Somewhere over the past several years, our sport has lost something. Now not entirely, as every once in a while we see a glimmer of it on Saturday afternoons during a struggle to make it to Sunday. There are sparks of it usually seen in the D2/D1 levels, shown with teams who have had to overcome financial burdens, school/work/family/relationship obstacles – all to keep their team together. They live like brothers, fight like brothers, and work together like brothers. An event will come along, where everything they have is put on the line and they trust each other, they go for it, they win…. Or they don’t. But you see it then – a glimpse of it. It’s called “heart”. And somewhere along the bright shiny lights of over hyped venues, television pipe dreams, out-of-industry investments, hefty sponsorships and hired guns – we lost it.

This summer, the PSP is bringing the league back to where it all started. Back to it’s roots where teams like Image, the Ironmen and Aftershock showed unbelievable levels of commitment, pride, endurance, spirit and yes, heart. June 24 – 27, 2010 the PSP will be holding the Chicago Open not outside of a large NFL Stadium, not in a tourist-trap or along the beach, but at the original Chicago tournament paintball venue: The Chicago Badlandz.

The event will run in conjunction with Tom Cole’s Ultimate Woodsball League. Tom, legendary for his days with Bad Company, has been bringing camo back and running the UWL at paintball parks – in the woods – for two seasons now. While the PSP event will be held in the open space on RaceTo fields, the UWL portion will take place inside the wooded fields on Saturday and Sunday. When was the last time you witnessed or participated in a woodsball event? You may be surprised at how many of your teammates and peers are playing over there. During down time between your games, be sure to make your way into the woods to either revitalize your days of old or experience woodsball for the first time – either way, you’re sure to be impressed.

In the past couple of years we’ve seen companies disappear, we’ve seen teams fall apart, we’ve seen leagues fail. But we’ve also seen players humbly return to their “family” teams after enjoying a paid ride of being a hired gun by the highest bidder. We’ve seen industry gurus come back to the sport after selling off everything they worked so hard to build, only to start over again fresh and new. We’ve seen this sport suffer along with every other industry due to the current economic conditions, and yet we’ve seen survival. We’ve been reminded of what it is we love about paintball – and it’s pretty simple. We love coming together against the toughest teams in the world and battling it out. With the sport’s #1 reffing crew, the industry’s most seasoned tournament operators and the full support of all the top manufacturers. We love having the paintball magazines and websites document our stories, capture our moments of glory and yes, even our moments of pain.

So this June, lets see who has heart. Who will come purely for the sake of competing against the best teams in the world? Who is dedicated enough to start the weekend full-throttle and see it through to the end? Join Dye, Empire, DXS, Planet Eclipse, RPS, Proto, PbNation, Sup’AirBall, VForce and Virtue in supporting the 2010 PSP Chicago Open at Badlandz Paintball Park. Registration Opens soon at www.PSPevents.com. To become a vendor at this event, email Camille@pspevents.com. For more information on the Ultimate Woodsball League, visit www.playuwl.com. To learn more about the Badlandz Paintball Field, visit www.thebadlandz.com.

Today is the last day to register for PSP Phoenix.

March 14 is the last day to make roster changes for free.

If your team has paid entry already or plan on paying before Monday March 1, 2010 then your team name will be featured on the back of the shirt.

Colors: Black and Navy
Sizes: S – 3XL
Price: I don’t remember exactly but they’re $15 or $20. I’m pretty sure that was the price range last year in Chicago.

Got some paintball products? Why not become a vendor at the PSP events? Becoming a vendor at the events gives you and your company the chance to interact with the players and other companies in person.

If you’re interested in becoming a vendor at the PSP, contact Camille@pspevents.com

Race to 4/5: 17 person max on roster
- 12 of 17 can be players
- 12 of 17 can be staff

Race to 7 Semi-Pro: 17 person max on roster
- 12 of 17 can be players
- 12 of 17 can be staff

Race to 7 Pro: 18 person max on roster
- 10 of 18 can be players
- 13 of 18 can be staff

Classifications for Rosters

D4 Race to 2:
- Can have 1 D3 player
- Any amount of D4 or lower

D3 Race to 2:
- Allowed 1 D2 player
- Can have any amount of D3 and lower

Race to 4/5
D1 must consist of D1 or lower players but can have 2 semi-pro players
D2 must consist of D2 or lower players but can have 2 D1 players
D3 must consist of D3 or lower players but can have 2 D2 players
D4 must consist of D4 or lower players but can have 2 D3 players

Race to 7
Pro rosters can have Pro and lower
Semi-pro rosters must consist of Semi-pro or lower players but can have 2 pro players

Also for 2010, no more designated spectator spot aka coaching. This shouldn’t be confused with crowd participation, I’m pretty sure the viewers are still allowed to yell and criticize your every move.

Rich Telford, owner/captain of Sacramento XSV said, “I’ve know Jack Rice from Alien for a long time and we’ve always been friends. It’s really exciting that Alien is finally in a position to work with XSV at such a major level.” He continues, “It was an incredibly hard decision for us to switch gun sponsors, but Junior and I have both been shooting the Independence for a few weeks now and Alien makes a solid gun that I believe in. The gun has a smooth, calm shot plus it comes with the Critical trigger and Tadao electronics; if we didn’t think we could win with it, we wouldn’t shoot it.”

Jack Rice owner of Alien Paintball commented: “This is great, XSV is legendary and I couldn’t happier to have them shooting the Independence this year. It’s been a long time coming, but with KEE Action Sports distributing our guns, and now XSV shooting them, 2010 is going to be a fantastic year”.

Look for Sacramento XSV shooting Alien Paintball’s 2010 Independence at both the PSP’s Phoenix Open on March 19-21, 2010 and the NPPL Surf City Open in Huntington Beach, CA on April 9-11, 2010.”

Holiday Inn Phoenix West – $99 Rate
Drive Time: 10 – 15 minutes from event
1500 N. 51st Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85043
Phone: 602-484-9009 Fax: 602-484-0404
Room Service, Restaurant and Bar on Site – Burger King across the street.
Reservations: Ask for the Paintball Sports Promotions rate onlineor by calling 602 484 9009.

Crowne Plaza Phoenix – $99 Rate
Drive Time: 20 minutes from event
2532 West Peoria Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85201
Phone: 602-943-2341 Fax: 602-331-9351
Free hot breakfast and complimentary shuttle within 5 miles of hotel. Full service hotel with restaurant, bar, room service, gym, pools, hot tubs, internet and located next to shopping, restaurants and theaters.
Reservations: Reservations must be made before Saturday, February 13, 2010. Call 602-943-2341 and ask for the “Paintball Sports Promotions” rate.

Hyatt Place Phoenix-North – $89 Rate
Drive Time: 20 minutes from event
10838 North 25th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85029, USA
Phone: 602 997 8800 Fax: 602 997 4218
Complimentary Continental Breakfast and free shuttle within 5 miles of hotel. Bakery Café wine and food bar and a Grab ‘n Go case. Outdoor pool and Complimentary wireless Internet access. Reservations: Reservations must be made prior to February 25, 2010 to take advantage of the special rate of $89 per night. Simply call 800-233-1234 or visit online and ask for the “PBPS” rate.

Phoenix Open: March 19-21

Chicago Open: June 24-27

Mid-Atlantic Open: August 13-15

World Cup: October 20-24

These affiliated leagues will work together to provide a consistent experience for players across leagues and divisions, as well as create a universal player ranking in conjunction with the APPA that fits both the regional and national levels. Over time, this system will provide a national ranking for teams at every level across the United States, allowing a player to compare his/her team to those playing in other leagues on the other side of the country. As this system grows, the ability to rank teams will extend to ranking individual players. For the first time, the sport will have a true national ranking for both categories, enabling players to measure themselves against competitors.

The affiliate leagues heading the 2010 Unified National and Regional RaceTo Format include:

Ryan Bosch, Arizona Paintball Players League (AZPPL), www.theazppl.com
Larry Motes, Carolina Field Owners Association (CFOA) Tournament Series, www.thecfoa.com
John Smith, Central Florida Paintball Series (CFPS), www.cfpsevents.com
Jeff Stein, New England Hurricanes
Lane Wright, Paintball Sports Promotions (PSP), www.pspevents.com
Carl & Karen Bortol and Greg Pauley, Vicious Series, www.pbnation.com/forumdisplay.php?f=531
Mike Hinman, West Coast Paintball Players League (WCPPL), www.wcppl.com

By partnering with these leagues and implementing player rankings, the sport of paintball will be unified from top to bottom, coast to coast. This network will continue to pursue expansion across the country with the ultimate goal of creating a more unified sport.

2010 Unified National and Regional RaceTo Format Schedule and Map

January 23 – 24, 2010: CFPS Event #1
February 20 – 21, 2010: AZPPL Event #1
February 20 – 21, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-X Event #1
February 27 – 28, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-2 Queen City Masters
March 6 – 7, 2010: CFPS Event #2
March 6 – 7, 2010: WCPPL Event #1
March 19 – 21, 2010: PSP Phoenix Open
March 27 – 28, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-2 Dirty South Open
April 9 – 11, 2010: AZPPL Event #2
April 10 – 11, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-X Event #2
April 17 – 18, 2010: CFPS Event #3
April 24 – 25, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-2 Tarheel Open
May 1 – 2, 2010: Vicious Series Event #1
May 15 – 16, 2010: WCPPL Event #2
May 22 – 23, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-X Event #3
May 29 – 30, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-2 River JAM
May 29 – 30, 2010: CFPS Event #4
June 5 – 6, 2010: Vicious Series Event #2
June 24 – 27, 2010: PSP Chicago Open
June 26 – 27, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-2 Carolina Classic
July 9 – 10, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-X Event #4
July 17 – 18, 2010: CFPS Event #5
July 17 – 18, 2010: WCPPL Event #3
July 24 – 25, 2010: Vicious Series Event #3
August 7 – 8, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-2 Atomic FallOut
August 13 – 15, 2010: PSP Mid-Atlantic Open
September 11 – 12, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-2 Dog Daze Challenge
September 11 – 12, 2010: CFPS Event #6
September 11 – 12, 2010: WCPPL Event #4
September 18 – 19, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-X Event #5
September 18 – 19, 2010: Vicious Series Event #4
October 2 – 4, 2010: AZPPL Event #3
October 20 – 24, 2010: PSP World Cup
November 6 – 7, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-2 Homecoming
November 13 – 14, 2010: CFOA RaceTo-X Event #6
November 13 – 14, 2010: WCPPL Event #5
December 4 – 5, 2010: AZPPL Event #4