PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Tomorrow, charity hurts.
More than 100 adults will relive their childhoods in the Springfest 2005 Dodgeball Tournament at Neshannock's Community YMCA Sports Zone. Chances are, the players will have lost a step ... or two ... or three.
"My body reaction time is not going to be good," said 33-year-old Kelly Laughlin, who manages the Washington Centre branch of National City Bank of Pennsylvania.
Laughlin represents the three-man, three-woman National City squad, one of 18 adult teams taking part.
"The joke is that we'll all be in the hospital the next day."
More than 20 years have passed since the Mercer resident grabbed a ball and rifled it at a grade-school opponent.
"I remember having a good time," Laughlin said.
It may be a comfort to know that shots to the head are prohibited.
Tournament director John P. Hughes points to "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" as the inspiration for the event.
The film, released last year and starring Ben Stiller, featured an ensemble of athletic losers trying to save a neighborhood gymnasium. A dodgeball tournament allows them to accomplish their goals.
The movie became an immediate favorite of Hughes and his two children, Tayler and Alaina.
Unlike the big-screen version, a number of winners will emerge. The first-place team receives $3,000, or $500 per team member. The second-place finishers garner $1,500, and the third-place squad claims $600.
Lawrence County charities and schools capture the bigger winnings, however.
Each of the 18 adult teams secured a $2,000 corporate sponsor. Those entry fees allow $28,000 to be earmarked for charity.
The New Castle Community Y gets $10,000. Two $5,000 grants are going to the Lawrence Unit of the American Cancer Society and the Rich Center for Autism. The Children's Advocacy Center of Lawrence County will be given $4,000.
Neshannock and New Castle high schools collect $2,000 each.
"It is a way to get the community together," said the 41-year-old Hughes, who is administrator of Avalon Nursing Center.
Hughes wanted a way to help local charities, but sought to forgo the traditional fundraisers. Admittedly, a dodgeball tournament was difficult to sell.
"At first, they looked funny at me," Hughes said.
The concept was simple enough. Teams are made up of six players, at least one has to be a woman. All the players, except for the two high school squads, have to be 30 years or older.
"After further discussion, they started to buy into it."
Community business leaders such as Dale Perelman and attorney Rick Morelli supported Hughes. Bill Lutz, executive director of the Community Y, and Bob McCracken, executive vice president of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, backed Hughes along with area high school principals John Sarandrea and Maynard Harvey.
"This dodgeball event is going to be a good time," Laughlin said. "It's something fun and something different.
"Everybody understands the concept. It takes you back to childhood."
Copyright (c) 2005, New Castle News
Friday, April 8, 2005
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