News and articles from APG

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PMI/Smart Parts settled a dispute related to electronic marker patents; as stated in a press release, "...PMI has agreed to pay Smart Parts an undisclosed amount of money to forego litigation over PMI’s proposed PIMP kits and paintball markers. PMI only acknowledged the validity and enforceability of certain claims of Smart Parts’ patents as they are applied to paintball markers that use an electro- pneumatic valve to operate a bolt assembly, and has agreed that, as long as Smart Parts is the sole and exclusive owner of this technology, it will not engage in future production of markers that use an electro-pneumatic valve to operate a bolt assembly unless it first obtains a valid license from Smart Parts."

NPPL Will classify any NXL player who plays in the NPPL as a "professional" level player. This comes on the heels of the NXL decision to allow NXL players from franchised teams to compete in tournaments and leagues outside of the NXL, under certain conditions. www.nppl.tv www.nxlpaintball.com

CHRIS Hidalgo, of ICE, in Tampa, Florida, passed away recently. The fourteen year old had four brothers, many friends, a solid academic track record and a love for paintball that surpassed many of his other interests. Said Larry Sekely of ICE, "He was always working odd jobs to pay for tournaments and paintball accessories."

NELSON Technologies, Inc., is adding to their paintball manufacturing facility in Kingsford, MI, and is set to release a paintball they designed specifically for Navy SEAL paintball training, as well as a line of paintball markers and accessories and airsoft guns. www.nelsonpaintball.com

RAGE, An NPPL Pro team, recently made an unprecedented mid-season marker switch from Smart Parts Shockers to WDP Angel 4 Flys. Team captain Chino wrote in a press release of the team's excitement at returning to WDP products, which they've used in the past, citing great technical support offered by WDP as a motivating factor in the team's equipment change.

WORLD'S Largest Ball of Paint has a home with creator Michael Carmichael and wife Glenda in Alexandria, Indiana. It's technically a "paint ball," and was made by coating a baseball with over 18,135 coats of paint to form a suspended ball measuring 35" across and weighing close to 1,300 pounds.

KINCAID Park, Anchorage, Alaska, paintballers Clinton Brown (an Army
recruiter) and sons are encountering flack from other park users and local authorities over their paintball games in the natural setting. Clinton lobbied local government leaders to set aside a specific area of that, or another suitable, park for paintball, but currently to no avail as the appeals continue.

FREE Stuff? At the IAO, every player will receive a goodie bag worth $50 that contains a music CD from Game Face, goggle cleaner, a barrel bag, energy drink, Peak Energy Bar, and other great stuff.

IAO The Draxxus International Amateur Open presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods is Gearing Up! Scheduled for July 21-25 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Latest breaking newsbits include: Sports Illustrated to be on location doing a Feature Article about Paintball! NPPL sanctioning which assures players of standard rules, reffing, organization and promotion! Mongoose Bikes to do a breathtaking BMX show Friday and Saturday! Blues Brothers Scenario Game with special "sampling" price for IAO tournament players! (Now’s your chance to check out woods play in the final 30 minute battle before dinner break Saturday night!) Tech classes by WGP, Tippmann, NPS and Viewloader! World’s Largest Paintball Trade Show! Longest Running Industry Conference! 3,5,7 Player Divisions in rookie, novice, amateur and Young Gunz! The IAO is now officially affiliated with the NPPL, as part of the NPPL's feeder series program. Don't miss the fun at the 14th annual extravaganza! Register NOW! www.TeamEffortEvents.com or 724-775-8299.

NPPL Referee courses are mandatory for referees to attend and complete before they are allowed to ref NPPL events. The most recent class was held July 11 at XS Paintball Field, Denver, in preparation for the Denver NPPL event. www.nppl.tv

HAPPY Retirement to Ken "Hollywood" Gilder, who is officially "retiring" from journalism on July 31st after 15 years traveling the eastern sea board and Midwest playing and writing about paintball.

>>HOT PRODUCTS<<

MITEY Max from AKA is now available for the Viking and Excaliber markers. The Mitey Max reduces the operating pressure, which quiets the marker, extends the shots-per-tank, and reduces felt recoil. www.dbnpaintball.com

BODY Glove products for paintball will initially include knee and elbow pads, neck protectors, ankle supporters, slide shorts and other protective gear. They do not intend to get into marker accessories, as per a press release sent to APG. They mentioned some great teaser ideas for 2005...but you'll have to wait to hear of their more ambitious ideas until closer to product launch dates. www.bodyglove.com

>>FIELDS & STORES<<

NORTHWEST Siege Games, a new field in Skagit County, Washington, will eventually feature a 30acre scenario field with an airball field in the works Owner Josh Coray brings thirteen years of paintball experience to the facility, and can be reached at 360-661-6594.

JOHN Kite, of Fayette, Iowa, is a 2004 graduate of Upper Iowa University, paintball player, and entrepreneur...or at least, he aspires to own his own business. He is currently petitioning the city of Fayette for a firearms ordinance variance that will allow him to open a paintball complex on the edge of city limits on 12.3 acres of land. He proposes to call it MIA Paintball Park.

>>TOURNAMENTS & EVENTS<<

STAR Marines Unleashed is a scenario game held July 17-18 at Fox Paintball in Millington, IL, and brought to you by Summit Lake Entertainment. Paint is $70/case, registration is $50 for pre-reg and $60 day-of. www.foxpaintball.com

CHARITY Tournament, 3-man format with a $100 entry fee and paint from $45 to $55, will be held July 18th at Adventure Sports Paintball in Marion, IL. It will benefit a local teenager who we cannot name, as he has not yet had the "surprise" laid on him that proceeds from this event will go towards alleviating his family's medical bills. For more info, www.aspaintball.com/EVENT.htm

RONN Stern Paintball Camps this summer will feature professional instruction by Rocky Cagnoni, Bea Youngs, Mike Paxson, Jonathan Call, and more! The next event is in the Poconos at Skirmish USA. Other events will be held in other areas, and places fill up fast for this renowned camp. Action Pursuit Games brought you coverage of their 2003 season debuted, and it was an experience our writer highly recommends! Monday July 26 through Thursday the 29th for the first event, and www.PaintballCamps.com for more info.

SHOW-ME State Games will feature a 5man tournament at Paint Games Plus in Springfield, MO, on August 1st. The Missouri Amateur Sports Festival was formed twenty years ago, and began hosting paintball several years ago. The format is "open division, round robin," with prizes from Paint Games Plus and Wal-Mart. On the line for first place are five medals and 5 DVD Surround Sound Audio Systems! Electronics and medals go through third place! For more information, call 1-417-866-8862.

MILLENNIUM Series EXLT 7man tournament will be in Stokke, Norway. Just fifteen minutes from Sandefjord and Tønsberg, the six fields feature an indoor players area and secure gear area, party, and lots of media exposure for teams. Interested? www.nordic-challenge.no

WILLIAM "The Shaft" Shatner will lead a team against Tom "The Don" Kaye at Shatnerball III on September 4-5 at Challenge Park Xtreme in Joliet, IL. www.celebritypaintball.com

CAMPAIGN Cup, a critical part of the Millennium Series, will be September 10-12 in London, England. This world championship paintball event is at a brand new venue, the Esher RFC, and features actual grass surfaces! Esher RFC is situated at The Rugby Ground 369, Molesey Road, Hersham, Surrey KT12 3PF. www.campaign-paintball.com

>>BLAME THESE GUYS<<

DANE Anderson and Joseph Sayegh of New Windsor, New York, and Eric Crane and Christopher Ryan of Newburgh, New York, along with an unnamed fifteen year old, were arrested on counts of misdemeanor reckless endangerment early this July for showering a police car with paintballs from an apartment near a road. They were promptly apprehended, charged, and were arraigned on July 7.

JESSE Bailey, 18, from Indianapolis, Indiana, was arrested for the Class A Misdemeanor of battery, two counts, and Class B Misdemeanor criminal recklessness, for conducting two drive by shootings with a paintball marker last June. One of the victims claims that she saw sparks coming out of the muzzle of the paintball marker, convincing her it was a real gun.