Hard Corps Paintball brings it this weekend

Active individuals looking for a good time in the CNMI have plenty of opportunities to make the most of their days on Saipan, and this weekend they will get an arrow in their quiver as Hard Corps Paintball unleashes the Pepsi 5 Man Pro Jam.

Tournament coordinator Rob Hazlett and the crew at Hard Corps are ushering in the most professional style of fake war this side of the trench by outfitting players with the same gear and obstacles that the pros use on the mainland.

Spectators are invited to watch the event free of charge as the local boys tackle their opponents and inflatable targets for the first time ever on island during the Pro Jam.

The tournament feature’s the five-man, capture-the-flag format that has stirred the mainland players into a frenzy rather than the methodical hunt and kill in camouflage that takes forever in the woods.

Rather than have an elimination format, the teams will be able to have all of their games, and the top teams will have a playoff to see who make it to the finals

Third highest score is third place and the top two teams will have a two-game shootout.

To the winners go all the spoils, and in this case first place takes home $500 and a trophy. Second place secures three cases of ammunition, a trophy, and five complimentary field passes for its efforts on the course, and the third place finishers walk away with more ammunition and five complimentary field passes.

After lugging all of their gear to the Hard Corps facility, teams can take comfort in knowing that they will not make a hasty exit due to a poor performance early on in the tournament.

All markers will be set to fire at a rate of 285 feet per second for safety, but will be plenty fast enough for fury on the field.

The final day for registration is on Friday, Jan. 13, and the cost to enter the tournament is $25, with rental equipment available on a first come first serve basis for an additional $15 payable at registration. Teams are limited to a 10-man roster, and all players must be 12 years of age or older

Unlike many of Saipan’s events, punctuality will be the key to victory, as all players must be present and ready to play at 9:15am without exception.

Bottle inspection and tagging will begin when the players arrive and will conclude at 9am, followed by the team draw. After a series of meetings, briefings, and opening ceremonies, the teams will begin painting the town red from 10am to 5pm.

While the tournament has already created a buzz in the combat community, Hazlett said that Hard Corps Paintball will be operating every weekend for open play from 11am to 5pm.

Anyone 12-and-over can play, but if players are under 18 years of age, they need to have their parents sign a waiver. The cost to hit the field running is just $10, and those without their own markers can rent the BT4 Combat for $15

For more information about this weekend’s Pepsi 5 Man Pro Jam or any of the other events at the course, contact the professionals at Hard Corps Paintball by calling 234-0774 or by stopping in to their Gualo Rai shop on Middle Road across the street and next to the Shell stations.