Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Rule of the Game

Baca's Rule of the Game #17: 'Speedball' refers to any non-woods variant of paintball in which the participants imagine they are playing competitive paintball.

14 comments:

Reiner Schafer said...

This Baca's Rule of the game # 17, correct?

So by that definition, a group of 5 on 5 playing "recreationally" on an airball field is or isn't speedball? What does "imagine they are playing competitive paintball mean"? Does that mean they want to defeat the other team?

Anonymous said...

Wait! So by your definition playing in the woods is not competitive? What were those guys doing in the early NPPL? Were they holding hands and singing Kumbya?

Gosh, I forgot that the only real competative paintball players were on the national tournament scene. (that is called sarcasam)

sdawg said...

Like guys playing a pickup game of basketball at the playground are imagining that they are playing competitive basketball?

Or someone doing laps at the pool is imagining that she is doing competitive swimming?

etc. etc. etc.

Baca Loco said...

I knew this one would get some action. :)

Reiner,
No, it doesn't mean that.

Anon,
Not anymore though that doesn't mean you can't hold a competition in the woods if you want to.

I take it sarcasam is like sarcasm, only in the woods? And, no, the national scene isn't a prerequisite.

Anonymous said...

Rule of the Game #18: YAWN...... Without Raehl this blog is becoming less interesting.


Trying to concoct faux arguements isn't nearly as amusing as you two bickering.

Baca Loco said...

Good one, anon.
If by faux argument you mean there's nothing there to disagree with it's all good. If instead what you're feeling is a little prick to the pride, don't worry, that doesn't make you gay. Just passive-aggressive apparently. :)

Anonymous said...

There you go that's what I miss. ;) Now just do it to someone else.

Missy Q said...

I agree that the term 'speedball' is typically and almost universally used in the description of a game that is NOT played in the woods (anymore). I just don't think it could rightiously be referred to as a 'rule'.
The 'imagine' part is someones idea of a jest, I think.. Failing that it could easily be a shocking indictment of the superiority complex enjoyed by todays pro teams and their premadonna entourage, as surely 'paintball', by its very nature, is a competitive activity, whether played at a beginner level or Professional.
The reference to 'sport' was clearly a deliberate red herring by the author.

Missy Q said...

erm, no-one actually called it a sport, so therefore I need to read more better in the future....

recball supastar said...

I thought the last game of "speedball" was played on some pallet/spool field in about 2003.....

Is there any real competition without prizes?

Missy Q said...

Competition is not exclusive to winning prizes. There can be fierce competition between team-mates...

papa chad said...

the prize is pride oftentimes.

houdini said...

"imagine" - Even the pros "imagine"...

"Wouldn't it be good if I was paid as much as an NBA player so I could be featured on MTV Cribs"

Woodsball, scenario, speedball - whatever - we're all in it to have that 'slow mo moment' when against all odds we defeat our opponents for victory! It's the essence of competition and playing paintball.

Baca Loco said...

For the record, sdawg, is in the ballpark on this one. But it goes a bit further in identifying who most of those sorts of players are--the kind who still use the term, speedball. :)

Anon
It doesn't work that way. I have a couple of self-imposed rules. First, anyone on the receiving end must be capable of defending themselves--AND they have to be asking for it. Otherwise it isn't amusing or sporting.