City newcomers create local dodgeball league

Dodgeball, a game usually designated for elementary school playgrounds, is not just for kids anymore.Mike Wines, a herpetologist at Auburn University, and his wife Michelle, who attends Tuskegee's veterinary school, moved to the Plains from Memphis last year. They said that as much as they love Auburn, they missed playing their favorite competitive pastime.

"We played dodgeball for five seasons in Memphis and wanted to continue playing here in Auburn," Wines said. "When we found out there wasn't a dodgeball league here, we decided to start our own."

The league plays at the Frank Brown Recreation Center on Opelika Road. There is room for up to 100 people to join the co-ed league, but Wines said having 80 people divided into eight teams will make organizing easier.

Although the first games will be played tomorrow, there is still room and time for dodgeball enthusiasts to join. Wines prefers that those interested sign up by April 10, the second week of the season.

"All they need to do is fill out a waiver," Wines said. "There is also a $50 per person fee, but we can give a discount to an entire team that wants to sign up."

The minimum age to join is 18, and anyone from college students to local residents is invited to join. Since Michelle is a student at the vet school, she has recruited several classmates to join the league.

Lewis Arnese, a fourth-year Tuskegee vet school student, said he was up for playing dodgeball as soon as he heard about the league.

"It's a lot of fun getting to come out here and hurl dodgeballs at people," he joked.

Wines said unlike in the popular movie "Dodgeball" starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller, the Auburn league does not use red balls, but instead uses the official dodgeball yellow- cloth-covered balls.

"They're a lot softer and don't hurt nearly as bad," Wines said. "Especially if someone were to get hit in the face."

He added that the game looks intimidating in the movie, but he hopes it doesn't scare people away from coming out and playing.

"It's not nearly as violent as the movie," Wines said. "I think the movie might have scared away some girls who want to join."

However, Wines said his wife is proof that women are just as tough as the guys, if not tougher.

"She's a cute little blonde, but she can throw the ball hard," he said. "And she can catch. She's a double threat."

Wines explained that the rules of dodgeball are simple, but the game can certainly get players to break a sweat.

When a game begins, there are six players on each side of the court, with six balls lined up in the middle. The first player to grab a ball must take a few steps back before firing at an opponent in hopes of hitting him or her and getting them called out.

If the person being targeted catches the ball, the thrower is out.

When he's not playing, Wines will be refereeing games. He will be getting help from his friends on the local mixed martial arts team to referee also.

"They're much more intimidating than I am," he said.

The first games will be played tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Frank Brown. The public is welcome to watch free of charge.

If you are interested in playing dodgeball, contact Wines at auburndodgeball@hotmail.com or call (901) 490-5173.