Brandon Rittinghouse tells me about playing PHX with his cracked Rib

Also posted on propaintball.com

The big story that was going around was that one of the guys on Tampa Bay Damage was playing the finals with a "broken rib". Matt Marshall was talking about it all weekend at Phoenix and we all even winced when this took a big dive into the corner bunkers on the injured rib.

The guy from Tampa Bay Damage is 20 year old Brandon Rittinghouse and he talked to us about playing with the injury which turns out to be officially referred to as a "cracked rib" but it was minor enough to be able to carry on playing.

"The injury happened in our game with the Hurricanes, there was a minor penalty called on the play and I was trying to make it to the box before they hung flag so that the penalty would come off the board before the next point. I got tripped up just before the box and fell pretty hard on my side."

At that time team mate Rumzi (Ramzi El-Yousef) had suffered an hamstring injury earlier on the day. That left the team with only 6 fit players. So Damage was in trouble with the body count and Brandon decided to tough it out and play. "After talking it over with the team and coaches, we decided that as long as the injury wasn't affecting my game or bringing the team down in any way then I would be allowed to play."

"After the match we were brought to the ER to get checked out and make sure everything was ok. I got a couple X-rays and was told the I cracked one rib as well as separated some from the cartilage but there was really nothing that could be done for any type of rib injury. Rumzi's injury however was more severe and it looks like he will be out for a few weeks."

Thank you Brandon and we hope you and Rumzi get over your injuries soon.

Paintball Sports Magazine

oh yeah and Paul - if you need to toot your horn again. The Feb Issue of Paintball Sports Magazine also features the World Cup Asia with text and pictures by Dave Norman.

(the Feb issue is not shown on their website)

VOTE FOR THE FIELD AT HUNTINGTON BEACH

This is so cool- this is such a clever marketing trip. The USPL is asking the fans to vote for the field they want to see at the inaugural USPL tournament at Huntington Beach on April 3-5.

To log in your vote please go toPBNation here.

Field 1 is a real run and gun field with wide open and diagonal snake bunkers. Reminiscent of the Smart Parts World Championship layout way back in 2006?

Field 2 is all about the red zone. There is a dorito side too but whoever gets into the 50 bunkers will lock the other side down. "Looks crazy fun"- Junior Brown

I voted for field 3 because I wanted to see some snake action and there are mirroring car wash bunkers of the other side.

A lot of people are calling for Field 2 because on paper it looks unusual and I would agree that - it looks "sick". But I think field 3 is more watchable as a game than field 1. So far there has been 544 votes cast and field 3 is the most popular.

SNOWBOARDING IN SINGAPORE?

ESPN Star has been showing re runs of old winter x-games highlights and this clearly says that they have run out of things to run on ESPN here in Singapore.

Who the frak snowboards in Singapore and Malaysia?

If they showed any one single paintball tournament coverage I'll bet we'd have confirmed viewers from the 250+ registered BTO tournament playing players. That is at least 200 confirmed viewers....how any snowboarders are there in Singapore? 2 or 5? Thats only in Singapore- not counting the populations of paintball players in Malaysia which must be 200% more.

The Chinese Language Channel 8 recently held auditions for male water polo players between the ages of 18-25 (?) for the upcoming tv drama Polo Boys. Wouldn't it be really interesting if the producers on Channel 8 were not so narrow minded and choose to go with paintball instead of water polo?

Ok granted the producers of Polo Boys know that teenage girls would want to watch half naked boys in their dick stickers (swim trunks). But I'm willing to bet everyone would be willing to watch a tv show where guy and girls run, dive and shoot the shit out of each other.

Yep I'm calling the producers in ESPN Star and TCS Channel 8 narrow minded.

OH and Eurosport too - idiots - for failing to show THE PAINTBALL SHOW last Sunday morning at 8am as clearly stated in the programme guides.

TIM MONTRESSOR SCOOP

I have been really tired the past 2 days after watching the PSP webcast all night on Sat and Sun.
I thought I'd take tonight off and not blog but I had and ephipany (not the marker) at midnight and I decided to speak to a few guys about last weekend.

At 230am- to my surprise Tim Montressor of the newly crown champions of Phoenix Philly All Americans replied really quick and I have a scoop on my hands. I am probably the first person to interview Tim online right after winning Phoenix.

I decided to stay up longer and work on the story. Its 3.16am and I'm going to be in the shits tomorrow but scoring the scoop would be worth it.

Anyway here is the story on ProPaintball.com

ALL AMERICANS RULE PHOENIX!

After the Americans convincingly beat the early favourites Red Legion in the semi finals - I predicted that they would go on and take the Championship at Phoenix and they did, by beating the World Cup Champions 6-3.

SEMI PRO FINAL XSV vs VICIOUS

SEMI PRO FINAL XSV vs VICIOUS

Point by Point play.

Point 1 XSV
XSV opens aggressively with Conrad powering down snake side and Thomas Taylor running diagonally through the center to trade out with Vicious' center back.

Point 2 Vicious
Conrad is shot out on the break. Rich out in center. Vicious stay back with all 5 alive. Vicious takes the second point. We're tied at 1-1.

Point 3 Vicious
Both team break with 5 alive - both teams fill the snake. Conrad gets shot out in the snake. Vicious' snake guy has guns problems but Vicious take this point anyway with 5 guys alive. 2-1 Vicious

Point 4 XSV
5 alive both sides on the break. Vicious lose 3 guys quickly. Conrad gets into into snake. XSV is up 5 on 3, Conrad quickly makes it to the 50 and shoots out the back corner. Vicious gets one guy back but the rest of XSV take him out and tie it up to 2 games each.

Point 5 Vicious
XSV and Vicious lose 2 each on the break, XSV's snake side is unguarded, but Vicious run through on the dorito side and make it 3-2 Vicious.

Point 6 XSV
Thomas Taylor makes into snake 1 and immediately shoots across field and stalls Vicious.Vicious counters immediately into the snake. Anothny is playing behind Thomas and shots out their snake guy. Vicious lose their 3rd guy so it's 4 on 2. Thomas pulls a big move - goes the highway all the way from snake one all the way down field to shoot out their back corner!. XSV ties it at 3-3

Point 7 XSV
TT into snake again - same for Vicious. It's XSV 5 on 2. Thomas is on fire - he has a mirror in the snake. So he makes a play switch - runs from the snake to the 30 temple and shoots out the Vicious snake from mid field. Quick point and XSV takes the lead 4-3.

Point 8 Vicious
TT breaks back corner - bumps into snake with good timing. Vicious counters again with a guy into the snake. Rich moves into the can with JB into the doritos. Rich walks, JB and TT are still alive but its XSV 3 on 4. Dalton pulls the move of the day uses one hand gangsta style to shoot out JB and Vicious tie it up again 4-4

Point 9 XSV
This was a slow game both teams toughing it out. Both teams settled into their spots and just held their lanes. Conrad vs Dalton in the snake and Conrad pulls off the game move and XSV make it 5-4.

Point 10 XSV
Vicious lose 2 early and get a major penalty on top of that. This dooms Vicious with a major penalty going into match point. Its championship point to XSV 6-4

Point 11 Vicious
Vicious amazingly stole this game to go 5-6. Somehow they used up the penalty and got the point but there is only 45 seconds left on the clock.

Point 12 XSV
Vicious have to come get XSV. XSV know this and they have to play smart and stay alive and run down the clock.
Dalton cames out hot- shots 2 and gets into the 50 but gets taken out by Conrad. It stalemates with 12 seconds to go and XSV runs the clock out. 7-6

XSV takes Semi Pro!

ITS A PHILLY IRONMEN FINAL

ALL AMERICANS vs BOSTON RED LEGION
The All Americans pulled off a big upset by knocking off my favories the Red Legion in the first semi finals 7-1. The Americans rolled on their hot streak from beating Tampa Bay into this semi final match and just did not give the Russians a chance to settle.

IRONMEN vs DYNASTY
The Ironmen went up against their practice partners Dynasty who beat them in practice. They traded points in a very close game. All the big names brough their A game into this one. When Alex Fraige pulled a big move to get into the snake- Ollie Lang goes and counters it with an even bigger move by shooting him out across the field to score Ironmen's 5th point.

Just when the Ironmen make it 5-4, Dynasty starts the next game with a man short and still manages to tie it up at 5-5 taking their 5th point even with a penalty.

The Ironmen take it to match point 6-5 after Todd Martinez tries a big run through move but get a major penalty for playing on.

FINAL POINT - Alex Fraige and Justin Schwartz gets shot out on the break and Angel goes down a few moments later and match point goes to the Ironmen real quick.

So we will have a repeat of the World Cup final with the 2 best teams in X Ball gunning it out. Can the Americans get their revenge on the Ironmen.

SEMI FINALS UPDATE

In the first quarter finals match up Philly beat Tampa Bay 7-5 and will play the Russians in the first Semi final.

In the other quarter final Dynasty did the job and took Aftermath out 7-5 and will make it an all California Semi final game with the Ironmen.

So we have two awesome semi final games.

Semi Final 1
Philadelphia vs Boston
Americans vs the Russians, Federov vs his old team.
Phily are in the groove the are hot- they stepped up over Tampa Bay. When Tampa Bay was doing 'damage' to the Americans on the break outs. The Americans stepped up and took bodies off Tampa Bay too. Philly will be going into the game on a hot streak. Boston has have the day off but they practiced- so they are THE team to beat in PHX.

If Philly take out the Russians- they will win the whole thing.

Semi Final 2
Dynasty vs Ironmen
Ollie Lang vs his old team - this will be a great match up. Billy Wing said he wanted to play Dynasty over Aftermath- and he got his wish. The speed and tenacity of the Ironmen will test the experience of Dynasty.


Semi Pro Semi Final Results
Palm Beach Vipers gave XSV the game of their lives. They traded points all the way at one moment taking 3 points away in a row from XSV. But inexperience and penalties took any advantage away from the Vipers.
XSV run out 7-5 winners over Vipers to meet Vicious in the final.

FINAL 6 TEAMS FOR SUNDAY

The Top 6 Pro teams that make it to Sunday are:
1. Boston Red Legion 8 pts 4 wins 4.5 Avg Margin
2. Los Angeles Ironmen 8 pts 3 wins 4 Avg Margin
3. Philadelphia Americans 6 pts 3 wins 2.5 Avg Margin
4. San Diego Aftermath 6 pts 3 wins 3 Avg Margin
5. Tampa Bay Damage 6 pts 3 wins 2 Avg Margin
6. Dynasty 4 pts 2 wins 2 Avg Margin

The Top 2 teams Red Legion and Ironmen have byes.

Quarter Finals
8am | 10pm 3rd Philadelphia Americans vs 5th Tampa Bay Damage
850am | 10.50pm 4th San Diego Aftermath vs 6th Dynasty

The Ironmen will play the winner of 3rd and 5th
Red Legion will play the winner of 4th and 6th


SEMI PRO
Winner will meet Vicious in the final
940am | 1140pm Sacramento XSV vs Palm Beach Vipers

Dynasty Empire Jersey

I was not too far with my Dynasty Jersey- I was right about the jersey being a stock Empire jersey with the logos ironed on to it and not dye subbed.

Check out the new hopper- they are using Empire's new Prophecy with Exalt's Feedgates.

Thats Todd Martinez in the photo - I wonder what he's thinking having to wear that Empire mask and not is famous 'Contract Killers" stickered Pro Flex and 'Cash Money' strap.

He must he thinking "I miss my Pro flex" or "I need to pimp this mask with my raza stickers"

THE PAINTBALL SHOW ON EUROSPORT Sundays 8am

If you live in Singapore/Malaysia- after you finish watching the last Sat prelim game at 8am on Sunday in Singapore between X-Factor and San Diego Aftermath you might want to stay awake and catch The Paintball Show at 8am on Eurosport Channel 113 in Singapore and Channel 122 on Astro Malaysia.

Thanks to Weilong for sending this to me.

PSP NXL SATURDAY RESULTS

PHX | SIN MAL time.

7:30am | 10.30pm X-Factor 7 vs Chicago Aftershock 4
8:20am | 11.30pm Bushwackers 7 vs Seattle Naughty Dogs 4

9.10am | 12.10pm Vicious 7 vs RNT AllStarz 6
10:00am | 1am Tampa Bay Damage 5 vs Hurricanes 2
10:50am | 1.50am San Diego Aftermath 4 vs Los Angeles Ironmen 7

11.40am | 2.40am Palm Beach vipers 0 vs Sacramento XSV 7
1:00pm | 4am LA Infamous 6 vs Edmonton Impact 7
1:50pm | 4.50am Chicago Aftershock 7 vs Bushwackers 5
2:40pm | 5.40am Seattle Naughty Dogs 4 vs Philly Americans 7

3.30pm | 6.20am New York PowerSurge 1 vs RNT AllStarz 7
4:20pm |7.20am Hurricanes 1 vs DYNASTY 7
5:10pm | 8.10am X-Factor 2 vs San Diego Aftermath 7

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SEBUROs PB PICKS
My picks are in Red.
Post your picks in the comments section - lets see how many you can get right.

PSP UPDATE Friday

RUSSIANS ARE THE FIRST TO QUALIFY

The Russians make it to Sunday winning 4 matches straight. On Friday they concluded their preliminary round of games by beating the Bushwackers 7-1 and trashing Infamous 7-0. Thus on Friday night they top the list with 4 wins followed by the Ironmen who have 3 wins in a row. 

It looks like the Russians are making a big come back to a mediocre year in 2008. They will most probably be the challenger to Ironmen's throne. The Russian also have an advantage - by finishing all their preliminary games on Friday - it means they will have Saturday off and will be fresh for the finals on Sunday.

Infamous are going home early with 3 losses. The Hurricanes are surprise strugglers with 2 losses and have a slim chance along with the Dogs and Bushwackers who are tied with 2 losses each. They need to win their last 2 games to have a chance to make it into the last 8.

Results from Friday (top 8 go through)
Legion (4-0)
Ironmen (3-0)
Americans (2-1)
Damage (2-1)
Aftermath (2-0)
Aftershock (1-1)
X-Factor (1-1)
Dynasty (1-2)

Impact (1-2)
N. Dogs (0-2)
Bushwackers (0-2)
Hurricanes (0-2)
Infamous (0-3)

PSP WEBCAST SCHEDULE

Keeley Watson has annouced a revision in the broadcast schedule. The webcast wll start on Saturday at 7.15am Phoenix Local time and at 10.15pm South East Asia / 2pm GMT.

PSP WEBCAST SCHEDULE
Saturday, Feb 21st – 7:15am MST  10.15pm Sin/Mal/Twn
Sunday, Feb 22nd – 7:45am MST  10.45 Sin/Mal/Twn

2009 XSV JERSEY

Straight outta Phoenix from Junior Brown
Check out the reverse side on SACPaintball.com

G-NO SUITS UP FOR INFAMOUS AGAIN!

SEBURO EXCLUSIVE.
Recently 'retired' G-No just told me that he is in Phoenix and suiting up in yellow once again playing for Infamous and why LB is not.

"I'm here in PHX playing with the guys. LB couldn't make it till Friday because of work, and the rosters lock on Wed. So they needed an 8th or they would've had to play with 7. LB asked me if I could play, and since they needed me, and I needed a vacation, I took the chance to help them out."

- G-No

PSP NXL FRIDAY SCHEDULE

Pro / Semi Pro Friday Schedule

7:30	Tampa Bay Damage 7	vs	Seattle Naughty Dogs 3
8:20	DYNASTY 6	vs	X-Factor 7
9:10	Los Angeles Ironmen 7	vs	Chicago Aftershock 0
10:00	RNT ALLSTARZ 6	vs	Palm Beach Vipers 3
10:50	San Diego Aftermath 7	vs	LA Infamous 2
11:40	Bushwackers 1	vs	Boston Red Legion 7
1:00	Philly Americans 7	vs	Hurricanes 0
1:50	Sacramento XSV 1	vs	VICIOUS 7
2:40	Edmonton Impact 4	vs	Tampa Bay Damage 7
3:30	DYNASTY 5	vs	Los Angeles Ironmen 7
4:20	Palm Beach Vipers 7	vs	New York PowerSurge 2
5:10	LA Infamous 0	vs	Boston Red Legion 7

----------------------------------
SEBUROs PB PICKS
My picks are in Red.
Post your picks in the comments section - lets see how many you can get right. I'll keep score and see what your total is over the weekend.
EDIT: I SCORED 7 / 12 FOR FRIDAY.

PSP NXL THURSDAY SCHEDULE RESULTS IN!

Pro / Semi Pro Thursday Schedule

7:30	LA Ironmen 7	vs	Edmonton Impact 3
8:20	Sacramento XSV 7	vs	New York PowerSurge 0
9:10	Philly Americans 7	vs	X-Factor 2
10:00	Boston Red Legion 7	vs	Tampa Bay Damage 6
10:50	VICIOUS 7	vs	Palm Beach Vipers 5
11:40	Naughty Dogs 2	vs	DYNASTY 7
1:00	Chicago Aftershock 7	vs	LA Infamous 1
1:50	Hurricanes	vs	San Diego Aftermath POSTPONED TO FRIDAY
2:40	RNT ALLSTARZ 2	vs	Sacramento XSV 5
3:30	Edmonton Impact 7	vs	Bushwackers 1
4:20	Boston Red Legion 7	vs	Philly Americans 3
5:10	New York PowerSurge 0	vs	VICIOUS 7

Games will start 10.30PM Thursday Singapore/Malaysia/Taiwan time.

----------------------------------
SEBUROs PB PICKS
My picks are in Red.
Post your picks in the comments section - lets see how many you can get right. I'll keep score and see what your total is over the weekend
EDIT: I SCORED 8 / 11 FOR THURSDAY.
(minus one game that'll be played on Friday)

EMPIRE DYNASTY JERSEY?

[ SEBURO EXCLUSIVE ]
Could this be what the new Empire Dynasty jersey would look like?