As far as Sword CTF goes, any blaster you are carrying becomes useless and the sword/flag becomes your only melee weapon. For swords we use MASHOONGA! which are pretty much name brand pool noodle swords with some sturdy polycarbonate rod in the middle.
I use Mashoonga for a separate sport called Jugger. There is a link in my signature. Great work on the flags and I get the joke about the NJ war and the squishy balls.