Transformers/Bob Niederman Memorial Mini-Scenario Game
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Paintball Country, 5110 Lesourdsville-West Chester Road, Liberty Twp.
Cost: Early registration is $45 for equipment rental and game fees, $25 for game fees if using own equipment, registration on day of event will cost $10 extra; camping is also available.
For more information: Call Paintball Country at (513) 779-3228
LIBERTY TWP. — The region’s largest paintball arena is paying homage to the passing of a prominent local figure with a unique game in his honor.
Paintball Country is hosting the first Transformers/Bob Niederman Memorial Paintball Game on Saturday. The event is being held in honor of the longtime owner of Niederman Family Farm and Paintball Country. Niederman died in December at the age of 45 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
The tournament was spurred by Niederman’s devotion in bringing joy and entertainment to people, said Bethann Niederman, Bob’s widow and owner of Niederman Family Farm.
“He had a passion for helping people have fun on the farm,” Bethann said. “It was a natural fit to carry on that passion.”
The tournament’s scenario has been borrowed from the popular Transformers robot story line, which pits the peaceful Autobots against the evil Decepticons in a battle for the All Spark, a powerful device that gives its owner the ability to rule the universe.
The idea for the game’s story line came about from input from local paintball players, Bethann said.
“We reached out to our players and asked them to come up with a theme they would like to play,” Bethann said. “ ‘Transformers’ was our favorite choice because it fit well with how Bob ‘transformed’ many lives. Props have been built, and the story line will be based off the ‘Transformers’ movie and will follow the theme.”
Paintball Country has teamed up with some prominent paintball companies (such as Empire Paintball, Zodiac Paintball, Tiberius Arms and Tippmann Sports) in addition to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to host the event, Bethann said.
It has been well-received thus far in the local paintball community.
“The response has been overwhelming from past and current paintball players,” she said. “We will not only have a lot of players but some of the best paintball manufacturers will be joining us for a fun-filled event. They all look forward to a great game and to benefit a great cause. ”
Camping for the event is also available, and a portion of the proceeds and sales from T-shirts honoring Bob will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Bob’s memory, Bethann said.
“These funds will be used for research and patient support,” she said. “Funds are needed to fight blood cancer.”
The goal is those donations help in preventing families from being affected by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the type of cancer Bob was diagnosed with, Bethann said.
“Someday, hopefully, there will be a cure for Bob’s type of cancer, and all other families will not have to deal with this type of loss,” she said.
Bethann expects approximately 500 players to attend the game and hopes to make it an annual event honoring Bob for many years to come, she said.
“Bob would be so humbled by this event in his memory,” Bethann said. “But he would want us to continue his passion for family and fun at Niederman Farms.”
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