Bobby Aviles
Robert "Bobby" Aviles (died August 2022), nicknamed Bobcat, was an American professional paintball player. He competed for San Diego Aftermath, Infamous, the Los Angeles Ironmen and AC Dallas, having begun his tournament career with Hostile Kids in Southern California.[1][2][3]
Aviles was a member of Aftermath's 2008 National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) Jacksonville championship team and Infamous during its professional victories at the 2014 and 2015 Paintball Sports Promotions (PSP) Dallas Opens.[2][4][5]
He also participated in international tournaments and coaching activities, particularly in Asia and South America. He was posthumously inducted into the Iconic Paintball Hall of Icons in 2024.[6][7]
Playing career
[edit]Hostile Kids
[edit]Aviles began competing in the Southern California amateur tournament scene during the early 2000s.
He was a member of Hostile Kids, a youth tournament team associated with SC Village and the emerging Southern California paintball community.
In an interview conducted by Alex Fraige and subsequently republished by ThisISPaintball in 2008, former Hostile Kids captain Alex Cadalso identified Aviles among the players recruited when the team expanded for Cal Jam seven-player competition.
The expanded group also included Josh Myers, Vinnie Palmieri and players recruited from other local teams.[1]
Although Cadalso documented Aviles's membership of the team, his individual participation in specific early tournament results has not been independently established.
San Diego Aftermath
[edit]Aviles subsequently joined San Diego Aftermath, a professional tournament organisation led by Mike Hinman.
He was a documented member of the team during the 2008 NPPL season.
At the NPPL Jacksonville Open, held on 16-18 May 2008, Aftermath won the professional seven-player division, defeating the Ironmen in the final.[2][8]
Contemporary reporting documented Aviles's performance in the semi-final against the New England Hurricanes. Following a tied series, Aviles defeated Steve Dabilis in an individual one-on-one tiebreaker, helping Aftermath advance to the final.[2]
He remained associated with Aftermath during 2009. A published pre-season roster identified him alongside players including Alex Goldman, Zack Wake and Chris LaSoya.[9]
Infamous
[edit]Aviles later joined Infamous, competing in major American professional tournaments and international events.
His membership of Infamous was documented at Paintball World Cup Asia in Malaysia in 2012. A contemporary account by an Argentine participant described his attacking play through the snake during matches against the team.[10]
In 2014, Infamous won the PSP Dallas Open, defeating Omaha Vicious 7-3 in the professional final.[4]
The team repeated its Dallas victory in March 2015, defeating Houston Heat 5-4.
Contemporary reporting on the 2015 championship specifically identified Aviles and Damian Ryan as experienced members of the winning Infamous squad.[5]
Los Angeles Ironmen
[edit]In March 2016, Aviles transferred from Infamous to the Los Angeles Ironmen.
Social Paintball confirmed the move on 8 March 2016, following his participation in Ironmen practice sessions.
He joined a team undergoing roster changes, alongside new recruits Scott Kemp and Chris Schehr.[3]
Aviles competed with the Ironmen at the 2016 NXL Las Vegas Open, where the team failed to advance beyond the preliminary rounds.
DYE Paintball's contemporary tournament report confirmed his inclusion in the new roster.[11]
He remained with the Ironmen in 2017, appearing on the team's official roster published by DYE Paintball.[12]
AC Dallas
[edit]Aviles subsequently joined AC Dallas.
A 2019 NXL scouting report identified him as one of several players who had departed the Ironmen during the offseason, confirming his move to the Texas-based professional team.[13]
Official PBLeagues tournament records also identify Robert Aviles on an AC Dallas professional roster.[14]
International competition
[edit]Aviles competed and participated in paintball activities outside the United States, including appearances in Malaysia, Thailand and Colombia.
World Cup Asia 2012
[edit]At the 2012 World Cup Asia in Malaysia, Aviles competed with Infamous.
A contemporary account published by Portal Paintball Argentina described the team's tactics and specifically highlighted Aviles's movement into the snake after Infamous established numerical advantages.[10]
PALS Thailand 2013
[edit]In February 2013, Aviles was announced as a member of an American Dream Team assembled for the opening event of the Paintball Asia League Series (PALS) in Bangkok.
The announced squad included Oliver Lang, Yosh Rau, Damian Ryan, Jerry Desvarieux and Tim Montressor.
The event was held at Express Way Paintball Club from 28 February to 3 March 2013.[15]
Colombia 2014
[edit]In March 2014, Aviles competed as a guest professional player for Way Out at a tournament in Bogotá, Colombia.
The team finished second in the C1 division.
Contemporary reports published by Destiny Paintball documented Aviles's participation, including a 3-2 victory over Destiny.
The reports also credited him with providing sideline coaching to Destiny players during the event.[16]
Playing style
[edit]Aviles was primarily associated with aggressive offensive play, particularly rapid movement into advanced bunkers and the snake.
His performance at World Cup Asia in 2012 was described by an opposing player as an example of Infamous using strong opening shooting lanes to create opportunities for forward movement.[10]
The Iconic Paintball Hall of Icons subsequently highlighted his versatility, leadership and willingness to adopt unconventional approaches to professional tournament strategy.[7]
Death and recognition
[edit]Aviles died in August 2022.
Following his death, professional player Scott Kemp organised a memorial fundraiser on behalf of Alicia Aviles.
The fundraiser, established on 11 August 2022, described Aviles's international playing career and his relationships with teammates, referees, media personnel and younger players.
A memorial service was scheduled for 24 September 2022 in Canyon Country, California.[6]
In 2024, Aviles was posthumously inducted into the Iconic Paintball Hall of Icons.
The organisation credited him with more than a dozen professional tournament victories and recognised his offensive playing ability, versatility and leadership.[7]
Selected tournament results
[edit]| Year | Tournament | Division | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | NPPL Jacksonville Open | Professional 7-man | San Diego Aftermath | 1st |
| 2014 | PSP Dallas Open | Professional | Infamous | 1st |
| 2014 | CCP Bogotá | C1 | Way Out | 2nd |
| 2015 | PSP Dallas Open | Professional | Infamous | 1st |
This table lists selected documented results rather than a complete tournament record.
See also
[edit]- Hostile Kids
- San Diego Aftermath
- Infamous (paintball team)
- Los Angeles Ironmen
- AC Dallas
- Iconic Paintball Hall of Icons
References
[edit]- ThisISPaintball, "From Street Rats to World Class Pros: The HK Army", 12 May 2008. Article by Alex Fraige incorporating an interview with Alex Cadalso identifying Aviles as a Hostile Kids member.
- SEBURO, "May 2008". Contemporary NPPL Jacksonville coverage documenting Aviles's participation in Aftermath's semi-final and the team's championship.
- Social Paintball, Lawrence Abernathy, "Bobby Aviles Joins the Los Angeles Ironmen", 8 March 2016.
- Paintball Win Count, Preston Rodriguez, "Infamous Wins Dallas Open - PSP 2014", 9 March 2014.
- Paintball Win Count, Preston Rodriguez, "Infamous Wins Dallas Open - PSP 2015", 20 March 2015. Contemporary report identifying Aviles as a member of Infamous.
- GoFundMe, Scott Kemp, "Bobby Aviles", 11 August 2022. Memorial fundraiser organised on behalf of Alicia Aviles.
- Iconic Paintball, "Hall of Icons: Class of 2024". Official posthumous induction record.
- WARPIG, "NPPL Jacksonville Open", 16-18 May 2008. Official tournament coverage confirming Aftermath's professional division victory.
- SEBURO, "2009 US Pro Team Rosters", 6 February 2009. Contemporary published Aftermath roster.
- Portal Paintball Argentina, "Argentina Experience World Cup Asia 2012", December 2012. Firsthand account of matches against Infamous.
- DYE Paintball, "DYE 2016 NXL Vegas Wrap-Up", March 2016. Manufacturer report confirming Aviles's arrival from Infamous.
- DYE Paintball, "Ironmen 2017 Roster". Official team roster.
- Major League Paintball PLUS, "Scouting Report: Los Angeles Ironmen", 2019. NXL scouting report confirming Aviles's move to AC Dallas.
- PBLeagues, "AC Dallas at Philadelphia Open". Official tournament roster listing Robert Aviles.
- Social Paintball, Mazzy Mao, "2013 PALS Thailand Begins This Weekend", 26 February 2013.
- Destiny Paintball, "Day 3 - First Day of CCP Event" and "Day 4 - CCP Sunday", 22-23 March 2014. Contemporary reports documenting Aviles's guest appearance, second-place finish and sideline coaching.