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pbReview.com / Cowtown Paintball Field / Cowtown Paintball Field / Cowtown Paintball Field / Cowtown Paintball Field
Cowtown Paintball Field
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Reviews: |
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Website: |
Click here to visit the field's website. |
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Email: |
Click here to email the field. |
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Phone: |
602-695-0722 |
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Address: |
10402 W Carefree Highway Blvd
Peoria, Arizona 85383
USA
Map - Directions - Weather |
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Distance: |
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Period of
Field Use: |
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| Last There: |
February 13th, 2010 |
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Paintball
Experience: |
3 months |
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Other Fields
in the Area: |
Played at Westworld before trying Cowtown. |
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| Review: |
We had my sons birthday party at Cowtown today and all the kids had a great time. The staff was fantastic. Very friendly and helpful. Cowtown has a "kids-only" field which my son and his friends loved. Then they played on the big rec ball field and they had a great time.
Thanks Cowtown! |
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D's Toy |
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Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 |
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Period of
Field Use: |
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| Date There: |
January 31st, 2010 |
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Paintball
Experience: |
More than 5 years |
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Other Fields
in the Area: |
Westworld- Smaller, more expensive, refs catered to the regular players. IE "cheating" |
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Directions
to the Field: |
from the West, you can take the 303 north until it hits Happy Valley Pkw. Head East 2.3 miles to Lake Pleasant Pkwy then turn north 6.3 miles. One block before Carefree Highway, you might see the large sign pointing you to Cowtown, Turf soaring school and Canyon Raceway. (I missed it and had to turn around.. It is easier to see from the north) Turn Left (west) the road will become dirt. Cowtown is at the end of the dirt road, it dead ends there, you can't miss it. |
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| Review: |
EDIT--read the note at the bottom. Comments have been added into main body, then deleted.
I have been playing for over 15 years, around the world, including two teams, and 3 scenario games. Altogether I have played on about 50 different fields, so I have some perspective here. I would like to clarify some conflicting reviews I read before going myself. Apparently there is a newer owner different than many of the past reviews, and there is no longer a food vendor.
Arrival: The dirt access road is about a mile to the field, it is car friendly. It is a grated, graveled road, with no divots or potholes. Check in is quick and easy.
Cost: $25 for field fee is about average, the $10 military/law enforcement discount makes it a great price for us government types. $10 for rental equipment is a good price, however most places will tie it together in the field fee, here if you have to rent, it's a total of $35. Paint at $45 per case is actually cheap compared to most places. I paid $60 at westworld. You can also bring your own paint to save on costs, unless you use a rental. Rentals are field paint only.
Field: as of Sun Jan 31 2010 they had three fields set up.
1 Sup Air field which was in use by the fields three sponsored teams for most of the day, thus I did not play on it. The field looked nice, had grass on it, and appeared to be the same as any other tournament set up. This field should be missing the weekend of Feb 6-7 due to a Yuma AZ tournament they are taking the field to.
2 A Hyperball looking field made from large plastic tubes. I did not play on this field either, However it looked like a decent speedball ish mirror image field.
3 A large rec ball field that includes an Alamo castle section for assault the castle type games, a city section which includes about 6-8 plywood buildings with rooms sectioned off, and a large field area surrounding the city full of bunkers, wrecked cars, a boat, and a crashed plane. I played 8 games on this field, and I particularly like the full field games, which include the city.
Safety-- As with any field, safety is always a major concern for anyone who wants to keep their eyes, or not have skin broken from a paintball. Goggles are required upon entering ANY open fire area, even when games are not ongoing. Barrel plugs/bags are required when not on the fields/open fire areas. Dry firing is not allowed when not on the field. Guns are to be 280fps or less. Guns are to be Simi auto only.
Problems--
1 While there was a Chrono on the rec field, there was NO enforcement of the 280 fps limit. I saw about 10 out of 50 people check their guns. After 15 years of playing I KNOW when I get hit from a hot gun, and several people were running over 310fps (which breaks the skin from 20ft or further). When called out, one specific guy that broke skin on four different people including myself, couldn't get the Chrono to "work" for him. Two of the reffs, while good at paint checking and mask enforcement, were no help on checking his gun. They could only get the chrono to register 180fps, on one shot out of 10... off to the side, instead of directly over it, as it was meant to be. Then they said he was a regular and he's fine, they don't really have to check him. -- Epic Fail
2 Anyone who has played for any length of time can also tell when a gun is on burst, auto, or semi auto. I was shot from less than 2 feet away by a 14yo kid with two shots of three round burst in less than a second... After I startled him by calling a safety from behind him. All of them broke skin.
3 The refs did not explain the "safety" rule typically defined as less than 10 ft, with clear line of fire, and obvious tactical advantage. IE sneaking up behind someone, or touching them with your barrel.
4 There was obvious uneven rules enforcement. Wiping was prevalent. There was no explanation to the new players on what consisted of a “hit”. IE gun shots DO count, bounces do NOT.
5 The "Teams" that were sponsored by the field did not follow the rules. IE Dry fire in the staging area. And since they had an upcoming tournament, they hogged the speedball field.
6 The field was “open” at 0800, but no games were ready until almost 1030, the staff simply was not prepared on time. I will not go again before 0930.
7 The staging area is directly in the line of fire from the "Hyperball" speedball field, and one side of the rec ball field. It "is" netted off from the fields with construction netting, however there are some holes and it is 1 ply netting. There was lots of splatter and ball shards that made it through the nets and at least 1 full ball that broke on a 2L coke bottle on my table. I will also talk to the owner about this issue.
Final thoughts-- Over all I had a good time, and enjoyed the field. The few shortcomings can easily be overcome, and I will speak to the owner about the chrono issues. I will be going back this weekend and taking a few friends with me, so I can get some Idea of how they cater to "groups" vs. just me as a walk on with my own gear.
MAJOR EDIT
WoW... All I can say is Wow... Overall I had a great time while I was there and I rated the field well. I had planned on going back, but then, I spoke to the field owner Bruce to book a group, and to let him know what was going on at his field, since he wasn't there. Instead of the expected response of "oh thank you for the incite, and what can I do to fix the safety problems". I got a "I do not think we will be a good fit for each other please do not return to my field" WOW.... Bruce then recommended two other fields that always follow safety rules, and implied that he liked his field as it was, and was NOT going to fix his field. Based on the LACK of a correct response by the owner, and the total disregard for fixing safety issues, I will no longer be able to recommended this field. The safety "problems" were the lack of Chronoing personal markers as they entered the field, and some holes between the viewing area and the playing area. Based on these reasons I can NOT in good conscious send anyone to his field. But it is your safety.
It is my understanding (meaning I may be wrong) that for insurance purposes you MUST crono and have functioning netting separating the fields and the staging area. If this IS true, they fail. I will Re-Edit this entry when I find out for sure.
Rob Lloyd (I don't do that anonymous crap!)| Last edited on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 12:19 pm PST |
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Period of
Field Use: |
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| Last There: |
July 19th, 2009 |
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Paintball
Experience: |
More than 5 years |
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Other Fields
in the Area: |
23 bps, tempe paintball, westworld/splatter ranch |
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| Review: |
So I was at the field yesterday and hung out for a bit and by far this is still one of the best spots to play at in the state. It sucks that Shawn is gone but that’s not the fields fault and given the situation in which he was forced to leave it is no ones fault and the field shouldn’t be looked poorly on because of it.
The previous review says you need a suv and/or a truck to get out there. BS!!! I take my 2004 Suzuki Forenza out there all the time with no issue, if you don’t drive like an idiot you should have no problem getting to the field with any type of vehicle. My little brother drives a slammed 2002 dodge Dakota on 20's with lo-pro tires and has no problem with this road. I am not trying to brag about the cars we have just simply provide some form of reference. I will admit though, the road is really rough.
As far as the field condition goes, could it improve? Yes. But this is true with any field you go to, compared to other fields in the state its got a ton more bunkers, and it has a multi building town with a big two level building to fight in!!!! I was there when the put this up and saw how much work went in to it and did Bruce and Bryan increase entry fees? Did they jack up paint costs? Did the make it a field paint only field? No!!! These guys have the interests of true balers’ in mind. I can say with out a doubt they have a long time customer and fan in me. Other fields in the state would do better if they were more like these guys.
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detail |
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 |
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Period of
Field Use: |
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| Last There: |
May 16th, 2009 |
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Paintball
Experience: |
2 years |
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Other Fields
in the Area: |
Westworld, Outlaw, Tempe |
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| Review: |
This field has so much potential, but definitely don't bring your kids there.
The cactus and cow pies aren't the issue. The issue is the rampant cheating and what I would call dangerous play.
The paint prices are fair and always of good quality, not quite as cheap as APD, but you won't get complaints from me at their prices. Even their scenario prices were respectable. You can also BYOP, which saves money (except in scenario games). I typically brought my first case from APD and in respect to the operators bought a second from them.
Here are my complaints that made me decide not to return after a year of playing there at least once a month if not more:
1. Refs are friends with the regulars and will give repeated warnings instead of punishing the regulars for wiping.
2. Even when the chronos are used, people will bring tools onto the field to increase their fps. When pointed out the safety issue it is, the ref just told them, "Come on, you know better than that." It should have been an immediate banning from the field.
3. I've watched the refs text message rather than ref the game.
4. I don't mind full auto, but 30 bps is a bit much, especially when the same people with the full auto consistently bonus ball. If you don't want your kid to go home with 50+ bruises, then don't bring them to the field. I've seen the regulars brag about how they lay into a kid with full auto. When pointed out that bonus balling like that, just makes you a jerk, they respond, "If the kid is too stupid to get out of the way, then that isn't my fault."
5. They never enforce the no vulgarities rule. Honestly, how do you enforce a rule, when your biggest violator of the rule is usually a ref on the field (Yea, I'm talking about the guy with freckles, not the redhead, the other one, the speedballer.).
6. When it was pointed out at a big scenario that the valley's cheating team (You know, those "little bugs") had guys shooting at 450 fps (a major safety issue), it was consistently ignored until people started leaving. Bruce even questioned if the mask that was brought to him that was cracked from a paintball was done by a paintball and not hitting a rock. Ultimately, it was found out that a number on the team was shooting hot. Bruce told everyone that major over chronoed they were kicked out forever for that safety violation, but I saw the same guys two weeks after the scenario playing again, I guess money buys indulgences quite easily.
7. I don't expect a perfectly safe field, otherwise I'd play in a rubber room, but having strands of old barbwire on the ground is unbelievably dangerous. I fully understand the risk of cactus and actually have been stuck by it without complaint (Welcome to nature). It is bad when I have a pair of pants torn and almost had the stray barbwire trip and gouge me.
8. Don't drive there in a car. You need an SUV or full size truck. The entrance road is extremely rough. I don't mind the dirt road, but it needs to be grated and the mud pit by the bridge needs to be raised for better drainage.
This field has so much potential, but unfortunately, it isn't being ran the way it should. When I first started attending the field was well maintained and the reffing was good, but in the last 6 months the reffing has gone down hill. Couple this with the same problem players playing virtually every week means the negatives outweigh the good.| Last edited on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 at 3:31 pm PST |
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Period of
Field Use: |
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| Last There: |
July 11th, 2009 |
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Paintball
Experience: |
More than 5 years |
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Other Fields
in the Area: |
Westworld,splater ranch, 23bps, fortadobe, church, wild planet |
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| Review: |
a player came to our field recently and seemed to have had a bad experience, (the review below this) for that i am deeply sorry, but i would like to take this opportunity to explain a couple things and hopefully correct a couple of things. One Chef shawn is no longer with us that happend the friday before this particular weekend and we had not had time to take his information down from our web site. we are working on geting a new food vendor, as for the cow pies, we are in what is considered to be, open range and we have horses that do wonder through our area from time to time, this has been a source or irritation for us as they do make a mess and destroy bunkers and netting, we are working on puting up a fence to correct it. For our chrono. the chrono had been working flawlessly until a couple of players decided to shoot it thinking that was the way to crono their guns,it is old and well it simply stoped working. we are working on purchaseing a new chrono and hope to have one in shortly, the other chronos have got up and walked away. as for our staff, yes we are short handed at the moment but only due to economic constraints. I agree that there should have been a better presence of refs on the field. As for arm bands, we had over 150 arm bands but over the last few months players have either lost them on the field or walked off with thim never to see to them again, so for this I appologize. I will correct this soon. believe me when i say that I am very sorry that you first experience with us was not a enjoyable one but I am working very hard to correct this short comings and hope that you will give us a second chance. |
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Period of
Field Use: |
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| Last There: |
September 21st, 2008 |
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Paintball
Experience: |
More than 5 years |
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Other Fields
in the Area: |
23 BPS, Ballers Arena, Wild Planet |
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| Review: |
As others have said...COWTOWN IS UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT so don't bother with any of the reviews older than July/August 2008...they just aren't accurate...at all!!!
1 grass NPPL speedball field up and running and field 2 under construction...plans for a 3rd as well for Xball.
Recball/scenario fields available as well.
New owners Brian and Bruce have made some amazing improvements out there and it is only the beginning. So much more to come. Great facilities that are only getting better, and what can I say about the staff...just OUTSTANDING.
For those of you who have never been out there, you owe it to yourself to check it out...
For those of you who haven't been out there since the new ownership took over...
See it AGAIN...For the FIRST time!!! |
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Sam68 |
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Sunday, September 7th, 2008 |
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Period of
Field Use: |
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| Last There: |
August 6th, 2008 |
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Paintball
Experience: |
More than 5 years |
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Other Fields
in the Area: |
Ballers, westworld, Splater, 23 |
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| Review: |
This place is under new management if you have not been there in the past 3 months GO it is amazing. Right now there is a scenario field, and 1 speed ball field , they just laid the sod for the second field a full size speed ball field, it is going to be the only full size field in Arizona from my understanding. Sundays are team practice on the speed ball field and there have been anywhere from 6 to 10 teams in the past month, this is the new 23 and the place to be if you are serious about speed ball. The management is going all out guys they have big BIG plans for Cowtown, and there is something new done each week I have gone. The reffing is AMAZING, they are all over the field not your usual who cares refs that work most fields. Pricing is very fair around $40 bucks a case for good paint and I think $20 field fee, very very reasonable. They just had their first Tournament and it was run very well, reffing was A+ and everyone had a great time. |
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Period of
Field Use: |
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| Last There: |
August 2nd, 2007 |
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Paintball
Experience: |
More than 5 years |
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Other Fields
in the Area: |
23bps,church,ballers arena, wildplanet |
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| Review: |
This place is amazing new management,refs are top notch, and they have lights on a rec ball field for night play and my favorite is the speedball field which also has lights, if u were there and hated it a few months back come check it out wont be disapointed always there to help you out and show u new tips, COWTOWN is awesome now |
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| The accuracy of this review is disputed. Please see discussion on the comments page. |
Period of
Field Use: |
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| Last There: |
August 9th, 2008 |
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Paintball
Experience: |
More than 5 years |
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Directions
to the Field: |
From Scottsdale and Phoenix take the 101 to I17 and then North to Carefree Highway. Go west on Carefree Highway for 6 miles to Lake Pleasant Blvd. Turn South for about 1/4 mile then turn West. past air feild / over cannal / race track It turns into a dirt rd follow the road all the way till it ends
From the West Valley take 99th Ave./Lake Pleasant Blvd. Turn North go until 1 block before Carefree Highway. You will see a large sign pointing you to Cowtown, Turf soaring school and Canyon Raceway, turn west. |
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| Review: |
The cowtown FALL CLASSIC will be held the weekend of September 6th and 7th.
3 Man Young Guns (Age 14 and under) $150 per team
5 Man Rookie (All players must be D3 or below) $325 per team
5 Man Open (This division is open to all players so if you enter it there will be no complaining, you should know what you are getting into). $325 per team
This will be an event paint only event: we will using GAP Premium fury and it will be available at $39.00 per case.
Prizes:
First place: 20% of total division field fees
Second Place: 15% of total division field fees
Third Place: 10% of total division field fees
Captains Meeting will be held at 7:30am on the 6th of September, a representative must be present at the meeting or you will forfeit your first game
We will be using Modified NPPL rules (because of the 5 man format), ramping and sideline coaching will not be allowed.
Chrono speed is 280 fps.
the website is updated so visit cowtownpaintball.com
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for the players who have been there before. there are new owners and this place is being completely redone. BRAND NEW RENTAL MARKERs GTI w/compressed air and new masks.
REC ball is being expanded 100 yrds to east and 50 yrds north
2nd rec feild added so bring your cammo
chrono speed 280fps
BRAND NEW SPEEDBALL NPPL setup (5man) 180ft / 80ft sat night !! we have lights!!!
2nd speedball feild (7man)is coming soon!!! along with a large lookout tower (announcers booth) overlooking both speedball feilds and moms should be able to take pics
chrono speed 300fps
7am - NOON SAT morning
5pm - 10pm SAT night
7am - NOON SUN morning| Last edited on Monday, September 1st, 2008 at 6:38 pm PST |
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Period of
Field Use: |
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| Date There: |
January 20th, 2008 |
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Paintball
Experience: |
2 years |
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Other Fields
in the Area: |
Westworld- Better. |
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Directions
to the Field: |
Uh all I can say about directions is that they are located down a loooong, rocky road, over a canal and next to a mountain. |
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| Review: |
Cowtown has a couple pros, and a couple cons:
Pros: They have two fields (usually). Also, the air is self-run. So, it can be a lot faster. The cost isn't too bad. I'm not sure, but I spent around $20 to play for the whole day...And definately the best feature, is that you can use your own paint....Oh yah they have a hotdog booth set up as well.
Cons: The field and staging area is pretty dirty and unorganized. They have tables and chairs set up, but it's definately not as spacious as other fields. To go with that, the games are run on a very random basis. The hyperball games are run by the players, and usually don't have any refs overlooking the games. The goggle cleaning station isn't really set up that well, either.
SAFETY: As much as I hate to say it, safety on this field is horrible. The recball field is so close to the staging area that I had paintballs bouncing off of my gear, some of them splatting. People walk out of games, and wait to put their barrel sleeves on when they get back to the staging area, and in their chairs. Refs rarely check to make sure that everybody has their barrel sleeves on. In terms of chrono, I don't think that they checked the speed of my marker once.
CONCLUSION: This field is OK...until you get to the safety and how clean the field is.... |
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