The post I thought I would never make

[punkncat]

Guys I am thinking long and hard about retiring from the sport.

Maybe I am just finally succumbing to feeling sorry for myself, I am not sure. This past weekend I practiced with my team and realized that I am just not having any fun with this anymore. With the playing aspect.
I love this game so much and I think that has been my drive to try so hard to recover enough to play. The past several times of trying to play I have come to the realization that even before my injury my skill and ability were on the wane. The only thing carrying me at that time was the knowledge from playing for a very long time coupled with my physical ability. I still have the knowledge, but the disadvantages of being a 6'3" guy who cannot move and cannot hide behind most bunkers is catching up to me in a strong dose of reality.
I know that my current team has me on board for for honoring me as the player I was and person I am rather than the actually ability I bring to the field with me.

I dunno, I could go on and on about it. I have a lot of soul searching to do, and a lot of thought to put in before I decide. I know that I keep working at it I will get better. Not that I will ever be as I was before, that is unreasonable to believe. And I also know that if I quit now I will never know. The drive to be better is what is making me better. I have come an amazing way in the past few months and possibly will come that much further again. Not to mention how big a loss I would take on all my gear.

[spectre184]

get out of tourney play and just play rec ball. That is what I did.


Either way, good luck

[punkncat]

get out of tourney play and just play rec ball. That is what I did.


Either way, good luck

You know I have given that some consideration but I have to be honest. Rec ball just bores the hell out of me. Not to mention the sheer chaos of it nowdays. In a lot of ways I am out of touch with being on a field with a couple of dozen people...playing alone....lol

[pmstc]

You know I have given that some consideration but I have to be honest. Rec ball just bores the hell out of me. Not to mention the sheer chaos of it nowdays. In a lot of ways I am out of touch with being on a field with a couple of dozen people...playing alone....lol

I'm probably going to play a few D5 GFOA tourneys this summer with my friend this summer.. we need more teammates. We're not out for blood, just a good time.
Your welcome to play with us unless your rank would bump us out of the beginner tourneys

[VTLO910]

Don't give up bud... Like said above, just change your play...

You might even enjoy going to a local field and coaching some kids each time you go...

It IS the young that will carry on the sport, show them what it is like to have good sportsmanship and still have a good time...

[drg]

You know I have given that some consideration but I have to be honest. Rec ball just bores the hell out of me. Not to mention the sheer chaos of it nowdays. In a lot of ways I am out of touch with being on a field with a couple of dozen people...playing alone....lol

What don't you like about rec ball? Maybe you need to find a different field and/or different style of play.

[punkncat]

I'm probably going to play a few D5 GFOA tourneys this summer with my friend this summer.. we need more teammates. We're not out for blood, just a good time.
Your welcome to play with us unless your rank would bump us out of the beginner tourneys

Who do you play with?

We have made the first two GFOA events and have been playing the open division.

Not that I am interested in playing, no offense intended, just curious.

[stupiddogg]

You know I have given that some consideration but I have to be honest. Rec ball just bores the hell out of me. Not to mention the sheer chaos of it nowdays. In a lot of ways I am out of touch with being on a field with a couple of dozen people...playing alone....lol

I hear ya, I have felt the same way over the last yr plus.....Ultimately what I decided is A) Ill play pump where honor is still around B) Ill play when I want, monthly , yearly WHO CARES.... C) I'll enjoy the sport for my reasons and not someone or some companies reasons.

So far it has worked for me and given me the time to find what else "drives" me like pb once did. I have learned I dont have to totally walk away.

Good luck in your searching

SD

[Smoothice]

hmm.

I don't think quiting should be an option.

But something needs to change to bring the joy back to your game. I would vote for getting out of traditional tourney ball.

Perhaps invest your time and knowledge into giving back to the handi cappable community and paintball as a whole. Maybe put together some tournaments or activities or something for people that have suffered injuries that could/would affect there activities.

Imagine the joy you could bring to those who think they are unable to participate in this great sport because of their physical condition.

I think your knowledge and passion of the game can still be of use perhaps more so then you could ever imagine.

[pmstc]

Who do you play with?

We have made the first two GFOA events and have been playing the open division.

Not that I am interested in playing, no offense intended, just curious.

Er.. I play on the Clemson Paintball team. I haven't been rostered much this year so I'm still ranked D5.
I figured D5 would be a way for you to cut loose and just enjoy yourself though, suit yourself

[punkncat]

What don't you like about rec ball? Maybe you need to find a different field and/or different style of play.

To be completly honest because it is sloppy, unstructured, unruly, and no real challenge. Well unless you factor in the fact that its pretty much every man for himself and you cannot count on anyone watching your back, lol.
Seriously I have been playing against Rookie+ division teams for the past three years. Walking onto an open play field was (before I got hurt) like a turkey shoot. I am not trying to toot my own horn or anything, it (was) really just not fair to have a guy who played like I did on field with a bunch of rec players. Now that I cannot move around I sit behind home bunker and listen to them all run themselves out of paint cause I can't go get them anymore. And waste paint myself shooting at people that are too far away. I move so slow now that trying to come out from behind a bunker to actually go get someone is like giving them a free shot. Its kinda hard on the mind when you know how good you know how to be, and simply cannot physically pull it off anymore.

So yeah, to break it down. What sucks is that I still have a tourney player mindset and don't have the physical mobility to defeat a noob.

[Warwitch]

Sorry to hear it. Maybe you just need a little time away to gain a new perspective. No doubt its been hard for you to focus. Perhaps paintball is a psychological crutch, no pun intended (for once). Distraction is usually not a good thing and could be keeping you from overcoming the mental aspects of your situation. You might even entertain the possibility of speaking to a sports psychologist.

I admire that you were so eager to get back in the saddle. But the sport will certainly still be here if and when you decide to come back.

[afortuna]

Two words Cat..Back right.

those bunkers tend to be taller. This sport doesn't pay to play, but you will pay to play. Don't lose focus on why you enjoyed playing. I've recently sold off all of my equipment after having gotten back into the sport and regret it. I use to play, not for the dominance of my play (which wasn't half bad), but more for the social aspects of the game, a lot of which happened between games. Stay strong.

[tippett]

The question every athlete eventually has to cross is when to retire and ride off into the sunset. Some do it to early and regret their decision, while some retire long after their ability has faded and are now a burden on their respective team. You would fall into the first catagory riding off to early don't do it man scale back your role play how you feel comfortable and shoot all those in your way.

The great thing about any organized sport is there is always a place for talented, honorable individuals even if it isn't on the field. If you love the sport but can not play at the level you are used to playing at consider coaching and influencing those new to the sport. If your team and others are offering to play with you then your skills and sevices have not dimished as much as you would like to think. Plus it sounds as though you are continuing to improve with practice which means you must have a passion for what you are doing otherwise why pratice. If nothing else don't stop playing until your heart isn't in it anymore or it gives out completly which ever comes first.

Good luck with whatever you decide, hope you decide to stick around.
tippett

[drg]

To be completly honest because it is sloppy, unstructured, unruly, and no real challenge. Well unless you factor in the fact that its pretty much every man for himself and you cannot count on anyone watching your back, lol.
Seriously I have been playing against Rookie+ division teams for the past three years. Walking onto an open play field was (before I got hurt) like a turkey shoot. I am not trying to toot my own horn or anything, it (was) really just not fair to have a guy who played like I did on field with a bunch of rec players. Now that I cannot move around I sit behind home bunker and listen to them all run themselves out of paint cause I can't go get them anymore. And waste paint myself shooting at people that are too far away. I move so slow now that trying to come out from behind a bunker to actually go get someone is like giving them a free shot. Its kinda hard on the mind when you know how good you know how to be, and simply cannot physically pull it off anymore.

So yeah, to break it down. What sucks is that I still have a tourney player mindset and don't have the physical mobility to defeat a noob.

This is what I was afraid of, this is an attitude problem, mostly, that you can only fix yourself. Although you also should find a field where better players play rec.