Thursday, August 22, 2013

It's a Rhythm Revival and you don't want to miss it!



As tryouts draw near for the exciting new Syracuse Rhythm camp, I thought you may be interested in a few details about the brilliant minds behind this sparkly new gem. Experienced paintballer, Buddy Baur has a history of playing and coaching that suggests this camp will be built for success under his direction. He has also been a familiar face around the CXBL playing for past Windsor Lockdown and Toronto Rage, and Cambridge Raiders squads. 


Buddy got his introduction to the world of paintball in the same way as many of you! He played recreational paintball for the first time at age 11 at an organized field owned by his step brother. From that day forward, paintball took priority in his life – over soccer, hockey, and basically everything else! He even played while in college in North Carolina – developing many great friendships through a shared love of the sport. Baur was eventually scouted and picked up by Lockout – an old Pro team that many of you will not be familiar with since, as Buddy explains, “the team has not lived on nor been recreated.” After his time with Lockout, Baur played for a variety of teams including: Detroit Thunder, Tippman Effect, Shockwave Canada, and of course – what most know him for – Rhythm! 

Rhythm was started in 2003 consisting of 3 thirteen and fourteen year old kids – Chris Lawler, Clay Munnings, and Mike Freitas (RIP). Later they picked up more players though it was hard on the original members who were protective of their team. Their first national event was in March 2004 when they played NPPL Huntington Beach. They entered the Novice division instead of Rookie because Buddy wanted them to get the experience of playing a Pro team. The Rhythm team ended up facing London Nexus for their first match of the tournament which in Baur’s eyes was the moment that made everything – all the coaching, drills, and basic skills - worthwhile. Rhythm managed a win over London Nexus hanging the flag with two alive!


I had the pleasure of chatting with Buddy about the brand new Syracuse Rhythm! Read on to find out more about this exciting new camp!

Niki – “You have developed an exciting new camp focused on the PSP under the name Syracuse Rhythm. Can you tell me a little bit about the camp?”

Buddy - “This camp will be run like nothing else I have done. The best way to picture it is that 30 players will make RHYTHM. No two players will have the same jersey number. This allows for the most flexibility. If one guy can’t make an event, I will bump one guy up from the nearest division. He will already have all of the equipment and gear and it will not conflict with anyone else.” 

Niki – “What inspired this endeavor?”

Buddy - “Mitch Karn of NVP Paintball called me one day and wanted to talk. He runs the most immaculate paintball organization I have ever seen –with 3 locations across central and western NY. He even has a beautiful store in a major shopping mall in Rochester, NY. Mitch expressed that he wants to have a PRO team within the next few seasons. But more so, he wants to build the talent level and inspire the younger generation of tournament players in Western NY. The goal is to build the Rhythm organization and work up to PRO caliber.” 

Niki – “What is the biggest thing that will set this camp apart from other local PSP teams and camps?”

Buddy – “The difference in this camp and others will first and foremost be organization. No decision is just made. There is an Owner (Mitch Karn,) a Coach (Buddy Baur,) an assistant Coach (Chris Tarquinio - to primarily help with the divisional teams development), and a team manager / equipment technician (Erik Fleischer). All decisions from minor to major will go through all of us. Every one of these people brings something valuable to the table and they each have their strengths. We are attempting to build this team as a PROFESSIONAL  team. For example, for events starting in 2014, players will have color restrictions on gear. Cleats must be either green, black, grey, or white. Head wear must be green, black, grey, or white. When players are practicing, they must be in their sponsored equipment and sponsored colors - just like NFL, NBA, and NHL teams. Many practices will also be filmed. I have some unique ideas for practices to increase productivity and effectiveness as well but those details will be kept between myself and those who make the roster.” 

Niki – “You have organized tryouts to take place Sunday August 25th. What will these tryouts look like/ consist of? What are the main things you are looking for in potential players?”

Buddy - “Tryouts are on the 25th! It’s very soon! There will be a written test, a video interview, a head shot photo, a 40 yard dash time, drills, games, photographers, videographers, and more! I am looking for the BEST players around- but the BEST isn’t based only on talent. It’s based on commitment level, skill, attendance, and the ability to bring out the best in one’s teammates - in other words, create a "rhythm" within the camp.”

Niki – “I understand that the division 1 team will debut at World Cup in October. What are your goals and/or expectations for the D1 team this fall?”

Buddy - “The world cup team will be mainly used as a gauge. I want to see what division(s) the teams should be competing in. With such short notice before World Cup, I will be looking to take some of the more experienced players that show up to the tryout.”

Niki – “Can you tell me about the sponsors whom the Syracuse Rhythm teams will have the opportunity to represent?”

Buddy - “Sponsors have been amazing! For the 2014 season, they will consist of NVP Paintball, GI Sportz, Planet Eclipse, Virtue, and Bob Johnson Chevrolet (which is the #1 volume Chevrolet dealership in the World)! It is great to have an outside sponsor step in as well and give the team greater opportunities.” 

Niki – “What will be your biggest challenge in running 3 different divisional teams in the PSP?”

Buddy - “I don’t think the number of teams will be a challenge. When the AXBL was around, I coached 75 players (5 teams of 15). The challenge will be making sure that all 3 teams are associated with the one thing RHYTHM has always been associated with.....WINNING!”

Niki – “Is there anything else that you would like to add?”

Buddy - “I am looking forward to getting back into paintball full swing. This year has been a busy one! I have worked hard at my amazing job, got married to my beautiful wife who loves that I play and supports me through and through (you can understand that Niki), also working on starting a family so there can be "little Buddy Baurs" running around torturing everyone. Now throw golfing, hunting, and a new paintball camp in there and I have pretty much consumed every waking hour of every day of the year! I am excited to meet new people and build the Rhythm family up again. See you on the 25th!”

Niki – “Buddy, thanks so much for your dedication to the sport of paintball! It is people like you, the Rhythm owner, and the sponsors who help the sport we love to grow and develop! Thanks for taking the time to share about your passion! I am excited to visit with and observe the many players who attend tryouts THIS Sunday!”

Signing off,

The Paintball Wife

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Finally independent sponsorship comes to paintball. Something I always thought could springboard the sport into bigger markets. Sounds like a great camp. Best of luck!!

Anonymous said...

"He has also been a familiar face around the CXBL playing for past Windsor Lockdown and Toronto Rage, and Cambridge Raiders squads."

Maybe this is how he is familiar in recent years, but why wasn't it mentioned that Rhythm has been a team in the CXBL.