Editing Los Angeles Ironmen (section)

=== Formation and early years ===

The Ironmen were established in Northern California in 1985 by Rick Baird, commonly known as General Rick. Several of the original players were ironworkers, providing the inspiration for the team's name. [1][2]

Baird organised the team around three five-player squads known as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. This arrangement allowed the Ironmen to compete and practise with different combinations of players. [2]

During 1987, Rick Cendejas and Bob Long joined the Ironmen after initially competing together under the name Delta, which was associated with Long's Delta Archery business. Both had previously encountered Baird's team at Michael Leon's Venture Games paintball field near Mount Diablo, California. [2]

By the late 1980s, the Ironmen were competing in regional and national tournaments using pump-action paintball markers, including the [[Line SI Bushmaster]]. The team received sponsorship from Line SI during this period. [2]