Are you interested in joining Team Aches and Pains? Want to become a TAP?
Team Aches and Pains is always looking for good players to play the game alongside us. Good playing ability is always a plus, but we are more interested in your attitude for the game. We seek players more with a good sense of safety, sportsmanship, humor, and fun, because this is what we value more at the end of a good paintball day.
For more information on our member standards and how to join, please read on, and then contact us at the email address below.
TEAM MEMBERSHIP—ALPHA AND BETA SQUADS
Members of TAPs participate in local practices, as well as scenario games on and off Long Island. Most practices are held in Coram, Long Island, just because it is so close.
Players should be of the minimum age required to play paintball. Team Aches and Pains has no other age restriction regarding membership, but requests and requires that a parent or legal guardian of our members under 18 years of age please provide transportation and be present at all times during practices and games.
Because we encourage people to join for the experience of playing with a scenario paintball team, we have a Active core team, “Alpha” squad, and a Reserve team, known as “Beta” squad.
There are no annual dues or periodic membership fees for Beta membership (just $5.00 for patches and your own page on the Team Aches and Pains Roster). Members of the Beta reserve team play as they are able to. They arrive for practices and events whenever they can, but are not required to, and are free to enjoy the game as they see fit. This allows them to play with a well-received scenario team without obligation, and gives TAPs the opportunity to evaluate you as a player and consider you for promotion to Alpha squad if you become interested in doing so.
Alpha squad is composed of serious players looking to play as often as possible. Their participation and attendance is the foundation on which the team is based, and they are the ones most associated with the team’s appearances and reputation. Alpha squad is currently sponsored by Suffolk Veterinary Group, and receives certain benefits not available to the Beta reserve squad. While there are no annual dues or membership fees for Alpha squad members, they are required and depended on to attend at least three games or practices per year to retain their Alpha status. If they cannot attend, they must notify the team officers in advance.
Regardless of which squad they are a part, all members must provide their own clothing, equipment and supplies such as marker, mask, paint and air. All members should play to their chosen team position as well, and are required to play by both field rules and the Team Aches and Pains Rules and Codes of Conduct. They should collectively use teamwork to achieve directives towards winning a game, and follow a basic chain of command structure, because without this active cooperation in place the team’s directional structure and playing ability on the field would break down (and there would be no point in having the team in the first place).
Beta members who wish to join Alpha are evaluated based on their willingness to participate, attendance, sportsmanship, and attitude for the game. They are then elected into the squad by majority vote. A member of Alpha may go back to Beta of his/her own free will, or be sent there if they cannot maintain attendance and participation requirements.
ALPHA SQUAD MEMBER BENEFITS
(1) Alpha squad members will receive patches to denote TAP and ERSA membership, team position, and team rank. They also receive a folder for TAPs documents such as team position descriptions and mission planning (Patches are $5.00).
(2) Alpha squad members may receive free equipment or equipment at reduced cost from the sponsor, based on availability and playing ability.
(3) Alpha squad members who are on record for contributing in team raffles may participate in team raffles for such items as paint, air-fill tickets, free admission to games, or paintball equipment.
(4) Alpha squad members are entitled to receive Red Crosshair and Purple Target distinction awards.
(5) Alpha squad members are privileged to use Team Aches and Pains’ heavy ordnance equipment such as the A5A2 “Double Trouble” paintball gatling gun, mortar cannon, mines, and bazooka (according to availability of ammunition).
(6)) Best of all, Alpha squad members are the heart and soul of TAPs. They are in the best position to shape the evolution of Team Aches and Pains, and help it grow into a team to be reckoned with.
ALPHA SQUAD MEMBER REQUIREMENTS
(1) Alpha squad members must participate in AT LEAST three team practices and/or three scenario games each year.
(2) Alpha squad members must conform to team dress code and patch display requirements.
(3) Alpha squad members must submit their team roster information and pose for pictures for the TAPs website no later than the next scenario game from whence they joined Alpha squad.
(4) Alpha squad members MUST at all times display exemplary performance of team spirit for their fellow members, fellow Alliance members, and fellow paintballers on their team and the opposing team alike, by adhering strictly to ANY field rules AND to the Team Aches and Pains Rules and Codes of Conduct.
TEAM ACHES AND PAINS RULES AND CODES OF CONDUCT
All Alpha and Beta team members must agree to abide by the following team rules:
1. All field rules will be strictly adhered to at all times, and will take precedence over TAPs rules wherever they may be in conflict.
2. Field referee’s calls are final. Do not argue with a referee. Adhere to their rules and judgement.
3. A certified paintball mask, in good condition, MUST be worn at all times during game play and while on the playing field.
4. A protective barrel sock or plug must be covering your marker barrel when not in play.
5. Non-regulation field paint will not be allowed. Adhere to a field’s rules for using their paint.
6. Good sportsmanship will be shown to ALL fellow paintballers, whether on your team or the opposing team, at all times. Whether we win or lose, TAPs members are good sports.
7. If you are eliminated according to the field’s rules of play, acknowledge it honorably. Raise your hand up high and loudly call “OUT!”.
8. Wiping paint off yourself to continue play will not be tolerated on the field.
9. Bunkering an opponent (shooting them within 10 feet) will not be allowed. Follow the field’s rules for surrendering an opponent instead.
10. Overshooting an opponent (shooting them an excessive number of times to tag them out) will not be allowed. If an elimination is in dispute, call a team officer or squad leader, and ref for mediation.
11. No aggressive physical contact of any type between a member and any other person will be tolerated. Instead, call a team officer or squad leader, and ref for mediation.
12. No abusive or insulting language of any type between a member and any other person will be tolerated. Instead, call a team officer or squad leader, and ref for mediation.
13. Alcohol consumption before or during a game will not be tolerated. Members should be clear-headed before and during a game.
14. Team Aches and Pains is first and foremost a team. Be willing to use teamwork with your fellow team members, Alpha or Beta, under the direction of the team officers and squad leaders present.
15. Infractions of these rules may lead to a temporary or permanent change in membership status to be decided by other members of Team Aches and Pains.
Respect your fellow team members, team leaders, fellow paintballers, and the team sponsor as you would be respected. Have a good time and allow other players to do the same by following these rules responsibly. Be safe, play fair, and have fun!
ALPHA AND BETA SQUAD DRESS CODE
TAPs team members dress as a team to distinguish themselves from other players on the field, and make it easier to locate each other when the paint starts flying!
For all members, any matching camouflage or military long-sleeved shirt and long pants will do for team play. Boots are highly recommended for practicality. No open-toed footwear is allowed in play.
All Alpha squad patches are $5.00. On joining, members are required to provide their callsign and chosen position within one week (with team roster information for the website), so that these can be ordered for the new member.
For Alpha Squad members, the circular Team Aches and Pains patch is worn on the left shoulder, and the Eastern Regional Scenario Alliance patch is worn on the right shoulder. Your team position patches are worn on each sleeve above or below these patches. On the left breast is the Team Aches and Pains service patch, and on the right breast is your callsign patch. Additional patches for tactical vests are available on request.
For Beta Squad members, no rank, callsign, ERSA or position patches are provided. Beta Squad membership is $5.00, for two circular Team Aches and Pains patches to be worn on each shoulder and for your own roster page on the Team Aches and Pains website. Beta Squad members are strongly requested to proudly display their team colors with their fellow teammates during a game.
Team officers are encouraged to wear ACU uniforms for conformity, and their patches are worn as above (the team position patches being worn on the Velcro lid of each sleeve pocket).
JOINING TEAM ACHES AND PAINS
We'd like to see you play at a team practice, and get a feel for your playing style and attitude towards the game, as well as allow you your own experience for what it is like to play with an outdoor scenario team. For youths under 18, we would also like the opportunity to meet and discuss your joining the team with your parent(s) or guardian at that time. At this time, your email address can be added to our list, to keep you up to date on upcoming events like team practices and games. After we see you play, and you get a chance to see what being a TAPs member is like, we'll talk about you joining up.
For further information, dates and times for the next practice or game, visit our EVENTS page above, or contact a player at teamachesandpains@yahoo.com
