From Lansing, take I-96 east to exit 137. Turn right on D-19 and go about 9 miles. When you get to the 25 mph curve, it'll be about 1/2 ahead on the right.
Review:
I started playing paintball at Hell Survivors in back in high school in 1995, and only stopped going in 2006 because I joined the military and moved. When I was living in Lansing during college, I would play there Saturdays and Sundays (for you guys playing regularly in 2000-2003, this is Ben from MSU, aka 'Goat'). I still go back there and ball when I'm in MI, which isn't all that often, unfortunately.
Safety is their top priority. You get 1 or 2 warnings, depending on the severity of the infraction (they'll punch a hole in your collar tag); if you screw up again you're either sitting for a game or two, or you're going home...no refund. IMHO, that's how it should be: you do something stupid, you sit out for a game. The refs are excellent; most of them are younger, but not the stereotypical slacker type. I've played at dozens of fields in the eastern US, and this is one of the few where the refs are actively in the game...they'll jump in the middle of a firefight to check someone (or pull a cheater!), and in the unfortunate event of goggles falling off, I've seen them dive on peoples' heads to protect them. Can't get much better than that!
HSI has a decent number of fields, and I hear they've added more since I've been gone. The Master's field is great...a steep ridge in the middle, with a team on the top and bottom. The Village is great, but I preferred the old village (for you newer guys, it's where the parking lot/dead zone is now!). I have seen their newer airball field, but haven't played it yet. A buddy in the area says it's sick.
Hours: I believe they've cut the hours back. They used to have Sat and Sun games every non-holiday weekend, in the scorching sun or 3 feet of snow. I've heard Ed and Dave cut the hours back and close around Oct or Nov.
Prices...I honestly don't recall. Check the website.
For rules, safety is foremost. Bunkering is allowed, with some common sense thrown it (i.e. don't wreck a 10-yr. old first-timer). They do a pretty fair job of splitting up experience on separate teams, and they used to (still may) run separated 'Beginner' and 'Advanced' walkon groups based on equipment, experience, etc. You always get a few ringers and whiners at every field, but they do as fair of a job as possible.
That's about it....sorry for writing a book, but I've definitely got some sentimental attachment to this field. I started off here as the greenest noob ever in 1995 (got owned in EVERY game), and went all the way up to playing on a national NPPL level in 2003-4. This is a great field to play, whether you're a beginner, a straight-up pro, and everything in between. Check it out!!
