Starting A Field.

Hi guys, I'm new and I want to start a field! I don't think the farmer will mind! Its good cause its close to the highway!


No, seriously now. I've noticed a lack of fields where airsoft is played in my area, but a new paintball field has just popped up. Its a nice place out in the bush, and not far. Us Durham area players would find it much easier than driving to the city.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else who has ever approached the owners of a paintball field to use it for airsoft might have some tips or things to consider. Or just whatever else might be a factor in influencing these people.

[Man Solo]

Originally Posted by Coma Black

Hi guys, I'm new and I want to start a field! I don't think the farmer will mind! Its good cause its close to the highway!

Oh man you had me going there. LOL!
I would focus on the fact that to play airsoft you need to be 18, and therefore on the whole airsofters tend to be faily mature and well behaved compared to the 12 year olds that play paintball.

[sam0182]

Give them your stats, let them know how many guys you've got coming in. You need to make a good impression and prove that it will be worth his time and stress to have you guys play there. If you have a good amount of guys and he'll be making a little on the field fees, then awesome.

He may also be able to retail BB's and Gas?

I know some insurance companies are very against airsoft - even though the players are generally more mature and you have a whole lot less of that "12 year old taking off his mask as soon as he's hit" sort of deal! But nonetheless, it comes down to the individual insurance company and what their policy is.

I've worked w/a couple different paintball fields, and even when we had an awesome working and business relationship, what the insurance company required was always the bottom line. We were required to have full face masks (blah) and barrel plugs...so.

But get organized, write it all up, have your group all sign it - let him know you're serious and dedicated. Offer free help working on the field? Cleaning up? Etc.

And good luck w/his insurance!

[PTE. Pyle]

what are good insurance companys to deal with when it comes to airsoft.

[sam0182]

I will try and find that out...

I'm stateside and am not sure if they sell policies in Canada.

EDIT* I should have the name for one of the companies tomorrow. Again, airsoft wasn't an issue as long as full face masks were worn and barrel plugs were mounted anywhere else other than on the field.

[sam0182]

Bump - American Paintball League - they also have a Canadian affiliate, which would run similar as the APL does insure Airsoft.

http://www.airsoftinsurance.com/

Good luck.

[SovietHippie]

Oh also you may want to tell the farmer that your all using biodegradable BB's as to not ruin his vegitation they are a bit extra but worth it in the long run, So tell your buds to pick up some biodegradable BB's and that should increase your chances of playing there multiple times

[Greylocks]

To be legally responsible (and insured), you must be 18. Last I was told by someone who ran an airsoft field, the costs for insurance are rather insane... you need a better paying job than even I have.

[Janus]

When our club was homeless, we found a paintball field to use. Our deal is that we pitch in with help around the field (clean-up, building shit we'd use anyway) and generally not annoy the paintballers.

Of course, when buddy over there is showing off his Tippmann, and one of our guys pulls out a FMU C8A1, they tend to go OMG WUT'S THAT?

Your best bet is to be friendly, open, show that your club is self-sufficient (i.e. no PB staff has to come out to babysit) and that you're willing to pull some weight around there. Worked for us.

The only downfall is the blanket insurance policy that limits all paintball guns to 280fps. I know what you're thinking, the surface area energy transfer and kinetic energy of a 6mm BB is not anywhere near a paintball's, and you're right. But until the insurance policy is reviewed, it's not worth arguing and the 280fps limit applies to all the toys, airsoft or paintball.

So be prepared for that. If they have an airsoft clause recognizing the difference and ability to fire safely at higher fps, all the better...if not...well. 280fps all around isn't that bad...it allows for the abolishment of mercy rules.

-J

[dron_jones]

Starting your own field is much the same as starting a wave at the skydome.

You and the few people around you get really excited about it, but everyone else knows that it will never happen so they don't even bother paying attention.

[Scarecrow]

All I can say is the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

[lt_poncho]

[QUOTE=sam0182]I know some insurance companies are very against airsoft - even though the players are generally more mature and you have a whole lot less of that "12 year old taking off his mask as soon as he's hit" sort of deal! But nonetheless, it comes down to the individual insurance company and what their policy is.[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Greylocks

To be legally responsible (and insured), you must be 18. Last I was told by someone who ran an airsoft field, the costs for insurance are rather insane... you need a better paying job than even I have.

Wow - where DO you get all this 'insurance' information from anyway?

I've seen enough commercial P&C (Property and Casualty) insurance policies over the past 3 years to safely say that I have never seen an endorsement or coverage that clearly states that 'Airsoft is not insured' - you might want to read up more about how Risk is handled with insurance companies.

Costs for insurance on a medium sized paintball field? Or Airsoft field for that matter? Depending on your coverages and broker, i've seen premiums written at about $1800 to $2500 depending on property. If you can't afford those costs believe me buddy the rental situation will destroy you.

To be legally responsible (and insured), you must be 18. - woah woah - I can insure my 2 yr old son with facility insurance should I wish. In what context do you use this - being that in order to be responsible for the field? It's likely that an incorporation would be the Named Insured/responsible entity - if he insured himself as the Named insured there would be no limits of liability and one bad accident would take him to the grave financially.

If you are serious about getting P&C insurance coverage on your field, don't hesitate to contact me for more information and/or a refferal to a insurance broker. It would be a good thing too if you actually OWNED the field...

[lt_poncho]

Title of the thread is not 'starting a field'...it's 'how to get Airsoft on a Paintball Field'....

That's easy - show em the GREEEN. Da BLING. Lettuce. Ka$h....

[cancer]

Anyone in the Bruce County region of Ontario is welcome to use my paintball field for Airsoft. I personally don't have any airsofts (freakin expensive), but you guys are welcome to come out to our field. I think it'd be interesting to watch.

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by cancer

Anyone in the Bruce County region of Ontario is welcome to use my paintball field for Airsoft. I personally don't have any airsofts (freakin expensive), but you guys are welcome to come out to our field. I think it'd be interesting to watch.

Where is your field and how big is it?

Thanks for the offer...