Photo: Rampd Photography.com

Its only 2 weeks before the Phoenix season opener and several teams are rumored to be trying their hands at some last minute manuevering.

Credible sources report that Sacramento XSV an DC Arsenal are practicing X-ball this weekend. As we reported earlier, both Arsenal and XSV had been offered Pro franchises in the PSP Pro division but had reportedly turned them down to focus on the USPL. Doesn’t make sense to be shooting paint to practice a league they are not going to compete in..or will they? Check back for the Monday report!

Jersey Authority is rumored to be taking the season off. Sources have informed us that the sponsorships didn’t justify the expenditures. Rumor has it KEE offered Ron Butler a whopping 250 cases of paint for the season. According to USPL press releases, Jersey Authority was not on the list for the new 7-man format and 250 cases isn’t anywhere near whats neccessary to compete in Pro X-ball. The team was composed of members from several organizations and we can expect the athletes to return to their parent franchises. As far as where Bart Blonski and Alex Lundquist will end up, we have no idea. Bart was recently cut from the Russian Legion and Jersey Authority was Alex’s home team.

Word has that the Draxxus sponsored teams are still trying to figure out where they stand in terms of practice paint for the 09 season. Word has it that Pro Caps, like every other company our the industry, was busy restructuring operations during the off season. For most teams the season begins in less than 2 weeks and we can only hope they get a move on things.

Lane Wright and the PSP have been hard at work putting the finishing touches on the 2009 national X-ball series. During December we reported that the New England Hurricanes and San Diego Aftermath would be filling out the 11th and 12th spots in the NXL (which has recently become the 2009 PSP Pro Bracket). With reports that Tom Fore and Chuck Hendsch are working to start up their own premier 7-man league, rumors have surfaced that the PSP has sent out an additional 4 invites to the following Pro Franchises; Orange County Bushwackers, Sacramento XSV, Jersey Authority/MOD and DC Arsenal.

It should be noted that DC Arsenal is primarily owned by Tom Fore, one of the guys working to start up the NPL / USPA 7-man series.

Welcome to the 2009 Pre Season News Series. The Pro Paintball pre-season update will begin with the East Coast franchises and gradually move out West. Throughout the series we will post a “free agents” listing at the end of each update which should help contextualize the ever growing list of free agents. Feel free to send in your team updates (Pro/Divisional, tryouts, and Free Agents) so we can add you in. Email news@pbreserve.com !

Aside from joining the PSP’s exclusive Pro division, Jeff Stein’s New England Hurricanes wont be seeing any major adjustments in 2009. The Hurricanes are said to be fielding a PSP exclusive team and planning on keeping the squad as is. There was talk during the latter part of 2008 season that the Hurricanes would be picking up a divisional farm team but as of writing, nothing is set in stone.

Tampa Bay Damage is currently reworking the Damage D1 roster and taking the team into the Semi-Pro PSP division. A few divisional cuts are in the works but at this point we are not sure of any names. The Semi Pro team list of talent will be augmented by several members of the the Tampa Bay 2008 NXL squad. In talking with members of Damage, we learned that the PSP’s 2009 changes were having a major impact on the player who was set to fill Matt Richards spot. Apparently the team had secured another Pro for next year but due to roster cap’s the player is now a alternate on the Semi Pro squad. The Tampa Bay franchise will continue into 2009 as a DYE team and will hold the first pre-season practice the second weekend in January.

Russian Legion. Sergei, the team owner, has been unavailable for comment on anything paintball (rumor has it not even Lane Wright [PSP] can reach him). As a power broker in the financial sector (real world, real impact), hes definitely got bigger worries than what league his players will be competing in. With that being said, the team is rumored to be cutting costs (read: players), starting with several members of the American line. A little over two weeks ago, Bart Blonski, JP, and Robbie P were officially let go from the legion. Rumor has it that the second line of cuts will include Rabackoff, Baines, and Chapman.

Tom Fore’s DC ARSENAL is waiting in the wings as Tom & Chuck Hendsch work to recreate a national 7-man paintball league. Tom Fore has said that he would be more interested in playing in Europe than the PSP and he may just get his wish.

Jersey Authority and MOD are said to be in a holding pattern with the players waiting in the wings to hear the word for 2009.

Free Agents:

• Chris Lasoya won’t be able to make the first event and you can bet that his “value” is diminished accordingly. Apparently he is still in talks with Aftermath but only time will tell.
• Bart Blonski was recently let go by the Russian Legion. Where will he turn up next? Your guess is as good as ours.
• JP is in the same boat. Had it been any other season we would have guessed he would end up playing with Ironmen or Infamous or one of the Southern California power teams but with the roster caps?
• Dave Fason (Trauma) is looking to play Pro or Semi Pro in 2009.
• Rumored to be joining the list: Dave Baines, Haman Chapman, Justin Rabackoff

The decisions have been made at last! The new PSP Pro division (formerly the known as the NXL) will hold the 10 teams which competed in the NXL 2008 World Cup. Also included will be San Diego Aftermath, and the newly welcomed New England Hurricanes. As noted previously, 12 teams will make up the professional paintball division for 2009.

Congratulations to Jeff Stein and the New England Hurricanes on joining the PSP Pro division.

We have received word that should any of the teams decide not to compete in the Pro division, the opportunity will be extended to the following teams in order; 13th Bushwackers, 14th XSV, 15th Jersey Authority/MOD and 16th Arsenal.

Best of luck to everyone involved, things are definitely beginning to shape up for the 2009 season.

Paris Millenium going to be the best event of the year. The event will take place on October 10-12 at Euro Disney. We won’t be seeing any Dynasty Players playing on their teams due to Xball practice for PSP World Cup! There will still be plenty of other big names at the event, look for Moscow Phoenix (currently in 3rd place overall) rostering plenty of U.S. talent, including: Alex “Mouse” Goldman, Tyler Humphrey, Dave Fason, Glenn Takemoto, & Chris Lasoya.

Keep your eyes pealed for the Budapest Bullets, currently in 2nd place in the CPL standings.  The strength in their roster includes Oliver Lang & Peter “Mr. U” Utschig. As the previous events have shown, these guys should be around on Sunday.

Joy Division has had their ups and downs this season, a first place finish in Spain, and then a 5th place in Toulouse. Last event they had a much better showing and finished 2nd. With the #1 standing with overall series points, look for Maximus and his guys pulling out the stops in the quest for the euro title.

London Shock hasn’t had the best of performances this season coming off of a 16th place finish in Germany. Although this next event promises to be different, the team has made some big pickups with notable players Bobby “BobCat” Aviles & Joshua “Whisper” Minkowski from SDA. It’s time to see this team as a threat, so look for them to be around come Sunday.

Another UK team, London Nexus, is here for the final event of the season. Having finished #1 in Toulouse, and 7th in Germany (their best finishes this season), the team currently stands in 7th place overall for the CPL. Their #1 sharp shooter rostered for Paris is Brandon Short who they’re relying on in hopes of clinching a final win to boost the standings.

Chilli Peppers Riga out of Latvia hasn’t had the hottest season, although they do sit currently in 6th place overall. Another roster booming with big guns, look for Dave Baines, Bart Blonski and Robbie Pettinelli on the field doing work.

The All American Team playing as the Philly Dogs, stands in 4th place and rosters the Gardener’s boys. How will Paris treat the Americans this time around? TEAM AMERICA..F’k YEAH! (que team america movie theme song)

Not forgetting about the the extensive amount of talent coming from the numerous other teams, here is a list of other stars to look out for at Euro Disney: Greg Siewers, Fez, Nicky Cuba, Ryan Podesta, Scott Kemp, and Marcello Margott.

Research Credit: “B. D. Anon”, thanks!

Right on the heels of Mrod getting back in the game, Dynasty Entourage has added Rondell Philipone (ex Ironmen/SF Design) to the roster. Squires is not out yet, sources tell us the team plans on rotating everyone out equally with each team member sitting one match.

A player swap is rumored to be underway in the Jersey Authority camp. Teammates Timmy Propst and Carthy will be changing places with Greg Hastings and Max Lundquist on Method of Destruction/Jersey Authority. Apparently Timmy and Carthy have been playing quite well this season and the owner is relying on them to make a power play. Sources tell us team owner Ron Butler is trying to lock in a top 3 finish in the semi-pro division to insure a pro spot for both teams next season.

Brandon Mayo (US Navy), Robbie Pettinelli (Icemen) and Cheesechips (ex LTZ) have reportedly filled the positions of Ronnie and Mrod on SF Design. Last we heard, B-mayo had enlisted and was locked into a long term commitment with the Navy but looking to make a comeback. That sure was quick!

San Diego Aftermath has reportedly axed Nick Hooper from the D1 team. Throughout the weekend our very own PBR chatbox was discussing the D1 teams progress during practice. According to our readers (thats you guys! thx), scrimmages against pro teams Infamous and XSV went very well, the team reportedly stomped the Infamous squad 5 games in a row. Team owner Mike Hinman was said to be back in the game and leading his soldiers to victory. Look for him to be back on the field at NPPL Houston.

Bushwackers are up to their same old tricks. Ron is reportedly filling out the Anaheim rosters with talent cherry picked (and soon to be popped) from division 2. Moving on up the ladder is Donald Le (Island breed) and Johnny Two-tits (Aftermath d1) along with two others. Ron’s Bushwackers are currently ranked 8th in Pro, and holding onto 9th and 20th in Semi-Pro. Good luck guys.

Last but not least, Damien Ryan of HK will be sitting out NPPL Houston due to a soccer match with his University. Ryan is reportedly on a soccer scholarship and no amount of free guns from Gio can fix that one. Lighthen up HK fans, Gio’s son Bear will be filling in Damien Ryans position and shouldering the blame when the team blows it. Hey Kressin brothers, get those scissors and cut the fat while you still can!