Dodge. Duck. Dip. Dive. And dodge.
Those were the general rules of dodgeball bequeathed by the sport?s fictional legend, Patches O?Houlihan, in the Ben Stiller/Vince Vaughn comedy “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.” But in Harford County, the sport has taken off under a more relaxed, socially based set of rules.
“It?s competitive, but it?s not as competitive [as the movie],” said Krystin Porcella, the founder of Play Action Sports and Social Club, located in Bel Air.
The club houses a number of competitive, socially driven coed sports with one aim: fun.
“Its just a great way to meet people,” Porcella said. “I?ve met so many people that I?ve actually become good friends with that I may not have talked to.”
Porcella, 30, is a graduate of John Carroll School, where she now serves as a health, physical education and computer teacher, as well as a girls lacrosse coach. She said the dodgeball league ? and the club in general ? is mainly made up of Harford County high school graduates.
She participated in the Baltimore Sports and Social Club and South Baltimore Sports, which are similar clubs, but opted to create her own league when she returned to her hometown.
“There?s really no other dodgeball or kickball around,” she said.
The coed dodgeball league is currently between sessions. It will start again Jan. 18 and run every Thursday night. Upon conclusion of each week?s competition is the social hour, usually held at Bel Air establishments The Tower or MaGurks.
“When you get that many guys together, there?s a lot of testosterone,” said North Harford High product Mike Axelsson, 35. “You leave that atmosphere and go out and have a beer with them, you realize they?re in the same line of work.”
This past session featured 17 teams and, like the movie, each was in uniform.
“There was one team that dressed up and had the socks,” Axelsson said. “They were dressed to the nines ? the headbands and all that.”
Unlike the movie, this league won?t be broadcast live on ESPN8 ? The Ocho ? or feature a large monetary prize at the end. But don?t mistake a social club for a bunch of no-talent hacks.
“I guess the intensity is the same,” Porcella said. “When you step on the court and the whistle blows, it?s the most intense two minutes of your life.”
ACTION SPORTS
» Play Action Sports and Social Club offers dodgeball, kickball, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, football, and will introduce softball this spring.
» For more information on the club, visit www.playactionsports.net.
