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| '''ZAP Paintballs''', also known as '''ZAP''', was an established paintball brand and manufacturer associated with the production and distribution of paintballs for recreational and competitive [[paintball]]. The brand was prominent during the 1990s and 2000s and sponsored major American tournaments, including the [[International Masters]] and [[International Amateur Open]].[1][2]
| | #REDIRECT [[ZAP_Paintball]] |
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| The company was identified as ZAP Paintballs Inc. in historical accounts of the American paintball manufacturing industry.[3]
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| == History ==
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| === Paintball manufacturing ===
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| ZAP developed and supplied paintballs for recreational and tournament use.
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| During the expansion of the American paintball industry in the 1990s, the company became an established supplier of paintballs to commercial fields, retailers and tournament organisers.
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| A historical manufacturing overview published by Made How identified ZAP Paintballs Inc. alongside Brass Eagle as one of the industry's established paintball manufacturers.[3]
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| The company's precise founding date has not been established from the sources reviewed.
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| === Tournament sponsorship ===
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| ZAP sponsored several major American tournament paintball events during the 1990s.
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| These included the ZAP International Masters and ZAP International Amateur Open.
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| The sponsorship arrangements provided the company with a presence at tournaments attended by competitive players, retailers, field operators and other paintball manufacturers.
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| === ZAP International Masters (1998) ===
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| The [[International Masters]] returned to Nashville, Tennessee, from 8 to 11 October 1998 under ZAP sponsorship.
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| Organised by [[Lively Productions]], the tournament incorporated three-player and five-player competition alongside recreational games, shooting contests and industry discussions.[1]
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| The event also featured equipment demonstrations and meetings between paintball industry representatives.
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| === ZAP International Amateur Open ===
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| ZAP sponsored the [[International Amateur Open]], held at [[Three Rivers Paintball]] near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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| The 1999 tournament attracted amateur competitors and paintball industry businesses.
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| Contemporary WARPIG coverage documented the event's role as both a tournament and an industry gathering.[2]
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| The event incorporated trade exhibitions and product promotions involving several paintball equipment companies.
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| === Later brand activity ===
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| The ZAP name continued to appear in the paintball equipment market after its principal period of tournament sponsorship.
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| In 2016, paintball community reporting described the return of ZAP-branded paintballs produced by [[GI Sportz]].[4]
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| The precise corporate arrangements governing the later use of the ZAP brand have not been independently established.
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| == Products ==
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| ZAP was principally associated with paintballs manufactured for recreational and competitive use.
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| The company's products were supplied through paintball retailers and commercial field operators.
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| Historical product ranges included ZAP-branded paintballs sold for different playing conditions and levels of competition.
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| == See also ==
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| * [[International Masters]]
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| * [[International Amateur Open]]
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| * [[Lively Productions]]
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| * [[GI Sportz]]
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| * [[Paintball equipment]]
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| * [[History of paintball equipment]]
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| == References ==
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| # [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/masters98/index.shtml WARPIG, "1998 ZAP International Masters", October 1998. Contemporary report documenting ZAP sponsorship of the International Masters.]
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| # [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/zapam99/index.shtml WARPIG, "1999 ZAP International Amateur Open". Contemporary tournament coverage documenting ZAP sponsorship and industry activities.]
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| # [https://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Paintball.html Made How, "How Paintball Is Made". Historical manufacturing overview identifying ZAP Paintballs Inc. among established paintball manufacturers.]
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| # [https://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=5382970 PB Nation, "ZAP! Paintballs Are Back and Produced by GI Sportz", 2016. Community discussion concerning the later availability of ZAP-branded paintballs.] | |
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| == External links ==
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| * [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/masters98/index.shtml WARPIG: 1998 ZAP International Masters]
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| * [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/zapam99/index.shtml WARPIG: 1999 ZAP International Amateur Open]
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| [[Category:Paintball manufacturers]]
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| [[Category:Paintball equipment]]
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| [[Category:American paintball companies]] | |
