Sports
Adult Dodgeball: Bridging a Gap in Oceanport
Oceanport Adult Dodgeball is played Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Wolf Hill School.
It had been quite some time since I had stepped into a gymnasium at a school, ready to play. Two Thursdays a month, roughly 16-25 adults, young and old, get together to play an hour of dodgeball -- a game they all may have all played many years before, in gyms just like the one at Wolf Hill School.
Michael Minervini, a local realtor, organized dodgeball last winter, and it was successful enough to bring back this season with hopes of increasing the turnout. As a new face, I was one of only three women there that night, but I was assured that more usually come to play.
I hadn’t played in literally 15 years, so at first I sat back and took pictures and sensed how intense the game was getting at times. I decided to play for the last 30 minutes, mostly just trying my best at dodging -- and occasionally throwing the ball. I realized that I did not have nearly as much force in my throw for it to get someone "out".
Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The success of the comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (released in 2004 starring Vince Vaughn) has increased the interest of dodgeball recreationally, although it has always been a fun game to play in Gym Class. I couldn’t help but to think of what it taught me, regarding the "5 D’s" in dodge ball: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.
Everyone that comes to play twice a month does so with a great enthusiasm. Each night, two captains are chosen and, from there, those captains get to pick their players. Every week is a new competition. While the idea of winning is the goal, everyone still has a great time.
Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
At 25, it was interesting to see how quickly I resumed my desire to win. But with the lack of arm strength, I mostly dodged. That was my defense, and I am okay with it. Time will tell if dodge ball and I will meet again.
Oceanport Adult Dodgeball will be held at Wolf Hill School from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the following Thursdays: Feb. 10, Feb. 24, Mar. 3, Mar. 17, Apr. 7, Apr. 28, May 12, May 26 and Jun. 2. For more information, contact Michael Minervini at 732-688-4922 or mminervini@remax.net.
