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