TOURNAMENT
LX3 . COM
TOURNAMENT
In addition to a new division with new teams and new sponsors joining the league for the Star-Spangled Open , the MAPL also made the drastic step of bringing an entirely new referee crew in for the event and all future tournaments . After the league ’ s previous event , many players expressed dissatisfaction with the league ’ s choice of referees . League management and ownership took clearly took these issues seriously , as at the very next event , not one single , solitary referee returned . Feedback from the Star-Spangled Open was much better , though the league still identified areas for further improvement and stated a clear determination to consistently improve the quality of officiating at all future league events . As only one field was used for Saturday ’ s three-man competition and more teams attended the three-man portion of the event than ever , the day ’ s games ran long . Rather than finishing by mid-afternoon , handing out prizes and heading out for a nice dinner as so many had become accustomed-to , Saturday ’ s play at the Star-Spangled Open ran well into the evening . League promoter Larry Motes stated that at future events where pump and three-man would run together , he would use two fields to ensure games turned more quickly . By the time the guns fell silent Saturday , it was Freedom that took home the gold in the three-man D4 / 5 mixed division , while the Rock-N- Cocks stood atop the pump division .
For Sunday ’ s five-man divisional RaceTo competition , two fields were used for preliminary round competition . The heat and humidity was back for Sunday and more intense than Saturday had been , especially dangerous for the players who chose to compete on both days . Players and referees ground through their games , however , and by mid-afternoon the preliminary rounds were over . Twenty-four teams were cut to twelve , then through ocho-finals , quarter-finals and semi-finals , the top four were decided . Winners of the first even of 2013 , Leverage , were back and looking strong , while Charm City Choke Hold , Rogue and Baltimore Equinox stepped up to challenge them . In a true battle , it was Leverage that hoisted the gold at the Star Spangled Open , shooting it out with Baltimore Equinox , who settled for a hard-earned second place . Charm City Choke Hold , who had looked strong all day , held off Rogue to secure third .
Through intense heat and humidity , logistical complications , an entirely new referee staff and additional divisions and teams , the 2013 MAPL Star-Spangled Open finished a successful event . Both the new MAPL event staff and the teams who are the league ’ s customers are clearly coming together as a family to enjoy intense competition at a truly world-class paintball park . The MAPL will return to OXCC Paintball Park in August , then again in October to finish out their season . For more information visit the league ’ s official website online at www . MAPLSeries . com .
LX3 . COM
77