Fields
Here in Northern Virginia we are lucky to have a few paintball fields in the area and within easy driving distance. Just alone in Leesburg there is 3 fields in operation, two of which are almost 20 years old! (AG and VAG, respecifully). I will update my thoughts of these fields as I get to them.
Hogback Paintball: Owner Jim (?) {my apologies, cannot remember his last name} has been running Hogback for 6-8 years (do not know start date) and since starting back into the sport this field continues to bring me back.
Just started last year, Jim runs his one day scenario games (one based on the French vs Vietcong battle "Dien Bien Phu" and the other scenario based on a science fiction conflict of Martians and Human colonies in "Mars Attacks" throughout the year and I have been to all of them. It is held on a seperate 25 acre field which includes a large fort and a smaller village. The down side is it is hilly! and the climb back up the main road is a killer. But still, overall, it is fun and with friends you will have a great time.
Hogback is more dedicated to a younger and newer players, this is not to take away from those who have experience. All the fields (except for the scenario games) are designed for fast 15 minute games so are small and you get into the fight fast. There are speed ball courses and a small one called the barrels (good for 3-5 man teams but once a ref with a sense of humor brought us walkons which had about 25 players per side, it was ugly). Only a few can be truely used for sniping and this can be done only during summer months with the vegitation grows in. My favorite is called "the castle" and it is a large built structure which includes 8 wall towers and a center bridge tower (where the flag hanges). This is my best experience with a MOUT (military operations in ubran terrain) site and seams to be the favorite when the groups get near it.
Skyline Paintball: The owners, Chris & Sue Haynes, have been operating their field for over eleven years.
They have watched this sport undergo a tremendous growth rate the past several years and have evolved and changed with the sport. Skyline Paintball employs several quality referees who are also paintball players. Their experience in paintball makes them better equipped to stay with the flow of the game and to ensure maximum safety and enjoyment. In order to ensure that everyone is playing at a safe level, all guns are chronographed before play and throughout the day to keep them at acceptable levels. The feet per second limit at Skyline Paintball is 280. Skyline Paintball has has this limit in place for several years. Skyline Paintball puts added emphasis on safety by demanding barrel plugs or barrel condoms in all guns at all times that a player is not in a game. Full head protection is included in all rental packages. Players are given a safety briefing at the beginning of each session to go over rules and instructions for play. In keeping with the extreme sport image Skyline Paintball does not allow red paintballs on their fields. In addition to these safety precautions Skyline Paintball is an insured paintball field with the American Paintball League. In order to play paintball at Skyline Paintball it is required that you fill out a insurance waiver every time you play.
The business has grown and expanded every year with fields constantly being added, changed and improved. Their philosophy has always been to put the players first with an incredible devotion to safety and fair play.