By Jessica Iaboni
Most people can remember playing dodge ball as a child. Some, however, have fonder memories than others. As a young child it is hard to understand why your teacher wants you to play a game that allows a rubber ball in the face.
But for a group of adults crammed in Georges-Etienne-Cartier’s school gymnasium on a Tuesday night, dodge ball isn’t about getting even by whacking the bully who stole your lunch money, but being both social and active.
The teams meet at different places every week, sometimes at Glashan Intermediate School on Catherine Street in Centretown , as members of the Ottawa Sport and Social Club’s dodge ball league.
On this particular Tuesday, team Hit n’ Run takes on the Individuals.
The gymnasium becomes quiet as the two teams stand at opposite ends with foam balls in hand. At one end someone shouts “3, 2, 1… dodge ball” and the game starts.
Dave Thompson, captain of Hit n’ Run, quickly runs to the centre of the gym and whips a ball at a player on the other team. He misses and runs to the wall to avoid getting whacked himself.
This is a typical Tuesday for Thompson, who meets with friends every week to play.
“It’s a sport that anyone can play and it’s funny to get everyone together because it ends up being a good team sport,” Thompson says.
Throughout the game the players make jokes, putting an emphasis on one-liners rather than athletic ability.
“Oh yeah that door deserved it,” yells Amanda Delaurier from the bench, commenting on a friend’s bad throw.
It is both Thompson and Delaurier’s first time playing dodge ball with the Ottawa Sport and Social Club, which started offering the sport last winter.
The club, with a variety of co-ed recreational sports, has noticed an increased interest in dodge ball this year.
“It has definitely grown a lot,” says Adam Rush, the social club’s sport co-ordinator.
There are currently 34 teams that play each week, while last year there were only four.
“For us the word is definitely getting out,” says Rush, “and it is a popular sport because most people are playing at the same level.”
He says that anyone can play dodge ball and since the league hasn’t been around long time, nobody is very skilled yet.
Thompson agrees. The University of Ottawa graduate, who now works for a bank and lives in Kemptville, got his first taste of the sport while playing in a charity tournament.
After playing that first time and watching the 2004 movie DodgeBall with Ben Stiller, Thompson was inspired to put a team together.
He asked around and found that his friends were excited by the idea.
Together they created Hit n’ Run with eight men and two women.
Currently they are in last place, but Thompson laughs about their ranking because he says it isn’t important. To him, dodge ball is an excuse to drive to Ottawa to see his friends.
“We literally take off our shirts and ties and head out to play,” he says with a laugh.
It is, however, a sport that some teams take seriously.
“These games can get pretty intense but it depends on what team you are playing. For the most part everyone is pretty easygoing,” he says.
Every game is self-regulated and at the end each team gets spirit points issued by the other. Teams can earn points with good sportsmanship and lose them with bad behaviour.
“The purpose of the points is to ensure that the teams follow the rules and have fun,” says Rush.
If a team gets less than three points on a regular basis they can be asked to leave the league.
To ensure a good time, some teams play in costumes, wear funny-looking goggles, or have comedic team names like ‘Tony Danza Extravaganza,’ which pays tribute to the actor.
This is the point for Thompson, who says that dodge ball allows him to be a kid again. After all, it is a sport that kids play.
Carleton University sociology professor Neil Gerlach says that playing dodge ball is a way for adults to revert back to childhood.
“It is a way of stepping outside the strict rules of the work place, it allows them to be a child again in a place where it’s okay to be one,” he says.
It is also a good way to stay active. Thompson, slightly out of breath while playing, says it’s a good cardio workout. “Your body afterwards definitely feels ridiculous because you are moving it in weird ways and directions.”
After the game, the sweaty players quickly change and head to a pub for food and beer.
Hit n’ Run lost the game again but are optimistic that next Tuesday, they just might win.