Havin' a ball

MANILA, Philippines - While the sport has steadily risen in popularity among the hip set since the 2004 classic Ben Stiller film Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, dodgeball in the country has up until now been the reserve of PE departments and a small handful of young, in-the-know weekend players. This season, the classic team sport is moving from the gymnasium to the beach for the first time ever with Dodge N’ Pop 2009, the Nestlé Pops Summer Dodgeball Games.

To be held tomorrow at Beach Bum, Station 1 in Boracay, Dodge N’ Pop 2009 is set to bring the growing worldwide phenomenon of dodgeball to the world in the best and hottest possible venue.

Anyone who’s ever played the game on a competitive level will know that dodgeball requires speed, agility, endurance, teamwork, and keen mental acuity. Dodge N’ Pop 2009 should provide the proper stage for separating the best from the rest in the field of summer dodgeball players.

The rules of dodgeball are simple. The main objective of the game is to eliminate all opposing players by one of three ways: by hitting them with thrown dodgeballs, catching a dodgeball thrown by a member of the opposing team, or forcing opponents to move out of bounds when a dodgeball is thrown at them.

Each team will be made up of six to10 players, with a maximum of six on court at any time. Each team will be assigned to one half of the court, similar to volleyball.

The game proceeds from an opening rush, wherein teams position themselves on their respective baselines and then rush to retrieve three dodgeballs per side from center court upon the referee’s signal. Once these dodgeballs are brought back behind a designated attack line, any ball may be legally thrown and caught. Each game will last up to five minutes, after which sudden death may be called in event of a tie.

Participants in Dodge N’ Pop 2009 should expect to take on a fierce field of teams gunning for the coveted summer dodgeball championship. Surprise celebrity teams and Magic 89.9 DJs will also be playing, making for even tougher competition.

Cash prizes, special Nestlé Pops merchandise and a championship trophy will be awarded to the winning team.

Aside from the main dodgeball tournament, exhibition matches will also be held at Dodge N’ Pop 2009 today and tomorrow. A special free clinic will be conducted to help people learn about the sport from dodgeball experts. And fun themed games, including a Best Dodgeball Move contest and a Nestlé Pops eating contest, will take place tomorrow.

“Dodgeball is a really fun sport that not a lot of people know about here,” says Mojo Jojo of Magic 89.9’s Good Times, who will be hosting the event as well as participating in the games. “I’m psyched that the sport will finally be going to Boracay this summer. It really is a great beach sport. And yes, I’m gunning for that trophy myself so other teams better watch out.”

For details, SMS 0920-9026542.