Teenage hobby inspires a specialty

Local man seizes a business opportunity in rising popularity of paintball.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- What began as a hobby for Nick Patterson eventually allowed him to take aim at becoming the owner of a business.
Patterson, owner of Paintball Sphere, began playing paintball as a teenager, and his interest continued to grow.
"It's a big game and truly a passion for me," Patterson said. "I started when I was 13 years old and haven't stopped since."
While attending the University of Toledo, Patterson found a store that sold equipment and accessories for the sport, and he started performing various jobs for its owner and participating in tournaments. After graduating from the university in 1999 and receiving a degree in English, Patterson returned to the area and discovered it was difficult to find a business that sold paintball items.
"I figured I would try to succeed or if [it didn't work out], I knew we would be professional in trying. Five years later, we're still going," he said.
Patterson opened his business on U.S. Route 224 and moved to his current location on West Boulevard last year. His partner in the business is his wife, Shana, who handles most of Paintball Sphere's inventory, scheduling and accounting.
What it offers
Paintball Sphere's four employees specialize in selling and repairing air systems, protective equipment, harnesses, pouches, and lenses -- all of which are necessary to safely participate in the sport, Patterson said. Paintball Sphere also sells a colorful variety of nontoxic paintballs, as well as markers, which are used to shoot the balls at a safe velocity, he added.
The first known paintball game was played in 1981 in New Hampshire, Patterson said. The object of the game is for a team to capture its opponent's flag and return the flag to its base, but if a player is hit by a paintball and the ball breaks, that player is eliminated from the game.
Since its inception, the sport has undergone numerous changes, modifications and improvements, Patterson said. Players usually wear colorful jerseys instead of camouflage gear and play more often on fields, in indoor and outdoor arenas and on other flat surfaces instead of in the woods, he added.
"Paintball is not a war game; it's a legitimate sport. There are 3 million repeat players," who play at least once a month and are on all levels from rookie to professional, he said.
Patterson said he participates in about five events each year around the country between March and October. His travels have taken him to Los Angeles; Orlando, Fla.; Chicago and other cities.
Patterson said his business places an emphasis on educating people about the sport. That includes making sure people learn the game properly, play safely and buy the correct equipment, he said.
"We pride ourselves in avoiding danger by offering proper service. We want people to understand the significant knowledge and maintenance issues," he said.
Opening another store is a possibility, he added.