
In the celebrated baseball movie “Field of Dreams,” Kevin Costner’s character is often reminded that “if you build it, they will come.” Creating a usable baseball diamond in his backyard seems as simple as a bit of planning and elbow grease. Unfortunately, building a paintball field requires a lot of work and forethought. Some of the logistics – such as bunker building, insurance coverage and referees – might not be immediately obvious.
Even after the field is built from the ground up, you’ll have to resist the urge to pick up your tactical paintball guns. Safety remains the overriding concern, and the games shouldn’t begin until you’ve established a secure perimeter. Post “no trespassing” signs around the boundaries of the field to prevent unfortunate mishaps. Seek out referees who are experienced at judging games of paintball and who are familiar with the safety guidelines as well.
Paintball could be described as a trial by fire. When live rounds of paint are coming at you from every angle, you’re forced to make quick decisions and execute them in a timely fashion. Beginners make critical mistakes initially, but they soon learn from them or lose interest in the game. One of the most common mistakes a paintball rookie will make involves communication. Good teams keep an open line of communication at all times on the playing field. When you’re playing outdoors, don’t be afraid to shout orders or warnings to a teammate. The only time you really need to button up is when you’re hidden with an enemy bearing down with
As an avid paintball player, I recognize that it’s just not possible to win every game. Still, I find myself constantly striving to get better – to hone my mental and physical game to a whole new level. If you’re not working toward a goal, what’s the sense of even participating? For my part, I realize that defense isn’t exactly my strong suit. I’m almost always the most experienced player on my team, which means others rely on me to take precise, accurate shots. I’m always been handy with 





