Turn out: 22. Game Report by Mike Aberle and Paul Rosengrant
Note from Joe: If you have a story about this day, email it to me.
Paul's report is in Black, Mike's are in Blue

Pre-game: A good turnout of over twenty players and perfect weather began the day at the Backyard. The tree and bush foliage is now out and changing the flavor of play, since ambush is now a real possibility. I was glad to see Tom Keane, Doug Kellum, and Larry Fox among others in the crowd coming back for more adventures. I was also glad to see so many newer faces since several of our regulars could not make it. The teams were fairly evenly matched since neither side dominated. For games 5 and 6 we played one game variant, what I call "Dead Man's Revenge". A normal CTF game with an end twist: No initial time limit. Once a stated number of players are shot out, the horn is blown and the dead players reenter the game as a new team with a new fort objective. The "live" players of both original teams instantly combine to face the new force. Only then does the clock start.

Saturday was a picture perfect Spring day. Highs in the low sixties, low humidity, and sunshine. Twenty two came out to enjoy the spring weather and some paintball. Most were familiar faces, five were new to the Backyard. Two, Zed & Blake, my oldest grandsons, played their first games. They both had a good time. Both took a couple of nasty paintball hickies home, along with requests to their parents for their own paintball guns.

Game 1: {Attack/Defend} Yellow team attacking & Red defending the Log fort.
I was on the Yellow (attacking) team. We sent out three squads. Largest to the right, hopefully through the Bunker fort. Next down the reeds. Last, a two-man team, across the creek. I tried my luck with the reed squad. We met no resistance until we approached the little wooden ramp on the read trail, due South of the Bunker. Paul & I were point. Paul to my left on the trail, I was in the brush. Paul sprung and ambush and was the 1st casualty, I swung right and flanked the ambusher, Tom, who was then the second. Our advance was slowed, but the two man team across the creek needed time to catch up. I could hear Craig giving orders to the Log fort's defenders. Some how it made me move forward faster, ahead of the squad. The right flank squad had engaged with red players in the bunker fort. As I approached the rail-road ties, a lone defender opened fire from across the creek. Fortunately for me, the brush claimed his paint. I returned fire and moved. Some of the squad caught up were watching the far side of the creek for a target. They'll keep him over there and off of my back. I took to the brush and emerged behind a pile of sticks some sixty feet at the Log fort's 2 o'clock. Could not see a target, but soon the targets spotted me. Paint started striking the stick pile and humming past. I went low, looking through the brush for a target. Spot one on the back corner. Time the incoming, pop-up and send as long a burst as I dare at the target. Got 'em. It was Craig! The incoming stopped. I made a dash for a pallet about 50 feet in front of the Log fort. No shots. Didn't they see me? My team mates have my back and left flank covered. Right flank is exposed. I keep a bead on the fort and an eye on my right & the Bunker. The Bunker is almost out of range, but a lucky pot shot could take me out. Can't stay here. I get the attention of a yellow player in the reeds by snapping my fingers. Give him a hand single to "cover me". He shots, I move straight to a bush about 15 feet from the front of the bunker. I got there, but darn, they got the yellow player. I'm about to get hosed or they don't not know I'm here. I spot some camo through a hole in the fort wall and send one shot. It move just as I fired. I bet they felt the breeze from that one. "Whooh! Where did that come from!" I freeze. This is not a good idea. Then I heard Mark's voice from somewhere around my three o'clock on the rise. If he looks this way, Its all over but the long walk back. I hope the squad across the creek shows up behind these guys soon. For the 1st time in two years of caring it a grenade , my thoughts went to it. This would be the day I left one behind. The light behind a hole turns to motley green. Why not? I send in one shot. "Out!" Comes from the fort. Soon, another light change. I send two quick shots - its a small hole. One goes through. "Ooch! Hit, Hit." Another, higher up. One shot. "Out" That's four shots in less than a minute, They've got to know I'm here. The guys in the fort must be out, but Mark's still in. Move now or die. Besides, barely two minutes left. I charge up the steep rise to the fort wall. Mark jumps into the back of the fort firing. I return fire, still off balance from the climb. We exchange sporadic, desperate shots for a long second. Whoop, lots of splatter, gun hit. "Hit" I shout. Mark also calls out. One must have "found its Mark"(sorry). Victory within reach, literally, instead, the long walk back. I don't know who won the game. Had about 1-1/2 minutes left and as far as I know, the fort was open & yellow could have just walked in. I'm not sure there was any left. Turns out that the lone guy across the creek took out the two-man squad that never showed up. Before the start of the second game, I enjoyed a defender's eye view of that bush I used for concealment in the last game. I could see right through the bottom branches. Mental note: people may not see what they do not expect.

Game 2: {Attack/Defend} Red team attacking & Yellow defending the Log fort.
At the horn, Larry and I run into the reeds, set up an ambush and wait. A few minutes drag by. Heavy fire fight at the Bunker fort. I resist a desire to move for a possible long shot and stay put. If I was advancing in these reeds, I'd use that noise and distraction to cover my advance. The fire fight wanes to sporadic bursts. Still nothing. "Larry, should we come around behind those guys? We advance but stay in concealment. A few minutes later, I peek over the ridge above the Bunker. Red has advanced past it, getting resistance from the Corner fort area. I can see two, Mark & Rieve. Larry moves into the Pig Pen. I crawl over the ridge and advance on the unexpecting red players to some 60 - 70 feet from Rieve. Don't have a good shot at Mark. That will work both ways. Aim small and miss small. Squeeze off a shot. No color. Two more and more. Rieve. turns and fires while breaking into a run. I fire at lease three more while sprinting to a bush. How did I miss? Paint can't be trusted to fly straight & an invisible twig or stock can break or deflect it. Swing around the bush to ... Mark realized the situation and is coming hard. We exchange shots form 20 closing to 10 feet. Whoop! I call out. Mark does also. I'm glad I wear a cup. Meanwhile, Larry took out Rieve. Raising his shirt and indicating an area on his back, Reeve said I hit him several times, none broke. Yellow won.

Game 3: {Capture the Flag} Red in the Log fort, Yellow had the Bridge fort.
We sent three across the creek and four down the reeds. The other four man squad went to the right. This was a game where the reed squad gave heavy support to the squad across the creek. They were stopped at the pinch point, but the guys in the reeds were able to flank the pinch point defenders. Both squads converged on the Log fort. The defenders did not return fire and refused repeated advise to surrender. They soon were taken out at some ten feet away by a rapidly advancing, multi directional attack. I pulled the flag and handed it to someone not already out of breath. They ran, I walked. Yellow won.

Game 4: {Capture the Flag} Yellow in the Log fort, Red had the Bridge fort.
At the horn, Larry and I ran to set up our ambush in the reeds. Waited until we can assume no one is coming, then advanced unresisted until we reached the Bridge fort's woods.When the defender moved, I ran among the many honey suckle bushes that populate the area. They make good concealment. Its fun to sneak through these, looking for targets of opportunity. Unfortunately, the foliage is not heavy enough yet. Crag walks into my line of fire. He spots me & we exchange shots. He falls back for cover. I move. Can see his lower leg and shot it. He calls out. I quickly scan the area for more bad guys. Spot paint on the bottom of my pant leg & call myself out. Hate it when that happens. Must have been in the previous volley. I called Craig back in. I'm not sure but I think the game was a tie.

I will only recount one game experience for the day since I am trying very hard to forget the rest of them. The only thing personally notable about this one is that I ALMOST survived it, thanks to Craig Stanford. Craig outlined the Red strategy which was simply a meat grinder perimeter defense with Mark Reising on the far left wing and I, a very poor choice, on the far right wing. Mark and I were supposed to wait for an opportunity to flank any yellows that advanced past us. I am sure that Mark carried out his mission admirably but unfortunately I have no knowledge of what happened on the left side of the game. As for me, I planted myself in a poor position on the tape line in a bunch of brush, confidently assuring myself that no one would try to come through that difficult point. Wrong. Once my nearest teammate was eliminated, I found myself surrounded by three lads who had decided to be thorough about their advance and sent one of their number along the tape line right to me. Pinned, unable to shoot through the brush, and sure that I was a goner, I was rescued by Craig who shot all three of these Yellows. They apparently had developed a severe case of tunnel vision. This all but eliminated the pressure on our team's right side and Craig announced with four minutes remaining that he would appreciate some company for a flag attempt. I and another player responded and the three of us ran quickly straight up the open field towards the Log Fort. Craig was shot by someone in or near the Bunker Fort and the tall, unnamed player and I continued on to the left approach of the Log Fort. As the unnamed player grabbed the flag, I was pummeled by three quick yellow players who had seen our brazen attempt and returned downfield to stop it. My partner bravely tried a runback with the flag but was gunned down after a short distance. It was not a pretty sight. Time ran out with no winner.

Game 5: {CTF/Dead Man's Revenge} Old fort-yellow, Corner fort-Red.
When the tenth man shows up dead, the dead rise up and attempt to take the Log fort in the remaining time. When they announce their resurrection with the horn, the living join forces to stop them. That's the idea. Here's what happened.
After a false start, we started off again on the count-down. A few run toward the crossing fort to circle back. Several dash to the Log fort. I cross the creek into the reeds. I advance through the reeds toward the Log fort. Unfortunately, the Log has already fallen to the Red. One of which, I think Rieve., popped up and took me out. First to wait for nine more. Our numbers reached seven before time ran out. No flag pull. Tied game.

Game 5: {CTF/Dead Man's Revenge} Old fort-Red, Corner fort-yellow.
This time the dead man objective is the closer Bunker fort and they start when their numbers reach 8. At the countdown, we're off & racing to the Log fort. Take it, no sign of Red. Looks like Red is playing defensive. We start to spread out. I move into the reeds to get a look across the creek. A gun barks nearby & I instinctively duck for cover. Splattered from a near miss followed by others just over head. I scoot back, pop up and return fire. Back down to dodge a fresh stream of incoming. The reeds can be a nasty place to get caught in. Can't shoot out. As long as you are close to the ground, can't shoot in unless they get an upper angle. I craw & duck walk my way out. Thinking I finally had enough brush between myself and my opponent, I stood to exit the reed and caught one in the center back, just below the neck. "Out." Mental note: Go someplace other than the reeds next time. Not the first out this time. Soon joined by Mark. He got shot after taking someone out of the reeds. Soon had four. We switched to blue armbands. We watched a squad of four Red cross the bridge and work their way toward the Bunker. Perhaps they'll join us. Hope they'll hurry. Barely five minutes remain when we blow the horn and run off toward the Bunker. I took the tape line. Chopped a ball driving a defender from the ridge. Spent time unjamming and cleaning my gun. Then, moved to the top of the ridge for a look. Pig pen looks clear. Bunker has at least one in the bottom & one in the top. I fire at it. Paint still curving. There goes accuracy. Pepper the fort again in hopes that the blue will advance. Where are they? Too much incoming. Time to leave. Fall back and start to circle toward the pig pen, but notice a guy at the edge of the clearing - which would put him to my back if I pushed the pig pen - had a yellow arm band. Darn. Where are the Smurfs? Wait for a shot & fire. Paint is still not flying straight. Bolt must still be dirty. I fall back to circle behind him. Spot another behind the wood pile. Move to come behind him. It occurs to me that perhaps the guy didn't change bands. Surely my teammates, wherever they are, would not let him be there. About 40 feet behind the guy in the wood pile. Cannot see an arm band. Step into the open, draw a bead, and, with my arm band showing, shout out "What color are you?" He turns and shoots me. Oh well, about out of time. The guy with the yellow band was blue, but could not get his armband untied. Put a blue band on too, but yellow is easier to see. Red had run the flag back to win.

Next time we try this scenario, we should wait until we have almost half, with no time limit. Then, when the quantity of dead reaches the magic number, we should start time for 15 minutes at the horn. This will give the dead guy team time to work. No new dead team members after the horn.