AO-WI, IL, MN: Paintball Sams Fall Big Game Oct. 6th and 7th

[slasherdan]

Yeah their problem is that they don't advertise anymore. You have to hit the website or they rely on people getting word of mouth to players.

If you're like me, I needed that flier in the mail so I could put it on my fridge so wife and I would see it on a daily basis.

Plus there have been more and more events at other fields during these dates that charge less money.

Really sad cause I love the field there.

[RenagadeOfFunk]

For the price i paid, i honestly could say it wasn't worth the play. It was worth seeing everyone again, but the games have been getting worse and worse each time i attend. There is nothing wrong with the field, the refs, or anything. Just no one seems to be attending anymore. Could have been the heat, but still disappointing.

It was below par for me. I don't think i'll be heading back to pb sam's anytime soon. It sucks that they only use one field during big games and that most of the people's mentality is lets walk towards the opposing team. Even though it was a hot day, it was worsened by good portions of the field being overgrown with thorn bushes or burr bushes.

To be honest I think Promised Land paintball (about 10 min south of PB Sams) is better, even with them not filling compressed air/n2. They have a big game 10 times out of the year (every month except during winter). Everyone likes it their since its family oriented and they really do have 250+ people at any given big game. They have about 5-6 fields open during big games and everyone' favorite is The Ridge (two 20 foot ridges each team starts behind) or Command and Conquer with 7 flag stations. They do a great job of clearing overgrown bushes and grass, yet leave stuff to crawl through.

Even though they don't fill compressed air they still let you bring scuba tanks (which I do and that lasts all day).

The price is reasonable ($90 a case) and is totally worth it because of the quality experience.

/end rant

[AutomagRT1483]

I will say this, that has been the worst big game I have been to yet. Not so much about the low player count, but the lack of care placed into the field this year. It could have been taken care of alot better than it was. You'd figure with all the extra money they charge for the paint, that should have covered the cost of gasoline to run the mowers they have easily. But of course, the only thing remotely taken care of is the hyperball field so all of the former AGD Pride guys have a good place to play. That's my rant.

I know what Beemer will say if he see's this. MPH.

[Tyger]

I had a good time this year. I'm not quite understanding why the numbers are so low, but it reminded me a lot of the crowd back in the 90's. The flooding on Nick made it a much more dynamic game, and I'm happy that there weren't more people on that field. It would have gotten way too crowded way too fast.

The field was heavy with scrub, but IMHO that's part of the game. We're in the woods, that's part of the terrain. I didn't find that it was "impassable", just thick. I've played a lot worse, believe it. I never got a good look at the flag forts, so I'm not sure if those are falling apart. But Nick seemed in decent shape, minus the flooding which isn't anything they can fix.

The heat was more than a little oppressive, I sat out one of the big games because I felt the effects pretty hard. But overall, I've had worse years there. It wasn't the "best", sure, but it was a good time.

And Promised Land, don't they have a "members only" rule? Either way, I'm probably never going to go there myself. But that's something best left to PM's.

-Tyger

[deathstalker]

I know what Beemer will say if he see's this. MPH.

I don't think he'll say it too loudly, though (thanks again for the use of the charger ). We did a bit of it ourselves as the day went on. I'll admit we're buds of Harry so my opinion is biased, but he seemed to run a better game. The spring game was small, too, and I felt much better about it. I wasn't happy playing the full field with such a small crowd and unusual October weather. I saw a lot fewer refs on the field (though a couple I saw were working their butts off), there were no spot-checks on the field, and they didn't re-chrono everyone until the last game. One of the only positives is there was never a problem getting a decent fill.

I'm more than willing to pay the premium price for less-than-premium paint for an event like this, but I, too, expect a little more than what we received.

[wimag]

I was there on Sunday. I have been to better and i have been to worse.. but I go to hang with my bros and that in itself was worth the drive.
I plan on going back and hope most do not give up on this outing as a sort of tradition of sorts.
Not many opportunities like this left in the area.

[rifleman wi]

any pictures yet?

[trevorjk]

any pictures yet?

apparently there are no pictures, even though there was probably half a dozen to a dozen refs. it kinda sucks cause i think i gave a few refs a few good shots

[grEnAlEins]

apparently there are no pictures, even though there was probably half a dozen to a dozen refs. it kinda sucks cause i think i gave a few refs a few good shots

There have gotta be some... I saw someone on the field with a cam IIRC...

[trevorjk]

There have gotta be some... I saw someone on the field with a cam IIRC...

yeah i know, i saw at least a half dozen cameras on the field at all times. i asked 2 refs and they told me they only had 56k so they were not going to upload. but jeeze some one has to have something somewhere....

[grEnAlEins]

yeah i know, i saw at least a half dozen cameras on the field at all times. i asked 2 refs and they told me they only had 56k so they were not going to upload. but jeeze some one has to have something somewhere....

Yeah, or use the PCs at their local public library to upload...

[rifleman wi]

thats gay.. no pix at all.. it took a big downfall now, i remember sifting through hundreds of pix looking for me in them...

[grEnAlEins]

i remember sifting through hundreds of pix looking for me in them...

QFT!

[Beemer]

I know what Beemer will say if he see's this. MPH.

How did ya know that. :spit_take

Got to see and play with old friends. Thats the bottom line for me. I still had FUN.

[AutomagRT1483]

I was wondering when you'd get to me Beemer.

Anyway yeah, Scooter/Cootie was there taking pics. (He's staff and one of the Pride guys) I'm surprised he didnt have anything up on his website yet. Harry didnt take any pics because he played all day. Seeing as he isnt a ref anymore, I can see why he didnt take any photos. Tominator, the other picture guy wasnt there. Maybe next time we should bring some cameras out there and do it ourselves.