Paintball masks are pretty simple things.  They consist of just a clear piece of plastic hooked to some more plastic and strapped to your head which keeps your eyes safe.  They are necessary but uncomfortable, frustrating and often a hassle to care for.

Or are they?

A challenge many beginner players face is that their time playing paintball is spent either with a mask that came as part of a package or a cheap rental mask from the local field. These masks not only are uncomfortable and have limited range of vision, but they tend to fog at the most inopportune times (despite all you try to do to prevent it).  That's why I recommend that one of the first upgrades players make is to purchase a nice mask.

Sure, a nice mask can cost as much as a beginner gun, but the increased comfort, in my mind, makes it worth it.  If you don't want to go for top-of-the-line or high-end masks, I would recommend at least choosing a thermal mask that costs closer to the price of  a case of paint ($40+).  If you spend any time playing in hot, cold or humid weather, you will be grateful for your indulgence all day long.  Plus, the improvements in visibility may actually make you a better player.

As the weather warms across the country, current players and paintball neophytes are getting their gear together and heading to the fields to play some paintball.   Many players will be heading out to their favorite fields and will get back with their paintball buddies and be ready for the fun summer ahead.  With the new season approaching, though, rather than sticking to just the same tried-and-true games, I recommend trying out something new.

Paintball is not just elimination and capture the flag.  In addition to countless different game variations, there are whole genres of paintball to try.  If you haven't ever tried speedball or woodsball, give them a go.  If you've never played with anything but a semi-automatic gun, try out a pump with whatever game you want.

Paintball is one of the most flexible and varied sports on the planet.  It's time to experience more of what it has to offer.

It's a topic that continues to come up at fields and in forums: some people believe that paintball is a dying sport.  They claim that more people are leaving than coming, that fields are closing and that the sport is going to decrease to the point of irrelevancy.

I disagree.

Paintball is not dying.  It is changing.  The past decade and even the past five years have lead to significant changes in the sport.  I've seen a greater split between the tournament crowd and the recreation/woodsball crowd.  I've seen the end of established fields and the focus on smaller fields or outlaw play.  I've seen many small stores close and purchasing moved, almost completely, to the internet and big box stores.  I've seen a decreased emphasis on the newest equipment and more focus on learning to use existing equipment.  I've seen greater mainstream acceptance of the sport while it still remains on the fringe of traditional pass times.

Paintball is not the same as it was a decade ago.  I would agree that the paintball world from a decade ago is dying if it is not already dead.  The sport, though, is continuing to grow, adapt and expand as new players are introduced to it all over the world.  Paintball is not dying because, at its base, it is an extremely fun activity that can be enjoyed by millions.  Nothing is going to stop that.

Everyone was a beginner once.

The first time anyone played paintball they really didn't know what to expect.  They had lots of questions.  They were a little scared of getting hit.  They didn't know anything about the difference between different types of guns.  They had no idea what the safety or game rules were.  But they learned the answers to all these questions.

The problem with some experienced players it that they forgot what it was like to be a beginner.  Rather than educating and helping, some players gloat by picking on noobs in games and laugh at their confusion.  Even those that don't actively intimidate the new players don't put in the effort to help them understand the game.  Not only does this lead to general frustration for the players, but it decreases the chance of them coming back.  If everyone focused on actively helping the new players, the sport will continue to grow.  If not, the sport will never be enjoyed by as many people and remain a somewhat fringe sport.

Many players do a good job at helping the new players enter the sport, but I've seen too many that don't.  Just remember, you were a beginner once to.