New sport gains popularity

This isn’t your typical recess game, and these aren’t your typical players. \nIn only its second year of existence, the extreme dodgeball intramural season is under way. Consisting of 54 teams this year, the league’s regular season has recently concluded and the players anxiously await next week’s release of the playoff bracket.\nThe concept of extreme dodgeball as an intramural sport was borrowed from Ball State University and suggested to IU’s Intramural Sports Council three years ago. It was approved for commencement and was officially listed as an intramural sport last year. \nThe rules of the game are a bit different than the typical gym-class rules from elementary school. \nFor starters, the games are played in racquetball courts at the Student Recreational Sports Center. The courts’ closed spaces make for a more intense atmosphere. Intramural sports graduate assistant Eric Kammeyer has noticed that the players generally enjoy the playing environment.\n“People love it because of the tight quarters,” Kammeyer said.\nThe game is played with five foam balls, not the typical rubber kickballs usually used. Each team consists of either three or four people, and the matches are won by a best of 15 series. The games are fast-paced and self-officiated. \nThis is senior Leigh Boje’s first year participating in extreme dodgeball, but she is no stranger to the intramural circuit – her basketball team won the women’s Division I intramural championships earlier this semester. Her friends motivated her to play dodgeball, she said.\n“I’m a senior, but I’ve never gotten into the whole dodgeball scene,” she said. “It’s quite entertaining. I like it a lot.”\nEveryone has his or her reasons for playing dodgeball. Junior Roger Jackson attributes the Ben Stiller movie “Dodgeball” to rekindling his childhood love for the game. Jackson likes the game for the fast-paced intensity.\n“(I like) the motions, the real quick game,” he said. “You can’t stand around too long or you’re going to get hit and be out.”\nJackson’s teammate Andrew McIntyre also enjoys the game for its fun and intense atmosphere, but also appreciates its health benefits as well.\n“It’s a funny sport,” McIntyre said. “But you get exercise, too.”