Back in 1986, long before he was known as “Druid”, he was invited to go and play some paintball with some friends in the back woods. Never having heard of it before he decided to go and check it out. The rentals of the day were NelSpots and SplatMasters. This is where the bug bit him, he had so much fun he saved up his cash from delivering newspapers and working at his local gas station to buy his first marker, a PMI 68 Magnum.
Cobra Command was still in business at the time and he played there as much as possible spending his pay checks on paintballs and even bringing some home for Renegade ball. When Paul started playing, paintball was sold in aluminum tubes for about $.15 per ball, goggles were JT Whippersnappers of which he still owns.
Paul played off and on over the years with the birth of his children moving him off the field for some time. In 2001 he decided to get back into the sport and to stay in. Buying a Angel and having Cobra revamp the marker he entered into the speedball version for a while. After many disheartening events happening in the world of paintball he gave up the faster paced side of the game and broke out his trusty M98 and Black Witch Kilt and marched back into the woods. His playing time once again dwindled with Cobra Command falling apart and friends moving on.
He then found a little field called Skirmish and began playing there, to this day this is where he calls home. He also plays at Lehigh Valley Paintball. He does not get to get out and play as much as he would like too but he understands that family will always come first in the life of a paintball player. But now when he gets out he brings his daughters and family along to enjoy the game together.
Name: Paul Ritter
Years Playing: Since 1986…so…22
Team: PennDragon – but I’ve been inactive this year due to physical injuries from work
Home Field: Skirmish, Global Paintball [now LVP] and the former Cobra Command
Main Marker: Can’t say I have a “Main” marker but the ones I use most often are my A5, Pro Classic AutoMag and for pump, my 68 Magnum
When did you start dawning the Kilt into your game play gear?
I want to say sometime around 1995. The Tartan I wore was the Black Watch Tartan and actually…between then and 2006, I burned through 3 of them because of [eventually] unrepairable damage to them…lol. At over $350 per Kilt, they get expensive to keep replacing so in 2006 I purchased a MARPAT Kilt from AmeriKilt dot com. I’ve since begun to make my own and have several of different camo patterns, as well as “off the wall” printed designs.
I know that you moderate a few online forums for paintball. What sites are you a mod on and how did you gain that position on the various sites?
I help moderate IonOwners.com. There were other sites, like Spyder and Tippmann forums that I helped but they have since closed down. How I believe you gain that honor is by being helpful and always in contact with people. For me personally, I have a ‘no nonsense’ approach and for the most part, I’m even keeled…but I’m human too and I’ve gotten into a few verbal judo matches at times…but I believe that it’s the best policy to be straight forward and honest.
If you could describe your playing style what would it be?
I really don’t like “describing a style” because I just like to play paintball and will fill in where the Team needs me. Back in the local tourney days, I played a back man. In the woods, I guess you could call me a “medium or heavy gunner” for scenario. At 40 years old, I’m getting too old to be running my tail off and find that I’d much rather watch the younger guys get the ‘glory’…so I’ll support them from the back and I’m fine with that. That doesn’t mean I can’t be fast on the field…I just prefer NOT to…lol.
Tell us a little about the PennDragons.
The PennDragons is a local woodsball and scenario Team in the Lehigh Valley, PA and I actually found them quite by accident. My sister worked with one of the brothers that started the team and introduced us because we had similar outlooks on paintball [big fans?...lol]. The Team is made up of every person you could want in a Team…High School students, teachers, Professional business persons, Construction workers and College students. Every person on the Team is equally honorable and every bit a pleasure to know. There’s no hostility, no cheating and none of the ‘typical BS’ you find in a lot of Teams. Politics never plays a role and it’s all about the love of the game.
What has been your favorite marker that you have owned and why?
Hrm…that’s a tough one. I’ve owned and used so many over time that it’s almost an impossible question to answer. Each marker I’ve ever used has their advantages for the types of games I play. I like them for different reasons…lol. If I had to name a few, I’d say my A5 for its durability, my Stage 5s for creativity and speed, my AutoMag for it’s complex simplicity and my 68 Magnum for old school hawtness.
What has getting your daughters involved in the sport meant to you as a father?
I want them to know that it’s easy to compete in what is always coined “a man’s game” and world. I was raised that everyone and anyone can do as well as anyone else…you just have to try. When played like it was MEANT to be, paintball can teach any child volumes…safety, fitness, ethics, honor, sportsmanship, team work, communication, humble winning and gracious losing – but above all – FUN. There’s more to life than reading books or playing video games and cheating not only lets your team down, it lets YOU down. ALL these things are needed in society and paintball can be one more tool in the box to help guide them the right way.
What musical talents do you have, if any? (loaded question)
LOL…I thought this might crop up. I play the Bagpipes. I learned in 8th grade, going into high school. The HS band has a Bagpipe unit and for graduation, I wanted my own stand. My pipes are vintage, being pre-1900 Lawrie Pipes. My junior year in HS, I joined a local street band and ended up competing EUSPBA Grade II. I retired from competition in the mid 90s. Now I am the Pipe Sergeant of a [different] local street band.
If you were to take a new player under your wing what advise would you give them?
First is always safety. Anyone ever reading into my on-line posts, realize that it’s my number one priority.
After that, there’s just one major principle – IT’S A GAME. Paintball is meant for people to have fun and like any other hobby, you won’t get rich. Only a rare few will ever make money off it…to everyone else, it’s a way to burn off steam and hang out with your friends.
When everyone plays by the rules, you eliminate the drama. If “Joe” doesn’t ‘wipe’ then “Dave” doesn’t have to bonus ball him.
Other than that, there’s no such thing as a paintball sniper. 20″ barrels don’t work and you can never make it shoot like you are going for the “Marksman of the Year” award. Beware of the hype because you will be disappointed.
Teach what you learn and try to help someone that needs it.
Gear doesn’t matter…it’s what you DO with it. Learn the ins-and-outs of your marker–know what it will and won’t do–and for the love of everything Holy, READ THE MANUAL.
I am still in awe over the Paintball Crossbow you designed. Do you have any other custom markers in the works to unleash on the world?
LOL…not at this time. The crossbow is not yet completed, as I’m still working out ‘bugs’ with the feed system.
Off the field what do you do for work? What do you do to blow off some steam?
I work for the Department of Corrections and SRT.
To blow off steam, I work out in the gym some, take the family Tent camping and hunt…and play paintball.
What was your favorite toy as a child and why?
Dirt. That’s all we had back then…lol. Actually, I prized my 10 speed most because I was always on it. Season of the year mattered little to me…I swapped out rims/tires to “knobby” styles for light snow and dirt. This of course, was before ‘mountain bikes’ became mainstream.
Any closing statements?
Paintball’s a game that is meant to have fun. The sooner players realize this, the faster they will really start to TRULY enjoy it.
