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What is the sport of paintball?
In 15 short years, the sport of paintball has become recognized as one of the world's most exciting outdoor participation sports. Paintball is played in over 40 countries by millions of men and women of all ages and lifestyles. Whether homemakers or high-school students, professionals or retirees, all paintball players share in common a love for adventure and a strong competitive spirit.
Paintball is a combination of the childhood games "tag" and "hide & seek", but is much more challenging and sophisticated. Although there are many different game formats, typically a group of players will divide into two teams to play "capture the flag". The number of players on each team can vary from one or two, five or seven or ten, to over 1,000 on a side, limited only by the size of the playing field.
The object of the game is to go out and capture the other team's flag while protecting your own. While you are trying to capture a flag, you also try to eliminate opposing players by tagging them with a paintball expelled from a special air gun called a "paintgun". Games run from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the field and the number of players. The game involves no physical contact ever.
Between games, players take a break to check their equipment, get more paintballs and have a snack or soda while they share stories about the thrills of victory and the usually funny agonies of defeat. Win or lose, everyone has a good time and there's usually the next game waiting for you.
An increasing number of companies, large and small, are discovering the potential of paintball, for its unique entertainment value and for its application as a tool for team development. Anyone will love this game that builds and stretches ones mental endurance, instinctive reactions, leadership and team working abilities.
What is a paintball?
A paintball is a round, thin-skinned gelatin capsule with colored liquid inside it. Paintballs are similar to large round vitamin capsules or bath oil beads. The fluid fill inside paintballs is non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluble and biodegradable. The fluid washes out of any clothing with the most of ease with mild soap and water.
Paintballs come in a rainbow of bright colors: blue, pink, white, orange, yellow and more. When a paintball tags a player, the thin gelatin skin splits open, and the liquid inside leaves a bright "paint" mark. A player who is marked is eliminated from the game.
What is a paintgun?
Paintguns, also called "Markers," come in a variety of shapes and styles. They may be powered by carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2) or compressed air. Many have power systems that use large refillable cylinders called "tanks" or "bottles" that give hundreds of shots before needing to be refilled. Some use small 12 gram CO2 powerlets as their power source, each powerlet being good for 15 to 30 shots.
With pump-action paintguns (pump guns), each time you want to shoot a paintball you first cock the paintgun by using a pump, then you squeeze the trigger to shoot the paintball; you must re-cock the paintgun before you can shoot again. Stock guns, using 12-grams, have the most basic pump gun configuration (though they are becoming ever-more high-tech within the constraints of the configuration) and stock gun play is in a class of its own.
With semi-automatic paintguns, the first time you want to shoot you must cock the paintgun (usually by pulling back a cocking knob or handle), but after you shoot the first paintball the paintgun's action will re-cock the paintgun for you; you simply squeeze the trigger each time you want to shoot a paintball. The basic rental paintguns at Bay Area Paintball are all semi-automatic.
With a full-auto paintgun, when you squeeze the trigger for the first time, the 'gun will begin to shoot paintballs and will keep on shooting paintballs as long as you keep squeezing the trigger; when you release the trigger, the 'gun will stop shooting.
Paintguns range from simple to sophisticated, but what they all share in common is a limitation on their power and range. The international safety limit on the speed (measured in feet per second, "FPS") at which a paintgun shoots a paintball is 300 fps. A chronograph is used to test for speed limits, and all paintguns can be adjusted to shoot under the speed limit. A paintgun's range is limited; even shooting 300 fps, at maximum elevation with barrel pointed up into the air, a paintgun can lob a paintball only about 50 yards.
Who can play the game?
Players as young as 10 years of age can play the game. Anyone under 18 needs a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
What safety measures should I take?
For safety, paintball players always must wear goggles specifically designed for paintball to protect their eyes. A facemask or goggles must be worn during a game and at all times when a person is in an area where shooting is permitted, such as the target range. Paintball is a very safe sport as long as safety rules are followed. Insurance statistics have shown that paintball is safer than golf, jogging, tennis, swimming and many other sports.
Referees on the field enforce safety and game rules. No physical contact is permitted in the game, and players are ejected from games or the facility for breaking safety or playing rules.
What equipment is needed?
Bay Area Paintball has all the latest equipment for play and always available for rent. This includes goggles, facemasks, paintguns, clothing, paintballs and locker keys.
What should I wear?
Unlike outdoors, camouflage is not necessary. If you choose not to use our disposable clothing (you're the first and last to wear it) we recommend comfortable clothes such as sweats or comfortable fitting jeans and long sleeves, shoes with good traction and a baseball hat. Hard knee pads as used in skating and hockey are recommended. The important thing is to cover your skin. Paintball goggles will cover your entire face and ear area, so you don't have to worry about that. Groin protection for men is recommended. A change of clothes is always advisable to keep your vehicle clean and you are welcome to use the on site locker rooms.
What should I bring?
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Comfortable clothes that cover your body (no shorts please) |
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Shoes with good traction are suggested |
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If bringing your own gun, bring it in a case, bag or box (state law) |
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If not using Bay Area Paintball clothing, a change of clothes for the car ride home |
Does the paint wash out?
Yes, the paintball is a round gelatinous capsule filled with a non hydrogenated oil, colored by a nontoxic non-caustic, water soluble and biodegradable colored dye (food coloring). A change of clothes is always advisable to keep your vehicle clean. We do sell disposable clothing and you are welcome to use the locker rooms.
Is food available?
No, however, we do have vending machines and are conveniently located near a number of food venues.
What can we do afterwards?
Relax in our seating area or watch your colleagues from the observation deck. The observation deck overlooks the fields of play. Come watch all the action. Bring your friends to cheer the teams and players.
Can we bring alcohol to the facility or consume it before playing?
NEVER! The facility is a alcohol and drug free facility. Paintball and alcohol don't mix. So don't bring any alcohol to the facility. Consumption in our parking lot or your car is never allowed! Violators will be asked not to come back. If you come to the park under the influence you will be asked to leave. No questions asked. No fees or deposits of any kind will be refunded in this case.
How do I arrange a private party?
Email us us to make reservations when you decide on a time and day.
Do you need a group of people to play paintball?
No. You can come alone for any of our open sessions games or bring your friends.
Do I need to register for an open game?
No, open games are scheduled at various times of the week, you just pick the session you would like to play at and join in. Just walk on in!
Do you repair guns?
No, not at this time.
Do you fill tanks?
Yes, we fill HPA/Compressed Air tanks up to 4500 psi.
Can we fill our own tanks on site?
NO. Any filling of yours or other customer's CO2 or HPA tanks on site or in the parking lot will result in you being asked to leave and not come back. This is due to certification and insurance regulations. No fees or deposits of any kind will be refunded in this case.
Will we have our own private field when we come to play?
If you have scheduled a private party your group will have the field all to yourselves. If you are in an open game you play with whoever else walks on.
What type of games do you play?
Our primary game format is elimination. The goal is to eliminate all of the members of the opposing team. We will run many other formats. Email us and let us know what you've got in mind.
Can I bring my own gear?
Yes. You can bring your own gear, that will save you the gun and equipment rental fee. You will need a barrel plug for your equipment. Please bring your gun into the facility in a bag, case or box.
Can I bring my own paintballs to play?
NO. We only allow our premium field paint on the fields. This paint is solely manufactured for Bay Area Paintball and can only be purchased here at the facility. If you do shoot paint other than our field paint you will be asked to leave. No fees or deposits of any kind will be refunded in this case. There are no “Bring Your Own Paint” events at this time.
What is the maximum muzzle velocity allowed at Bay Area Paintball?
Since we are indoors, you have to shoot at a maximum of 260 fps. Any player who refuses a field check will be asked to leave.
What is a Chronograph? How is velocity measured?
Found on our Target Range are Chronographs, or Radar Guns. These simply measure the paintball's speed in Feet Per Second (FPS). ASTM Certified goggles are required to enter the range. Goggles may be rented at the facility.
Are electronic and "response" triggers allowed at the park?
Yes, but rules do apply. By our insurance, for each trigger pull only ONE paintball may be fired from the Paintball Marker. Tippmann Response Trigger Kits are allowed. Automag RT's are allowed as well. As they fit this description. Electronic Markers and Grip Frames must be set to SEMI-AUTO Modes only. Any violation of this rule will result in ejection from the facility.
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