More than 9.8 million Americans played paintball in 2003, spending more than $390 million on the sport. Madison itself hosts a very popular indoor field, Dedicated Paintball, offering year-round play on the East side, with the Alienman Paintball store less than a half-hour drive east along I-94. There is also Apocalypse Paintball, one of the most widely known Midwestern fields, only a 40-minute drive north on I-94. Many dorms organize annual paintball outings, some approaching it on a floor-by-floor basis and some organizing multiple dormitory events. There’s even a UW-Madison paintball club, the Badger Ballers, that competes in local tournaments and organizes recreational events, as well as offering their services to groups looking for discounted paintball trips to local fields.

So why is everyone playing paintball?

First, we need to discuss what the sport consists of. Paintball breaks into two main styles: woods ball and speed ball. It all started June 27, 1981, when 12 guys went out to the woods with agricultural paint-marking equipment to play capture the flag. That style of play, now with many variations on the goal, continues as the most popular form. Players of woods ball tend to enjoy the “stalking” quality of pursuing opponents in large, outdoor fields. They like the fresh air and fun, competitive atmosphere of outthinking the other team and sneaking up behind them. Massive scenario games, hosted around the country, draw players for continuous play over two days. William Shatner, the old Captain himself, even squares off annually against Tom Kaye, president of Airgun Designs, in a charity event called the “SPPLAT ATTACK.” Players of any age (Shatner was 73 at this year’s game) and from any profession can enjoy woods ball at the pace that suits them best. Most savor the bonding of the outdoors experience and team play, not taking the game too seriously and just wanting to have some fun.

More recently, speed ball has taken the world by storm. This style firmly defines paintball as an extreme sport. Speed ball fields are smaller than those played in the woods. The field is a rectangle with a flat playing surface and teams start at opposite ends. Each side has bunkers set up on it that mirror the bunkers on the other side, creating an even and fair field. As soon as the game starts paint is in the air and you’re diving for a bunker. Bunkers come in many different styles, from pallet fields to hyperball fields to mound fields, but airball has become the favorite bunker of players everywhere. Basically large, canvas balloons staked into the ground that come in different shapes (with fond nicknames like “Dorritos” and “beer cans” derived from their appearance), players love to hear the balls’ deep bass as they bounce off the bunkers. Tournament players, using every advantage they can, capitalize on the flexible bunkers to push into them and “play tight,” exposing as little of themselves as possible to opponents. National and international leagues exist throughout the world, with an annual World Cup held on the Disney grounds in Florida. Tournaments also take place at the local level, with fields hosting events for a variety of playing levels. A National Collegiate Paintball Association brings college teams together for competition, with Purdue ranked number one after this last season. Speed ball can get extremely competitive with a politically charged and endorsement-driven pro level that is all about winning first and image second.

Either style, however, offers an adrenaline rush and a work out. Even corporations are using paintball for teambuilding and stress relief. Paintball focuses on individual effort for obtaining a team goal. It’s not a sport you can muscle your way around; the fittest person will not always win. Whichever team communicates and cooperates better while outthinking their opponents will walk away with the trophy.

So what has caused paintball to become popular? Because it’s a sport everyone can enjoy, anyone can play (I’ve seen 16-year-old girls play against each other in halter tops and shorts), in addition to providing a great exercise experience and tremendous fun. Pick a field and grab some paint, there’s a game ready to start!

Matthew Clausen ([email protected]) is a junior majoring in English.