Editing ProPaintball.com


'''ProPaintball.com''' is an American [[paintball]] news and information website known for its coverage of professional tournament paintball, teams, players, equipment and industry developments during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

The website developed from an earlier online publication known as PBReserve, with the transition to the ProPaintball.com name documented in January 2009.[1] Its historical reporting included tournament results, player interviews, team transfers, sponsorship announcements, photographs and coverage of the [[Paintball Sports Promotions]] (PSP), [[National Professional Paintball League]] (NPPL) and regional and international competitions.[2][3]

The website remains online, although its contemporary content places greater emphasis on equipment reviews, buying guides and general paintball information.[4]

== History ==

=== Origins and PBReserve ===

The ProPaintball.com article archive contains material dating to June 2008, including reports on the 2008 PSP Chicago Open and professional team developments.[5]

On 30 January 2009, the contemporary paintball commentary website ''View from the Deadbox'' reported that PBReserve had become ProPaintball.com.[1]

The precise founding date of the original publication has not been independently established.

=== Development as a news publication ===

By early 2009, ProPaintball.com was operating as a dedicated professional paintball news publication.

Justin Mason was involved in its editorial operations and recruitment of contributors. On 10 February 2009, paintball writer SEBURO announced that Mason had invited him to join ProPaintball.com as a staff writer, covering player activities, tournament events and equipment used by professional teams.[6]

A March 2009 archived version of the website documents extensive reporting from the PSP Phoenix Open, including match updates, interviews, field layouts and professional tournament photography.[2]

Photographers contributing to its early event coverage included Matt Dawson and Jack Palombo.[2]

The publication also featured equipment announcements, professional player transfers and commentary on the organisation of competitive paintball.

=== Coverage during the early 2010s ===

ProPaintball.com continued publishing tournament and industry news during the early 2010s.

An archived December 2010 homepage includes coverage of the [[Paintball Asia League Series]], [[Millennium Series]], NPPL, PSP, [[Edmonton Impact]], [[Joy Division (paintball team)|Joy Division]] and equipment manufacturers.[3]

By 2012, the website was publishing regional tournament information, equipment announcements and video coverage. Its reporting included the [[West Coast Paintball Players League]] (WCPPL), professional tournament webcasts and developments involving manufacturers such as [[MacDev]] and [[Planet Eclipse]].[7]

The website remained active as a tournament news publication in 2014, covering professional roster changes, the suspension of the NPPL's 2014 season, equipment developments and regional tournaments.[8]

== Editorial coverage ==

ProPaintball.com published a combination of original reporting, interviews, tournament information, photographs, equipment news, press releases and articles based on industry rumours.

Its interviews provide contemporary accounts of developments involving professional paintball teams and players.

Examples include:

* An interview with Jeff Stein concerning the withdrawal of the [[New England Hurricanes]] from professional competition following the 2009 season, including discussion of sponsorship and the financial position of professional teams.[9]
* An interview with [[Oliver Lang]] discussing his return to [[San Diego Dynasty]] for the 2011 season.[10]
* Coverage of professional team rosters, sponsorship agreements and equipment developments during the PSP and NPPL seasons.[2][3]

The publication also reported on international tournament paintball, including European competitions and the Paintball Asia League Series.[3]

== Later development ==

The website subsequently expanded its coverage of recreational paintball, equipment comparisons and buying guides.

Its current homepage features articles about paintball markers, hoppers, goggles, equipment reviews and general introductory information.[4]

Historical reporting remains available on the website, although some articles appear under publication dates that do not correspond to the events discussed.

For example, the Oliver Lang interview concerning his return to Dynasty for the 2011 season currently displays a publication date of 17 February 2020.[10]

Researchers using the website should therefore distinguish original article dates from dates assigned to material subsequently republished or reorganised.

== Historical archive ==

ProPaintball.com's historical content is a useful primary source for researching competitive paintball during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Its articles contain contemporary information about:

* Professional player movements and team rosters.
* Tournament announcements, results and standings.
* Sponsorship agreements and equipment used by teams.
* Changes to professional leagues and tournament formats.
* Equipment launches and manufacturer developments.
* Interviews with players, team owners and industry representatives.
* Regional and international paintball competitions.

Earlier versions of the website can be accessed through the [https://web.archive.org/web/*/propaintball.com Internet Archive's Wayback Machine].

Archived snapshots from 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014 preserve the website's original reporting structure and historical content.[2][3][7][8]

Because some articles have been republished or assigned newer dates, archived copies can be particularly useful for establishing the original publication period.

As with other historical paintball publications, unconfirmed rumours and speculative reports should be distinguished from official announcements and independently verified records.

== See also ==

* [[Paintball media]]
* [[WARPIG]]
* [[PBNation]]
* [[Social Paintball]]
* [[Paintball Sports Promotions]]
* [[National Professional Paintball League]]
* [[History of professional paintball]]

== References ==

# [https://viewfromthedeadbox.blogspot.com/2009/01/major-league-paintball-held-hostage-day_30.html View from the Deadbox – Major League Paintball Held Hostage, Day 29, 30 January 2009]. Contemporary reference identifying PBReserve's transition to ProPaintball.com.
# [https://web.archive.org/web/20090306054550/http://www.propaintball.com/ ProPaintball.com – Archived homepage, 6 March 2009]. Internet Archive. Contemporary tournament reporting, photographs and interviews.
# [https://web.archive.org/web/20101226115703/http://www.propaintball.com/ ProPaintball.com – Archived homepage, 26 December 2010]. Internet Archive. News covering professional teams, leagues and international tournaments.
# [https://propaintball.com/ ProPaintball.com – Official website]. Current news, equipment information and buying guides.
# [https://web.archive.org/web/20150303155948/http://propaintball.com/2008/06/ ProPaintball.com – June 2008 article archive]. Internet Archive, captured 3 March 2015.
# [https://seburo.blogspot.com/2009/02/ SEBURO – February 2009 archive]. Contemporary announcement of appointment as a ProPaintball.com staff writer, 10 February 2009.
# [https://web.archive.org/web/20121003105807/http://propaintball.com/ ProPaintball.com – Archived homepage, 3 October 2012]. Internet Archive. Tournament, equipment and video coverage.
# [https://web.archive.org/web/20141218045235/http://propaintball.com/ ProPaintball.com – Archived homepage, 18 December 2014]. Internet Archive. Historical news and publication archive.
# [https://propaintball.com/jeff-stein-interview/ ProPaintball.com – Interview: Jeff Stein of the New England Hurricanes]. Interview concerning the withdrawal of the professional team following the 2009 season.
# [https://propaintball.com/exclusive-interview-ollie-lang-pro-paintball/ ProPaintball.com – Exclusive: Interview with Ollie Lang]. Historical interview discussing Lang's return to Dynasty for the 2011 season.

== External links ==

* [https://propaintball.com/ Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/propaintball.com ProPaintball.com on the Internet Archive]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090306054550/http://www.propaintball.com/ Archived March 2009 homepage]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101226115703/http://www.propaintball.com/ Archived December 2010 homepage]

[[Category:Paintball websites]]
[[Category:Paintball media]]
[[Category:Online sports publications]]
[[Category:Sports journalism]]
[[Category:Paintball in the United States]]