Epiphany…

There is a cartoon being shown during commercial breaks during the Smart Part "World Championship Tourney" (ESPN Fridays at 4pm - set your Tivo!).

In it Smart Parts gives a teasing cartoon glimpse of a new gun they are putting out. It's called "Epiphany" and will fall somewhere between the ION and the Shocker. It's not a Nerve - actually more like the Impulse and should sell at around the $400 range.

Smart Parts - love 'em or hate 'em. They are always coming up with something.

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Bounce, bounce, bounce…

No. Not bouncing paintballs.

Some businesses, when they receive a bad check, use civil services like "Checkserve" or "Check Collect" to harass the bad check writer.

Not me.

I go directly to the Prosecuting Attorney (Arkansas 6th Judicial District) and file a warrant for the bad check writer's arrest.

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The game…

Paintball is a game of skill. It's also a game of honesty and integrity.

When you are "hit" you call yourself out.

Imagine if ball players were responsible for calling their own balls and strikes or football players were left to determine on their own if they stepped out of bounds. How about race car drivers counting their own laps? Paintball is one of the very few games that place nearly all the responsibility for the games direction and order on the player.

Sure there are referees on the paintball field, but usually no more than 1 or 2 who are mainly concerned for the safety of a dozen or more players. When you are all alone in a bunker and spot that quarter size splotch of paint on your leg it's real tempting to just reach down and wipe it off. Or when hit on the back; did it bounce or break? And if it broke is it a quarter size hit? Awww, who cares. Keep playing. It's "just a game".

Fortunately most players, because it really is "just a game" will call themselves out or ask a referee for a paintcheck. They don't consider the walk back to the safe zone as a walk of shame. Instead they show off their hits and consider them front line "badges of honor". Little white or pink or blue reminders that it is just a game.

Play safe. Play fun. Play fair.

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Hello! Hello? Jacksonville?

My field manager took this phone call Sunday...

manager: Hello. T-Square Paintball.

caller: Yeah could you help me with directions?

manager: Sure. Where are you located?

caller: I'm in the Walmart parking lot in Jacksonville.

manager: Oh. No problem... (she starts giving directions)

caller: (interrupting) That doesn't sound right. I think you have the wrong Walmart.

manager: Sir. There is only one Walmart in Jacksonville.

caller: No. There's two. I'm in the Walmart parking lot off of Beach Street.

manager: Ummmm... Sir, there is no Beach Street in Jacksonville.

caller: Sure there is. I'm looking at the street sign.

manager: Beach Street? (and then being the smart girl she is she asks) Sir. Where did you say you were calling from?

caller: (irratated) The Walmart parking lot. Beach Street. In Jacksonville!

manager: What state are you calling from?

caller: Florida. I'm in the Walmart parking lot on Beach Street in Jacksonville, Florida.

manager: Sir. You called T-Square Paintball in Jacksonville, ARKANSAS!!!

caller: Oh.And he hung up before we could figure out how he could have possibly gotten the area codes so crossed up!

Again... we don't make this stuff up, folks! Don't even ask about the couple of times my Pro-shop orders arrived with sand in them!

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