The Mercenaries were originally started by field owners Dave Massey and Ed Stapleton in 1990 as a loose group of high level players used as a field prop in large scenario games at the Hell Survivors Paintball Playfield in Pinckney, Michigan. Opposing teams could use the scenario game currency to purchase the Mercenaries to achieve strategic objectives on the field. By 1995, Mike Myers and Jarred Mitchell, accomplished players themselves, had become regulars at these scenario games as Mercenaries. They began to grow the Mercenary ranks by inviting outstanding paintball players that displayed integrity, teamwork, and a passion for paintball on and off the field. The Mercenaries have provided support for the big scenario games at Hell Survivors ever since. Along with dedicated support for Hell Survivors Paintball Playfield, Mercenaries have played on fields far and wide promoting our core values: sportsmanship, resilience, teamwork, leadership, and a passion for Paintball. From the Sky Dome in Canada to Florida and points all over the United States playing in numerous scenario games, local events, national tournaments, and charity games. Some of us have been with the Mercenaries for more than 30 years. Many of our members, literally, grew up in the Mercenaries starting out as kids and continue to play years later having grown (surprisingly in some cases) into productive citizens. Our younger ‘ballers are the most important and valued members of our team. We believe paintball teaches outstanding character not in theory, but the hard way, to young and old alike. It’s a sport where the consequences are immediate, and the impact of the paintball is the moment of the lesson. Mentoring and coaching are the top priorities for our adult players. We focus on passing down not just what to do, but why we do it – how to think strategically, how to communicate under pressure, and how to adapt to rapidly changing situations. Today, the Mercenaries remain all about the people. We accept only the best people who happen to be great Paintball players. We are about promoting the great sport of Paintball whenever and wherever. We are about sportsmanship, teamwork, and leadership on and off the field. We are about looking out for each other and making every game the best it can be. And, we are about having a whole lot of fun while doing all of that. Collegiate Paintball is a focus for the Mercenaries with overwhelming support provided to the Michigan State University Paintball Club and most any Collegiate club that reaches out. There is not a better sport for a young person (or any person, really) to learn teamwork, communication, leadership, sound strategy, and rapid adaptability.. In 2024 Dave and Ed passed field ownership of Hell Survivors Paintball on to Marie and Byron Butler. Their energy, vision, and passion for paintball has been spectacular and we couldn’t be happier with the new owners and our biggest supporters!
