New Lead

I've driven by it every day Monday through Thursday on my way to and from class, yet rarely had I thought about bringing Dodgeball to the Bum Steer. I recalled they had a volleyball pit that was enclosed, enclosed, already the major make or break factor in finding any Dodgeball venue when I spent my 23rd birthday there. I remembered seeing the potential with a little work and of course an open ear, hard to get with anything concerning Dodgeball.

I googled the location and explored a bird's eye view via satellite to see if it would be feasible. Last Friday, before our L.A. excursion I said "screw it," and decided to call and talk to the manager and just see what could happen. Well, the owner was receptive. VERY Receptive. The idea of Dodgeball (and I was sure to emphasize that it was Dodgeball I was peddling) and its potential to bring in teams, players and well, business was very appealing and after physically investigating the area myself, snapping a couple of photos, we have something very promising just over the horizon.



Dozens of spectators could watch here, eating and drinking while they are not playing, or rooting for their comrades.

To LA and back

This last weekend Stacey, Chris Bell, Trenton Andersen and myself ventured out to California to partake in a Dodgeball Tournament hosted by the Las Angeles Dodgeball Society at the Ricardo Montalban theater. A theater that was purchased by Nike to host an assortment of events. From what I understand, Nike has taken an interest in the Las Angeles Dodgeball Society and has acted as a partial sponsor to their events.

We only venture out of Tucson for three tournaments: The National Dodgeball League World Championship and Convention in Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon State Games Tournaments in Phoenix and the occasional NDL Tour Stop in Orange County. So what got us out to L.A.? We have been invited to their events many times but due to lack of funds, inability to get time off work or school, it was constantly put off until after some last minute adjustments, we managed to take four of our guys to meet up with three of our Californian friends to partake in some glorious Dodgeball, LA style.

The cost was an whopping $3.00 with access to an open bar, live music and all the Dodgeball camaraderie one can ask for. We lodged in LA Dodgeball Society Founder Michael Costanza's home where I was able to pick his brain for a good two hours on the ins and outs of his organization.

Although the prize was an opportunity to design your own custom Nike shoe, our team took third. We were allowed to play in the Stay Puffed Marshmallow League (which we will have to emulate) and I even found myself reffing a couple of games which (reffing aside) gave us more than our money's worth.

The entire two day outing was both fun and inspirational. No doubt more ammo to use while we re-organize and re-shape what has come to be known as Tucson Dodgeball.