Dodgeball rebounds, Valley tournament shows

YOUNGSTOWN — They don’t play dodgeball in most schools these days. Fears about injuries and possible lawsuits have taken that classic childhood game out of gym class.

But dodgeball hasn’t gone away, as illustrated by the success of a raucous Ben Stiller/Vince Vaughn movie about the sport several years ago.

At Youngstown’s Jewish Community Center Sunday afternoon, dodgeball was back with a vengeance, accompanied by a surprising light-hearted spirit.

It was evident by such team names as Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, the Steel Valley Psychos, and the politically incorrect Caucasian Invasion and the Fighting Hookahs.

All competed in the center’s third annual dodgeball tournament, sponsored by B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and AZA , a Jewish social organization.

The gymnasium was packed with mostly high school students and a few supportive parents.

“The movie had a lot to do with the rekindling of interest,” said Benjamin Kranitz, JCC program director. “We knew the kids wanted to play so we started the tournament after the movie came out.”

On Sunday, 17 teams signed up to play in the single-elimination tournament with each team paying $30 to register. Kranitz said the funds raised by the tournament will be donated to the BBYO International Service Fund.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.