New Team Raises to Win the ATWL

The top two woodsball teams in Atlantic Canada came to Mersey Road Paintball in East River, Nova Scotia on September 20, 2014 to battle it out for the Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL) Championship.

The ATWL is a competitive woodsball league established in 2007 to give paintballers who prefer the woods a venue to showcase their talent. Teams receives 5 points for each minute they control one of three capture point spread around the field.

Strict Union Militia from Moncton, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia’s, Mersey Road Predators, took to the woodsball field to determine which province would have bragging rights as the best woodsballers in Eastern Canada for the next year.

From the opening horn of game one the defending champion Mersey Road Predators pick up where they left off, dominating the field and locking down the flag stations once captured. Strict Union shook off their early morning / not quite enough coffee yet malaise to push in on all flag stations. Despite Militia's best efforts Mersey Road Predators came out on top of Strict Union Militia 220 to 85.

In the final minute of game one Keegan Simard of the Strict Union made a valiant run to capture the center flag giving the Militia an extra 35 points. Those last minute points wouldn’t be enough to win game one, but would be a factor later in the day.

Game two the Militia were able to use a play from the Predators book and gobble up large chunks of the field from the break. The Militia found their stride in game two and held the Predators off the board decisively winning 170 to 0.

The total points after two games put the Militia in front of the Predators 255 to 220, giving The Militia choice of field end from which to start the final game. The run of Simard in game one, which at the time seems pointless, made the difference. Simard's 35 points gave Strict Union preferential field advantage in the championship game.

The final game of the 2014 season was exciting paintball match with ferocious fights, multiple flag station captures, and constant swings in momentum. The Militia, due to the field advantage, were able to capture two flag station early and begin amassing points immediately. The game was like a tennis match, each flag capture by the Predators was immediately countered by the Militia.

In the final five minutes of the final the Predators surged on all three fag stations simultaneously. The Mersey Road Predators did everything they could to retain their title, but in the end the Militia were held back the Predators on to win 225 to 70.

Chuck “Chucky” LeBlanc from Moncton N.B. talented speedball player from the CXBL was key part of the Militia win. “In speedball there are five guys over there when the horn goes.” said Chucky with a laugh, “After first horn today and I was nervous to move because in the woods paint can come from anywhere. I felt like I was a new player”.

“It didn’t take long to realize, paintball is paintball whether you are playing woodsball or speedball.” Chucky concluded “Shoot and move, have some fun with your friends, the ATWL is a great day of paintball and we can't wait to defend our title in 2015.”

The management and staff of the ATWL, along with the league sponsors Tippmann Sports, PBL Action Sports and Mersey Road Paintball would like to congratulate the Strict Union Militia on winning the 2014 Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League Championship.

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Rule Changes Coming for 2014 ATWL

The Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League after discussions with players, captains, and field owner, is excited to announce a number of rule changes for 2014.

The league is confident that the changes will increase movement on the field, make it easier for teams to fill their roster, and make the league less intimidating to new teams and rookie players.

The four (4) major changes for next season are:

1. The total number of players each team can have on the field at one time will be reduced from ten (10) to seven (7) players

2. Total roster size will be reduced from fifteen (15) to ten (10) players per team

3. The maximum rate of fire for markers will be reduced from fifteen (15) to twelve point five (12.5) balls per second.

4. The ends from which teams start each game will determined by coin flip. The captain that wins the flip can chose from either; which end to start the game, or, set one flag station to that team’s colour prior to the start of the game and begin accumulating capture points immediately at the start of the game. The captain of the other team has the choice not made by the flip winning captain.

Changing rules that affect the entire league is always a delicate balancing act. Field playability, exciting game play, player fun and everyone’s safety must all be considered before any changes can be considered. If enough team owners request a specific rule be reviewed, it is in the league’s best interest to consider a change.

2014 is shaping up to be an exciting season for the ATWL. These rule changes coupled with the natural exuberance of the players in Atlantic Canada should create some of the most exciting paintball played in the history of the Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League.

Download the complete updated ATWL Rulebook

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Tippmann Crossover XVR

New 'Crossover XVR' Integrates Ten Performance Upgrades
Tippmann builds upon its Crossover platform after securing feedback from tournament players

Tippmann is excited to introduce the XVR, a specially-enhanced version of the company's Crossover marker. Launched last year, the original Crossover appealed more to woodsball players seeking a marker offering the ability to 'crossover' into tournament-style play. But, the new XVR takes Tippmann performance to an entirely new level and was developed based on feedback and suggestions secured by the company from speedball players worldwide. The result is an exciting new paintball marker specifically designed to deliver during tournament-style play.
Performance upgrades integrated into the new XVR include a redesigned on/off ASA adapter, a high performance 15" two-piece barrel that offers superior range and accuracy right out of the box, and an adapter for Autococker threads, so players can have more barrel options. To enhance servicing, the XVR also offers fast, tool-free access to the marker's FlexValve System and battery compartment so changes can be made quickly and easily. Of course, most obviously, the XVR boasts a bold and aggressive new look highlighted by its longer two-piece barrel and streamlined front grip as well as three popular color options that are sure to get noticed. The XVR also comes standard within a soft sided two-compartment case designed to protect the marker and barrel during transport.

"Before incorporating any changes into the Crossover, we wanted to take a hard look at what players were looking for. The XVR was designed for tournament players by tournament players and we're very excited to offer this group a new high-performance option that also delivers time-tested durability, unmatched customer support and an industry leading two-year warranty," said Ron Goldblatt, director of marketing for Tippmann Sports. "We're asking all players considering a tournament-style marker at this price to take a serious look at the XVR because it certainly stacks up favorably against any competitive product. Of course, all of our current teams - including the Tippinators and Tippmann Effect - will be switching to the XVR as well as Greg Hastings, who will be promoting the marker in his new 'Tour of Duty' events."

When Tippmann consulted with speedball players, the most commonly-requested upgrade for the Crossover was the ability to enhance performance with additional barrel upgrades - including two-piece barrels with bore-sizing options. To deliver on this request, Tippmann developed a new barrel kit with three smaller bore size options, which many tournament and woodsball players wanted to see. Of course, any XVR player who wants to 'crossover' into the woods won't be disappointed. The FlexValve incorporated into the new marker allows players to quickly switch from electronic mode to mechanical mode on-the-fly. So, the game always continues - even with a dead battery.

The new Crossover XVR from Tippmann Sports will retail for $429 and is expected to be available at paintball dealers worldwide in mid October. For more details, please visit www.Tippmann.com, to buy an XVR, please visit www.BuyPBL.com.

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..:: Visit the Tippinators Official Website - www.tippinators.com for up to date news and official information about the team. ::..

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2013 ATWL League Meeting

Even with all this snow on the ground the paintball season is coming fast. It is time to get things organized for the 2013 Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League.

The ATWL will be holding an information session on Saturday February 23 starting at 1:00 pm. Once again the folks at Henry Schein at 2 Bluewater Rd, Bedford, NS have kindly offered the use of their meeting room. This time I have been guaranteed that the projector will be working.

We will be discussing, among other things:
New league structure
Fee changes
New event dates
Change of host field requirements

See you on the 23rd.

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ATWL Expands to New Brunswick

The Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL) is excited to announce that, for the first time in league history the league is expanding outside Nova Scotia. The ATWL has come to an agreement with Mission Paintball and Outdoor Adventure in Moncton, New Brunswick where ATWL Event 3 will be played on September 22, 2012.

League Commissioner Bruce Johnston couldn't be happier about the move to a neighbouring province. "From its inception the Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League was meant to be a league for all of the players in the Maritimes." Johnston continued "This is the second season teams from New Brunswick have played the league. The support from New Brunswick is there so it makes sense to expand our list of official fields to include Mission Paintball."

Josh Gastelum Manager of Mission Paintball and Outdoor Adventure was glad an agreement could be reached and the ATWL brought to Moncton. "We feel that the Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League is making all the right moves in both the format of play and the expansion to New Brunswick." Gastelum continued "We hope that this is the first event of what will be a long relationship between the ATWL and Mission Paintball."

Mission Paintball has long been a hot spot for tournament play, producing some of the best players and teams in the region including the 2011CXBL Eastern Conference Champion Strict Union. Moving toward a tactical /scenario play is new for Mission, but the scenario field created will make for new and exciting play for ATWL teams.

Josh Gastelum is sure the players of the ATWL will enjoy the new field, "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase our dynamic urban village to the players of the ATWL. The environment we have created is like nothing the players have encountered in Atlantic Canada."

The ATWL is currently in the sixth season of play. The league has proven its value to the players, because of the stability brought by a dynamic management team who are willing to listen to and give the players what they want.

Thanks to the generous support of Tippmann Sports, PBL Action Sports, the team owners and most of all the players, the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League is excited to expand to Mission Paintball in Moncton and become a true league of Atlantic Canada.

http://www.missionpb.com/

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2012 ATWL Event 1

The sixth season of the premiere woodsball league in Eastern Canada, the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL) kicked off May 19th, 2012 Mersey Road Paintball in East River Nova Scotia.

The blue skies and warm weather that greeted the five teams at event one belied the gathering paint storm that was brewing, ready to be unleashed. As the teams milled about they prepared for the first stage of a season long battle to decide who would be crowned the best woodsball team in Eastern Canada.

The ATWL has a simple point scoring system. Points are scored by capturing one of three flag stations that are set up approximately equidistant to each team’s start point on the field. To ensure fairness, and overcome any possible advantage due to field layout, all teams play, switch end of the field and play again. The team with the most capture points at the end of each game wins.

The defending champion Mersey Road Predators are intent on defending their crown. The Predators once again have a very experienced squad which should be the team to beat.

Former ATWL champions Anthraxx (2010) and Mercenaries (2009) will not let the Predators simply walk away with the ATWL Cup. Even though the Predators have a strong team they will have to play their best to get past the former champs who are as eager to repeat as champions as the Predators.

The first game of the season featured the new to the league Green Acres Goblins up against the defending champion Mersey Road Predators. The games were exciting to watch and a true deep end of the pool experience for the Goblins. Playing the defending champions in the first game of the season was a bit of a shock, but the Goblins now know what parts of their game need to be tweaked before event two at Hypersports Paintball on June 9th.

Once again the province of New Brunswick entered a team keeping the ATWL a true Atlantic Canadian league. The SU Militia from Mission Paintball in Moncton New Brunswick came into the league with the intent of taking the ATWL Cup to a new province.

The SU Militia do have a paintball pedigree and are the woodsball division of the tournament CXBL and NPPL Moncton Strict Union team. The SU Militia team has some of the most experienced and talented paintballers in Eastern Canada that will battle hard for every point.

"We have a strong field of teams this year." said Tippinators Captain and ATWL Commissioner Bruce Johnston. "We have experienced teams mixed with young guns eager to make their mark on the Atlantic paintball scene."

Players and fans have said they want to know game results as soon as possible. To push as much information as possible out to players, the league is once again using Facebook for updates. Game scores, play updates, and updates in real time posted on the ATWL Facebook Page. Go to Facebook, 'Like' the league and you will be kept up to date on scores and action, as it happens.

If the athleticism and paintball skills displayed by every team at event one is any indication, the 2012 Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League championship is up for grabs. The parity of the teams in the league coupled with the steady progression of individual player skills will make this woodsball season the most exciting ever.

Place		Games Played	Capture Points	Win Loss Points
1	Mersey Road Predators	4	1010	8
2	Anthraxx	4	560	6
3	Nova Scotia Mercenaries	2	225	2
4	SU Militia	4	180	0
5	Green Acres Goblins	2	30	0

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Review - Tippmann Crossover

For over 25 years Tippmann has produced high quality paintball markers like the 98, SL68 and Pro Carbine that are the most rugged and reliable on the market. Over the last 10 years Tippmann has produced the benchmark scenario and military simulation markers with the A5, X7 and Phenom. Now Tippmann ruggedness, reliability and quality have been put into the first paintball marker designed for any style of play with the Crossover.

The Tippmann Crossover is a sleek, lightweight, center fed marker that embodies woodsball durability with tournament speed and agility. The marker is smaller than any other made by Tippmann and is of comparable size to other tournament markers. As they have done so many times in the past Tippmann is set to redefine the gold standard in paintball markers again, with the Crossover.

At the core of the Crossover is the proven FlexValve. FlexValve Technology makes the Crossover the first electro-pneumatic speedball style marker to offer the winning combination of improved air efficiency, superior accuracy due to the spool valve design, manual or electronic mode firing, and the flexibility of CO2 or High Pressure Air (HPA). Although the Crossover will work on CO2 it needs to be setup properly, such as using a remote line and using a low rate of fire so marker internals do not freeze.

The ruggedness of the FlexValve and the ability to operate below 300 PSI will give all players the competitive edge on the woodsball or speedball field. The low operating pressure greatly improves air efficiency allowing you to get up to 1,400 shots from a 68 cubic inch 4500 psi tank.

The Crossover’s searless trigger design incorporates fewer parts to wear, making maintenance easier than ever. Because this new marker is built around the existing Phenom internals and can accept an A5 threaded barrel the look may be a little foreign to die hard Tippmann users but the feel, reliability and performance are undoubtedly Tippmann.

Like the Phenom the Crossover has a lightweight aluminum body with internal gas line and no cocking handle. Unlike the Phenom the Crossover has sleek lines with custom body milling and all excess metal shaved back.

Like other tournament markers the Crossover is a center feed and comes with a clamping feed neck that will adjust to fit any loader without tools. The center feed system also uses beam break style eyes to prevent ball chopping and dual ball detents to hold the most brittle paint without barrel breaks.

One thing players will immediately notice about the Crossover that makes it different than any other tournament marker is a manual thumb safety on the left side of the receiver body with three settings; Safe, Semi, Electro. As the name implies Safe prevents the marker from firing. Semi means the marker will fire one shot with each pull of the trigger, because of the FlexValve Semi will work without a battery in the marker. Electro setting activates the markers electronics. The stock board will fire up to 15 balls per second, full auto, PSP, NXL, response and three round burst. A single button on the back of the grip is used to program the board or turn the eyes on and off.

In the past, Tippmann markers have angled the Air Source Adapter (ASA – the thing the tank screw into) at an angle so liquid CO2 would not be drawn into marker when fired. The Crossover is the first Tippmann marker to have a 90 degree ASA that brings the marker down to eye level and in closer to the body when shouldered.

The Crossover will run on CO2 or HPA. Most HPA tanks put out 800 pounds per square inch (PSI) pressure, because the Crossover operates at 300 psi Tippmann has designed an ASA that regulates the pressure from the tank down to a useable level for the marker. To lighten the marker the regulator for the Crossover is built into the ASA with a velocity adjustment on the front of the regulator.

The engineers at Tippmann have thought of players who want to degas the marker when not playing but not remove the tank. With the Crossover players have the option to remove the factory installed regulator ASA and front grip and install a vertical regulator and on / off ASA. In only minutes with a few off the shelf parts and a macro line the unique appearance of the Crossover can be changed to look like more traditional tournament markers.

Unlike other high end tournament markers the Crossover has kept woodsball players in mind. The gap between the front grip and trigger guard is wider to leave room for gloved hands. The same is true of the oversized trigger guard that allows players to easily roll the trigger while wearing bulky milsim gloves.

“Tippmann has created the perfect marker for which the Tippinators have been searching.” said Tippinators Super-tech Mark ‘Tinman’ Miller. “The Crossover is fast and light enough for tournament play yet tough enough for woodsball and reliable enough for league xball.”

True to the name this new marker can crossover from woodsball to speedball to xball and back again. “This is the marker I have wanted for years,” said Tippinator Captain Bruce ‘Charon’ Johnston, “Tippmann has really listened to players; the Crossover is an incredible marker for any style of play.”

Johnston continued, “The Tippmann Crossover is the perfect choice for players of any experience level, it is the only marker you will ever need.”

For more than 25 years, Tippmann Sports has been dedicated to quality manufacturing and the pursuit of cutting-edge technology and design. The company serves the paintball industry from its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne Indiana. Tippmann Sports’ complete line of paintball markers and related accessories can be found at paintball stores and fields as well as mass retail and sporting goods outlets throughout the world.

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Flooded Studios Signs with ATWL

Joe Beausoleil at Flooded studios has once again agreed to partner with the ATWL and supply his high quality, Canadian made, custom paintball jerseys to all teams at a reduced rate. The Tippinators highly recommend Joe and use him for all their jerseys and custom apparel needs. If you aren't artistic Joe can help you with your colours, designs and logo. He will make your team look like pros.Flooded provides a full line of custom apparel including; Jersey, Pants, Headbands, Banners, Barrel Covers, Barrel Case, Sandana, Neck Protector, Barrel Sleeve, Goggle BagIf you need jerseys or apparel for your team you can contact Joe directly at floodedstudios@rogers.com

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ATWL Info Meeting

There will be an Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League information meeting Saturday January 28th at 2:00 at Henry Schein, 2 Bluewater Rd Bedford, NS.
If you are interested in entering a team, or just interested to see what the league is all about we would love to see you there.

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The Experiment Begins Woodsball Event

October 30th
Mersey Road Paintball
Registration opens at 9:00
First Experiment begins at 10:30.
Field fee: $10, air included, co2 extra
paint: $20/bag


The Experiment

Initial zombie force 10% of total players
When a human is bitten(shot) the body is sent to the morgue and immediately reanimates as a zombie.
When a zombie is killed he goes to the graveyard where he must wait for nightfall to rise again (respawn every 10 mins)
total game time 90 mins

Objectives:

Humans:

The helicopter is your only source of salvation now, but that piece of junk hasn’t flown in years, the engine needs a tune up and even if you got that working you would still need to salvage 3 fuel cells to get her airborne. But that isn’t even the biggest problem, even if you fix the engine that’s broken, and find enough fuel that was hard to come by even before the apocalypse you still would be flying blind without a nav computer.
Your scouts are due back in 10 minutes, with them they will have intel on the location of all the items you require, the mindless brain gobblers wont have a clue what you are trying to accomplish.
To escape certain death you must find all 5 of these components and get them to the helicopter.


Zombies:

BRAINS.... need i say more?
Okay i will say a little more, the zombie infection will be ruled unstoppable when the human survivors have dwindled to %10 of their starting forces, at this time the fractured world government will nuke the site from orbit to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

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Predators Win ATWL Championship

The Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL) playoffs and championship were played on Saturday October 1, 2011 at the official field of the league Mersey Road Paintball in East River Nova Scotia, Canada.

Players woke on October 1st to torrential rains and high winds generated by Hurricane Ophelia off the coast. After perfect weather during the first three events players needed an entirely different skill set to play in low visibility, when paint was much less accurate and water would get into everything.

The league used a simple playoff format. The first place team from the regular season played against the fourth place team, while the second place team played the third place team. The winner from each game would advance to the championship.

To eliminate any kind of field layout advantage the teams played each other twice, once from either end of the field. The game format from the regular season continued in the playoffs, a team would earn points for every minute they held one of the three flag stations during a 20 minute match.

The first game of the day was an exciting match between the Moncton Spartans and the home field Mersey Road Predators. The fourth place Spartans held a slim lead until the last five minutes of the match. At the end of the game the Predators pushed forward, taking all flag stations, winning the match - 185 to 100.

The second match was a battle of past champions. The 2010 champion Anthraxx fighting against the 2009 champion Nova Scotia Mercenaries. Anthraxx started the match strong quickly capturing all flag stations. The Mercenaries were unable to mount any sustained pressure, and were beaten by Anthraxx - 160 to 60

In match three the Predators picked their game up a notch to defeat the Spartans - 250 to 60. The point total for both matches gave the Predators a win for the game and a spot in the championship.

The final spot in the championship would be decided in the second match between Anthraxx and the NS Mercenaries. The Mercenaries had a large deficit to overcome after the first match but were confident that their previous experience would help propel them to the finals.

The Mercenaries experience and poise showed as the team pushed hard from the start of the match to take the initiative away from Anthraxx. The defending champs Anthraxx battled their way back into the game but a rush made by the Mercs at the end handed Anthraxx a defeat. The Mercenaries prevailed but would they earn enough points to overcome the Anthraxx lead from match one and advance to the championship.

Soggy teams sat nervously in the staging area, while the referee squad totalled the points from the playoff round. When score sheets compiled and the points tallied, the incredible effort and heroic play of the Mercenaries in match four came up just short. The Mercenaries won match two but Team Anthraxx defeated the Mercenaries by a mere 60 points overall.

The championship was set between Anthraxx and the Mersey Road Predators. The bronze medal would be fought for by the Nova Scotia Mercenaries and Moncton Spartans.

After a short break to clean the fog out of goggles, retape porting and electronics, the water logged teams took to the field for the final four match climax of the 2011 ATWL season.

The bronze medal matches were the closest of the season. The Spartans upped their game with the end of the season in sight, and traded matches with the Mercenaries. The Spartans gave it their all but the former champs were too strong. The Mercenaries emerged victorious capturing the bronze medal.

The long season came down to two matches to decide the 2011 ATWL champions. Both the Predators and Anthraxx played a cautious style in first match. It looked like neither team wanted to make a mistake that would cost them the championship. The first match ended with the Predators doubling up on Anthraxx 160 to 80.

The final match of the season, and the match that would decide the champion, was the exact opposite of the first match between Anthraxx and the Predators. Right from the opening horn both team charged headlong through the rain into a hail of paint. The match showcased the talent and aggressiveness of Atlantic Canadian paintballers.

The final match was a battle back and forth with multiple flag changes, aggressive fire and movement, and bunkering moves. In the end the Mersey Road Predators came out on top to become the 2011 Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League Champions.

Prior to the awards ceremony League Commissioner Bruce Johnston of the Tippinators was pleased to see spontaneous of handshakes and back slaps between the players.

“Having the players standing in the pouring rain exchanging congratulation was great to see.” said Johnston “It shows that the players are here for competition, but more importantly, to have a great time playing paintball”

The first award given out was the one Johnston considered to be the most important, The Most Sportsmanlike Player was awarded to Jeff Barrieau of the Moncton Spartans.

“Whether his team was up or down, Jeff gave it all he had every time he was on the field.” Johnston commented, “If you want to know the right way to play paintball, watch this guy [Barrieau]”. For his efforts Barrieau received a trophy, marker and tee shirt provided by PBL Sports.

League sponsor PBL Action Sports from Montreal Quebec, also supplied markers and shirts awarded to team captains; Jim Langlois of the first place Predators, Ryan Cox of second place Anthraxx, and Kevin Whynot of the third place Mercenaries.

The ATWL’s lead sponsor Tippmann Sports supplied the prizes for the winning teams. Tippmann provided t-shirts for the third place Mercenaries, digi cam NXe 4+3+3 woodsball harnesses for second place Anthraxx and markers for the championship Predators.

The Tippinators would like to thank the players for putting on a great show and the sponsors for their generous support in 2011. The Tipps are already organizing the 2012 season which we know will be even better, rain or shine.

All the league photos are posted to Facebook - AWTL photos on Facebook

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Umbrella Corporation Gives Flu Shots

The Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League was pleased to have a representative of the Umbrella Corporation come out to the field and dispense flu shots free to any player in the league at event 4.Though the vaccine was free, the Umbrella staff were at a loss to explain why they were all wearing gas masks.

Umbrella officials denied there was a connection in the reports of a number of players who received an injection and felt a sudden, uncontrollable urge to play video games designed by Capcom.

Any ATWL players who feel any kind of strange side effect are asked to immediately contact the Umbrella Corporation and make arrangements to sign a waiver.

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Mersey Road Predators Win ATWL Regular Season

Congratulations to the Mersey Road Predators on winning the Tippmann X7 Phenom Tactical Woodsball League’s (ATWL) regular season. The Predators came out strong and won two key games at event 3 to clinch the regular season crown.

The best woodsball players in Atlantic Canada converged on Overkill Sportz in Mount Uniacke to play ATWL event 3 on September 17, 2011 after a two month hiatus. “It was nice to have July and August free for the family,” commented Predators Captain James Langlois, “but that just made my players even hungrier to get back on the field.”

A considerable amount of work was preformed on the Overkill Sportz woodsball field during the summer break. The entire top half of the field had been cleared of brush and reorganized. The changes put a premium on player fire and movement skills leaving the bottom of the field for players who prefer sneaking over fire superiority.

“The Predators fought hard all year and deserved to win the league.” said League Commissioner Bruce Johnston of the Tippinators. “They will now have an advantage heading into the playoffs.”

A new playoff system will be introduced to the league this season. Playoff match ups will be based on a team’s finish during the regular season, first vs eight, second vs seventh etc. Teams play each other once from each end of the field, the winner advances to the next round.

Johnston commented on event 4, “This exciting new playoff format will ensure that chance is taken out of the equation and the best team will be crowned champion.”

The playoffs and championship games will be play at the league’s official field Mersey Road Paintball on October 1st. Can team Anthraxx repeat as champions? Will the Mercenaries wrestle the trophy they hoisted two years ago back to their possession? Or will an all new league champion be crowned? Just one more week until all questions about the 2011 ATWL championship will be answered.

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..:: Visit the Tippinators Official Website - www.tippinators.com for up to date news and official information about the team. ::..

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Regular Season Final Standings

Congratulation Mersey Road Predators on finishing the ATWL regular season in first place.

		Game Points	Win / Loss
1	Predators	2545	18
2	Mercenaries	2245	16
3	Anthraxx	1941	14
4	Moncton Spartans	570	2

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Event 3 is in the books. Thank you players for a fantastic day of paintball.

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$6000 in Prizes for ATWL Players

The 2011 Tippmann X7 Phenom - Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League season is half over, which means there is still half a season to play the best woodsball in Eastern Canada. The leagues players are taking the summer off to sharpen their skills and get ready for Event III Sept 17th at Overkill Sportz and Event IV Oct 1st - Playoffs and Championship at Mersey Road Paintball.

Since the playoffs will be here before we know it the league is in the process of gathering together the prizes for the teams now. League’s title sponsor Tippmann Sports (www.tippmann.com), major sponsor PBL Action Sports (www.buypbl.com), and local sponsor Nova Trophy (www.novatrophy.com) have been incredibly generous to the league and donated over $6000.00 worth of prizes.

It is difficult for a woodsballer like me to appreciate how much paintball equipment and prizes it takes to make up $6000.00. When you get everything together in one room it is truly amazing to see that much gear and in exactly how high a regard our sponsors see you, the players.

The format change this season means that ANY team has a chance to become the 2011 ATWL Champion and claim their share of over $6000.00 in prizes. It is going to be an exciting end to a great season.

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ATWL Season Reaches Mid Point

Event two of the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL) season was scheduled to be played on Saturday June 18, 2011 at Overkill Sportz, Mount Uniacke Nova Scotia, despite mother natures attempt to wash out the event.

Heavy rain and high wind the week prior to the event left the field in less than ideal condition. Thankfully players from the home field team Anthraxx took the initiative, cleared debris, repaired bunkers and addressed any unsafe areas of the field.

Event two was expected to be an interesting one because the league plays, rain or shine, and severe thunderstorms and heavy winds were forecast game day. If the forecast held players would have an opportunity to test their abilities in wet weather which requires a significantly different set of skills from fair weather play.

Players awoke on game day to hear the forecast had been revised and the rain was due to start late in the day. The improved forecast improved the mood of the players who excitedly prepared for the opening horn.



Event two marked the first time updates were fed live to the ATWL’s blog, Facebook and Twitter pages. Players in the staging area, and league fans from around the world, were be able to keep up to date on game scores, flag captures and big plays as they happened.

The first match of the day was team Anthraxx against the Moncton Spartans. The Spartans with their new uniforms were in the running for the best dressed team award. Players from other teams were glued to their smart phones watching for live updates to see how the updates could be used to gain an advantage during their games.



As the day progressed teams saw the live updates as useful to know the league standings and how they should approach an upcoming game, rather than a tactical tool during game play.

A hard day of paintball left all team exhausted from running through the wet field. All teams played well and the final standings were in doubt right down to the last game. When the final horn sounded new teams had taken over the top of the leader board with only 80 points separating the top two teams.



Defending champion team Anthraxx started the day strong but lost their edge as the day progressed. Anthraxx unexpectedly fell in the standings from first down to third place by the end of event 2.

The 2009 league champion Nova Scotia Mercenaries played their best paintball of the season and had taken over the league lead from Anthraxx. The Mercenaries although in first held a very tenuous lead over the Mersey Road Predator close behind.



Even though the rain held off for the day, the affect of the wet spring was evident in parts of the field. One player’s comment summed the center portion of the field perfectly, “The field today was mud...Rocks...Roots...Mud covered rocks....Mud covered roots….And even mud covered mud.”

The end of event two marks the half way point of the season. The teams now have the summer off to play, practice and perfect their woodsball skills prior to the start of the run for the championship at event three in September at Overkill Sportz once again.



The Nova Scotia Mercenaries are currently leading the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League, but the new playoff format introduced this season means the championship is up for grabs by any team that has the desire to take it away from five of the best woodsball teams in Canada.

Place	Team	Game Points	W/L Points
1	Mercenaries	2110	14
2	Predators	2030	14
3	Anthraxx	1676	12
4	Halifax City United	1040	6
5	Moncton Spartans	555	2
6	TACSAT Paintball	50	0

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Standings After 2 Events

Event 2 of the Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL) is complete. Thank you everyone for a great day of paintball. The teams fought hard and the results were in doubt right down to the end. When the final horn sounded only 80 points separate the top two teams.

Place	Team	Game Points	W/L Points
1	Mercenaries	2110	14
2	Predators	2030	14
3	Anthraxx	1676	12
4	Halifax City United	1040	6
5	Moncton Spartans	555	2
6	TACSAT Paintball	50	0

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HCU Interview 68Caliber.com

Playing X-Ball in the Woods? YES!

originally posted on 68Caliber.com June 10,2011

Bruce ‘Charon’ Johnston interviews Canadian X-Ball Team Halifax City United and their commitment to step back into the woods at the ATWL. (And don’t forget to check out the image gallery after the interview!)

Interview by Bruce Johnston

Halifax City United (HCU), one of the best xball teams in Canada, is heading back to their roots by playing in the Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League (ATWL). Bruce ‘Charon’ Johnston from 68Caliber.com sat down with Gilbert Rossingol from HCU to find out why the CXBL is invading the ATWL.

Bruce ‘Charon’ Johnston (68Caliber): Why is a team playing in Canada’s professional xball league, the Canadian Xtreme Paintball League (CXBL), playing in a regional woodsball league?

Halifax City United (HCU): We’re a strong believer that to be really good at paintball, you need to be good at all aspects of the sport. Playing woodsball will help us improve some skills that you can’t get on the speedball field. We also like to mix things up a little bit, doing the same breakout time and time again can get repetitive and boring, what better way to mix it up, then be in the woods.

68Caliber: I see a few Halifax City United players at different woodsball, and scenario events. Will this be the first time your entire xball team has played woodsball together?

HCU: Together, yes. Five HCU players played together in the ATWL last year, and every event, we would bring out different speedball players to play with us. Each player had the same reaction, this is AWESOME. A few of us also like to attend the annual Risk event hosted by the Tippinators at Mersey Road. However we attend them with a different intent then most players. I try to get the guys to command a squad or group of players, reinforcing their teamwork and communication skills.

68Caliber: I know that you have a few US based pro players who play with you in the CXBL. Is there any chance we might see a big name US player on your ATWL team?

HCU: You can never really be too sure about what the future holds. We have some friends that play for just about every pro team out there. This year, we have players from VICIOUS playing with us, VICIOUS is also playing UWL. They actually won their first pro UWL event in Mesquite, NV.

68Caliber: All players are asked to wear matching jerseys to play ATWL. Your CXBL jerseys are not exactly tactical. Can we expect to see you running in red and white this season or will you get something a little woodsier?

HCU: You can expect to see us in matching CXBL uniforms at the first event. We’ll see how that works out for us. If, for whatever reason, we can’t blend in to our surroundings we will make the necessary changes before event two.

68Caliber: Most people don’t want to bang a $1300 Ego 11 around in the woods. Will your guys be changing any of your equipment to play competitive woodsball?

HCU: Absolutely not. The whole idea of playing ATWL is for our players to get used to playing in different positions, different bunkers, player swill learn nothing if we are using different gear. There’s a reason we all shoot Planet Eclipse markers, we require reliability, accuracy and efficiency, so we shoot what we consider the best in all three.

68Caliber: In xball the playing area is rather confined, and you know approximately where the other team might be. How will you change your tactics to overcome the larger playing area?

HCU: Tactics are something I don’t want to get too much into, but the principles won’t be much different. In xball a back center controls your mid and front players, we will use the same idea in the woods, except that we may have two or three back centers.

68Caliber: The ATWL is a ten man league. Most xball teams have two, five man lines. Will your entire CXBL roster be playing woodsball?

HCU: Everyone on our CXBL roster, minus the players from VICIOUS, will be in attendance at the first ATWL event. As I mentioned above, it is important to expand on your skills list, and we require everyone to be playing.

68Caliber: Halifax City United players have considerable skill and experience playing xball / speedball. Do you think individual skills will translate into woodsball?

HCU: Of course, but like everyone else we’re still learning, progressing, and woodsball is another aspect we need to work on.

68Caliber: What most woodsball players don’t know is penalties in xball can determine the outcome of a game. The CXBL has very strict rules and even fines for playing infractions. How do you plan to dispel the belief that all speedballers are wipers and whiners?

HCU: When you play with the HCU shield on your chest, you must play with honesty and integrity. We take our showing on and off the field very seriously. You don’t only represent yourself, but you represent your teammates, your city, and most importantly your sponsors. I can’t comment on other teams, but you shouldn’t see any HCU penalties.

68Caliber: More than once I have heard players talking in the staging area talking about how they can’t wait to “light up” the speedballers. How does it feel to know players are gunning specifically for you, and your team?

HCU: Well, I would hope they are. We are the ten players on the other side of the field. I think it adds a bit of fuel to the fire and makes us want to play better.

68Caliber: Come on now, tell the truth. You guys are really out to prove speedballers are better than woodsballers aren’t you?

HCU: Absolutely, our entire goal is to remove woodsballers from the paintball equation. Our hope is to beat them down so badly they won’t ever want to come back. [breaks into laughter] I’m just kidding. We are playing ATWL to have fun and work on some team skills.

68Caliber: Is there anything that you would like people to know that I might have missed?

HCU: First of all, thanks Bruce for the opportunity, we look forward to seeing you on the field. I’d like to say thanks to all of our sponsors, DSSP8NTBALL.com, KEE, EMPIRE, Planet Eclipse, ProPaintball.com, and GR Paintball. Thanks for your continued support. If you want to read about how we are doing in the CXBL, make sure you check our xball.com or propaintball.com.

You can follow Halifax City United and the rest of the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League, on Twitter or friend us on Facebook to get up to date information plus game day updates and scores. You can read more posts by Bruce here on his page

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2011 ATWL Season Underway

The Tippmann X7 Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League has been the premiere woodsball league in Eastern Canada since 2007. After four successful seasons the league was taken over by the Tippinators at the end of 2010, who immediately prepared for 2011.

"Our goal with the ATWL is to give players the most professional woodsball league in Canada." said Bruce 'Charon' Johnston, Tippinators Captain and ATWL Commissioner. "The Tippinators have taken over the league with the sole goal of moving the ATWL forward and improving the player's experience."

An expanded field of six teams were ready to bring their woodsball skills to the field in an attempt to capture the 2011 ATWL championship title. "We are excited to have expanded to a six team league." commented Johnston. "This will be an intense season of woodsball."

The 2010 Champions Team Anthraxx will come out of the gate strong to defend their title and attempt to be the first team since the Tippinators in 2007 and 2008 to win back to back titles.

Nova Scotia Mercenaries, the 2010 runners up, will settle for nothing less than regaining the championship they held in 2009.

Mersey Road Predators, are strong contenders for the 2011 title. After a respectable third place finish in 2010, during their rookie year, the Predators have strengthened their roster and built a team ready for a run at the championship.

Coming from the Canadian Xtreme Paintball League, Halifax City United, has ventured for the first time from Canada’s professional xball league to the woods of the ATWL. We all eagerly wait to see if xball skills will transfer into the woods.

An unknown commodity, the Moncton Spartans from New Brunswick joining the league has made the ATWL a truly regional league. The Spartan players have speedball and woodsball experience, no one in the league knows how they will stack up against the rest of the league.

From a group of friends running around the woods on Sunday, to playing in the CX4 xball league and now the ATWL, TACSat Paintball has expanded their roster and sharpened their skills but will it be enough to overcome the best in the Maritimes.

The long winter wait was over and the first event of the Tippmann X7 Phenom Atlantic Tactical Woodsball League was held on May 28, 2011 at Mersey Road Paintball, East River Nova Scotia.

For the first time ever the ATWL’s site, Facebook and Twitter were updated live from the field. Significant field developments were updated while the games were in progress plus official games scores were added before the next two teams took the field.

"ATWL event one was some of the best woodsball I have seen played in a long time." stated Chris Landry, ATWL Head Referee and Tippinators player, "If players are this good now I can’t wait for the rest of the season."

After a long day of battles and intense paintball action, the teams with previous competitive woodsball experience fared better than teams new to the league.

"You could see the experienced teams moving more confidently around the field." Johnston commented on the play during event 1. "There is a steep learning curve in competitive woodsball. I am sure by the playoffs and championship all teams will be running at full speed."

Be sure to follow the league on Twitter or friend us on Facebook to get up to date game day information and scores.

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