thedrifter
08-22-09, 06:38 AM
Marines face off in dodgeball tournament
Story and photos by Alex McVeig
Pentagram Staff Writer
More than a dozen Henderson Hall Marines spent much of Monday morning in the line of fire. No, they weren't practicing their live-fire drills, they were on the basketball court in Smith Gym, playing dodgeball.
The all-ranks six-on-six tournament was the first in a series of events held by Marine Corps Community Services non-appropriated funds account to raise money for the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Marines paid a small amount to play, and were given free energy drinks and raffle tickets for the chance to win CDs, DVDs and tickets to a motocross event this weekend.
Only two teams registered for the tournament, but that didn't stop them from going all out for almost two hours with very little downtime in between. The Battalion S-4 faced off against Marines from the Consolidated Administration and Distribution Management Offices.
They started just after 10 a.m., and didn't leave until almost 1 p.m.
The rules were standard: six balls, if you're hit with a ball or someone catches your throw, you're out, and teams fought to the last man. Each team was awarded a point for every member of the opposing team they knocked out.
“The last time I played dodge ball, I was probably in high school,” said Lloyd Smith. “It felt good to get out there and loosen up the joints and have some fun. At first, it looked like it wasn't going to be a competition at all. The S-4 team knocked out all six CA/DMO players within a few minutes.
CA/DMO managed to win only one of the first five games, but in game six, they got a spark. Benjamin Moore was the last man standing for his team, while S-4 had three people, and the game seemed like it was almost over. A minute later it was, but it was Moore who was still standing, as a result of two miracle catches, highlighted by catching Jose Toro's ball as he tumbled backwards.
As the balls kept flying, no one was safe, not even the audience. The scorer's table was hit with several overthrows during the matches, the balls even knocked over a drink or two.
The S-4 managed to stay a comfortable distance away for a good chunk of the afternoon, ahead by 10-20 points for the first hour.
Anthony Quinones and Moore were able to provide much of the defense for CA/DMO, catching balls that were thrown at them, despite often trying to dodge another ball.
As the teams approached the century mark, CA/DMO made a strong run with several overpowering wins. They narrowed the score to 101-108, but couldn't get any closer, as the S-4 soon pulled away. Each of the players on the S-4 were given a gift certificate in exchange for their winning efforts.
The tournament was the first of several upcoming fundraisers from MCCS, and Marine Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green from Headquarters Battalion thanked the Marines for their support.
“Everything [MCCS] is doing here is for you Marines,” Green said. “It's all supporting the birthday ball, and whatever you all put into it, you will get back.”
There will be a golf tournament held at Quantico Marine Corps Base Sept. 24 to help MCCS raise funds for the birthday ball. In October there will be a dodgeball/softball tournament held at Fort Myer, for the same purpose. For more information on upcoming events, call (703) 693-5351.
Doriann Geller, MCCS marketing officer, credited the Henderson Hall team with helping stage such a successful kickoff for MCCS fundraising efforts.
“The gym staff has been great, and so have the MCCS office and the battalion leaders,” Geller said. “It was great to be able to hold an event like this, and it was a complete team effort.”
Ellie
Story and photos by Alex McVeig
Pentagram Staff Writer
More than a dozen Henderson Hall Marines spent much of Monday morning in the line of fire. No, they weren't practicing their live-fire drills, they were on the basketball court in Smith Gym, playing dodgeball.
The all-ranks six-on-six tournament was the first in a series of events held by Marine Corps Community Services non-appropriated funds account to raise money for the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Marines paid a small amount to play, and were given free energy drinks and raffle tickets for the chance to win CDs, DVDs and tickets to a motocross event this weekend.
Only two teams registered for the tournament, but that didn't stop them from going all out for almost two hours with very little downtime in between. The Battalion S-4 faced off against Marines from the Consolidated Administration and Distribution Management Offices.
They started just after 10 a.m., and didn't leave until almost 1 p.m.
The rules were standard: six balls, if you're hit with a ball or someone catches your throw, you're out, and teams fought to the last man. Each team was awarded a point for every member of the opposing team they knocked out.
“The last time I played dodge ball, I was probably in high school,” said Lloyd Smith. “It felt good to get out there and loosen up the joints and have some fun. At first, it looked like it wasn't going to be a competition at all. The S-4 team knocked out all six CA/DMO players within a few minutes.
CA/DMO managed to win only one of the first five games, but in game six, they got a spark. Benjamin Moore was the last man standing for his team, while S-4 had three people, and the game seemed like it was almost over. A minute later it was, but it was Moore who was still standing, as a result of two miracle catches, highlighted by catching Jose Toro's ball as he tumbled backwards.
As the balls kept flying, no one was safe, not even the audience. The scorer's table was hit with several overthrows during the matches, the balls even knocked over a drink or two.
The S-4 managed to stay a comfortable distance away for a good chunk of the afternoon, ahead by 10-20 points for the first hour.
Anthony Quinones and Moore were able to provide much of the defense for CA/DMO, catching balls that were thrown at them, despite often trying to dodge another ball.
As the teams approached the century mark, CA/DMO made a strong run with several overpowering wins. They narrowed the score to 101-108, but couldn't get any closer, as the S-4 soon pulled away. Each of the players on the S-4 were given a gift certificate in exchange for their winning efforts.
The tournament was the first of several upcoming fundraisers from MCCS, and Marine Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green from Headquarters Battalion thanked the Marines for their support.
“Everything [MCCS] is doing here is for you Marines,” Green said. “It's all supporting the birthday ball, and whatever you all put into it, you will get back.”
There will be a golf tournament held at Quantico Marine Corps Base Sept. 24 to help MCCS raise funds for the birthday ball. In October there will be a dodgeball/softball tournament held at Fort Myer, for the same purpose. For more information on upcoming events, call (703) 693-5351.
Doriann Geller, MCCS marketing officer, credited the Henderson Hall team with helping stage such a successful kickoff for MCCS fundraising efforts.
“The gym staff has been great, and so have the MCCS office and the battalion leaders,” Geller said. “It was great to be able to hold an event like this, and it was a complete team effort.”
Ellie