Paintball is alive and well in Eastern Kentucky

In most parts of the country a paintball fields or even Outlaw games are readily available. However in some parts of the country its just not the case. Eastern Kentucky is such a place. With its endless forests, breath taking mountains, and deep valley's, it's a natural environment for paintball fields and Outlaw games to flourish. But field owners just don't seem to be interested. Outlaw players rely on them for HPA, CO2, and much needed equipment. Eastern Kentucky might as well be Siberia or the Mahoby desert for the fact in paintball terms. But with the help of a paintball team. Paintball is alive and well in eastern Kentucky.

There is a team called "The Full Plastic Jackets" that took matters into their own hands. They did so by convinced a local Gun and Archery shop to allow them to sell paintball supplies out of his shop. They also use the shop as a local gathering point for their games. They meet at the shop to supply up and head out to one of two fields that they maintain in the Morehead, KY area twice a month. These two fields are called the Wetlands and the Quarry. Both are unique and lend to different paintball experiences.

Meeting The Full Plastic Jackets

When I first arrived at the gun and archery shop where they meet. I was a little uneasy as to what to expect. After all, I had never met any of these guys except though an e-mail. That was put to rest very quickly. As I was greeted with a smile and genuine hand shake at the door by Fat Pac. The teams public relations guy. He explained to me what the team was all about, their rules, and to my surprise handed me a waver to fill out. Just like a regular field has. The people that run the shop were very friendly and helpful. They had everything that you would need for a day of woodsball. We all stocked up on our supplies and followed each other out to the field.

Playing the Game

When we arrived at the field. I was surprised once again to find a field style chrono area already set up. They continued to surprise with their thorough explanation of the field and safety rules to their careful chrono procedure of all the markers. It was obvious to me by now that this wasn't some run of the mill outlaw game.

At the start of the game. Rather quickly my thoughts where confirmed. These are not your run of the mill outlaw players either. I didn't see any wiping, overshooting, or crying out for people to check themselves for paint. People played straight up paintball. There were all kinds of markers present from Tippmanns to pumps, from Ego's to ION's. Players as well, speedballers and woodsballers. But most importantly. No one saw any differences between them. Just paintballers. Very enjoyable game, Great players, and most importantly, a safe environment to play the game.

The Fields

With no man made buildings or bunkers, the quarry is just that. It's an abandon rock quarry of 40 acres in the middle of 80 acres of playing field. Although in the quarry there is little to no cover other than a small island of trees and shrubs. Playing the rim creates one of the better paintball fields that I have played. The rim, or should I say the ridge that surrounds the quarry is like a plato covered in foliage and trees. Its about 10 feet wide and rises 20 feet above the quarry floor on one side and a mining road on the other horseshoeing its way around the field. If ever there was a field that lends to the ghillie suite this would be it. It's a paintball snipers paradise. He who controls the ridge, controls the game.

The Wetlands is a flat wooded field of about an 80 acre rectangle settled in a valley of surrounding mountains. It is a straight forward woodsball field as far as trees and foliage. However, this field has been built up with buildings and bunkers throughout ranging from a two story castle to just simple pallet bunkers. A very well thought out and executed field. With evenly distributed buildings, bunkers and a flag station at both ends of the field. It plays like a field game more than an Outlaw game. Except I would say that it is a little better maintained than most pay fields that you will encounter.

Final Thoughts

Eastern Kentucky is in good hands. These guys are clearly a team that loves the game. They promote safety, fair play, and the sport in all they do. The Full Plastic Jackets will keep the game alive for many years to come in an area that field owners have forsaken it. I tip my hat to them and their efforts. I hate to think of what paintball in eastern Kentucky would be like without them.

Team website and game info
http://www.rowanfpj.com/

For those of you who don't know. Fat_Pac of the Full Plastic Jackets is a member here on the X7OG.

Way to represent guys.

Great post T these guys will be awesome to lay alongside in a couple of weeks.

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Nice thread and its good to know that when i hit Kentucky i can find some good games. Not to make fun of the these guys its just one typo that ive pointed out...should be changed imo lol.

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LOL, sorry guys. T's typo's are always brutal. Thanks for pointing it out and I corrected. Out of respect for them, can you correct it in your quote as well DoC19K?

Now I really must go and play with these guys!!!! Thanks for the info T. I'll be seeing FPJ next weekend at OES!

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Matthew "Ghost" Nelson
Proud Member of the 100 Acre Corp
Dwight D. Eisenhower:
You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.

You had to remind me that Im missing Smackzone...

But Ill be at Living Legends so its all good..lol

Now I'm jealous of you too T, but I can't be in two places at once. I'm an XO for JSOC for Smakzone. And FPJ is playing mercs again this year, with the amazing job they did last year I wish we could buy as much of their time as possible.

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Matthew "Ghost" Nelson
Proud Member of the 100 Acre Corp
Dwight D. Eisenhower:
You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.

I understand. They can't make Normandy... I hope you guys come down.

sounds like woodsball heaven... what a great thing going on, tblack.
many only dream of this kind of local gameplay.

Sure thing, now that im online to post will do.

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