A couple of The SaintS headed out to Paintball Explosion today to take advantage of the unseasonably warm day.  Before one of our mid-day rounds, Gregg Quagliano of Team Phalanx announced to everyone there was a group of first-time players and to make sure you were nice to them.  Looking at the group of young men (probably 7-10 of them) I couldn’t help but smile as I thought to myself, “Only four and half more years until my daughter can play…”

Being on the other team for this round, I double-checked my targets before going “full speed” on them.  Paintball Explosion does a great job of making it very easy for experienced players to identify “renters” by giving them bright green masks.

After I got out, I noticed a group of younger renters in the upper story of a fort and asked the ref if that was the group of first-time players.  He confirmed that it was.  My inner-parent came out and asked the ref if he’d mind if I went and checked in on them and he allowed it (even though I had been on the other team for the round).  Great ref; give him a raise immediately.  He earned it.  When I got to the upper floor of the fort I found the young men having a wonderful time.

Unknown to me (since I was on the other team for the round), Gregg was also up there with them making sure they were being safe and enjoying their day of paintball.  From what his teammates tell me, Gregg is always looking out for the younger player.  Throughout the rest of the afternoon he was with these guys making sure they were safe, safely in cover, and involved in the game.

If you appreciate Gregg and think there should be more like him helping out the up-and-coming players, stop by Team Phalanx’s Facebook page and let them know.

Here’s a short video of these young players in action: