Woodsball Hero: Jason “foolybear” Lineberger
by Ian "Lo" Ebersole on Jan 12, 2009
Birthplace: near Boston
Hometown: I live in Shelby, North Carolina
First time playing paintball: New Years, 1999
Current team: Black Cat All-Stars and The Virginia Irregulars
First paintball gun: I started this journey with an F4 Illustrator.
First real paintball gun: Black Magic Autococker
Sponsors: Archon Paintball signed me to a head-to-toe sponsorship deal - guns, gear, even clothing. I’m proud to represent a company that shows such support for the scenario scene.
Honors/awards/command: I’ve served as general/commander for about ten games, and I’ve brought home a perfect record, so far. Typically, since I report on games, I don’t take command roles, as that skews my perspective, but I’ll step in every now and then. I’ve taken home some MVPs, and other awards like Most Formidable and Best Role-Player.
With a resume like Lineberger’s, the term Woodsball Hero almost seems inadequate. His first game was an attempt to find something new to do with friends. As Lineberger recounts “At the end of the day, standing around in the parking lot, we looked at each other, tired but invigorated at the same time in that post-paintball way, and someone said, ‘So, this is what we do now.’ It wasn’t a question.” After that first day, Lineberger jumped straight into playing and reffing paintball games at a local field, eventually playing 3 and 5-man tournaments. After two years, Lineberger was burning out on the tournament scene, but played a scenario event, and was hooked. He remembers it as “a super fun experience. . . the positive vibe in the scenario scene and the chance to be creative on the field lured me into the woods for good.” He soon became involved in writing scenarios for Black Cat Productions, and soon writing articles for almost every paintball publication in existence. As his experience and reputation grew, he began taking on command roles (in which he remains undefeated), as well as becoming a well known and respected role player. His contributions and prominence were honored recently, when Lineberger was asked to step onto the stage at the Living Legends game to “stand alongside some of the greatest in the sport. I stood on that stage, sandwiched between Wayne Dollack and Craig Miller, and I felt honored to my core to be included in that gathering.”
Advice for young writers/photographers wishing to get into the industry:
It’s hard to make a name for yourself, but there are openings out there if you’re willing to put some energy into the endeavor. First, subscribe to some magazines. If you don’t read the publications, you don’t have a chance to get anything published. Each magazine has a different feel, and you have to understand what the magazine prints in order to write for your market. For instance, Splat leans towards sarcasm and innuendo while APG emphasizes safety. Next, hone those grammar skills. Proof your writing for standard usage, and if you’re not completely comfortable with proofing writing for errors, enlist some help. Also, be flexible. Even if you feel adamantly that you need to describe the final battle in 3000 words of exacting detail, be ready to cut 2500 words out when your editor asks you to make changes. The my-way-or-the-highway approach doesn’t cut it. Finally, immerse yourself in language. Read extensively, and not just from your collection of Tom Clancy novels. While you’re reading, examine the way the writer is crafting his words. Break apart his diction - why did he pick that verb or a complex sentence structure over a simple one? When you’ve attuned your ear to language, you’ll be better equipped to skillfully manipulate it. As far as photography goes, talk to some photographers about camera choices, spend a little cash to pick up a good camera, then get in there and take a ton of pictures. Have an experienced photographer critique your best images. Learn about the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and other little tips of photo composition, then try to tell the story of the game through your pictures.
How’d you get your nickname:
Before entering my first tournament I wanted to put a name on my jersey, and I wanted a spiffy nickname; however, I didn’t want to get saddled with a name I would spend years trying to shake. Instead of waiting, I launched a preemptive strike and gave myself the nickname foolybear, which comes from a great poem by one of my favorite writers, Lawrence Ferlinghetti. To me, foolybear sounds playful, tough, and surreal, in equal parts. That represents my approach to life fairly well, and it’s unusual enough to be easily memorable. Not surprisingly, the name stuck, and now there are a lot of players who only know me as foolybear, and that’s fine. There are too many Jasons in the world, but not that many foolybears.
Advice/Tips for young players:
Buy a good mask and a reliable marker and play as much as you can. Jump in and run with the experienced players, but keep it balanced by shooting it up with only your friends as well. Try everything - woods, airball, urban, whatever you can find to play. Above all, keep it fun.
Favorite Paintball Memory:
I’ve played so many games; there are so many good memories, but one of the best has to be from the first game I generalled. The game was a Tolkeinesque 24 hour event in Alabama, and I had the role of commander of the human forces trying to prevent the orc invasion. In the final battle both teams had to reach a flag station in the center of the field. I waited in the command post to marshal the inserting troops to the right location, then started walking towards the center of the field. As I walked, I passed dozens of my teammates, all crouching behind cover. I continued striding calmly towards the center, taking fire, but not acknowledging the balls zipping past me. Finally, I broke into a sprint, passed my front lines and slid into the goal flag station by myself. I immediately got on our team’s radio channel and demanded, “Humans, why is your general the only one at this flag station?” I immediately got a reply, “Sir! Because our general is a true bad ass, sir!” Within seconds the troops came changing in to surround the flag station and win the battle. Incredible.
Future Plans in Paintball:
This year I’ve stepped up my schedule to hit 20-24 games, including some of the biggest, like Living Legends in Chicago, OK D-Day, and Elite Weekend. I’m looking forward to building a relationship with the newly merged Procaps/Accucaps company, and I hope to continue to represent Archon Paintball. I plan to meet more players, run with more teams, and continue to travel and play this sport I love. After that, who knows?
Behind the Gogs:
As much as my veins circulate paint, I do have a life outside of paintball. My family has been wonderfully supportive, especially my lovely wife of nearly fifteen years. I’m a full time high school teacher, part time college professor, and father 24-7.
Piece of gear you could not live without and why:
That’s a tough one. I guess my Original SWAT boots. After 15 years of skateboarding, my ankles roll too easily, and my all-terrain SWAT boots keep my feet firmly planted and my ankles in one piece.
Paintball Heroes:
Within a month of my first game I had bought every paintball publication in print. One article in particular that I read really caught my attention - a travel article written by Tyger Rubin. I remember reading it and thinking, “You mean paintball has road trips?” Shortly after that I played my first scenario game, wrote my first article, and embarked down this road. I greatly admire Spiro Mamaligas, the man behind Black Cat Paintball, and Trapper Davis, one of the best scenario players I’ve ever seen take the field. I love Spiro’s clever and intelligent approach to scenario and Trapper’s ability to shape a game entirely by himself.
