Kansas City 2007

Apparently, in Kansas City, unless you tell people, they will try to bring guns and knives to sporting events. Makes me glad I live in Canada where people don't have to be told that they are not allowed to bring weapons to a sports arena. I guess people in KC still think the Wild West lives on. According to the guys from Dynasty there was a gun battle across the street from their downtown hotel one night. My hotel, thankfully was peaceful and I did not have to dodge bullets in my sleep.

This was the first NPPL event to have the main field indoors. The stadium was small and could barely fit the field but it was a pretty cool first for the league. Of course, those of us from Toronto may remember Skyball from a few years back, so holding an event indoors is nothing revolutionary. Having a clock and screens showing the action on the scoreboard were definitely a good thing. One drawback was the netting covering the top of the field. It kept the paintballs that bounce off the bunkers from trashing the arena, but made it all but impossible to see the field from above. Many players also complained that it made the field dark.

Rocky Cagnoni and some friends put on an air band show that was hillarious! Rocky is truly a born performer.

Above left - Paulie and Rita in the Angel booth. Above right - Dynasty signing posters for their fans.

The biggest news at the event was the complete mishandling of the Impact/Ironmen final. Both teams were granted first place - what was the league thinking?! Wishy-washy reffing and a lack of leadership from the league definitely contributed to a poor decision which many feel has set the league back and has undermined its efforts to portray paintball as a professional sport worthy of TV airtime. Can you imagine the NHL deciding that two teams should share the Stanley Cup? Ridiculous. We'll have to wait until the final event in San Diego to see how this all plays out. See you there!