Sport's Other White Meat

After the disappointing loss last night by the Illini, I accepted that basketball was over and am looking forward to watching the Cubs play. But let us not forget the greatest game ever.

That's right... as soon as the covers come off the pools its time for everyone's favorite game, WATERBALL. Some of you may not have caught on to this sport just yet. It's kind of an underground thing... a cult classic if you will. But trust me it will soon become all the rage. It will be bigger than curling.

This game has Slovak roots. It began in the summer of 2002 in a small town known as Streator, IL. On that fateful day, the first game of the season was played. Given that there was only one team in the boys divition and one team in the girls divition, the championship game merrited interdivition play. Both teams came to the water undefeated, but both could not leave that way. Sadly, the game wasn't even close, but highly entertaining to the fans as the Incomprehending Interns slaughtered the Silly Sisters. It was quite a beating, but a good time was had by all. How many teams are in the two divitions today is now unknown, but this season we expect to see some new teams battle it out with the vetrens. Who will emerge as the Waterball champion of the Universe?

Waterball rules and explinations:

Setting: Played in a pool roughly 4-5ft deep located at a private residence. Said pool must be no bigger than 25ft in diameter and no smaller than 12 1/2ft in radius. Barbed wire is optional.

Concept: Four bases will be assigned to four place on the side of the pool. They may be marked with towels or cracks in the side of the pool. The game is played much like baseball. There are two fielders and two batters. One fielder pitches a "water ball" to the batter who has a "water bat."
Once the hitter connects with the ball they must swim underwater to the first base. The fielders must try to touch the batter with the "water ball" while they are not touching a base. The hitter's head must be above water in order to be touched by the ball causing one "out." The fielders may use an means nessesary to cause the hitter to surface. (Playing dirty is encouraged.)
Points are scored when the hitter makes it to home plate. In the event the ball is hit out of the pool (in fare play not a foul ball) the ball is still in play. There are no free homeruns. One of the fielders may exit the pool to fetch the ball.
The game is played till it gets too dark, too cold, or the girls are too tired to continue getting beat.

Uniforms: Waterball participants in the boys divition are required to wear short swimming trunks that can be no longer than 6 inches in lenth from the waste. Girls are to wear one piece swiming suits that are "camp team approved." Jr. Participants must wear a animal shaped floatation devices.

PLAY BALL!