On Tuesday, October 12, 2010 DMC decided to welcome our newest member, Jason Mayes, with a Whirlyball outing. This being my first Whirly experience, I was unsure of what to expect; and varying descriptions of ‘‘basketball meets jai alai’ or ‘bumper cars meet lacrosse’ were not much help. For weeks prior to visiting I heard whispers around the office of strategy, deceit, and past battle wounds. My research did tell me that the game was founded in Salt Lake City in the 1960's. Also, Kid Rock had a state-of-the-art Whirlyball court installed in his home, so of course it had to be cool.
The website states: Agility. Speed. Strength. None of these qualities will be of any use in the highly competitive world of WhirlyBall…too true. The game starts and I am stuck in a corner for a several hanging minutes. I sit in a bumper car of sorts, with a central crank to steer, somehow. With the right combination of pedal stomping and frantic cranking I am off! Next, one must master maneuvering the vehicle while racing, blocking, and bumping your way to the prized Wiffle ball. Handling and passing the ball with your lacrosse-like scoop tool is your next task. Finally, score by catapulting the ball from your scoop through a basketball backboard with a hole in it and one can almost taste sweet victory.
While mostly a tizzy of crashing, cranking, and flinging Whirlyball is a great time! “Whirlyball might be the best sport ever,” said Jason of his first experience. “It brings out the best and worst in me. I always enjoy the opportunity to compete athletically, but I may have given my wife a concussion. I’m not sure if there is a better way to meet your co-workers than blindsiding them at top speed!”
Check out some of our footage below – why not give it a Whirl? [sorry I had to!]