News From Justin Rabackoff on the future of DC Devastation-
DC Devastation will be an official feeder team for Tampa Bay Damage in 2012. The team is holding tryouts February 11-12th with full time coaches Rabackoff and G-no Benedicto. Dave Baines, Chad Bousiere and Joey Blute will be on-site during tryouts. An OPEN tryout will be held for interested talent. Fans in the know remember Justin Rabackoff working with Devastation — his first paintball team.
Justin was clear to say-
Justin Rabackoff signs with Tampa Bay Damage
“This try out will be held at Paintball Adventure Park (PAP) in Taneytown, Maryland on February 11th – 12th. Please be ready on the field at 10 AM. Please follow this link for address information, http://www.pap-md.com/. Pre Registration cost is $50 and $60 if you show up the day of. This will include for all participants, paint for the try out, field fee, and air.
Today is Day 2 of the PSP 2011 Chicago Open. The following is stats have been made available by PSP score keeper Cade Coleman to provide a better understandings of todays pro paintball match ups. Be sure to tune into the free paintball webcast that is being broadcast live from the PSP Chicago Open today and tomorrow. The webcast will be narrated by former pro paintball player Matty Marshall and special guests.
Today is Day 1 of the PSP 2011 Chicago Open. The following is stats have been made available by PSP score keeper Cade Coleman to provide a better understandings of todays pro paintball match ups.
The Chicago pickem and the Pro Paintball poll (right hand side of the page) have opened up for you to place your bets on the winners and losers of the PSP 2011 Chicago Open. Cade Coleman, the PSP score keeper and ProPaintball are proud to share several data points for your consideration and general paintball knowledge. Hopefully these data points will help you increase your odds of winning the PB Pickem grand prize. Study up and place your picks!
Data is based on PSP Pro Paintball matches between 2007 to 2011
PSP 2011 Chicago Open Stats:
2007 – Largest Margin of Victory: Legion (23) vs. Ultimate (1)
2007 – Finals: X-Factor (7) vs. Ironmen (6)
2008 – Finals: Damage (5) vs. Aftermath (3)
2009 – Finals: Legion (7) vs. Aftermath (1)
2010 – Finals: Infamous (7) vs. Damage (5)
PSP Pro Paintball Team Facts and Win / Loss Records:
Chicago Aftershock:
31 Wins (36%) / 56 Losses (64%)
Looking for their first Pro win of the 2011 season, shut out 0-4 at the 2011 Texas Open.
Chattanooga CEP (PSP Pro since 2011):
0 Wins (0%) / 4 Losses (100%)
Looking for their first Pro win ever, also shut out 0-4 at the 2011 Texas Open.
Tampa Bay Damage (PSP Pro since 2008):
51 Wins (61%) / 32 Losses (39%)
Wins and 1 OT Loss during the Texas Open, they were knocked out by Legion (2-4) in the Semis.
San Diego Dynasty:
59 Wins (58%) / 43 Losses (42%)
3 Wins (7-0, 7-1, 7-1) and 1 Loss (Legion) during the Texas Prelims, beat Infamous in the Semis, and Legion (7-2) in the Finals.
Edmonton Impact (PSP Pro since 2008):
38 Wins (52%) / 35 Losses (48%)
2 Wins (both 5-4) and 2 Losses (both 1-7), looking to advance out of the Prelims in 2011.
LA Infamous:
49 Wins (51%) / 47 Losses (49%)
3 Wins (2OT) and 1 Loss during the Texas Prelims, they were knocked out by Dynasty (2-5) in the Semis.
Los Angeles Ironmen:
70 Wins (65%) / 38 Losses (35%)
2 Wins (1OT) and 2 Losses in Texas, looking to advance out of the Prelims in 2011.
Boston Red Legion:
82 Wins (75%) / 28 Losses (25%)
3 Wins and 1 Loss (OT Loss, Ironmen), beat Damage in the Semis and Lost to Dynasty (2-7) in the Finals.
Omaha Vicious (PSP Pro since 2010):
7 Wins (37%) / 12 Losses (63%)
2 Wins (1OT, both 6-5) and 2 Losses (1OT) in Texas, looking to advance out of the Prelims in 2011.
San Antonio X-Factor:
44 Wins (49%) / 46 Losses (51%)
2 Wins (7-3, 7-2) and 2 Losses in Texas, looking to advance out of the Prelims in 2011.
Does the Win and Loss record effect your loyalty to your favorite pro paintball team? Or, is there more to a pro team than winning? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
“Once upon a time there were dominating powers to the west. Their story chronicles like an ancient prophecy foretelling who would rule on the world stage. One would be a Dynasty, a formidable beast who would rule the land and win the hearts of many.
In time however, its head would be removed and though still able to wield power, it would not impose its will as it had in earlier times.
Rising from its slumber, a new creature would trodden under foot any who dared to challenge it. People looked on in wonderment as the head that had been removed from Dynasty arose to enliven this new Iron monster. There were challengers from the East, those who very name embraced brotherly love. There were also the Invaders from the North. They too had set their sights on ruling in a foreign land.
As time passed the proud Dynasty gave way to the Men of Iron. In turn, the Legion of the North honed its machinery and remained ever poised and positioned itself to regain the brief control it had. With enemies nearby, to the South and North, The western empires would not go without a fight. . .”
At the Crossroads
Perhaps no historian will recount these times a hundred years from now as above. But there is very much a power struggle for supremacy within the Pro Division. Set your eyes on the next few weeks as this saga has reached a crossroad. Dynasty while clinging to a 2nd place tie in seven-man is in unfamiliar Race-to territory. Ending the ’09 season with an 8th place World Cup, they have followed up by producing 6th and 9th place PSP finishes.
Meanwhile, the Ironmen of Los Angeles have grappled with personnel loses. Their drop off to date has been more precipitous. Fighting their way to the top 4 in 09 at Cup, they have entered the 2010 campaign with 9th and 8th place respectively. What remains are two proud programs struggling to regain past glories. This is where it gets interesting.
Both the Ironmen and Dynasty have fallen from their lofty positions in the PSP. Yellow dots are individual event finishes. Black dots are average ranking for a given season. Ironmen were NXL champions in 2007 and 2008.
The Strategy
The second half of the season is upon us. There has been a flurry of activities. Moves have been calculated and made. For the Ironmen, the loss of several key players has opened the door for new blood. Another notable loss was in Coach Shane Pestana who retired after the 2008 season. In an effort to remedy that loss, the Ironmen have brought in a coach in Kevin Bredhauer. Will the move pay early dividends?
Time seems to be of the essence for the Ironmen. There is a lot of speculation that Oliver Lang will be elsewhere next season. His DYE contract effectively last thru the 2010 season. Whether Billy Wing will have the patience to guide a rebuilding of Youngblood’s team would be one of the key questions. Either way, finishing on a high note for 2010 would help soften any changing of the guard.
For Dynasty the moves have a more curious flavor. With J.C. Whittington they pick up an experienced veteran of the seven-man game. This move would have been a major pickup several years ago in the minds of many. At 32, J.C. is still crafty and a presence on the field. The question is, does he still have the drive and commitment to win?
Accompanying the pickup is Tom Fore, longtime Arsenal (of seven-man notoriety) owner. He will assist in coaching.
Following the Whittington pickup, Dynasty rounded out their ten man roster with Billy Bernnachia. From a sponsorship position, the move makes sense. Beyond that, time will tell. The following ProPaintball Scouting Report gives you a glimpse at this pickup from a coaching viewpoint: Billy Bernacchia Scouting Report.
The Outcome
So there we have it. Will Dynasty rise up and regain their lofty ways? Will the Ironmen regroup? The paintball gods may watch themselves and let this one play out on its own. For Dynasty, they will continue to fight to hold their dominance of seven man. For both Dynasty and the Ironmen, the MAO awaits.
We can rest assured that Edmonton Impact, L.A. Infamous, and Tampa Bay Damage are looking to drive a dagger that severely wounds the rule of two of the most dominate programs in paintball history, the Western Empires that are Dynasty and the Ironmen.
The Scouting Report* This is the first glimpse of a new series from ProPaintball that will give readers some insight on Pro players and their game.
(For purposes of comparison, the PSP results were focused upon as both teams are currently playing it.)
Strengths: Has good quickness, breakout speed is above average for his position. Above average route runner. Show more aggressiveness when playing the right side of the field. With no Pro wins to this point, motivation should be a factor here.
Weakness: Decision making could be better for the level of Pro experience. Running and shooting is average. Can play the 2, but is a natural front player. Billy tends to take too much ground without a commensurate payoff. Needs to relax and show more patience.
Tendencies: He is not afraid to go far off the break. Gets shot looking inside more than you want from an experienced snake player. But he will make the big move.
Overall: The guy loves the game. He’s a popular player from the Northeast. A new team with some legitimate talent will help. We’d like to see his kill per game ratio go up. Last year he set middle of the pack for snake players. With Dynasty, Billy should not have to try to do ‘too much’ as he often tends to do. If he will slow it down and work what the field gives him, his penalties should drop also.
We have him ranked as the number 6 snake player in the Pro Division.
PLAYER OPINIONS