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3 Valley residents make the cut for Sky Ball team
By Karl Henkel
YOUNGSTOWN
And then there were eight.
Though about 125 tried out for Sky Ball at the Covelli Centre in June, only eight remain. They make up the Youngstown Ballers, one of four teams on the “Sky Ball League” television show that in the coming weeks will compete against three other teams for a $40,000 prize.
Among the Ballers who made the cut are three Mahoning Valley residents — Danny Aldish, 27, of Struthers; Nick Dean, 19, of Girard, and Jason Martin 27, of Struthers.
“It feels awesome,” Dean told The Vindicator on Wednesday. “I never thought I would have been picked among all those people.”
Youngs-town will compete against teams from Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Austin, Texas.
The sport, created by Boardman graduate Brian Kessler, 53, is a mix of professional sports and “American Idol.” Sports-wise, it combines the characteristics of basketball, baseball and volleyball.
The “Idol” aspect also is real.
The elimination-style show, which now is watched by about 1 million people each week, is hosted by former “Idol” co-host Brian Dunkleman. There are 16 episodes of the show.
The object of the 32-minute, four-quarter game, is to hit one of three targets suspended on a backboard that’s placed 15 to 17 feet off the ground such as basketball. Points are scored by throwing the Sky Ball (as in baseball) or hitting it with an open hand (as in volleyball).
The balls are made from a special plastic and rubber material and are filled with oxygen and helium. They can be slammed against the ground and can bounce as high as 75 feet. Their uncontrollable nature is one aspect that takes some practice, Dean said.
“You definitely have to have ball-handling skills,” he added. “The slightest touch, and it easily bounces really high.”