October 30, 2003

By: Adam Boyd
Website: http://www.paintball-guns-n-equipment.com

Detroit Rock City Rolls with the Thunder sending opponents running for the paintball bunkers

Detroit Thunder

The 2002 season was over and Mitch Karn, Captain of Lockout, was working with the NPPL Super 7 crew setting up the new league and planning some roster changes with his team. “Basically it was going to be the best Lockout guys and some of the best Fusion guys playing as Lockout,” says Karn.

Looking to X- Ball

“Then I got this phone call from Richmond Italia explaining that Crosman has just bought the eighth franchise in the new NXL X-Ball league and he asked if we’d be interested,” Karn furthers. Detroit Thunder was born.

Detroit & Fusion

Detroit Thunder is a merger of two long-standing professional paintball teams—Lockout, based out of Rochester, NY and Fusion, originally from Detroit. The Detroit Thunder roster features Mitch Karn (Captain), William Burson (Coach), Wally Donner (Field Captain), Mark McManus, Troy Radcliffe, Chad Ruhl, Mark Worrell, Gino Gonzalez,

Breaking Out

Jason Trosen, Travis Seetin, Tim Montressor, Bobby Fellenstein, Matt Page, Blake Pruitt, Paul McCord and Grant Butler. Based in Rochester, NY, players on the team travel from Texas, California, Ohio and Michigan to practice as often as possible. In addition to Crosman, Thunder is also sponsored by Draxxus, Extreme Rage, Free Flow Technology, Smart Parts, Skul and Gameface Paintball.

Sitting Last

The 2003 NXL season is going to be rough for Detroit Thunder. They won only one match at Mardi Gras against the LA Ironmen and went winless in their four matches at the LA Open. In this eight-team league, Thunder is sitting uncomfortably in last place with two points (Baltimore Trauma is in front of them with five). “It’s been a rough start,” admits Karn. “Hopefully, down the road we’ll start seeing some success.”

First Time Together

Even though the team is in last place, they still believe that X-Ball is the future of the sport and they are very excited to be a part of it. “Everybody on the team loves X- Ball even though it’s been a little rough for us on a lot of fronts,” Karn divulges. A few of those problems include having a roster full of players who’ve never played together as a team, the new X-Ball format and using electronic guns for the first time. “Lockout was all about cockers and so was Fusion. But now we’re using Impulses from Smart Parts (look for a new Detroit Thunder Impulse soon). We’re really happy with the guns, but they are guns that guys on this team have never used,” Karn explains. “We’re still trying to figure all this out and get used to it.”

Competing against the Best

Understandably, part of the problem for the Thunder is that they are a brand new team in a brand new league. The guys are upbeat about their potential and are very happy to be in the NXL. “The competition is the main thing for us. We get to play against the best players and teams in the world in X- Ball all the time.”

No Back Guys

However some of the guys on the team are missing 10-man. “It’s mainly some of the older back guys that are really missing the 10-man game,” Karn discloses. “In X-Ball, you have to change your mentality. There are no back guys in X- Ball, so guys need to change how they play and train harder. Everyone else is loving it.”

So how did a company like Crosman get involved in X-Ball?

“Crosman made us an offer we couldn’t refuse,” Karn proclaims. “They’ve put together a real nice budget for expense, travel, a salary for all the players—basically unlimited funds to set up the eighth franchise in the new league.” Known for manufacturing airguns for many years, Crosman isn’t exactly a company that most paintball players think of when it comes to buying new gear or sponsorships, etc. In fact, I couldn’t find anything on their website regarding paintball. “Crosman is trying to get into the paintball retail market really hard right now.

A New Relationship

They’ve got their new line— Gameface Paintball, which features a clothing line with accessories, paintballs, pods, etc. Their airgun line is the major part of their business and that’s what has been successful for them for many years. Right now, we’re trying to help them break into paintball,” Karn describes of the newly formed relationship.

PSP is Lacking

While Detroit Thunder is now an integral part of the NXL, which is formally part of the PSP, players on Thunder are only allowed to participate in the PSP. “I don't like the split,” articulates Karn. “I know competition is good for the sport and it does raise the bar. Look at this event? This is by far the best event the PSP has ever put on. But, PSP as far as I'm concerned is lacking. The Super 7 set an example in Huntington Beach. The PSP needs to step it up.

X-Ball is the Only Way

It's sad to see everybody so split and I'd like to see everyone come together. Ultimately, X-ball is the way. I think it's the only way to break into the mainstream and get paintball on television. I think we need to get away from making things better for the players and instead make paintball better for the people who are gonna watch it and spend the money. Unfortunately, it's got to be that way to get it to the next level.”

About The Author:

Adam Boyd is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.paintball-guns-n-equipment.com.  Find all the paintball gear, masks, jerseys, guns, pistols, protection, paint supplies, accessories and more.