March 16, 2003 marked the first-ever Chicago Force Whirlyball outing. You say you have never played whirlyball? Well, neither had we.
Whirlyball starts with those plastic scoops you played with as a kid. You know, the ones where you would scoop up a ball and fling it at someone. They would try and catch it with their scoop and fling it back at you. OK, now add a court and basketball-style goals. Now put everyone in bumper cars. That is Whirlyball.
If you didn’t make it out, you missed quite an event. Everyone had a blast, and we played with the abandon of those who have no idea what they are doing and know they look silly, but don’t care because, well, everyone else looked silly too.
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- This was our staging area…
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- …or, “where to stand and laugh at people”
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- The field of battle
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- It was a good turn out, with over 20 people
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- The best defense is a good offense
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- Mark is offensive…er, plays offense
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- Ray! The ball’s down here!
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- He shoots! He misses!
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- New recruit, DestinyFroste
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- Mary keeps her eye on the ball
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- Having the ball makes Ray happy
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- Losing the ball makes Ray sad
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- Matt prepares to fling down court
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- Another fine miss
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- “You need to shoot the ball into the hole!”
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- SO close
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- Richie on defense
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- Jimmy’s car breaks down. He gets lonely.
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- In a practiced move, Dave rams Richie from behind
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- Guys! Guys! You’re on the same team!
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- Hey Mark! Lookin’ good.
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- Phyllis gets trapped in the corner by a teammate
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- Gooooaaaaaalllll!
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- The ball takes a beating
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- “It’s mine, my precious! It’s our birthday present! We loves it.”
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- It’s a fast break!…at a little over walking speed
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- Liam takes a break from the fast-paced game
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- The returning champions
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- Liam loves his daddy
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- Phyllis gets stuck in the corner again…
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- …then makes a fast break for a goal
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- Everyone hit Phil!
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- Yeah! Everyone is a winner!
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- We head to the OCB to celebrate
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- The long, long wait
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- Smile for the birdy. OK, don’t smile, then.