06/12/2024
We got into this sport based upon our passion and love for it. We built our own field, with our own hands and our own time. Together, we found a common purpose; if we could afford to keep our field free we could make paintball accessible to a large audience.
We have been doing this for 17 years and have had over 800 different players come to experience our passion. We have always resisted the desire to capitalize on our effort.
When we got into the scenario world we brought our same ideals and love for the sport. We made many friendships, some of which, for our part we still cherish today. We have even used our private field to host scenarios for our friends. We feed anyone who is hungry, for free. We treat our friends as our family. We are far from perfect but we seek to improve from our defeats.
One night a few of our close friends came by to our camp to eat and celebrate the days conquest. From there they went into the shadows and the conversation was, "this should be us, not them. this should be us!" We found that to be the first indication of a jealous problem.
Over time these friends of ours became self proclaimed "c.e.o."s of their own start ups and for that and kudos to them. then they sought the benefits of friendship while treating us like customers and employees of their coalition. we weren't even asked if we wanted the job but kept supporting them because we hung on to friendship and "it's deeper than paintball". A full belly does not equate to a full ego apparently.
At the end of the day, all healthy relationships are based upon accountability and trust. Let us be clear, do not complain about what you've lost when you were never willing to pay the price for what you sought. Laugh at us all you like, that is all you can do when you trade integrity for hypocrisy. We are adrenaline junkies that loathe command roles. Imagine destroying the bonds of friendship with a group of people who just wanted to play for each other, we could have had something great. Next time just eat the free food.