Outdoor Beach Dodgeball Tournament in Toronto

My dodgeball league, Toronto Sport and Social Club, is holding another beach dodgeball tournament. But this time, it's going to be held outdoors. Hopefully it won't rain.

The Motrin "My Pain My Game" Outdoor Canadian Beach Dodgeball Championships gives your team the chance to win up to $5,000 on Saturday July 21 at The Docks, a popular entertainment complex off Cherry Street south Lakeshore Blvd East. It's easily accessible by the highways.

So far only three teams are registered, but if it's anything like previous events, the event should be an action-packed success.

There will be an on-site bar and restaurant, plus free parking (often unheard of downtown!).

This is the third beach dodgeball tournament held. The first ones were held in the spring of 2006 and 2007 in an indoor beach volleyball complex in north Toronto.

Video of Guy Getting Hit in the Sack

Patches The Horse

Okay, this isn't related to dodgeball at all. But it is. Because I found it on a dodgeball team's MySpace page. This is the funniest video I have ever watched.

Upcoming AZ Dodgeball Tournament Gets Local Press

If you read my blog, you may have already read about this upcoming Great American Dodgeball Bash tournament coming up on June 30, brought to you by the boys over at AZ Dodgeball.

I just read a story about it at AZCentral.com, a local news Web site, which includes some quotes from the founder, Sam Pewitt.

Dodgeball Tournament Slated for Bedford, Indiana

On July 3, 2007, the Lawrence County Youth Network will hold the 2007 Limestone Classic, a dodgeball tournament featuring three divisions of competition — open, high school, and 8th grade and below.

Tourney info is available by calling 275-5939 or 275-5991.

More information about this event can be found here.

Flint's Urban Family Dodgeball Tournament at Juneteenth

There will be a dodgeball tournament going on this weekend at Juneteenth in Flint, Michigan.

This article notes that "Juneteenth was the subject of large celebrations for decades after the end of slavery before declining in popularity in the early 20th century."

This year's celebration will mark 17 years in Flint.

Good Review of Orgeon Dodgeball Tournament

This is a great story about a high school dodgeball tournament in Lake Oswego, Oregon that happened last week, drawing more than 100 participants.

My favorite quote is: “It’s everyone from football players to track athletes to kids in band and choir..."

And that's one of the things I love best about dodgeball. :) You don't have to be an athlete to play all that well!

Dodgeball on Public Access Cable

It seems dodgeball is getting so popular in Virginia, one public access channel, WTOB, in the town of Blacksburg, are broadcasting games, including scoreboards at the bottom of the screen and two colorful announcers, Jed Castro and Tom Booth.

You can watch a video clip here.

Dodgeball Tournament: Geeks vs. Venture Capitalists

Who do you think would win a match between Silicon Valley geeks, and the people who fund their ideas?

In the first annual "Capital vs. Labor" dodgeball game last weekend, the speedy and skinny Laborers -- including players from Google and BitTorrent -- won the battle, despite Capital having an ex-Miami Dolphin on the team.

Here's a shot from Flickr, and another one from David Hornik's blog - he is one of the organizers .

And here is some awesome video footage I found a link to on Elapsed Time. My favorite thing about this is the whole thing was played on trampolines!

New Orleans Hornets throw balls at a ninja

Watch a video of a guy dodging balls thrown by some members of the New Orleans Hornets basketball team. And he's blindfolded!

New York gym offers Dodgeball 101

Crunch Fitness offers Dodgeball 101!

"Get ready to duck again, dodgeball is back and this time it's not just for the schoolyard. Class includes a gym style warm-up, 3-5 rounds of the game, abs and final stretch."

I read about it on this "healthy living" Web site, Lime.com. They also have gyms in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco.

You gotta learn to catch that there dodgeball, son

Watch this video of a small child getting drilled by a Super Dodgeball.

Dodge Bulge video

Okay, so two different "users" submitted this video to my blog 5 times. It's so funny I have to post it here.

Stockton Lightning's 2nd Annual Dodgeball Tournament in California

This football organization is holding a dodgeball tournament Saturday July 14 at Stockton Arena, 10am-3pm. This tourney will take place before the football game on the turf. $200/team. Click here to learn more.

WCDodgeball tournament July 7, 2007 in California

With the slogan "Boys, Girls, Music, Beer", why wouldn't you want to go to this tourney?

Great American Dodgeball Bash in Phoenix - June 30, 2007

AZDodgeball.com presents the Great American Dodgeball Bash in Phoenix, AZ, Saturday June 3.

AZ Dodgeball is running its weekly Open Gym. Come down to the National Guard Armory gym Thursday nights between 7-9 PM, and play all night for $3. Specatators are welcome.

Click here for a map to the location.

Click here for pictures from their Average Ho's Tournament.

And you can also sign up for their mailing list.

Lawsuit over "Dodgeball" movie copyright

Apparently the oh so popular movie Dodgeball, starring Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn, may or may not have been stolen "from a screenplay co-written by a struggling actor named David Price, who charges Thurber with violating his copyright."

I read about this here. This particular article is dated back in late February 2007, and I couldn't find much else about it that's more recent. It's suitably titled for the "alternative media" type of site it's published on -- "Dodgeball: So Unoriginal Anyone Could Have Written It."

Another online dodgeball video game I found

This one is strangely addictive once you get the hang of it. Click here to play.

Online dodgeball game

I just stumbled across this game you can play online by arcades247.com. This is the most dodgeball action I will be getting until my collarbone heals in September. :(

Dodgeball movie trailer mash up

So apparently this is what you get when you take video snippets of the movie "Dodgeball" and mash it up with the audio from the movie trailer for "V is for Vendetta". This is well edited! Watch it here on CollegeHumor.com.

Cambridge Dodgeball League Video

Click here to watch it. Some good shots of folks getting drilled! That is cool to see a fitness club organizing dodgeball as a sport to play!

Dodgeball scene from "Billy Madison"

Classic Adam Sandler. This clip is hilarious, featuring Adam Sandler from the movie "Billy Madison".

Super Dodgeball Nintendo Game

Cool, I never knew this game existed. Did anyone out there ever play it? It looks very... 0ldsk00l.

This makes me wonder if there are any newer, more modern, versions of a dodgeball game for Playstation or whatever. Maybe I'll pitch it tp Wii if they don't have one already. From what I hear about Wii, that would be pretty cool!

More cops playing dodgeball tourney... in Tennessee

NewsTalk 101.5 is taking on the Madison County Sheriff's Department in a game of dodgeball. They will play at 7 p.m. at Tigrett Middle School in an effort to raise money for charity.

I read about it here. And video clips will apparently be run here.

BEAT Dodgeball video from Australia

I broke my freaking collarbone (playing flag football; not dodgeball) so these posts will be short for awhile.

I found a cool dodgeball video from Brisbane, Australia. You can watch it here. The league's Web site can be found at www.beatdodgeball.tk.

Dodgeball in San Diego, summer '07

"The Carlsbad Recreation Department will offer open play dodgeball for adults 18 and older at the Stagecoach Community Center, 3420 Camino de los Coches, Carlsbad. Games are from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 21 through Aug. 2.

Cost is $1 or residents, $3 for nonresidents. For more information, call (760) 602-4690."
I read about this here.

Cute dodgeball cartoon

I found this on YouTube:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4pUhjm_Wd2Q

"Guts"; Frisbee dodgeball?

Has anybody ever played or witnessed a game called "Guts", referred to as "a sort of Frisbee dodgeball in which teams fire the disc at each other from digit-threatening distances" ???

I read about it in an article about Walter Frederick Morrison, the man credited with inventing the Frisbee.

Sounds like good practice if you're outside with your mates and don't have a dodgeball handy. Might hurt on the head shots, though... Ouch!!!

8th Annual Dodgeball Days, Outdoor National Championships

The National Amateur Dodgeball Association is hosting its 8th Annual Dodgeball Days, Outdoor National Championships. Here is a snippet from the email I got with more information:
"Friday, July 20th (youth divisions) and Saturday, July 21st (adult divisions) in Schaumburg, IL. This is traditionally the largest event of the 2006-2007 NADA Season attracting over 200 teams!"

For more information, click here.

Dodgeball on MySpace

So I've been hanging out on MySpace lately (you can view my SixDegreesOfDodgeball MySpace profile here) and wow, there is quite the dodgeball community out there! I've made "friends" with a lot of dodgeball communities in the states, such as Nashville Dodgeball, Arizona Dodgeball, the Los Angeles Dodgeball Society, Tucson Dodgeball, Buffalo Dodgeball, Desoto Dodgeball (I'm from Canada - I don't even know where Desoto is), Iowa Dodgeball, DC Dodgeball and the list goes on. (You can find more dodgeball related MySpace profiles on my MySpace page - first link in this post.)

So if you're looking for dodgeball in your area, check out MySpace and search "dodgeball". There are more dodgeball profiles out there than I imagined!

The History of Dodgeball

I noticed that somebody found my blog yesterday by searching "how did dodgeball become a sport" in a search engine. I thought that was a great question, so I am looking for the answer.
So far I've only found a weak Wikipedia entry for "dodgeball" that it started in 1922, with no citation.

There are some hilarious theories on the Uncyclopedia site found here.

And I found some other theories on this site, such as Africa 600 years ago, in Germany, China using human heads and Akron, Ohio, which sounds the most believable.

Who knew finding out the history of dodgeball was like playing Balderdash? Does anybody have any other theories?

Stripper Dodgeball

That's right. I said Stripper Dodgeball. You can watch the video here. From SpikeTV. But of course.

Recent dodgeball tournament summaries

I just thought I would post a few links to a couple of write ups about recent dodgeball tournaments.

Here is a summary about the success of the recent tourney at Princeton, and why they think it went off so well.

And this is a story about a recent elemantary school dodgeball tournament in Ohio, that raised $1,000 for the Logan High School boys basketball program.

Enjoy!

First Princeton... now Harvard's playing dodgeball, too!

Well gosh darn it, I think someone should launch an Ivy League dodgeball... league.

Last Friday, 16 teams played in the First Annual Harvard Law School Dodgeball Classic. I read it in The Record. They even had free beer. Sweet.

I loved the comment, "As the tournament wore on, teams were eliminated one by one, sometimes pausing to dispute rules and outs (one of the hazards of law school dodgeball) until only two were left."

Law school dodgeball? Hell, this happens in my regional league of "grown ups" on a regular basis! I find it keeps things interesting...

Paul Frank Tournament follow up video

Now this just looks like the most fun dodgeball tournament ever. Seriously. Mr. Frank, can I play next year? This is also just a really well done video. A must watch for all dodgeball fans!

What did your dodgeball league do for Earth Day?

I just want to take a moment to acknowledge the Toronto Sport and Social Club, the dodgeball leaugue I play in twice a week.

This is a league that makes very good use of the Internet, its Web site and email list. They sent out an email today; their "Earth Day Edition". They did a nice job of promoting Earth Day Canada and also made note of their own various green-friendly ways.

For starters, "to reduce the impact of emissions for members who drive to games, SSC is contributing a portion of registration fees to purchase emission offsets through Cleanairpass" as part of its comprehensive strategy to fight global warming.

The league's "REPLAY" program has supplied more than $15,000 worth of sports equipment to various groups in Toronto and world wide.

The TCSSC also initiated its own recycling program at head office, and is commited to green-friendly tips in the regular newsletter.

What has your dodgeball league done for Planet Earth lately?

Thrive on Throwing: Arm Strength and Conditioning Program

My "Sore arm?" post has been such a hit, I decided to do a little more research about arm exercises.

Throwing harder is one of those things I'm always wishing I could do more of. Plus, I figure if my arm is stronger, not only can I throw harder, but I can probably throw a lot more accurately as well.

I found this great article called "Thrive on Throwing: Arm Strength and Conditioning Program" by coach Alan Jaeger, founder of the Jaeger Baseball Academy in Woodland Hills, CA.
While this article is written for a baseball player, I figure its technical tips can also be utilized by you, the dodgeball player.

What do you do to ensure a harder throw? I try to lead into my throw with a few steps of momentum, and follow through. Plus, I always keep my eye on the target, even for the follow-through. And you?

Whistler, B.C. dodgeball tournament

LUNA (Late and Unique Nighttime Alternatives) is holding the Dodgeball Grand Finale this Monday night (April 23, 2007) at Whistler Secondary School at 7:00 pm.

"A $500 cash prize will be awarded, along with a two-night stay at the Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa. A $100 gift certificate to the Cinnamon Bear will be awarded to the player with the best outfit and the player with the best moves wins a month-long membership at The Core. If all else fails, the team with the most spectators will win a $40 gift certificate at the Alpine Café. "

To register, call Kiran at (604) 935-8372.

Princeton dodgeball tournament results

If you want to know how that tourney at Princeton turned out, click here.

Tournament update - April 20, 2007

It's been a little while since my last post, so I thought I would provide a quick tournament update.

Kansas high school kids will be holding a tournament this Saturday. It's a fundraiser. The tourney championship team will receive $250 for their school and a traveling trophy. A traveling trophy - that's pretty fly. $90/team and you also get a t-shirt.

A tournament has been announced in Wisconsin, May 12. Also a fundraiser, this tourney will raise funds for Family Connections - "a non-profit organization that strives to increase the availability and accessibility of childcare programs." The organization referred more than 800 children to services in the last year. The deadline to enter is April 30. $100/team. You can play laser tag, too, for an additional fee. Sweet.

And hats off to 20 students employed by Princeton University Dining Services (PUDS) who fought for their right to play dodgeball. They stuck it to the man.

Win at dodgeball, get free beer in Chicago!

Wow, this sounds like fun. I just read about an outdoor dodgeball league in Chicago on Thursday nights, right on the lake. "Beach Barrel trophy and beer prizes awarded to winning teams." Ah, Duffy's Tavern and Grille are sponsors. Sweet.

The league starts Thursday June 7, 2007 and is limited to 16 teams. Last year sold out early, so move it. (They'll also hold tournaments June 30 and July 28.)

I wonder how it will be playing in the "windy city" outside? Let me know!

Mustache dodgeball tournament

Well folks, another tournament is on the horizon. I just read about this over at the NDA blog. And this is hilarious. You have to sport a mustache to play - girls too!!! No excuses - you can buy one there.

The tourney is this Sunday April 15, 2007 in LA. Visit www.dodgeball4ever.com for more info. It's being touted as "The 31st Annual Burt Reynolds Dodgeball Tourney and Mustache Expo". I wish I could go. I have always wanted a mustache. Maybe they will post some photos. I will have to follow up on this one.

Tonight I'm off to our final Thursday night playoff game of the winter season, to maintain our 1st place standing! Wish me luck!

3rd Annual Paul Frank DodgeBall Tournament

For all you hipsters out there, you'll know why this blog post jumped out at me. Paul Frank is one of the coolest streetwear clothing and accessory designers ever! You know, Julius the monkey face?

Even if you don't know Paul Frank Industries, I wanted to let you know they're having a dodgeball tournament Thursday after work in California. They even got a band to play. I think it's for Paul Frank insiders only, not sure... here's the flyer!

Dodgeball Satire

Just a funny little story I came across called "Dodgeball Revival Grows as Upscale Parents Fight Back" at TheSpoof.com. Made me laugh. And since it's Monday, I thought you all might appreciate a laugh or two.

Dodgeball to become an Olympic sport???

Check it this press release I just stumbled across. Mark Murphy, owner of National Dodgeball Association, says, "We are even pushing to place the sport in the Olympics," and that is the ultimate purpose of showcasing dodgeball. The NDA is holding a tournament in May 2007 in Phoenix, AZ, which should get the attention of national television coverage for future tournaments to come. The release states, "By supporting and participating in this event, one contributes to the validity of dodgeball as another up-and-coming professional sport."

Sore arm?

This doesn't happen to me very often, but I see a LOT of guys holding their upper throwing arms in agony sometimes during and after intense games. I'm sure you've all experienced this at some point or another.

I spoke with my chiropractor here in Toronto yesterday and asked her for some tips I could share with you about what to do when you get a sore arm, and how to prevent it from happening. This is what Doctor Barb had to say:

"Maintaining a healthy posture is the best way to prevent injury when throwing hard. Your arm and shoulder function best when the nerves in your neck and midback are free of interference.
There are important steps that any athlete can take to help minimize the risk of injury. Always stretch before and after exercise. It is important to include “dynamic stretching” in your routine. These stretches should mimic activities involved in subsequent exercise.

Great examples for throwing arms:(Great info available at www.sportsinjuryclinic.net)
- Pendulum exercises: gently swing the arm forwards, backwards and sideways, gradually increasing the range of motion
- Front of the shoulder in a doorway stretch: place one arm in a doorway and move forwards leaving the arm behind to stretch the front of the shoulder. - Front of shoulder against a wall: place one arm at a fixed point and gently turn away from it to stretch the front of the shoulder, hold for 20 seconds.
- Back of shoulder: place arm across the front and pull it tight with the other, until you feel gentle stretch at the back of the shoulder.
- Stand with feet astride, lean forward at hips, letting arms hang loosely down. Let both arms swing forward and back as loosely as possible. At the end of the forward swing, twist wrist outward
– swing back and twist wrist inward at the backward end of the swing (long, slender figure eight figure)
- Stand the same as above, but lean a little further forward: arms still hanging loosely downward. Now swing both arms loosely across the body then out to the side.
- Place hand of affected arm behind hips and reach as far up the back as possible.
- Place hand of affected arm behind neck and try to take elbows as far as possible.
- Strengthen surrounding muscles
- Keep you movements long by following through your throws.
- Listen to your body’s signals. If you are in pain, ease up.
- When you feel pain, ice it. This will control the pain and inflammation.

There are great exercises, routines and resources available online. Our office has plenty of stretches and worksheets that can help alleviate any muscle pain and help improve your game, please visit www.doctorbarb.com. Good Luck!"

So there you have it, folks. Ice, ice baby, and don't forget to stretch!

RSS Feeds

If you look to your right, you will see I just added a RSS feed for this blog that you can subscribe to.

RSS is a topic I find starting to crop up in everyday conversation, so I thought I would take a moment to write about this. Sometimes I will mention RSS to a friend of mine who is not quite as technically inclined as I am, and they ask "What is RSS, anyways?". Wikipedia offers a good explanation of RSS you can check out. In order to subscribe to an RSS feed, like mine, first you need an "RSS Reader". There are many to choose from (kind of like a Web browser), but Google Reader is my favourite (along with their personalized home page, Gmail, and Docs & Spreadsheets services. Google rocks!).

How does subscribing to RSS feeds help you? Well, rather than habitually checking my blog every hour in anticipation to see if I've updated it, you can subscribe to my feed and just sit back and wait for my latest entry to appear in your RSS reader (as long as you're checking your Reader regularly). RSS is a great way to easily be kept abreast of the latest news and blog updates from your favourite Web sites. So enjoy! I've got to get ready for dodgeball now - double header tonight and the start of our winter season playoffs!

Six Degrees of Dodgeball

Welcome to SixDegreesOfDodgeball.com. I wanted to start a blog about all things about or related to -- and even not-so-related to -- dodgeball. The game has become one of my passions over the last few years, and it has led me to rediscover my inner jock-chick (and yes, okay, my inner child-brat).

I don't have any major plans for this blog... no agenda, no angle... as I am a rather fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants sort of girl. But if you like dodgeball or are curious about it, stay tuned to see what is to come, and I invite you to comment, pose questions and start discussions. I know there are a lot of us out here online, and I'm curious about tapping into a global dodgeball community, even culture, if you will. As we say at the start of each game in my leaugue: 3-2-1, dodgeball!!!