HHPC services and resources include group fitness classes, a weight room, a climbing wall, basketball and pickleball courts and an indoor walking track. (David Edward Albright/Tri-City Record)
HHPC services and resources include group fitness classes, a weight room, a climbing wall, basketball and pickleball courts and an indoor walking track. (David Edward Albright/Tri-City Record)cca

The San Juan College Health and Human Performance Center will hold a Schoolyard Classic Dodgeball event for members March 26 at 6 p.m. The event could become an annual tradition, depending on turnout and enthusiasm.

Erica Rawson, health and wellness programs coordinator, stated in an email that she had the idea for the event as a way to engage students, faculty and the community “in a fun, energetic and inclusive activity that promotes physical wellness and fosters a sense of community.”

Rawson said all participants will be required to sign a release form before playing. The form will cover safety guidelines and risks of dodgeball and confirm that participants are in suitable health to play the game.

Health and Human Performance Center staff will be “integral in organizing, setting up, and supervising the dodgeball event to ensure it runs smoothly and safely,” said Rawson. “They will explain the rules and provide first aid if necessary, Rawson said.

Small prizes will “acknowledge participation, sportsmanship, and perhaps some lighthearted awards (e.g., most spirited team, best team uniform).”

They will use traditional foam or rubber dodgeballs that are soft enough to minimize the risk of injury but firm enough to be thrown across the court. They are easy to grip, throw and catch.

Based on the response, Rawson said “We hope to make this an annual or recurring event, depending on its success and feedback from the community,” Rawson said.

Rawson stated that all intramural participants must abide by the policy manual.

She said the allotted time for use of the gym is three hours, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Play will be organized in round robin structure.

The gymnasium at the Health and Human Performance Center at San Juan College will be the site for a dodgeball event. (David Edward Albright/Tri-City Record)
The gymnasium at the Health and Human Performance Center at San Juan College will be the site for a dodgeball event. (David Edward Albright/Tri-City Record)cca

The age range is 14 and up. Rawson said she can be contacted to create a team or sign up as a free agent.

The registration deadline for the March 26 dodgeball event is March 21. For more information, call (505) 566-3410 or register at imleagues.com/sjc.

About the game

The object of Dodgeball is to eliminate your opponent.

General playEach team will begin play with three balls. One player will declare, “Ready, set, go” to begin the game. Players will attempt to throw a dodgeball at the opposing team to get them out. Once a ball touches anything that is not a person or a ball held by a person, the ball will be dead. Players may retrieve balls that have gone out-of-bounds but must immediately return to the court.

Teams and playersEach team will have six players per team. A team may start and play with four players.

Equipment and courtThe game will be played on a basketball court with the same out-of-bounds line in play.

Timing and scoringThe match will be the first team to win three out of five games. A game is won when one team has eliminated all opposing players.

OfficiatingGames will be self-officiated. A player will be out when:• A live ball hits any part of the player.• A live ball is caught by a defending player.• A player drops a held ball as a result of contact by a thrown ball.• A player leaves the court to avoid being hit.• A player crosses any part of the centerline. No players will reenter as a result of a caught ball. Any disputes can be taken to the on-site supervisor who may flip a coin for the final decision.