Hurricanes plan to merge with Avalanche and go forward under that name.

And with that, the end.

To all the people who came to this forum to read and contribute to our conversations – thank you. I have enjoyed having my own little soapbox, and I hope people enjoyed reading it. I always took pride in the level of intelligence displayed in our forum – I often bragged it was the smartest place on PbNation. I don’t know if it had any positive impact on the sport in NE or anywhere else. I used to think so, I’m not so sure anymore. But at least it was fun while it lasted.

To all our fans over the years, all our sponsors, the fields who hosted us, the teams who practiced us and especially the players who represented the team – thank you.

Pro Paintball team Oakland BLAST has been the topic of many rumors lately. Back in Vegas word started getting around that the team would be restructuring for 2012. Over the Holidays we heared they were holding tryouts from one source, and disbanding from another.

Zack Long of Oakland BLAST set the record straight today with an official update;

So sorry to be the bearer of bad news but Oakland Blast will be taking the 2012 season off. Blast as a business is trying keep up with the overwhelming demand for their new guns and trying to roll out more new products in the near future. With that said the focus needed to be on the business, not the team.

Player movement thus far;

• Tyler Harmon, Neil Eberle, and Ryan Podesta to SF Explicit
• Zack Long- business and family
• Shane Howe- TBA
• Jason and Corey Bornstein-TBA
• Ryan Collette-MIA
• Francis Erguiza-TBA

Bob and his son Zack Long have been a long time professional paintball family and it is said to see them take a break. Where do you think the other players will end up?

As we reported last week- EXPLICIT would be adding new faces to their roster. Tyler Harmon, Neil Eberle, and Ryan Podesta are reported to be joining the team for 2012!

The news first came in this afternoon care of San Francisco EXPLICIT team owner Rob Montiero about their addition of Tyler Dean Harmon. Rob had also posted on ProPaintball.com Discussion Board, PbNation and Facebook about the new pick up. This news was then followed by the confirmation of Pro player Ryan Podesta joining the team.

Last week, ProPaintball spoke with Rob about the Explicit pro team’s outlook for the 2012 season and while he wouldn’t specifically name any Pro roster players, we had a feeling Rob wasn’t just pulling our leg. Tyler Harmon and Ryan Podesta will make an invaluable addition to the team.