Paintballing a sport that's making a splash

In Utah County, there are but a handful of places where paintball enthusiasts can play: a field by the Provo airport, a forest glade up on Squaw Peak, a speedfield in south Provo.

There's some hesitancy on the part of city officials when it comes to granting access to their communities for paintball play. Some feel the game borders on practicing the art of war. Others misunderstand or fear paintballers damage the landscape and each other.

But nationwide, the sport that involves splattering the enemy in mock war games with bright spots of paint is taking a serious hold, and local aficionados say it's a game that's fun, harmless and invigorating.

In the major tournaments across America, professional team players can take home as much as a $25,000 prize, along with the thrill of the win. In-state tournaments organized by the Utah Extreme Paintball League draw up to 80 teams.

"Overall, it's increasing, but the age limit is dropping," said Dale Price, owner of the PegLeg Paintball stores located in Provo, Orem, American Fork, West Valley, Ogden and Spanish Fork. "As mass marketing comes in and the prices come down, you have more young people getting into it. Instead of the 20-40 age players we've seen, we're seeing more 12-20 age players. We also see a lot of father-son combinations. We also see a lot of teenagers at prom time. Plus, we are really busy on weekends. We probably have hundreds of players out there."

Rain Price is 10 and about as young as Dale Price likes to see a paintballer. "Six and 7 is too young. We won't let them play at our facilities," he said. "They need a little more maturity."

Rikki Price, 13, said she just likes the thrill of the game.

Meghan Price, 17, said she has only played once before but enjoyed the hide-and-seek aspect of working behind haystacks, wooden spools and 50-gallon barrels. Her cousins, Emmalee and Alex, share her enthusiasm.

Others see it as a life sport.

"I just play for fun. It's a really good stress reliever from school and life in general," said Chris Baird, a Utah Valley State College business major. "I got involved about 10 years ago when I borrowed a friend's pump gun and started shooting at a place called Predator Paintball. I was hooked.

"Then I paid $70 for my gun. I've since progressed. I just dropped $1,000 for a gun and another $200 for a tank and $100 for a hopper plus all of the clothes you need. I have the suit with the reinforced knees and extra pockets for the barrel sleeves and barrel cleaners."