Editing Ground Zero (section)

== History ==

=== Formation and early competition ===

Ground Zero emerged in the New York tournament paintball scene during the mid-1990s.

In a retrospective account published by Inception Designs, professional player Will Arroyo recalled being recruited by paintball promoter Jerry Braun to join a new professional team called Ground Zero for its debut at the 1996 NPPL Chicago tournament.[1]

The organisation subsequently developed multiple tournament squads.

At the 1997 NPPL World Cup, Ground Zero Black and Ground Zero Gold both competed in the professional five-player division.[2]

The organisation also participated in 10-player competition, which was the principal professional NPPL format during this period.

=== 1998 Portland Open ===

Ground Zero recorded one of its major early victories at the 1998 NPPL Portland Open.

The professional team advanced through the preliminary and semi-final rounds before winning the final against [[Bob Long's Ironmen]], [[Lockout]] and the Southern California [[Ironmen (Southern California)|Ironmen]].

Ground Zero finished with 185 points in the professional final, ahead of Bob Long's Ironmen with 140.[3]

Ground Zero Gold also won the Amateur A 10-man division at the same tournament, defeating the [[Naughty Dogs]], OBR and Team X-Treme.[3]

The results demonstrated the organisation's ability to compete successfully across multiple divisions.

=== Continued competition (1999–2000) ===

Ground Zero remained active in the NPPL professional division during 1999 and 2000.

At the 1999 NPPL Chicago Open, the professional team qualified for the finals after leading its semi-final group.[12]

Ground Zero Gold continued competing in the Amateur A division, winning the 1999 NPPL Boston Open.[4]

The organisation maintained multiple squads during this period, with players appearing in both professional and amateur tournament records.

=== 2001 season ===

The 2001 season included further success for Ground Zero.

At the NPPL Los Angeles Open in Corona, California, the professional 10-man team won the tournament ahead of Lockout, [[San Diego Dynasty]] and [[Aftershock]].[5]

Ground Zero subsequently competed in American and European tournaments.

At the 2001 NPPL World Cup in Orlando, Florida, Ground Zero was awarded the '''World Paintball Series''' championship.

The World Paintball Series combined results from the American NPPL, European [[Millennium Series]] and selected additional tournaments.

The championship was presented by Laurent Hamet during the World Cup awards ceremony.[6]

This was distinct from the NPPL professional season championship, which was won by Aftershock.[6]

The organisation also fielded Ground Zero Bedlam and Ground Zero Chaos in professional five-player competition during 2001.[13]

=== 2002 season ===

Ground Zero continued competing in 2002, with its principal professional 10-man squad registered as '''Ground Zero Black'''.

The published NPPL professional roster identified Fritz Renner as captain and Dennis Mood as co-captain.

Other documented players included Will Arroyo, Nicky Cuba, Chris Cole, Max Lundqvist, Peter Reilly and Bob Rose.[8]

Ground Zero Gold was separately registered in the professional division, with players including Greg Hastings, Pete Utschig, Steve Cusano, Anthony Cuocco and Julio Rivera.[8]

At the 2002 NPPL Atlantic City Open, Ground Zero finished second in the professional preliminary standings, while Ground Zero Gold qualified for the semi-finals.[10]

Both Ground Zero Black and Ground Zero Gold subsequently appeared in the professional 10-man competition at the 2002 NPPL World Cup.[14]

=== Ground Zero Bedlam ===

Ground Zero also competed in professional five-player tournaments through the Bedlam and Chaos squads.

In January 2002, '''Ground Zero Bedlam''' won the professional division at the Diablo Mardi Gras Open in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The tournament was held from 25 to 27 January at the Alario Center.

Ground Zero entered two professional squads, with Bedlam winning the tournament and the organisation's other squad finishing third.[9]

Contemporary [[WARPIG]] coverage documented Bedlam using a revised [[Bob Long Intimidator]] electronic paintball marker during the event.[9]