Editing Eric Crandall


{{Short description|American paintball team manager and industry entrepreneur}}

'''Eric Crandall''' is an American [[paintball]] team manager, field operator and industry entrepreneur. He is best known for managing [[San Diego Dynasty]] since its formation in 2001 and for his role in establishing [[Field One Paintball]], an equipment manufacturer formed in 2016 following the acquisition of assets and designs from [[Bob Long Technologies]].[1][2]

Crandall was previously involved in operating [[Mare Island Paintball]] in Vallejo, California, where he helped develop the young tournament players who subsequently formed Dynasty. He introduced [[Ryan Greenspan]] and [[Yosh Rau]] to [[Alex Fraige]] and [[Oliver Lang]], and supported their early competitive careers.[1][3]

== Early involvement in paintball ==

Crandall grew up in Northern California and began playing paintball in 1991.[1]

During the 1990s, he became involved in the ownership and operation of Mare Island Paintball, a commercial playing facility in Vallejo.

A 2006 ''Los Angeles Times'' article reported that Crandall, then recently out of high school, had acquired a substantial ownership interest in the facility with assistance from his parents.[3]

Mare Island was used by numerous tournament teams, including the [[Ironmen]], Outta Control, KAPP, Lofty and [[IronKids]].[1]

The facility became an important training location for players who subsequently competed at the highest levels of American professional paintball.

== Development of IronKids and Dynasty ==

Crandall played a role in bringing together four young Northern California tournament players: Ryan Greenspan, Yosh Rau, Alex Fraige and Oliver Lang.

Greenspan and Rau had begun playing together around Sebastopol, while Fraige and Lang were based in another part of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Crandall introduced the players through their participation at Mare Island Paintball and subsequently took them to compete in the Great Western Series in Southern California.[1][3]

Their early tournament experiences contributed to the formation of [[IronKids]], a youth tournament team that included several future professional players.

Crandall assisted the team with travel arrangements, tournament logistics and sponsorships.

According to the ''Los Angeles Times'', he also provided access to the Mare Island facility and equipment, allowing the players to develop their skills and gain competitive experience.[3]

The relationships established during this period contributed to the formation of [[San Diego Dynasty]] in 2001.

== San Diego Dynasty ==

Crandall became manager of San Diego Dynasty when the team was established in 2001.

His responsibilities included tournament travel, accommodation, sponsorship arrangements, equipment coordination and administrative management.[1][4]

He continued managing the organisation as Dynasty developed into one of the most successful professional tournament teams in paintball.

The team's competitive achievements included victories in the [[National Professional Paintball League]] (NPPL), [[Paintball Sports Promotions]] (PSP), [[Millennium Series]] and [[National Xball League]] (NXL).

Crandall's position involved managing the practical and commercial aspects of the team rather than serving as its principal playing coach.

His responsibilities included maintaining sponsor relationships and coordinating arrangements that allowed players to compete internationally.

The team's official 2022 NXL World Championship roster identified Crandall as team manager.[5]

He remained in the position during the 2026 professional season.[6]

== Field One Paintball ==

=== Establishment (2016) ===

In late 2016, Crandall joined members of San Diego Dynasty in establishing [[Field One Paintball]].

The new company acquired assets and designs from [[Bob Long Technologies]], the American paintball equipment manufacturer founded by [[Bob Long]].[2]

The ownership group included Crandall and Dynasty players Ryan Greenspan, Yosh Rau and Alex Fraige.

Crandall became president of Field One Paintball, bringing his experience in paintball field management, team administration and industry relationships to the new business.[1][2]

The company aimed to continue manufacturing established Bob Long marker platforms while developing new products.

=== Dynasty sponsorship (2017) ===

On 18 January 2017, Dynasty announced a new equipment agreement with Field One Paintball.

The arrangement made Field One the team's paintball marker supplier for the 2017 season.

In the announcement, Crandall described the relationship as an opportunity to combine the manufacturer's technical development with feedback from professional tournament players.[7]

Field One initially continued supplying established Bob Long marker platforms while developing its own product range.

The company subsequently introduced the [[Field One Force]] electronic paintball marker.

Crandall has continued to be identified with the company's management and ownership.[1][4]

== Interviews and media ==

Crandall has appeared in paintball media discussing team management, equipment manufacturing and the development of professional tournament paintball.

On 12 December 2020, he appeared on episode 51 of the ''Play The Game'' podcast, hosted by [[Marcello Margott]] and [[Tyler Harmon]].

The interview discussed his long involvement in paintball, management of Dynasty and ownership of Field One Paintball.[4]

== See also ==

* [[San Diego Dynasty]]
* [[IronKids]]
* [[Mare Island Paintball]]
* [[Field One Paintball]]
* [[Bob Long Technologies]]
* [[Bob Long]]
* [[Ryan Greenspan]]
* [[Yosh Rau]]
* [[Alex Fraige]]
* [[Oliver Lang]]

== References ==

# [https://fieldonepaintball.com/pages/field-one-team Field One Paintball – Field One Team]. Official biography documenting Crandall's involvement in Mare Island Paintball, Dynasty and Field One.
# [https://fieldonepaintball.com/pages/about-us Field One Paintball – About Us]. Official company history documenting its establishment in late 2016.
# [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-may-07-tm-paintball19-story.html Los Angeles Times – War Games]. 7 May 2006. Contemporary account of Crandall's involvement in Mare Island Paintball, the development of IronKids and the origins of Dynasty.
# [https://playthegame.buzzsprout.com/1027258/episodes/6811054-051-eric-crandall Play The Game – Episode 51: Eric Crandall]. 12 December 2020.
# [https://dynastypaintball.com/pages/meet-your-2022-dynasty-roster Dynasty Paintball – Meet Your 2022 Dynasty Roster]. Official team roster identifying Crandall as manager.
# [https://www.blackfridaypaintball.com/blogs/san-digeo-dynasty-corner/san-diego-dynasty-roster-2026 Black Friday Paintball – San Diego Dynasty Roster 2026]. Team roster and management profile.
# [https://www.ryangreenspan.com/dynasty-field-one-paintball51dd44ae Ryan Greenspan – Dynasty Signs with Field One Paintball]. 18 January 2017. Announcement identifying Crandall as Field One president.

== External links ==

* [https://fieldonepaintball.com/pages/field-one-team Eric Crandall biography at Field One Paintball]
* [https://playthegame.buzzsprout.com/1027258/episodes/6811054-051-eric-crandall Eric Crandall interview on Play The Game]
* [https://fieldonepaintball.com/ Field One Paintball official website]

[[Category:Paintball entrepreneurs]]