Bryan Bortol from paintball team Omaha VICIOUS, Photo Credit: SkipsPics.com

The PSP World Cup is set to begin in less than 7 days. Are you and your paintball team ready to compete? Read on for the latest paintball news and gossip regarding several top teams as they prepare for the 2011 PSP World Cup Championship.

According to ProPaintball insiders, Billy Wing of the LA Ironmen is rumored to be retiring from competitive paintball after the 2011 PSP World Cup. He has played professional paintball for the last 14 years. The LA Ironmen were his one and only pro team. Wing is a very dedicated Ironmen player and long time employee at DYE Precision and we can only imagine his departure will have a major impact. Want to know more? Check out ProPaintball’s interview with Billy Wing.

Chad “Ya-Ya” Bouchez (former Aftershock) was rumored to be playing with Omaha Vicious. ProPaintball insiders suggest that there was a conflict in the deal and it wasn’t completed in time for the event. Bummer.

Marcello Margott tore his meniscus and had torn cartilage. Marcello underwent a micro fracture surgery which requires him to stay off the injury for about 6 weeks (no weight bearing). Unfortunately he will be sitting out PSP World Cup. Marcello has to go through physical therapy and should return prior to the start of the 2012 season.

Thomas Taylor from Sacramento XSV is playing with LIFT.

Division 1 team Assault surprised everyone by pulling out of PSP World Cup. Team owner TeddyG has been responding to questions in the ProPaintball Smackbox over the last 24 hours. In short, the team was just not ready to compete and Teddy did not feel comfortable fielding an unprepared squad.

Darryl Trent is preparing to unveil the DLX Luxe 2.0 paintball gun at PSP World Cup. Here is a sneak peak of the new paintball gun from DLX.

DSSP8NTBALL.com is bringing back their divisional feeder team for 2012. Stay tuned for tryout information.

Guerrilla Air is giving away free paintballs. The odds that you win are 1 in 200.

Portland Uprising is rumored to have picked up 2 local players for their 2011 PSP World Cup debut. ProPaintball insiders suggest the team is trying to get their feet wet, learn the format and figure out what they need to fix in anticipation of the 2012 paintball season. Good luck Uprising!

Pro Paintball fans have been inquiring as to what Cole Scott is doing for PSP World Cup. In case your wondering, Cole Scott plays with Portland Uprising in NPPL 7-man and Impact in the PSP. ProPaintball caught up with Cole who mentioned that prior to the 2011 season begining, he signed up to play with Edmonton Impact in PSP and Portland Uprising in NPPL 7-man. Cole will be playing with Edmonton Impact at Cup but mentioned he and a few of the guys are going to try and help coach the new Uprising team through the first event. Talk about camaraderie!

What else have you heard? Share your paintball news and rumors in the comments below.

After the teams disqualification at NPPL DC, ProPaintball insiders speculated that big changes were coming to the teams roster. Last week rumors were stirring that Infamous was releasing anywhere between one and three players. Justin “LJ Schwarz, Marcello Margott, and Bobby Aviles were all named by our sources.

In a ProPaintball interview published last night, Justin “LJ” Schwarz broke the news that he would be joining the Los Angeles Ironmen. In the interview Justin discussed the NPPL DC situation and more.

“…DC was a nightmare! I had a previous suspension from chicago nppl which I thought I had served and apparently I had one more game to serve in DC. I was not warned or told by any of the NPPL officials that the suspension still stood and I had one more game to sit out. If I would have been aware I definitely would have sat and not tried to “sneak” on a game like most of the paintball community thinks I did. I feel very bad for not double checking and the DC loss is definitely my fault for Infamous. I am very sorry to all of the fans and sponsors that I let down.”

Justin "LJ" Schwarz parts ways with LA Infamous

ProPaintball insiders suggest that contrary to rumors, Marcello Margott and Bobby Aviles have not been let go. No further details were known at the time of publication.

The plot thickened this morning as rumors circulated that Damian Ryan and Brad McCurley had left Aftershock and joined Infamous for PSP World Cup. Damian and Brad compete with Chicago Aftershock in the PSP Series, and Chicago Legend in the NPPL. It is worth noting that Chicago Legend took first place at the recent NPPL DC Challenge after Damian beat Arsenal’s Justin Rabackoff in a 1 vs 1 competition. ProPaintball caught up with Damian this morning in hopes of clearing the air.

Damian Ryan (back row, center) and Brad McCurley (front row, left) with Chicago Legend after winning NPPL DC

New players on Infamous:
Damian Ryan confirmed with ProPaintball that he and Brad McCurley were leaving their PSP team, Chicago Aftershock, and joining Los Angeles Infamous. Damian wanted to make it clear that they were not leaving Aftershock for personal reasons. Instead, Brad and Damian came into the 2011 season loyal to Chicago Legend, an Empire Paintball team, and after the NPPL DC win, Empire Paintball made it clear that they did not want their sponsored players competing with a non-Empire team in the PSP. Brad and Damian then joined Los Angeles Infamous and will be making their debut at the PSP World Cup in late October.

The loss of Brad and Damian will may impact Chicago Aftershock as they prepare for the 2011 PSP World Cup. Rumors are circulating that the team will be holding tryouts to fill the two recently vacated spots on Shock. Stay tuned for an official announcement.

Here is a paintball video by Chris Loh showcasing the tryouts and those that attended;

Click here to view the embedded video.

Grind Paintball has released a new paintball video featuring a recent snake battle between pro paintball players Chad “Yaya” Bouchez and Nick Slowiak. The footage was captured at a recent Chicago Aftershock practice at Badlandz paintball park. The two players discuss the battle and toss jokes back and forth between one another. Make sure you watch it all the way through. Enjoy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Want to see more funny paintball videos from Grind? Let Drew know in the comments below!

Earlier in the season Coach Jeremy Salm and Aftershock parted ways for reasons undisclosed. With no Coach available to fill Jeremy Salm’s shoes, Aftershock player Nick Slowiak stepped up to help direct the team through several pro paintball events. Aftershock team owner Rennick Miller has brought on Mike Bruno, a former shock player, to help reorganize and bring the team back to the podium.

Damian Ryan has been seen practicing with Aftershock and there are rumors that he is returning to the team. If true, this would be a strong addition to the roster. Damian has been playing with division 1 PSP team TKO and 7-man pro team Chicago Legend.

We were really surprised to learn that Chad “Ya Ya” Bouchez has left Chicago Aftershock. According to ProPaintball insiders, Yaya left to pursue other paintball-related opportunities and an announcement is forthcoming.

Sam Monville has left Aftershock for D-1 team Assault. He will be playing with them starting at PSP New Jersey. ProPaintball insiders suggest this pick up adds further credability to the rumor that Assault intends to play pro paintball in 2012.

Will Shock be able to fight its way back into the Sunday club in PSP New Jersey? Who do you think the team needs to pick up in order to dominate again? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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.

• Portland Uprising picks up Cole Scott from Vendetta/Impact as well as former Naughty Dog Blake Bearham.

• Bear Degidio of Hollywood HK is rumored to be making his pro debut with Indianapolis Mutiny at the Chicago NPPL event.

• In a follow up to our Chicago Aftershock update, ProPaintball insiders suggest that Chris Lasoya and Aftershock have parted ways. According to insiders, Chris has signed on with LA Infamous to play the remainder of the 2011 season.

• Mykel Kovar and Grayson Goff from San Antonio X-Factor are playing the Millennium Bitburg event with Breakout Spa.

• Jason Bornstein of Oakland BLAST is still recovering from his shoulder surgery. According to sources, his recovery was pushed back another 6+ weeks.

• Hollywood HK will be sitting out Chicago NPPL. The HK crew is at CPX this week playing paintball and hosting a clinic.

• AJ Trillet is rumored to have left Avalanche and signed on with Chicago Legend to compete in the NPPL 7-man series.

As previously reported, Drew Templeton left VICIOUS and rejoined his former teammates on Aftershock. Sources tell us the team is very happy with Drew and morale is high with the team. Chicago Aftershock is said to be looking for one or two more players for the remainder of the season. Drew Hire and Josh Yost are said to be trying out for the team. Josh Yost previously played on Aftershock and Drew previously played with Newport Entourage and LA Infamous.

It is unclear if Chris Lasoya and Brandon Rittinghouse will remain part of the Chicago Aftershock program. Chris Lasoya played NPPL Huntington Beach with Aftershock and did well with the team. According to ProPaintball insiders familiar with Aftershock, they indicate that the team may be short on funds to fly Lasoya in to practice. Sources suggest there would be too much of a disconnect between Lasoya and the team if he was only playing events and they are working to find a solution. Brandon Rittinghouse may be leaving the team due to undisclosed reasons.

Stay tuned to Pro Paintball for the latest paintball news and gossip.

Produced by Planet Eclipse, in association with Disconnected Media and Deep Elm records.

The trailer features the song “A Plot To Bomb The Panhandle” by A Day To Remember.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Aftershock History:
In 1991, Chicago Aftershock was formed by combining the Lords of Discipline and Scream, two teams that were feared by the competition. According to sources familiar with LOD, feared was an understatement. Several members of LOD eventually earned a lifetime ban for fighting on the paintball field. You did not want to mess with those guys. The first two years of the teams existence were rough, but in 1993 the team added pro paintball all-stars Danny Love and Mike Bruno. The combination of time, energy and talent worked well for Aftershock and once again the team was a force to reckon with. Aftershock would go on to win more NPPL 10-man events and more 10-man World Cups than any other team in paintball history. Further Chicago Aftershock history can be found on their website.

During the 2009/10 off season, Aftershock was knee deep in the rebuilding process. The team added several notable players to the roster including Tim Montressor, Stephen “Son” Dabilis, Sam Monville, and Greg Sewiers. The team started the season off on a high note, placing 3rd in Phoenix, 2nd at the World Cup and 5th overall in the PSP’s 2011 season.

Going forward:
In 2011, Chicago Aftershock has decided to return to the teams roots. In addition to the PSP, Chicago Aftershock will be competing in the NPPL. In addition, the team will be competing in Ultimate Woods-ball events with former members of the Aftershock program.

Several former AfterShock players will be returning home to compete in 2011. Pro players Chris Lasoya, Adam Farej and AJ Lawhead will once again be representing Aftershock on the pro field. Pro Paintball insiders suggest additional pick ups are underway. The team will be lead by Aftershock alumni Renick Miller and Jeremy Salm.

Sponsors:
Planet Eclipse will be releasing a 2011 Chicago Aftershock EGO/GEO that the team will be shooting exclusively. Chicago Aftershock will be utilizing the GI Sports Imperial Paintballs to mark their opponents, and wearing Sly Profit Goggles, Aftershock jerseys by S2 Customs and Exalt Paintball Cleats. For those in the Mid-West region, Shock will be practicing at both the Badlandz field in Chicago, IL and Paintball Plex in Laotto, IN.

Photo of Aftershock in Camo by John Amodea/PaintballX3