[DSDM]

I am a paintball Dad been one since '03. My boy got me into it because he wanted to try it out. I played in ’95 but it didn’t really interest me. Competition Pistol and Rifle Shooting were my games of choice back then. They were about as expensive as paintball is if not more. Anyway, back to the point, what makes paintball and parenting go hand in hand for you?
My boy and I used to play in the woods out behind our house because it was the only place to play. We got the neighbors involved and had a blast for about 3 years. We started to venture out into the speedball world and caught the bug. After that it was game on. It was pretty cool to see him go from timid kid who would hide and wait to straight out baller who would seek out his opponent s and battle it out.

In October of ’07 our Commanding General directed that our base would have a paintball program on it so I got involved with the program for adults which then spun off into a Kids program. I coach the teen paintball program on my base every Friday night which allows me to bring kids into paintball safely and the right way.

In October of ’08 My boy and I formed a team with some of the committed adult paintballers and now we play speedball tournaments in Syracuse every month. This last summer we started a young guns team with the kids from the Friday night paintball program and they have played two tournaments with my main team this year.

What are you doing with your kids? Please share your stories.

[-ZeRo-]

Originally Posted by DSDM

I am a paintball Dad been one since '03. My boy got me into it because he wanted to try it out. I played in ’95 but it didn’t really interest me. Competition Pistol and Rifle Shooting were my games of choice back then. They were about as expensive as paintball is if not more. Anyway, back to the point, what makes paintball and parenting go hand in hand for you?
My boy and I used to play in the woods out behind our house because it was the only place to play. We got the neighbors involved and had a blast for about 3 years. We started to venture out into the speedball world and caught the bug. After that it was game on. It was pretty cool to see him go from timid kid who would hide and wait to straight out baller who would seek out his opponent s and battle it out.

In October of ’07 our Commanding General directed that our base would have a paintball program on it so I got involved with the program for adults which then spun off into a Kids program. I coach the teen paintball program on my base every Friday night which allows me to bring kids into paintball safely and the right way.

In October of ’08 My boy and I formed a team with some of the committed adult paintballers and now we play speedball tournaments in Syracuse every month. This last summer we started a young guns team with the kids from the Friday night paintball program and they have played two tournaments with my main team this year.

What are you doing with your kids? Please share your stories.

I don't really have any stories, but I want to give you a for being an awesome dad.

[DSDM]

Originally Posted by -ZeRo-

I don't really have any stories, but I want to give you a for being an awesome dad.

Thanks but I am far from awesome... ok maybe, but awesome is an overstatement.

[Crash1976]

my boy is 11. he is all about the out doors and has tried numerous sports. I have been in and out of PB since '98. I mischieviously introduced him to the sport because I wanted back in and it was something he and I could do together that would be just ours that he doesn't get to do at his mother's house.

PB has been good for him to get toughened up....his mom babies him so I wanted to get him roughed up a bit in a good fun way. He wanted a chest protector and at first i thought it a bit girly but after i thought about it i figure if it makes him more confident on the field he'll have more fun and want to play more. Not to mention he found out pretty quickly that the worst places to get shot aren't covered by the chest protector...

[badbiddy]

Originally Posted by -ZeRo-

I don't really have any stories, but I want to give you a for being an awesome dad.

[paintballpunk168]

yeahman good job, i used to be the same way with sports going from soccer to football, to rugby, to cricket, but then i found paintball which changed my life and i know there are a hell lotta kids out there like me

Originally Posted by Crash1976

my boy is 11. he is all about the out doors and has tried numerous sports. I have been in and out of PB since '98. I mischieviously introduced him to the sport because I wanted back in and it was something he and I could do together that would be just ours that he doesn't get to do at his mother's house.

PB has been good for him to get toughened up....his mom babies him so I wanted to get him roughed up a bit in a good fun way. He wanted a chest protector and at first i thought it a bit girly but after i thought about it i figure if it makes him more confident on the field he'll have more fun and want to play more. Not to mention he found out pretty quickly that the worst places to get shot aren't covered by the chest protector...

[LTZKID]

i use to play in the backyard. My neighbors werent so cooperative they called the cops

[cjlovi]

My Neighbor had a paintball marker and was begging me to get my son one. This started about eight years ago. I adamantly refused. For six months they pestered the daylights outa me. One day I asked both if they wanted to take a ride to Dicks Sporting Goods. Both ran right to the paintball markers. My son commented to his friend "My dad would never buy me one." Needless to say, I broke down and bought him a Spyder Ultra, a case of paint and a full CO2 Bottle. The kid slept with the thing.

A week later my neighbor and I were sitting on the deck having a few beers. We started to discuss the paintball issue. I grabbed the marker and we proceeded to shoot cans in the back yard. When I realized we shot all the paint we ran back to Dicks to get another case. I caved and bought one for myself.

We soon transitioned into woods ball and shortly after put my son in his first speed ball event.

Eight years later my son has now competed in dozens of local events working his way to the NEPL, AXBL and now a team the will eventually start to play National Events.

Through the course of this, my other two boys got involved. Paintball has with out doubt gave me an opportunity to spend a few quality years with my family. My wife attends helping to pitt at Xball tournaments.

My youngest son continues to play and advance to this day. My other two boys have since taking a break. One due to starting a family and the other joining the Marine Corps (currently serving 2nd tour of duty over seas.)

For my self, I assist in managing my youngest ones team as they transition into the upper levels of paintball.

Through paintball I have spent alot of quality time with my family and continue to do so. Paintball has brought me to areas of the country I would have never thought of visiting. It's also brought a common bond between my wife and I that we can both hold an intelligent argument about.

Over all Paintball has brought my family very close together and has given us a common interest we can share as a family.

I highly recommend parents get involved with their children. There is a level of play for every one.

[rivrfreak]

Originally Posted by LTZKID

i use to play in the backyard. My neighbors werent so cooperative they called the cops

I lol'd

Damn, I wish my dad was into it as much as you dad's are with your sons. I asked him if he'd want to go with me on fathers day with my friends and their dads as well, he agreed... Until last minute. He's afraid of getting shot because I've showed him too many battle scars.

[TejasKaosKid123]

my parents are agianst paintball but my dad has gone 2 times then got shot in the neck and quit...lol

[Pump Scout]

Let's see, a little of this:

Oldest daughter's first day out. She took a neck hit.

And a bit of this:

Pump tournament with my oldest son and a teammate.

Three more in the wings. They've all grown up around the game.

[Spyder Ftw]

Scout still shootin his cocker in '09.

[#1 noob]

Originally Posted by Spyder Ftw

Scout still shootin his cocker in '09.

It saddens me that people are somewhat surprised when they see cockers and pumps nowadays, when in reality they perform just as well as the other markers on the market. These are still good markers people.

[iceman_PS]

Paintball is a great sport to play with the kids. You don't have to play down to their level like you have to do with other sports.

My kids and I started at our church in 2006 when they were 9. The next spring we moved into a new house with about 8 acres of land, 5 of which is dedicated to paintball.

In 2008, we started our own team with kids from school and their Dads.

In 2008 we also started attending scenario games at EMR Paintball which is a great place to go with the kids.

The best time to start kids playing is during the winter, because the kids are wearing so many layers of clothing that most of the time the balls just bounce off and their hooked on the game before the realize that the balls can hurt!

[new300new]

I wish my mom was more cooperative about paintball. Its my life and she doesn't get that. I pay for just about all of my gear and she still is sceptacle about letting me play with more involvement.. If she backed me up who knows how far I would be, lol. All you parents out there supporting your kids with paintball I thank you. Continue being an awesome parent and your kid wont grow up hating you, they will idolize you more because they can brag to their friends saying "my parents are so cool and they support me with what I love to do... PAINTBALL!!!!" Hopefully I can get my moms support one day too.

[DSDM]

Originally Posted by new300new

I wish my mom was more cooperative about paintball. Its my life and she doesn't get that. I pay for just about all of my gear and she still is sceptacle about letting me play with more involvement.. If she backed me up who knows how far I would be, lol. All you parents out there supporting your kids with paintball I thank you. Continue being an awesome parent and your kid wont grow up hating you, they will idolize you more because they can brag to their friends saying "my parents are so cool and they support me with what I love to do... PAINTBALL!!!!" Hopefully I can get my moms support one day too.

If you really want her to get behind you try this. Talk to her, be respectful when she asks/tells you to do things. Do things to help her out without being asked or told to do so. Listen to her concerns about paintball. Tell her what you love about it (the positive aspects).

Don't say, "I love shooting people in the face."

Say things like, I love the comradery I build with the guys I play with. I get to develop my leadership skills when I get to lead the team onto the field. It helps me develop my communication skills, I have more confidence in myself and it is a stress reliever.

All parents want their kids to do well, but we also don't want them to get hurt or take the wrong path to a successful life. If you communicate with her maybe you can get her to come around to your point of view.

BTW, she supports you playing otherwise you wouldn't be allowed to play.

[Ri0T]

I'm about 6 weeks away from my son's PB debut. He and I agreed that he'd play his first time for his birthday coming up in March. He'll only be 9, but I know fields he can legally play at. We're both pretty excited, since I've taken him to every tournament I can since he was 4, and I've been coaching his form in the backyard for a year. I give it a year or 2 before he's playing on my team.

It's good to see other fathers/sons playing together. Plant the addiction early, gentlemen!

[nolssss21]

im gonna have to change things up a bit, i have a story about getting my dad and uncle into the sport.

well i got into it wit some friends after years of airsoft and i had been playin for a while and finally my uncle asked me if he cud go wit me some time, so i picked out a date and when time rolled around my dad decided he wud go to

it jst so happened(woops) that i picked a vietnam scenerio game where there were 2 teams of a 100 ppl. they loved it and now me and my uncle play constantly

btw i read the website wrong so we were there an hour early and since ik the owner decently well i asked him if we cud go play a lil bit of speedball before everyone got there, it was my dad and uncle vs. me(i won) and the very first round i shot my uncle in his bare hand, both of them

[NotoriousKid42]

Im going to go with the guy above me.

My dad has been playing i think around 14 years now. all rec ball, but still a hell of a baller.

He took me out to the field when i was 9 and to tell the truth, i was scared out of my mind.

He took me a few times when i was ten and i was hooked.

i got a ion for Christmas the very same year.

Now im 13 and have played lots of tournaments and a National and am going to be playing a few more Nationals this year.

If he didnt start me at such a young age, i probably would have sucked.

I love my dad.

[SupportinYou]

I can't really tell if my parents are supportive of it or not. My dad said he would go but the day we picked one time was a sunday so my dad decided to sit in the car and listen to the football broadcast while the other two dads were playing with us. My mom doesn't really say much about it. My parents both agreed that paintball was expensive but right now I don't have to pay for my own paint and entry even though I offered to buy my paint and entry after I bought my own gear.

[Fester]

I started playing paintball back in 98 , I was fresh out of boot camp and my young brother had been playing all spring while I ran around San Antonio for the National Guard. Fast forward a few year I was playing on and off work was keeping me away from home so it was hard to play ,then I had all my paintball equipment stolen and a lot of my friends weren't playing anymore.

Last year at work I was talking with one of the young kids I work with and was telling me how he plays and asked if I ever played , well of course I started recalling stories of old days and then I found myself talking **** to him and how these kids now don't know what its like to only have a 10 shot pistol and a co2 cartridge.So I go down get a rental and find myself dropping a lot of money the rest of the year going though 3 complete set ups and getting my girlfriend involved to the point where she demanded an Ego 9 pink lady ( which she does have now ).

Now the season is upon us again in new England and what do you know my girlfriends daughter who is 12 is coming out with us on opening day . She'll be going to battle with her pink Ion running compressed air and a halo b loader. Her mask oh ya is my 1 year old save phace mask with the skeleton graphic. Funny thing about all this is when we go to our local pb store the credit card company loves me . You shop for 3 people when you go out and see how it adds up . But really i don't complain cause every time I get something new they both look forward to getting my old stuff which really isn't old and is always taken care of. Anyway to parents who dont know about the sport , go check it out and for those of us who do maybe ill see you out there.