Have you ever wondered what would happen if there was a hobby that turned a video game like Call of Duty into a real life sport? Allow me to introduce you to airsoft, a sport similar to paintball, but played in its own unique way. This playstyle is called MilSim, standing for military simulation. In a nutshell, this means that the players don full military-style gear and play in a manner that replicates a real battle. These games can last anywhere from thirty minutes to over three days. Some games involve vehicles and, in rare cases, helicopters. Some events are known to involve up to 700 players at a time, and can take place over hundreds of acres of land.However, MilSim is merely one of the many ways airsofters play, but you may still be wondering what is airsoft at its core? Well, similar to paintball, the use of toy guns is what it is centered around. However, instead of large paintballs, the projectiles are small and light plastic bbs which do not inflict as much pain. While this may sound dangerous, the community takes safety very seriously, as all airsoft fields and events require the use of eye and lower face protection. However that is not to say that, like all sports, the occasional sprained ankle not occur.
But can such an activity help today’s youth? “Absolutely. Physically it can make them faster, stronger, and healthier. Having to maintain gear and (airsoft) guns teaches discipline. Having a position on a team teaches responsibility. You gain social skills in a typically competitive environment” said Micah Furtick, a member of the Six Ronin airsoft team. “Yes, it’s a physical activity that promotes teamwork, friendship, and a good way to meet new people from all walks of life” said Nicholas Weyl, the founder of the Corgi Militia airsoft team. And they make a good point, the gear that some players wear can weigh in at over 40 pounds, and running around all day in that is some great exercise.
What is it that airsofters love so much about airsoft? “First and foremost, an honest, integrity-rich community of diverse people who all come together to sling plastic bb’s.” said Furtick. However, what does someone who hosts these games think?
“The best part of airsoft is the matter who you are. The athlete, the nerd, the kid that listens to hip hop or heavy metal… Anybody can play” said Will Pace, owner of the Black Ops airsoft field. It seems that the common answer for most players is the community. It is a group of people from all different walks of life coming together with one goal, having fun.