Phoenix Dodgeball Prepares for World Championship

Phoenix Dodgeball has been playing tough all season in Tempe, but now the league is preparing to take on the top competitors in Las Vegas this August.

During a 12-week season, Phoenix Dodgeball players have practiced their skills in hopes to win.  In August, the best, specifically selected players will take on other competitors from all over the world in the Dodgeball World Championship VII.  With guts and glory, these selected players will face the fast paced game in a three-day battle to be the ultimate dodgeball team.

Phoenix Dodgeball started their Spring 2010 season in February.  Edward Raymer III, co-founder of Phoenix Dodgeball, is excited for the team he has put together. 

 “I have some of the best dodgeball players in the league and around town,” Raymer said of the players he selected Raymer selected players who have been playing dodgeball with each other for over two years.  He has chosen two women and seven men to play on “Angels of Death.”  Although some of the members are currently playing on different teams within Phoenix Dodgeball, they have all worked together in the past and are able to play strategically.

Ryan Anderson, of Central Phoenix, is a lobbyist.  When he is not hard at work, he is playing harder on the dodgeball court.  He has been playing in the dodgeball league for three seasons with Raymer.  Anderson said that one of the most important strategies of the game is to throw and catch as a team.

“You have to be able to improvise on the spot and adjust on the spot,” Anderson said.  “Things change constantly.”

Even though his teammates for the championship have not all played with each other on one team during the season, together they form a “dodgeball super group,” Anderson said.  He also said that the team is prepared for former and new challengers.

“We have as good of a team as any other in the country,” Anderson said.

Cristhian Gonzalez, of south Phoenix, has been playing dodgeball for nearly two years.  This is the first year he will be competing in the championship, and he is ready to test his skills among the world’s best dodgeball players.

He said because of the relationship that exists between his teammates, they will be able to dominate the other teams.

“We understand each other, we trust each other,” Gonzalez said.  “When you [understand each other] you’ll go far.”

Gonzalez said his strategy for the championship game is to think faster than his opponents. 

“It’s kind of a guessing game,” Gonzalez said.  “You have to make up your mind.  You can’t get caught in the middle, or you’ll get out.”

The event will take place over three days from Aug. 13-15, 2010 at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy in Nevada.  A round robin play will be held on Friday.  Teams will play recreationally, where losses do not count but wins are tracked.  On Saturday, single elimination games will take place.  Games will be played throughout the day until there is a winning team from each division.

For more information on the Dodgeball World Championship VII, visit www.dodgeballworldchampionship.com.

For more information on Phoenix Dodgeball, visit www.phoenixdodgeball.com.

Guest article contributed by Christina Kielb, Student
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

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