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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
News QC Dodgeball: Fun, competitive pseudo-violence
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Lake Norman Dodgeball isn't the only team hoping you'll get into the game. Tremont Music Hall has the dodgeball bug, hosting bimonthly bouts open to anyone who wants to play — or watch. Monday night, roughly 40 Charlotteans paid $2 to peg friends and foes alike at the venue's third game of the season.
"We're working toward getting a tournament going," said Blue Shields, Tremont's owner. When asked if he'd be willing to face off with the Lake Norman team he said, "Them is fightin' words."
His assistant, Lisa Barr, runs the Monday night dodgeball games. She understands the game might be seen as an unusual fit for "a dirty rock club," but hopes folks will realize how much fun dodgeball can be and get involved. To help, she's posting fliers all over town and offering drink specials to players and spectators, like dollar off drafts, bottle specials and occasional liquor specials. The bottle special last night was Red Stripe.
Player Lisa Monneyhan likes the game because "it's something active you can do with your drinking buddies besides sit at a bar."
According to Shields, 70-80 players usually turn out, so last night's numbers were low. There are usually 5-6 people on each team. Last night there were eight teams, one, affectionately called "Who Gives a Fuck," formed at the last minute to even things up. That team's roster consisted of players from other teams who were already out of the running for first place. Other teams had names like the Pink Boxes and the Moose Cocks.
Shields and Barr suggest that people arrive with a team already formed, but, says Barr, "Teams are always looking for more members." So, people without a team shouldn't worry.
"Some people take the game too seriously," said Lily Couture, who has been playing since Tremont started dodgeball nights. "They had to stop the games for a while because of the ass holes. They'd come out here [to the court] inebriated and get into fights."
Reiterating, before the first round, the MC said, "Don't force people off the court. We have zero tolerance for fighting. A little bit of healthy competition is good. We'll warn you once, then we'll ask you to leave. After that, we'll call the police and everyone will laugh at you."
Rounds start with a coin toss. The winner gets to choose their side, which will likely be the wall closest to the bar since there is an open garage door on the other side, with a net. On the upside, the fan is on that end of the room, too.
The rules of the game are pretty simple. Six balls are lined in the middle of the court and, after the MC shouts, "Ready, set, go!" three members of each team rush to grab them. Then there is a flurry of pegging.
There are only a few additional rules, Jeremy Mojica, from the Lake Norman team says, like, “If you hit someone in the head or face you’re out — that’s not cool” and “If you catch the ball, then the person who threw it at you is out,” among a few others, like the five second rule. You're not supposed to hold the ball without throwing it, or the refs will be on your case.
Essentially, says Mojica, all you do is “pick up a ball, aim it and hit your target. It helps to have good reflexes, too.”
During the second round, one of the players from Moose Cocks was pegged at least five times before he was shouted off the court, but no fists flew.
"If you get out, get in the out box — don't come over here and talk with me," said the MC pre-game. "And, don't cower against the walls; then it's like a shooting range. There's one timeout, per period, per team. We're playing for the best of five." The last team standing wins.
Usually there isn't a prize, though Couture remembers a game or two last year when sponsors supported the event by offering cash prizes. There is a waiver to sign and you must be 18 to enter, and, of course, 21 to drink.
The next dodgeball night at Tremont Music Hall is March 24. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the game begins at 8 p.m. The cost is $2, whether you play or not.
To see more photos from Monday night's game, check out QC After Dark.
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