Team Internet
Team Internet (also known as Team Internet Paintball, abbreviated TIP) was an international informal paintball club and online community established in June–July 1992 by participants in the rec.sport.paintball Usenet newsgroup. Originally organised around preparations for a large recreational paintball event at Jack Frost Mountain, Pennsylvania, Team Internet became an early example of a sporting community formed through the internet.[1][2]
Unlike a conventional paintball team, Team Internet had no fixed playing roster or single geographical base. Members were connected through online discussions and identified themselves using individual membership numbers, commonly displayed in the format TIP#1234.[3]
Although primarily a social organisation, Team Internet members occasionally assembled to play together at major paintball events. The organisation also fielded tournament squads, including North American Team Internet (NATI), at Skyball in Toronto, Canada, during the late 1990s.[4]
Team Internet became particularly associated with competing at Skyball using pump-action paintball markers against teams equipped with contemporary semiautomatic equipment. Its participation attracted attention from spectators and tournament organisers and helped demonstrate continued interest in pump-action competition.[5]
Contemporary tournament records document Team Internet participation at Skyball in 1998, 1999 and 2000. The surviving 1999 roster includes Rob "Tyger" Rubin, Matt Shively, Kendrick See and several other members of the early internet paintball community.[6]
| Full name | Team Internet Paintball |
|---|---|
| Common name | Team Internet |
| Abbreviation | TIP |
| Type | Informal international paintball club and online community |
| Founded | June–July 1992 |
| Origin | rec.sport.paintball Usenet newsgroup |
| Initial organising event | World Record Game, Jack Frost Mountain, Pennsylvania |
| Geographic scope | International |
| Membership system | Numbered membership identifiers, e.g. TIP#3326 |
| Membership administration | Keeper of the List |
| Membership requirements | Paintball playing experience, access to rec.sport.paintball and good sportsmanship |
| Known tournament appearances | Skyball 1998, 1999 and 2000 |
| Associated tournament identity | North American Team Internet (NATI) |
| Notable participants | Rob Rubin, Matt Shively, Kendrick See, Kennedy How |
| Related organisations | rec.sport.paintball, WARPIG |
| Later status | Historical organisation; formal dissolution date not established |
History
[edit]Background
[edit]Team Internet developed during the early growth of online paintball communities.
Before the widespread adoption of the World Wide Web, players exchanged information through electronic bulletin boards, mailing lists and Usenet newsgroups.
The rec.sport.paintball newsgroup was approved on 15 April 1992, following a formal Usenet creation vote.
The group provided a dedicated forum for discussion of paintball equipment, recreational games, tournament competition, safety and industry developments.
Its members were geographically dispersed, but shared an interest in the sport.
Team Internet emerged from this community shortly after the creation of the newsgroup.
Formation in 1992
[edit]The rec.sport.paintball FAQ dates the formation of Team Internet to June–July 1992.[1]
The organisation developed as players prepared for the World Record Game at Jack Frost Mountain in Pennsylvania.
The event provided an opportunity for internet users who had previously communicated online to meet and play paintball together.
The group subsequently developed into an informal membership organisation.
An internet-based paintball club
[edit]Team Internet differed from conventional paintball teams.
It was not based at a particular field.
It did not maintain a permanent tournament roster.
Members generally played for their own local teams or participated independently in recreational paintball.
Team Internet provided a shared identity for players who communicated through the internet.
The contemporary FAQ described it as closer to a club than a conventional team.[2]
Early development
[edit]Membership expanded during the 1990s.
Players identified themselves as Team Internet members through numbered identifiers.
These identifiers appeared in Usenet signatures and other online communications.
The organisation also provided opportunities for members to meet at major paintball events.
Membership
[edit]Eligibility
[edit]The rec.sport.paintball FAQ identified three basic membership requirements.
Prospective members were expected to:
- Have played paintball at least once.
- Be able to read rec.sport.paintball.
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship.
The sportsmanship requirement included avoiding cheating and helping new players.[2]
The criteria reflected the organisation's informal and inclusive nature.
Membership numbers
[edit]Members received individual Team Internet membership numbers.
The numbers were displayed using the abbreviation TIP followed by a number.
Examples appearing in historical sources include:
| Identifier | Historical context |
|---|---|
| TIP#327 | Kendrick See, documented in a 1994 Usenet discussion |
| TIP#3326 | Paul "Stryder" Kloehn, documented in the paintball FAQ |
| TIP#2750 | Used in a 1997 Usenet message |
The numbers served as membership identifiers rather than tournament jersey numbers.
They should not be interpreted as proof of the total number of active members at any particular date.
Keeper of the List
[edit]Team Internet maintained a membership list.
Administration was handled by a person known as the Keeper of the List, commonly abbreviated KotL.
Prospective members could request membership by contacting the Keeper of the List.
Once accepted, a member received an identifying number.[3]
The precise succession of people who maintained the list has not been fully reconstructed.
Online signatures
[edit]Team Internet members commonly included their membership numbers in Usenet signatures.
This allowed other participants to identify them as members.
The practice was part of a broader culture of online paintball organisations.
Similar membership identifiers were used by equipment-oriented groups such as:
- Mag Owner's Group (MOG)
- Spyder Owner's Group (SOG)
- Palmer's Owner's Group (POG)
The groups were informal associations rather than conventional competitive teams.
International membership
[edit]Team Internet was not restricted to a single region or country.
Membership was based on participation in the online community.
The organisation therefore allowed players from different geographic areas to share a common identity.
This was particularly unusual during a period when most paintball clubs and teams were organised around local fields or stores.
Relationship with rec.sport.paintball
[edit]Online origins
[edit]Team Internet was closely connected to rec.sport.paintball.
The newsgroup provided the communication platform through which members met and exchanged information.
Participants discussed equipment, playing experiences, tournaments and opportunities to meet.
Information sharing
[edit]Members frequently contributed to discussions about paintball.
Subjects included:
- Equipment maintenance
- Paintball safety
- Playing techniques
- Tournament competition
- Field reviews
- Recreational events
- Used equipment
- Paintball history
The organisation encouraged members to act as resources for other players.
Community standards
[edit]Team Internet's sportsmanship requirements reflected the broader culture of the early online paintball community.
Members were expected to behave responsibly on the field and assist less experienced players.
The requirements helped distinguish Team Internet from a purely recreational mailing list or online discussion group.
Social organisation
[edit]Team Internet created opportunities for players to meet in person.
Members occasionally arranged to play together at regional games and major events.
A surviving November 1994 Usenet message describes members meeting at local events, particularly large recreational games.[7]
Early events
[edit]Jack Frost Mountain
[edit]Team Internet originated around preparations for the World Record Game at Jack Frost Mountain, Pennsylvania, in 1992.
The event was a large recreational paintball gathering.
It provided an opportunity for participants in the online community to organise themselves for a shared activity.
The precise roster of Team Internet members who attended the event has not been established.
Regional gatherings
[edit]During the following years, Team Internet members continued meeting at recreational events.
These gatherings were generally informal.
Members did not necessarily play together as a single team.
The organisation's primary function remained social rather than competitive.
Large recreational games
[edit]Contemporary Usenet discussion indicates that Team Internet members attended large regional paintball games.
These events provided opportunities for members from different locations to meet.
The organisation helped connect players who might otherwise have had no direct contact.
Tournament competition
[edit]Development of tournament squads
[edit]Although Team Internet was primarily a club, some members assembled tournament squads.
These teams represented the wider Team Internet community.
The most clearly documented appearances occurred at Skyball in Toronto.
North American Team Internet
[edit]A tournament squad competed under the name North American Team Internet (NATI).
Contemporary WARPIG coverage of the inaugural Skyball identifies several Team Internet members participating under this name.[4]
The name reflected the organisation's internet-based identity.
The team was not necessarily composed of the same players at every event.
Skyball
[edit]Skyball was an indoor paintball tournament held at the Toronto SkyDome.
The event was organised by Focus International.
It featured professional and amateur competition.
The tournament attracted teams from Canada, the United States and other countries.
Skyball became an important meeting point for members of the online paintball community.
Skyball 1998
[edit]Inaugural event
[edit]The inaugural Skyball tournament took place in March 1998.
Team Internet members participated under the North American Team Internet name.
WARPIG's contemporary coverage identifies:
- Rob "Tyger" Rubin
- Matt "Shives" Shively
- Kennedy How
- A player identified as Steve from Eon Apparel
These individuals were among the participants associated with the team.[4]
The surviving report does not establish a complete roster.
Tournament participation
[edit]Team Internet competed in the amateur tournament.
The event used a five-player format.
The competition was held inside the Toronto SkyDome.
The team's presence was notable because its members had originally connected through the internet rather than a conventional local paintball organisation.
Historical significance
[edit]The inaugural Skyball appearance demonstrated that Team Internet could organise a competitive squad.
It also provided a prominent opportunity for members of the online community to meet in person.
The tournament became an important part of Team Internet's competitive history.
Skyball 1999
[edit]Return to Toronto
[edit]Team Internet returned to Skyball in 1999.
The event attracted more than 170 five-player teams.
WARPIG reported that Team Internet was again competing using stock-class paintball markers.[5]
The team's equipment choices distinguished it from most competitors.
Stock-class competition
[edit]Stock-class paintball generally involves pump-action markers with limited paint capacity and restricted air systems.
By 1999, most tournament teams used semiautomatic paintball markers.
Team Internet's decision to compete with stock-class equipment attracted attention.
The approach emphasised playing ability rather than equipment performance.
Documented roster
[edit]WARPIG's official 1999 Skyball roster lists the following players under Team Internet.[6]
| Player | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rob Rubin | Also known as "Tyger" |
| John Dickenson | Listed on tournament roster |
| Matt Shively | Also known as "Shives" |
| Kendrick See | Earlier documented Team Internet member |
| Andrew Hubbartt | Listed on tournament roster |
| Steve Novak | Listed on tournament roster |
| David Phan | Listed on tournament roster |
| Caroline Richardson | Listed on tournament roster |
The roster reflects registration information for that event.
It does not establish that all eight players competed in every game.
Additional Team Internet squad
[edit]The same roster also identifies Team Internet Project #2.
Its listed players were:
| Player |
|---|
| Matt Drown |
| David McCann |
| Mark McCann |
| Jim Johnson |
| Kwokwai Wu |
| Jim Bartus |
The roster also includes an entry for Tip Two with the same six players.
The entries appear to refer to the same group under alternative names.
They should not automatically be counted as separate teams without additional evidence.
Tournament performance
[edit]WARPIG's contemporary report states that Team Internet competed with stock-class equipment.
The report does not identify the team among the tournament's leading finishers.
The event's amateur championship was won by Jacksonville Warriors.
Equipment philosophy
[edit]Team Internet's use of stock-class markers was a deliberate contrast to the increasingly equipment-intensive tournament environment.
Its participation demonstrated that players continued to value pump-action paintball.
The team's approach attracted attention from spectators and other competitors.
Skyball 2000
[edit]Third appearance
[edit]Team Internet returned to Skyball in February 2000.
The event took place at the Toronto SkyDome from 18 to 20 February.
WARPIG again documented the organisation's participation.[8]
Pump-action competition
[edit]Team Internet continued using pump-action paintball markers.
WARPIG reported that the team's earlier appearances had attracted attention because of its use of pump equipment.
The publication described the team's objective as demonstrating that player ability mattered more than equipment.[8]
Influence on tournament format
[edit]The 2000 Skyball tournament included a dedicated pump-class event.
WARPIG connected the introduction of the division with the attention generated by Team Internet's previous appearances.
The tournament therefore provides an example of an informal online community influencing a major competitive event.
Team Internet 2
[edit]WARPIG's 2000 coverage includes a photograph caption identifying a player named Will K. competing for Team Internet 2 with a Buzzard pump-action marker.
The photograph demonstrates that multiple Team Internet-associated squads or entries were present.
The complete roster of Team Internet 2 has not been established.
Tournament results
[edit]The surviving report documents the team's participation but does not establish a verified final placement.
The team should not be credited with a championship or podium result without supporting tournament records.
Players and members
[edit]Rob "Tyger" Rubin
[edit]Rob Rubin, commonly known as Tyger, was a prominent member of the early online paintball community.
He participated in Team Internet's Skyball appearances.
Rubin later became known for paintball media and educational content.
His involvement is documented in WARPIG's contemporary Skyball coverage.
Matt Shively
[edit]Matt "Shives" Shively was associated with Team Internet.
He participated in the inaugural Skyball appearance and was listed on the 1999 roster.
Kendrick See
[edit]Kendrick See was a Team Internet member documented in Usenet discussions by 1994.
He used the membership identifier TIP#327.
See also appeared on the 1999 Skyball roster.
Kennedy How
[edit]Kennedy How participated in North American Team Internet's inaugural Skyball appearance.
WARPIG's event photography also identifies him at the tournament.
Paul Kloehn
[edit]Paul "Stryder" Kloehn maintained the rec.sport.paintball FAQ.
He identified himself as a Team Internet member using TIP#3326.
His FAQ preserved information about the organisation's membership practices and purpose.
The available sources do not establish his participation on the Team Internet tournament roster.
Equipment
[edit]Pump-action markers
[edit]Team Internet became particularly associated with pump-action paintball.
Its Skyball appearances used equipment that differed from the semiautomatic markers commonly used in tournament competition.
Stock-class equipment
[edit]WARPIG reported that Team Internet competed with stock-class markers at Skyball.
Stock-class equipment traditionally involves pump-action operation and limited paint capacity.
The format requires careful shot selection and movement.
Buzzard
[edit]A photograph from Skyball 2000 identifies a Team Internet 2 player using a Buzzard pump-action marker.
The Buzzard was associated with the high-end stock-class equipment market.
Equipment philosophy
[edit]Team Internet's tournament equipment choices were intended to emphasise player skill.
The approach was notable during a period of rapid development in electronic and semiautomatic markers.
The team's appearances contributed to interest in pump-class competition.
Relationship with WARPIG
[edit]Online community
[edit]WARPIG developed from information collected through rec.sport.paintball.
The website became an important resource for Team Internet members.
It hosted information about the organisation and its membership.
Team Internet FAQ
[edit]The rec.sport.paintball FAQ linked to a Team Internet information page hosted by WARPIG.
The historical address was:
http://www.warpig.com/paintball/net_resources/tip.html
The page provided information about membership and the Team Internet FAQ.
Tournament reporting
[edit]WARPIG documented Team Internet's Skyball appearances.
Its coverage includes:
- Tournament reports
- Player rosters
- Photographs
- Equipment information
- Contemporary descriptions of the team
These records are among the strongest surviving sources for Team Internet's competitive history.
Historical significance
[edit]Early online sporting community
[edit]Team Internet was established in 1992, before modern social media and web-based paintball forums.
It demonstrated how internet users could organise around a shared sporting interest.
Members were connected through electronic communication rather than geographic proximity.
International identity
[edit]The organisation allowed players from different locations to share a common identity.
Its membership system provided a visible connection between participants.
The use of numbered identifiers became a characteristic feature of the early paintball internet community.
Recreational and competitive activity
[edit]Team Internet was primarily a social organisation.
However, its members also assembled to compete at major tournaments.
The Skyball appearances demonstrate that the community was capable of organising real-world competitive activity.
Pump-action advocacy
[edit]Team Internet's Skyball participation attracted attention because of its use of pump-action markers.
The team's appearances helped demonstrate continued interest in pump competition during an era dominated by semiautomatic equipment.
WARPIG connected the team's earlier participation with the introduction of a pump-class event at Skyball 2000.
Paintball internet history
[edit]Team Internet represents an important link between the earliest Usenet paintball community and later web-based organisations.
Its history predates PBNation and modern social media paintball groups.
It is an example of the internet's early influence on the organisation of recreational sport.
Timeline
[edit]| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| April 1992 | rec.sport.paintball approved as a Usenet newsgroup |
| June–July 1992 | Team Internet formed around preparations for the World Record Game |
| 1992 | Members begin using Team Internet identities |
| 1994 | Kendrick See documented using TIP#327 |
| Mid-1990s | Team Internet membership system and FAQ documented |
| 1997 | Team Internet described in rec.sport.paintball FAQ |
| 1998 | North American Team Internet competes at inaugural Skyball |
| 1999 | Team Internet returns to Skyball using stock-class equipment |
| 1999 | WARPIG records eight-player Team Internet roster |
| 1999 | Team Internet Project #2 also listed in tournament roster |
| February 2000 | Team Internet participates in Skyball for third consecutive year |
| 2000 | Skyball introduces pump-class competition |
| After 2000 | Later activity and formal organisational status require further verification |
See also
[edit]- rec.sport.paintball
- WARPIG
- PBNation
- Rob Rubin
- Paul Kloehn
- Skyball
- Pump paintball
- Stock-class paintball
- History of paintball
- History of tournament paintball
- Paintball forums
- Paintball media
- Paintball in the United States
- Paintball in Canada
References
[edit]- "What Is the History of Paintball?", Paul "Stryder" Kloehn, Paintball FAQ. Historical chronology dating Team Internet's formation to June–July 1992 during preparations for the World Record Game at Jack Frost Mountain.
- "What Is Team Internet?", Paul Kloehn, Paintball FAQ. Contemporary description of Team Internet as an informal organisation and its three membership requirements.
- "What's the Deal With Those Abbreviations in Everyone's Signature?", Paul Kloehn, Paintball FAQ. Documentation of Team Internet membership numbers and the Keeper of the List.
- "Skyball 1998", WARPIG. Contemporary coverage identifying North American Team Internet participants including Rob Rubin, Matt Shively and Kennedy How.
- "Skyball 1999", WARPIG. Contemporary tournament coverage describing Team Internet's participation with stock-class equipment.
- "Skyball 1999 Team Roster", WARPIG. Official event roster listing Team Internet and Team Internet Project #2.
- "PRO-COMP Upgrade Discussion", alt.sport.paintball, November 1994. Contemporary Usenet discussion describing Team Internet as a virtual team and identifying Kendrick See as TIP#327.
- "Skyball 2000", WARPIG. Contemporary tournament report describing Team Internet's pump-action participation and the introduction of pump-class competition.
- "Skyball 1998 Photo Gallery", WARPIG, photographs by Dawn Mills. Photographs identifying Team Internet participants and Kennedy How.
- "WARPIG Beginner's FAQ", WARPIG, 1997. Early paintball terminology, including the Team Internet membership-number abbreviation.