Brad Mills emerged from Saturday's Studebaker West Human Foosball championship game battered and bruised but victorious.
After the game, Mills, who was also the event chairman, showed off the bruises and scrapes on his arms, which he incurred stopping shots as his team's goalkeeper.
"It hurts," Mills said. "It looks easy, but it's hard."
Mills' team was one of 15 to participate in the fourth annual tournament, which wrapped up Saturday afternoon on the north side of the Studebaker West Complex.
Last year eight teams played in the event.
"This is the most teams we've ever had," John Acton, Palmer/Davidson hall director, said. "It's grown exponentially."
Human foosball isn't too different from its video arcade cousin. Two teams of six players compete in an inflatable arena. All players, except the goalies, are harnessed to a web of ropes that confine them to a certain area.
Players can use any body parts except their hands to get the ball in the goal. Most of the time players kick the ball, which means the ball is traveling back-and-forth at high speeds.
"It's like being one of those paddles in a pong (video) game," Mills said. "There's always something flying at you."
The tournament's theme was "I Love the '80s." A D.J. played mostly '80s music throughout the event, and participants were encouraged to dress in '80s attire. Team names ranging from the Terminators to the Dynamic Divas also carried out the theme.
Acton said the Human Foosball committee selected the theme based on VH1's popular television show "I Love the 80's."
"We wanted to make it more than just the game, so people could dress up and try to have fun," Acton said.
Kendra Roberts, who played for a team from Scheidler and Anthony Apartments, dressed the part of a typical girl in the '80s. She wore her shirt with the sleeves and collar cut off, and she pulled her hair off to the side of her head in a ponytail.
"It's fun to see people dress up in '80s (clothing) and how far they'll go," Roberts said.
Roberts, who played last year as well, said the game is fun, but it can get scary at times.
"Your heart's racing," Robert said. "You think you're going to get hit in the head with the ball."
Each team paid an entry fee of $25, and the money raised went to benefit the Hoosier Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross. Following the tournament, Acton announced the event raised $375 for the organization.
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