hrowing a disc back and forth may pass the time, but the possibilities for the activity are not limited to this simple game.
Ultimate, one of the fastest growing sports in the world, is played in an organized manner on a field similar to a football field, only shorter and with larger end zones.
"It still has a long way to go before it's as popular as other sports like basketball and football," said Josh Kemmerling, Ball State's ultimate team president. "I do believe it will become as popular as those sports in time, and I could even see a national league forming within the next ten years."
Today, the sport even has its own governing body called the Ultimate Players Association (UPA). Their Web site (www.upa.org ) includes an extensive rulebook and tips for playing the game. The rules and methods of the game itself are difficult to understand without seeing them in action.
"People always want to compare a sport to things like football, softball or rugby, said Kemmerling. "This sport isn't really comparable in any way."
In addition to its own unique skills, parts of the game can be related to According to Matt Broadwell, vice president, the game adopts aspects of several different athletic activities.
"It has some of the skill elements as football and baseball, such as throwing and catching, but it also has a lot of the endurance and running traits of sports like soccer," he said.
Ball state ultimate players have the option to play in different types of competitive levels. The fall season is club season, when players of any age can join the team. The spring is college season, when only full time college students can play for the team.
Some of the team members joined the team after a history of playing the sport with friends in high school. Both Kemmerling and Broadwell are from Richmond, where the sport has become very popular.
Ultimate's popularity has spread through friends just getting together and learning the rules of the game. Todd Truitt, a third year member of the team also hailing from Richmond, said he began playing when it was introduced to him by friends from home.
"I played a few times in high school with some of the people on the team now," he said. "Other people we pick up have just kind of thrown a disc around for fun and they like it. They come out and see how the sport is structured and organized, and some get really into it."-á-á
Ball State's ultimate team, one of over 400 college teams, has been ranked as high as 29th in the country, according to Kemmerling. Several members will be graduating this fall, and the team is looking to recruit heavily for upcoming seasons. Despite the competitive nature of the sport, the team doesn't necessarily just look for the players with the most athletic ability.
"We don't cut anybody, so we don't technically have tryouts," Broadwell said. "As long as people are willing to commit the time and show us that they're interested, we'll help them advance regardless of their starting level."
For more information about joining the team, please contact Donald Armstead at dcarmstead@bsu.edu.
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