“DODGE”—Jodi Berris winds up to throw as Lindsay Kohn strategized a plan from behind. Above, Team Average Schmoes’ “out” players line up on the wall in hopes that they’ll make it back into the game if an “in” teammate catches an opponent’s thrown ball in the air. They are rooting on teammate Jeremy Rodgers, who is attempting to annihilate the other team.
Popular Dodgeball league heads for second season
By Jewish Review
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Halfway through its inaugural season, players are having a ball in the coed Jewish Dodgeball and Drinks League.
The 50 slots available for the first season were filled before the registration deadline.
“I started it because I play it from time to time in my lunchtime gym class at Nike with my co-workers and it’s so competitive, hilarious, old skool, dorky and funny all at the same time,” said organizer Jodi Berris. “And everyone can participate and have a good time, even if they claim not to be athletic. It’s sport and social all in one.”
The five teams meet Thursday nights in the gym at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center during a private rental time. Teams play round-robin for one hour, then head to Berris’s home nearby for strictly kosher snacks and He’brew beer.
“Playing dodgeball has been a great opportunity to peg some new friends in the Jewish community and dodge some old ones,” quipped player Scott Kivitz, 29.
Faryl Kagan, another man competing in the first season, commented on the relaxed nature of the game and what a fun way it is to meet new friends.
“It’s great to see so many young Portland Jews getting together for social events and building a greater sense of community,” said Kagan, 24. “In just two weeks of playing dodgeball, I have made at least half a dozen new friends and potentially more by the end of the season.”
Berris noted that some players are getting competitive and looking forward to the playoffs in the final week, where the winning team will take home prizes.
Kagan concurred: “There’s of course a competitive element that drives us all to play harder and strive to win, but in the end we all meet at the J for one reason and that is to have fun.”
Berris said each team comes wearing a certain color and some teams have uniforms or team names. Both Intel and Nike have teams competing in the league.
The coed league is open to Jewish people and their spouses/partners, from ages 21 to 39.
Registration for the second season beginning in January is now open. The new season will be open to 60 players. To register, contact Berris at jodiberris@aol.com or 248-760-0743 or check the Web site portlandjewishevents.com. Cost is $10 per person.