Bad Company (American paintball team)

Bad Company was an American professional paintball team led by Tom Cole. Active during the 1990s and early 2000s, the team competed in the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL), achieving major results in professional 10-man and 7-man competition. [1][2]

Bad Company's achievements included finishing second at the 1996 NPPL World Cup and the 2003 NPPL Chicago Open. The team was particularly associated with Kingman and its Spyder paintball markers, demonstrating that relatively inexpensive equipment could remain competitive against established professional teams using more advanced markers. [1][3][4]

The American organisation was distinct from Bad Company (British paintball team), which competed in the United Kingdom during the early tournament era.

History

Early competition

Bad Company was established before the mid-1990s and became an established competitor in the American professional tournament circuit.

The team's early history is documented in photographs preserved by paintball journalist John Amodea, whose archive includes images of Bad Company from 1990 through 2006. [5]

Tom Cole became the team's longstanding captain and most prominent representative.

In an interview published in 2023, Cole recalled beginning his paintball career in 1986 and spending his competitive career with Bad Company. [6]

1996 NPPL World Cup

Bad Company achieved a major result at the 1996 NPPL World Cup in Orlando, Florida.

The team advanced through the professional 10-man competition to reach the final standings.

Chicago Aftershock won the championship with 237 points, while Bad Company finished second with 230 points.

Washington Reign placed third with 221 points, followed by Rage on 215 points. [1]

Bad Company also fielded a second squad in the amateur 10-man division, which finished third. [1]

Late 1990s

Bad Company continued competing in the professional NPPL circuit.

At the 1997 Las Vegas Desert Open, the professional team participated in the preliminary rounds but did not advance to the final four.

A separate Bad Company II squad competed in the amateur division, reaching the semi-finals. [7]

The organisation remained associated with Tom Cole, who also became involved in the administration of the NPPL.

During the late 1990s, Cole served as the league's elected president and participated in discussions concerning tournament rules, league governance and professional competition. [8]

Kingman sponsorship and 2001 season

Bad Company underwent a competitive resurgence during 2001.

At the NPPL Chicago Open, the team attracted attention for its use of Kingman Spyder markers fitted with CenterFlag electronic trigger systems.

Contemporary WARPIG reporting noted that most Bad Company players were using the equipment after the team secured sponsorship from Kingman.

Bad Company recorded preliminary-round victories against the Ironmen and Lockout before being eliminated in the semi-finals. [9]

The team's published 2001 NPPL professional roster identified Tom Cole as captain.

Other players included Jason Andre, Gary Arbaugh, Rusty Bowling, Jim Coleman, Mike Frey, Jackie George, Rob Lessner, Danny Manning, Mike McDowell, Steve Pisek, Chris Remuzzi, Eric Town and JC Whittington. [2]

At the 2001 NPPL World Cup in Orlando, Bad Company advanced to the professional final four.

The team finished fourth behind San Diego Dynasty, Chicago Aftershock and Bob Long's Ironmen. [3]

During the awards presentation, Cole highlighted the team's use of the Kingman Spyder Xtra, an entry-level semi-automatic marker. [3]

2002 NPPL season

Bad Company continued competing in professional 10-man during the final season of the original NPPL format.

At the 2002 World Cup, the team again reached the professional finals, finishing fourth.

Aftershock won the tournament, followed by Dynasty and the Southern California Ironmen. [10]

Bad Company finished sixth in the overall 2002 NPPL professional standings with 163 ranking points.

The team finished ahead of Ground Zero Black, Ground Zero Gold, Rage and the All Americans. [11]

NPPL Super 7 (2003)

The introduction of the NPPL Super 7 in 2003 marked the transition from traditional 10-man competition to a seven-player format using inflatable bunkers.

Bad Company entered the inaugural professional season.

At the Chicago Open, held from 6 to 8 June 2003, the team qualified for the professional quarter-finals in third position.

Bad Company subsequently advanced to the semi-finals, defeating the Brass Eagle Allstars in two consecutive games.

The team reached the championship final against the Naughty Dogs.

Naughty Dogs won both final games, leaving Bad Company in second place. San Diego Dynasty finished third. [4]

At the New Jersey Open in August, Bad Company again reached the professional final four.

The team finished third after a closely contested series against Naughty Dogs. Dynasty won the tournament, followed by Team Image. [12]

Bad Company also reached the final four at the Miami Commander's Cup, where it finished fourth behind Dynasty, Brass Eagle Allstars and Strange. [13]

These results represented a successful return to major professional podium finishes after the team's less consistent performances during the late 1990s.

Later tournament competition

Bad Company continued appearing in NPPL tournament records during the mid-2000s.

By 2005, the team was competing in the NPPL semi-professional seven-player division.

At the Tampa Bay Open, Bad Company advanced beyond the preliminary rounds. [14]

At the 2005 Miami Commander's Cup, the team reached the semi-professional final four alongside Arsenal A, Bob Long's Assassins and XS NRG.

Bad Company defeated Arsenal A in the deciding game of their placement series to finish third.

XS NRG won the division ahead of Bob Long's Assassins. [15]

The available records do not establish a definitive dissolution date for the original Bad Company organisation.

Equipment and sponsorship

Bad Company became particularly associated with Kingman and its Spyder range of semi-automatic paintball markers.

The Spyder was a mechanically operated, blowback-action marker marketed primarily towards recreational and entry-level players.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, many professional teams had adopted more expensive electronic markers, including the WDP Angel, Smart Parts Shocker and other tournament-specific equipment.

Bad Company's use of Spyder markers was therefore unusual at the professional level.

At the 2001 NPPL Chicago Open, players used Spyders equipped with CenterFlag electronic trigger systems. [9]

At the 2001 World Cup, Tom Cole specifically identified the Spyder Xtra as the team's equipment. [3]

Cole also worked as Director of Business Development at Kingman, connecting his professional playing activities with the equipment industry. [6]

The team's success with Spyder equipment became a prominent part of its reputation and was later recognised in Cole's Hall of Icons profile. [16]

Notable players

Documented members of Bad Company include:

Tom Cole – Longstanding captain and NPPL president.
JC Whittington – Professional player who later captained DC Arsenal.
Jason Andre – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Gary Arbaugh – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Rusty Bowling – Professional player documented in the team's historical photographs and tournament roster.
Jim Coleman – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Jackie George – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Rob Lessner – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Danny Manning – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Mike Frey – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Chris Remuzzi – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Eric Town – Member of the 2001 professional roster.

[2][5][16]

Selected tournament results

Year	Competition	Division	Result
1996	NPPL World Cup	Professional 10-man	2nd place [1]
1996	NPPL World Cup, Bad Company II	Amateur 10-man	3rd place [1]
2001	NPPL World Cup	Professional 10-man	4th place [3]
2002	NPPL World Cup	Professional 10-man	4th place [10]
2002	NPPL Season	Professional 10-man	6th overall [11]
2003	NPPL Chicago Open	Professional 7-man	2nd place [4]
2003	NPPL New Jersey Open	Professional 7-man	3rd place [12]
2003	NPPL Miami Commander's Cup	Professional 7-man	4th place [13]
2005	NPPL Miami Commander's Cup	Semi-professional 7-man	3rd place [15]

Legacy

Bad Company was an established American professional team during the transition from traditional woodland tournaments to modern speedball.

Its major NPPL results included professional World Cup podium finishes and success in the inaugural Super 7 season.

The team is particularly remembered for competing with Kingman Spyder markers against professional organisations using substantially more expensive equipment. [3][9][16]

Under Tom Cole, Bad Company also contributed to the development of professional players including JC Whittington, Jason Andre and Wayne Davis. [16]

Cole's involvement in the administration and governance of the NPPL further connected Bad Company to the development of organised professional paintball in the United States. [8]

References

External links