Anthony Mastrian
How long have you been playing paintball and how did you get started?
I have been playing for 11 years. I went to my 13th birthday party at Special Forces Paintball, Buffalo MN. Started playing competitive paintball at age 16.
What was paintball like back when you started, and how has it changed for you over the years?
Paintball was completely different than it is today, Bunkers were bigger, play was slower, and equipment was simpler. Paintball has become a professional industry now. It is harder to compete and the competition is tough. No longer are there the top 4 teams that dominate MN paintball. The painball community has grown so much that every team is good.
Why do you play paintball?
I played sports in High school. I love being part of a team and paintball is a sport that anyone can do. To what level you compete in is up to you and how hard you want to work at it. To me paintball is life.
If paintball is life, what is life?
Life is about living in the moments that take your breath away, and everytime I step on that field I feel a rush that takes my breath away.
What is your home field, and what does it have to offer?
I have 2 home fields. I work and play woodsball at Special Forces Paintball in Buffalo, MN. This is the best woods field in the midwest. 4 fields with different types of terrain. A D-Day game that brings you across a pond on a boat landing on a beach with trenches. Bring Your Own Paint is ALLOWED. My home sponsored field is Air Assault Paintball. A great indoor arena with soft turf and a great proshop. AAP has both PSP and NPPL fields along with a great proshop.
Does special forces host big games anymore? When is the best time to go out there for open play?
The owner took sometime off from the big games, but SFP held a big game this past August with around 120 players. SFP holds open games every other weekend from 12:30pm to 6pm. check outwww.sfpgames.com
On average how many people show up for open play?
40-60 on average
What tournament series & division do you currently play in?
I play in all Air Assault events such as the AA Race 2 series, winter 4man and 3man events.
Ever win?
Unfortunetly my line has not won yet. Fargo United as a team has been in the top 4 in a majority of the events we play.
How did you get put into that line? Why hasn’t your line won?
Our team captains and coach decide who is on what line based on who is able to play that event. As far as why hasnt my line got 1st yet…. If I knew I would fix it.
What teams have you played for in the past? And who do you play for now?
I started of with the Jolly Leprechauns, Rockford Rockets, Signature, SS Soldiers, Magnum, North Dakota State University Bison, and now play for Fargo United.
How often do you practice per week and how far do you have to travel to practice?
I wish I could practice once a week but I maybe can twice a month. I only have a 20 min drive to Air Assault.
What was your greatest achievement so far in your paintball career? What events have you won?
My greatest achievement was making it to a national event. Being able to play with the big boys. Also when I won 1st place at a high school event and won a trophy 3/4 my size. I have won a handfull of events, but making the top 4 in any series is a great feeling aswell.
What was the best prize package you’ve ever won?
When I took 3rd place in a MWPPA event. We walked away with close to $800.
How much did it cost to play the event though? Was the $800 after entry / paint / hotel?
We paid a one time try fee early in the season. it wa around $60 a person or the season We had alot of players put in. The $800 was before the entry and paint. I didn’t pay for hotel, because it was driving distance from my home. After it was all said and done we had $35 in each of our pockets and good memorys.
What gun do you use, and why do you like it?
I have used cockers, intimidators, Matrix, but currently shoot a 2008 LE Planet Eclipse Ego. I love this gun. It is very reliable and shots great. Style with confidence in your gun. Got to love it.
What suggestions do you have for new players?
Keep with it, start off slow, and do not let getting you a** stomped stop you from playing and learning. If there is someone better than you, watch and learn. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.
I have been playing for 11 years. I went to my 13th birthday party at Special Forces Paintball, Buffalo MN. Started playing competitive paintball at age 16.
What was paintball like back when you started, and how has it changed for you over the years?
Paintball was completely different than it is today, Bunkers were bigger, play was slower, and equipment was simpler. Paintball has become a professional industry now. It is harder to compete and the competition is tough. No longer are there the top 4 teams that dominate MN paintball. The painball community has grown so much that every team is good.
Why do you play paintball?
I played sports in High school. I love being part of a team and paintball is a sport that anyone can do. To what level you compete in is up to you and how hard you want to work at it. To me paintball is life.
If paintball is life, what is life?
Life is about living in the moments that take your breath away, and everytime I step on that field I feel a rush that takes my breath away.
What is your home field, and what does it have to offer?
I have 2 home fields. I work and play woodsball at Special Forces Paintball in Buffalo, MN. This is the best woods field in the midwest. 4 fields with different types of terrain. A D-Day game that brings you across a pond on a boat landing on a beach with trenches. Bring Your Own Paint is ALLOWED. My home sponsored field is Air Assault Paintball. A great indoor arena with soft turf and a great proshop. AAP has both PSP and NPPL fields along with a great proshop.
Does special forces host big games anymore? When is the best time to go out there for open play?
The owner took sometime off from the big games, but SFP held a big game this past August with around 120 players. SFP holds open games every other weekend from 12:30pm to 6pm. check outwww.sfpgames.com
On average how many people show up for open play?
40-60 on average
What tournament series & division do you currently play in?
I play in all Air Assault events such as the AA Race 2 series, winter 4man and 3man events.
Ever win?
Unfortunetly my line has not won yet. Fargo United as a team has been in the top 4 in a majority of the events we play.
How did you get put into that line? Why hasn’t your line won?
Our team captains and coach decide who is on what line based on who is able to play that event. As far as why hasnt my line got 1st yet…. If I knew I would fix it.
What teams have you played for in the past? And who do you play for now?
I started of with the Jolly Leprechauns, Rockford Rockets, Signature, SS Soldiers, Magnum, North Dakota State University Bison, and now play for Fargo United.
How often do you practice per week and how far do you have to travel to practice?
I wish I could practice once a week but I maybe can twice a month. I only have a 20 min drive to Air Assault.
What was your greatest achievement so far in your paintball career? What events have you won?
My greatest achievement was making it to a national event. Being able to play with the big boys. Also when I won 1st place at a high school event and won a trophy 3/4 my size. I have won a handfull of events, but making the top 4 in any series is a great feeling aswell.
What was the best prize package you’ve ever won?
When I took 3rd place in a MWPPA event. We walked away with close to $800.
How much did it cost to play the event though? Was the $800 after entry / paint / hotel?
We paid a one time try fee early in the season. it wa around $60 a person or the season We had alot of players put in. The $800 was before the entry and paint. I didn’t pay for hotel, because it was driving distance from my home. After it was all said and done we had $35 in each of our pockets and good memorys.
What gun do you use, and why do you like it?
I have used cockers, intimidators, Matrix, but currently shoot a 2008 LE Planet Eclipse Ego. I love this gun. It is very reliable and shots great. Style with confidence in your gun. Got to love it.
What suggestions do you have for new players?
Keep with it, start off slow, and do not let getting you a** stomped stop you from playing and learning. If there is someone better than you, watch and learn. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.
Describe your style of play on the field.
I start off slow. I am too aggressive to be a back player, but am not small enough to be a front. I love to play mid to D sides.
Are there any people who have been influential on your playing style? Who are they and how have they impacted your game?
Brent Kothmen from Air Assault Factory. He is a smart player. He doesnt act without thinking stuff through. I like the attitude and body positioning of Ollie Lang. Aaron Tholey is definately someone to like because he doesnt care about being hated. The field is the perfect place to focus all your hATe. Kaarin Schroepfer, she was the first professional Xball female player. Shows that anyone can work hard and achieve their dreams.
What do you think needs to happen in Minnesota to develop divisional teams that will be able to compete nationally?
Consistency. People need to stick to it and not quit all the time. or take time off. The more players who compete means we can build a strong national squad to rep MN year round at every event.
Outside of paintball, what do you do for a living?
I went to school for Criminal Justice and am looking for a job in Law Enforcement.
Hows that going for you?
It is going, but 500 people applying for every 1 opening is hard. Good things come to those who wait and work hard.
Finally what MN Paintball player (Past or Present) would you like to see featured next?
Reed Wilson, or Pat Shelton.
I start off slow. I am too aggressive to be a back player, but am not small enough to be a front. I love to play mid to D sides.
Are there any people who have been influential on your playing style? Who are they and how have they impacted your game?
Brent Kothmen from Air Assault Factory. He is a smart player. He doesnt act without thinking stuff through. I like the attitude and body positioning of Ollie Lang. Aaron Tholey is definately someone to like because he doesnt care about being hated. The field is the perfect place to focus all your hATe. Kaarin Schroepfer, she was the first professional Xball female player. Shows that anyone can work hard and achieve their dreams.
What do you think needs to happen in Minnesota to develop divisional teams that will be able to compete nationally?
Consistency. People need to stick to it and not quit all the time. or take time off. The more players who compete means we can build a strong national squad to rep MN year round at every event.
Outside of paintball, what do you do for a living?
I went to school for Criminal Justice and am looking for a job in Law Enforcement.
Hows that going for you?
It is going, but 500 people applying for every 1 opening is hard. Good things come to those who wait and work hard.
Finally what MN Paintball player (Past or Present) would you like to see featured next?
Reed Wilson, or Pat Shelton.
[...] * Anthony Mastrian [...]