Top "Ten" Reasons for Playing Outlaw Paintball
by Thumper April 22, 2009 with ideas and contributons from posters on MCarterBrown and SpecialOps

From all the combined experience on MBC and Special Ops, here is why many players choose to play "Outlaw" (i.e., on non-commercial fields)

The list so far -- in no particular order :

1) You can restrict your invitations to those players you enjoy playing with.

2) You can enforce a format (example : strictly pump) that would otherwise be difficult at a commercial field.

3) Oldschool woodsball play is becoming scarce as most commercial fields are primarily geared towards speedball style play.

4) Players at an outlaw field who cheat, don't respect the property, overshoot, etc can easily not get invited back - as a consequence the play is generally more considerate, fun focused, family friendly, and enjoyable.

5) Playing outlaw can be more "kid friendly" as the environment can me more controlled. "Playing with friends and family is the best way to start your kids off. Nobody overshoots them...We have had eight and nine year olds playing without any issues playing right beside their parents."

6) Playing outlaw is another way to enjoy one's own property.

7) Outlaw fields may be the only practical choice as commercial fields may be to far away for a quick outing. (or the population density of a region may be too low to support a commercial field)

8) Building (and then playing) one's own field of bunkers and forts is just fun.

9) Outlaw is generally much less expensive than commercial fields.

10) Outlaw players can pick their own games to play and create/test new ones. (still possibly, but typically difficult at a large commercial field with lots of players)

11) Outlaw players can easily coordinate for an early start or late evening play during the warmer summer months. and mid-week play if enough are interested. (businesses are typically locked into some "hours of operations" and must stick close to these since they are open to the public and walk-on players

12) Outlaw players can bring there own co2 and scuba fill stations - and can avoid the dreaded "all day air fee".

13) Outlaw players can use ANY PAINT YOU WANT - and avoid the occasionally ridiculously over priced field paint - and being stuck having to buy the required "field paint".

14) Outlaw players can (generally) bring their own food / drinks / grill / etc - and live it up.

15) Outlaw players can easily revive some of the older, less common games, and focus on variety over a canned set of games.

16) Outlaw players can work impose some offhanded game rules (ex, only head shots count, un-even teams, 1 hour time limit, no-bunkering, endless spawn) - which may not go over so well in a commercial setting.

17) No noobs: Once an outlaw field gets established and a core group of invited players emerges, then having completely novice players walk-on is rare.

18) Freedom: When playing outlaw, you have the freedom to play how, when and with whom you want - and to a degree where you want.

Horizon adds 4.22.2009 : The first paintball game ever was played on a non-commercial field, wasn't it? That's how the sport started. I don't think there is anything wrong playing outlaw (renegade, at non-commercial fields) if done in a safe manner. it's when a bunch of guys get together and some of them are less than mature and there is no one there to enforce safety rules that it can become a problem.

The only reason commercial fields really exist is for the convenience. Someone else builds the field for you. Someone else enforces the safety rules. Someone else lugs all the stuff you need to play. (Rental equipment, Propellant, Paintballs) Someone else gets the word out that a bunch of people are going to play at a certain place, at a certain time. It's convenient, that's all.

It's like growing your own food. Anyone with some dirt and water can do it, but it's a whole lot easier to go down the street to Big Foods Inc. and get everything all at once. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with growing your own juicy tomatoes and peaches and raising your own chickens.
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Reiner
http://reiner-schafer.blogspot.com/
www.tntpaintball.com