Team Image

Team Image, also known as Image, is an American professional paintball team established in 1995 by Tom Maliszewski, with roots in Maryland and Northern California. The team competed in the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL), winning the amateur World Cup in 1995, the professional 10-man World Cup in 1997 and the professional Boston Open in 1999.[1][2][3][4]

After its original period of professional competition ended in the early 2000s, Image returned to tournament paintball in 2018. The revived team has competed in classic mechanical paintball events, winning the International Classic Paintball League (ICPL) Old Bay Classic amateur division in 2021 and the ICPL Classic Cup professional division in 2025.[1][7][9]

History

Formation and early success (1995–1996)

Team Image was formed in 1995 following the departure of brothers Tom and Richie Maliszewski from the All Americans, an established American professional tournament team.[1][11]

The new organisation combined players from the eastern and western United States, particularly Maryland and Northern California.

Among its early recruits were Dave "Opie" Thomas and Billy Ceranski, who joined during the summer of 1995.

Image won the amateur division at the 1995 NPPL World Cup, according to Thomas's published career history.[2]

The team subsequently won the professional NPPL New York Cup in 1996.[2]

Professional competition (1997–2001)

Image became an established professional 10-man team during the late 1990s.

On 26 October 1997, Image won the NPPL World Cup professional 10-man championship at Paintball World in Kissimmee, Florida.

The team finished the final round with 300 points, ahead of Chicago Aftershock (215), the Southern California Ironmen (130) and the All Americans (31).[3]

Image subsequently won the 1999 NPPL Boston Open, held at S.L.A.M. Paintball in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, from 27 to 29 August.

The competition incorporated wooded, Hyperball and Sup'Air playing fields.[4]

In June 2000, Image finished second at the NPPL Chicago Open at Badlandz Paintball in Crete, Illinois.

The team scored 122 points in the professional 10-man finals, finishing three points behind the Ironmen.[5]

A published 2001 NPPL professional roster identified Lane Wright as team captain, alongside players including Richie Maliszewski, Brian Fow, Richmond Italia, Andy Kopcok, Mike Mrok, Rod Staudinger, Dave Thomas and Brad Waterman.[6]

According to a later historical account published by DYE Paintball, the team's original professional programme ended around 2001.[1]

Return to competition (2018–2021)

Team Image returned to organised tournament competition in 2018, during the renewed interest in classic 10-man and mechanical paintball.[1]

The revived organisation incorporated players from Maryland and Pennsylvania, with continuing involvement from Tom and Richie Maliszewski.

In 2019, Image finished second at the Iron City Classic.[7]

In June 2021, the team won the amateur 10-man division of the ICPL Old Bay Classic in Chesapeake City, Maryland.

Image defeated Mutiny 22–7 in its final match to secure the championship.[7]

Following the victory, Image entered ICPL professional competition later in the 2021 season.[8]

ICPL professional competition (2022 onwards)

Image continued its participation in the ICPL professional division in 2022.

At the Old Bay Classic in May 2022, the team completed the preliminary rounds with seven wins and one draw.

Image advanced through the elimination rounds, defeating Aftershock and progressing to the three-team professional final alongside KAPP Factory and Los Angeles Infamous.

Image recorded draws against Infamous and KAPP Factory in the final round, while KAPP Factory secured the championship.[8]

In early 2025, Image won the ICPL Classic Cup professional 10-man division.

The team finished the preliminary rounds with 592 points, the highest total among the 18 professional teams.

Image subsequently advanced through a semi-final group containing Infamous and MVPS Dark Ops before winning the championship against AC Empire and Team Smoke.[9]

Equipment and sponsorship

Team Image has maintained a longstanding relationship with DYE Paintball.

During the team's original professional era, its players used DYE equipment, including the manufacturer's Boomstick barrel system.

Following Image's return to classic paintball competition, DYE announced renewed support for the team and its participation in ICPL and NXL mechanical events.[1]

For its 2025 ICPL Classic Cup victory, Image competed using DYE DSR+ markers fitted with mechanical trigger frames.[9]

In September 2026, DYE announced special-edition MXR markers developed in association with Team Image.

The markers were offered in Dark Image PGA Dust and Dark Image PGA Polish finishes, featuring camouflage-patterned designs associated with the team's identity.[10]

Selected tournament results

Year	Tournament	Division	Result
1995	NPPL World Cup	Amateur	1st [2]
1996	NPPL New York Cup	Professional	1st [2]
1997	NPPL World Cup	Professional 10-man	1st [3]
1999	NPPL Boston Open	Professional 10-man	1st [4]
2000	NPPL Chicago Open	Professional 10-man	2nd [5]
2019	Iron City Classic	Classic 10-man	2nd [7]
2021	ICPL Old Bay Classic	Amateur 10-man	1st [7]
2025	ICPL Classic Cup	Professional 10-man	1st [9]

Notable players

Players associated with Team Image during its original professional period included:

Tom Maliszewski – Founder of Team Image.
Richie Maliszewski – Founding member and professional player.
Dave "Opie" Thomas – Player from 1995 to 2000, subsequently associated with Baltimore Trauma.
Lane Wright – Captain of the published 2001 NPPL professional roster.
Richmond Italia – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Andy Kopcok – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Rod Staudinger – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Brian Fow – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Mike Mrok – Member of the 2001 professional roster.
Brad Waterman – Member of the 2001 professional roster.

[1][2][6]

References

External links