THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 28, 1994 TAG: 9412280632
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY LORRAINE MIZE, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 142 lines
In the backwoods of Pungo, not far from the Indian River-Princess Anne roads intersection, lies the ``Combat Zone.''
The combatants are armed with rifles, several rounds of ammunition, goggles and masks. As the two sides make their way onto the battlefield, hushed conversation about strategy can be heard among the troops. They're setting up perimeters, discussing who'll take the point, who'll stay behind, what code words to use.
The battleground measures roughly the size of a football field, but is anything but clear. Mature trees and thick brush provide plenty of cover.
Masks still sit atop the soldiers' heads. Once they come down, the battle is on.
As in every war, there are rules of engagement.
In this conflict, each side's mission is to capture the enemy's flag (about 100 yards away) and return unharmed to home base. Anyone marked by a wound must leave the fight in a ``non-aggressive posture.'' Otherwise it's open season.
A whistle blows, and the masks come down. Teammates scatter in all directions.
For several minutes after the first rush, an eerie silence fills the woods. The enemy is out there, but where?
Suddenly, a shot breaks out. Then another.
Ammo whizzes by from two directions.
Several combatants hit the ground but to no avail. They're surrounded.
It's over. SPLAT! SPLAT!
Their wounds are marked not by blood but bright splotches of washable paint.
They have become casualties in this first battle of a long day of war called paintball.
An overnight sensation about 10 years in the making, an estimated 1 million people across the globe play paintball on any given weekend. But it's not limited to pleasure seekers alone. The sport has become one of the most popular ways for businesses, large and small, to have some fun together away from the workplace while promoting teamwork.
From IBM and Xerox to small local businesses, paintball gives workers a much needed stress release and a unique opportunity to build trust and cooperation.
One day last month, employees of the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center worked to muster that team spirit. Every department within the hotel was represented at various levels, from management to line employees.
It's a great way for the employees to get to know and trust each other and have fun at the same time, said Assistant General Manager Stacey Patrick.
``In a hotel our size, with so many different departments and employees,'' she explained, ``it's easy to get lost in your own department. This way we get to know each other and learn to trust on a very basic level, survival. It's a tough game, but I'd do it again.''
Paul Thompson, director of conference services and a member of the sales staff said he wasn't sure beforehand how it could promote teamwork, but after the first game it became clear.
``At first we each went out with our own plans, but after that first game, the teams would get together and talk strategy,'' he said. ``It's very different from most other activities you do as a group.
``It's very physical, but the women were just as physical as the men, and there isn't a single one of us that doesn't want to come and do this again.''
Joe Merfalen and Mike Polencheck, members of the Banquet Department, couldn't get enough of paintball.
Within a few days of the ``war,'' each had gone and picked out his own guns and equipment.
``This is great,'' Merfalen said. ``I can't remember when I've had as much fun. Several of us are buying our own equipment and plan to start our own team.''
The Combat Zone was started in Virginia Beach 11 years ago by Nick Lotuaco out of the back of his car. ``My business was one of the first 30 nationwide,'' he said. ``Now there are over 500 in the USA alone.''
Paintball is even considered a professional sport with more than $1 million given away last year in prize money. Lotuaco is a member of a team of players from Virginia Beach and Richmond. The National Professional Paintball Players League has five main tournaments on its circuit with tournaments scheduled for Orlando, Houston, Pittsburgh and San Diego.
An avid surfer, Lotuaco was in California on vacation when he got the inspiration for Combat Zone.
``The waves were flat one day so I was just driving down the highway when I saw this group of people in cammies with guns walking across and into the woods,'' Lotuaco recalled. ``My curiosity got the best of me so I stopped and asked what they were doing and they explained the game to me.''
Lotuaco went immediately to see about getting in a game and joined the cast of the sitcom ``Silver Spoons'' for the day. The first person he shot, he said, was star Ricky Schroeder.
Armed with ideas and energy, he returned to the East Coast and Combat Zone was born. A decade later, he's booked weeks in advance for games.
For $25, participants can rent a C2O-powered rifle, safety gear and 100 rounds of ammunition. That also covers their field fee for the day. Additional ammo can be purchased for $6 per 100 rounds.
Wars are waged from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday, although private matches can be arranged on weekdays.
All contests are by reservation only (486-8222). Individuals can call and be entered as walk-on combatants for other teams, most of which number about 15 to 20 members. Private parties require a minimum of 30 players.
``It's an entertainment business with a twist,'' Lotuaco said. ``It allows people from every walk of life to come together and get out some of their aggressions in a safe, fun environment.''
Lotuaco said his groups have included law firms, construction firms, retail businesses, engineering firms, hotels and restaurants.
``I enjoy each group because they all approach the game differently,'' he said. ``The engineering firm might plot and plan for an hour before we get started and wind up with half their ammo at the end of the game while one of the construction firms might shoot off 100 rounds between the parking lot and the playing field.
``I never judge people by appearances anymore either,'' Lotuaco said. ``The roughest and toughest looking guys can be gotten the better of by one of the smallest, weakest looking women.'' MEMO: Lorraine Mize is a Virginia Beach free-lance writer and an employee in
the food services department of the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and
Conference Center.
ILLUSTRATION: Color staff photos by Mort Fryman
[Color cover photo w/ no cutline information.]
Angela Russell, dressed in military camouflage, takes a break during
a long day of paintball war.
A member of yellow team takes aim as she prepares to fire on a Blue
Team members she has spotted in the woods.
A team made up mostly of employees of the Virginia Beach Resort
Hotel and Conference Center assess their performances and plot
strategy between games.
James Dixon celebrates capturing the opponents's flag, but later is
shot before he can safely get back to his home base.
B/W photo
Joe MerFalen, a member of the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and
Conference Center team fires his paintball air rifle at an
opponent.
by CNB