The post I thought I would never make

[halB]

Remember punk, winning is irrelevant! I mean, I had to quit Magic (yes, I'm a dork, get all the insults out of the way already) because I started playing it purely for money. I lost sight of why I like playing it - I like shuffling cards :)

[Sumthinwicked]

many have played majic..... and punk are cool senario might be the way to go be a general or a special charactor???? think of the guy from "men of honor" that was a real story and a real person ! he could move better than most of the younger guys once he put his mind to it gl and if you ever need a leg to stand on i mean shoulder to lean on hit me up mind you im 31 and fat

[trevorjk]

come up to wisconsin where the recball fields are pretty damn good, and the recplayers USUALLY PWN (for lack of better word) the speedballers on the field. recball can be easy to extremely hard depending on who you play.

what ive found is that if you go to a recball field and hit it up with some of the regulars that you will have a blast. both on and off the field. but if you go to a recball field and play against first timers or the not-regulars then and only then is it a turkey shoot.

ive been in a similar situation with paintball, tourneys were no longer fun, and just did not have the passion for it anymore. after 2 years of playing maybe 3 times with some friends im now getting back into the sport. although i only play 4-6 times a year, i usually find my self going out on the field and working on it, taking pictures, helping out with ref'ing, and just teaching the new guys respect for the game.

im out at my favorite field 3 times a month and only play 4-6 times a year

[kurtisqpublic]

come up to wisconsin where the recball fields are pretty damn good, and the recplayers USUALLY PWN (for lack of better word) the speedballers on the field. recball can be easy to extremely hard depending on who you play.

what ive found is that if you go to a recball field and hit it up with some of the regulars that you will have a blast. both on and off the field. but if you go to a recball field and play against first timers or the not-regulars then and only then is it a turkey shoot.

ive been in a similar situation with paintball, tourneys were no longer fun, and just did not have the passion for it anymore. after 2 years of playing maybe 3 times with some friends im now getting back into the sport. although i only play 4-6 times a year, i usually find my self going out on the field and working on it, taking pictures, helping out with ref'ing, and just teaching the new guys respect for the game.

im out at my favorite field 3 times a month and only play 4-6 times a year

Not trying to hijack but what field do you play at Trevorjk?
Also Punk. As everyone else is saying, don't give up! I agree with the post on attitude. right now you're mentally taking a hit due to a major life changing event. Work through the issue with a physical therapist that specializes in sports medicine and set up a plan to get yourself back on track. Don't push yourself harder or faster than what the professional says. Sometimes in our zeal to get back on top we can do more harm than good in regards to recovery.
~Kurt

[trevorjk]

Not trying to hijack but what field do you play at Trevorjk?
Also Punk. As everyone else is saying, don't give up! I agree with the post on attitude. right now you're mentally taking a hit due to a major life changing event. Work through the issue with a physical therapist that specializes in sports medicine and set up a plan to get yourself back on track. Don't push yourself harder or faster than what the professional says. Sometimes in our zeal to get back on top we can do more harm than good in regards to recovery.
~Kurt

Paintball Sams in Racine Wisconsin. where the regular recballers walk on the pro tourny ballers everyday im there

[cerrik]

You could try to finda CQB field where 90% of the action occurs in doors. If you want to totally change your play style. But this would allow you to move slower, and crouching would be about as low as you would need to get.

Or you could try picking up a C-leg which can help with the running and speed aspect of your play. Haven't seen a pt. with a C-leg yet personally. But I could talk around to co-workers or call up prosthetists and see what kind of stresses you could put on the thing. I know there are several athletes who have opted for the C-leg so they could run again. Course this would cost mucho dollars, unfortunatly.

[custar]

Several have mentioned milsim or scenario ball, and I will join in that suggestion but with a twist. Have you ever thought of being a tank gunner? In fact, I will go a step further. If you want to give it a try at OK D-Day (second week of June), contact me by PM. We have a tank that needs a crew, including a gunner or two. Unit registration is technically closed, but with your condition I can manage to have you assigned to a tank crew if you act fast. I can't waive the fees, etc, but I can place you in a vehicle so you can participate and shoot people. There is one catch; you will have to be German (but we have more fun anyway).

custar

[neppo1345]

Seems to me that you're forgetting the fact that this sport is fun on and off the field.

Yeah, the tournament mindset is great when you need to win a tourny or practice for one...

But the real reason why I still play is because I can go out to a field with one or a group of my buddies, play a game, shoot the crap, play a game, shoot the crap...you get the idea.

I love being around the sport...even if I'm not playing.

If I'm too poor to play I go and take pictures and try to help the field owners. Yeah, its great for them...but its really great for me; I get to be around what I love.

You seemed like a helluva dude when I met you, not the type to call it quits.

[going_home]

Pump

You want a challenge ?
Before you quit get yourself a good sniper and play some pump.
Personally I like the Series 6. 13ci tank and a Reloader II.
You have gotten bored thats all.
Get on stockclasspaintball.com and meet up with the pump group in your area.
I think you will be surprised how much fun you will have.
And to me, thats all paintball will ever be to me.
The only reason I play, for fun.

[Scott Hudnall]

I like SPECTRE's post. You need to get in touch with what thrilled you about paintball to begin with. Play some fun, good, rec ball. Have some dominating the kid-wanna-be's on the rec field with your mech 'mag. Just have a good time.

[BigEvil]

This too shall pass

Dont give up yet. Once the rest of life is in order, this will fall into place.

[thegrayghost]

punkncat, take time off, get back into it, take time off again, and i'll bet you will get back into it...you have limitations you think now, wait until you get a little older, my friend, those limitations grow larger with age...play scenerio, play pump, change your style of play and movement....i'll bet paintball is in your blood as it is in mine...i do my style, you re-create your style and always remember, paintball is a fun sport, meeting people, etc...when you get super old, you will have a lifetime of fun stories, as i do....i have been playing 7 years now and started late in my life....i am entering the "winter session" of my life and will enjoy this sport forever, lololololo.....and you will too, my young friend.....


i will be 65 this year and enjoy everytime i can take out a youngster when they see the old man/grandfather coming at them, lolololol......memories, my friend.....

thegrayghost

[wetwrks]

Hey dude, I walked away for several years and thought I would never come back. Yet here I am.

You need to remember that recovering from an accident and the loss of a leg will be a lengthly process. You need to hold the line and keep at it. Look back to when you were waiting to get your prosthesis and how long it took just to relearn to walk. Paintball will take a while. You won't get back to speed by surrendering now.

Keep the faith dude, it will get better.

[Cold Steel]

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.

I got 2 words for you, scenario paintball. It's too easy to get some buddies and go play in a scenario as a squad. The teamwork is still there. The challenge of playing with and against experienced players is there. The strategy and tactics change a bit, but that's a good thing considering the target-rich environment you're now in. The cool part is just getting back to playing for fun. Who knows, a less competitive environment might allow you to mentor some young players who need a little push from a veteran player.

You don't need to retire, just find a new niche (or dust off an old one).

CS

[Gabriel]

You want a challenge ?
Before you quit get yourself a good sniper and play some pump.
Personally I like the Series 6. 13ci tank and a Reloader II.
You have gotten bored thats all.
Get on stockclasspaintball.com and meet up with the pump group in your area.
I think you will be surprised how much fun you will have.
And to me, thats all paintball will ever be to me.
The only reason I play, for fun.

I second that! From the looks of it pump is FUN!

I also think scenario ball would be up your alley. The special units like the GJ's and ghosts at D-day sounds like what you'd be in to.