Venture

Holding court

By John Ross

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Tall and imposing, Tim Beem guards a street-hockey goal as opponents dressed like basketball players attempt to score a small soccer ball through the net. His teammates defend the net lacrosse-style, pushing and checking the offensive squad out of range, before grabbing a loose ball and running towards the other end.

What transpires during a 60-minute exhibition Sunday afternoon on West 11th Avenue is known as RASCBall, a bizarre sport making waves around Columbus as a crop of new players joins a cadre that first honed the game five years ago.

"We really didn't know what to call it," says co-founder Mike Crosky, noting that some might remember its former name, The Game. "Once we wanted to get serious, we needed something that made it sound like a sport."

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The Revolution in Athletic Street Competition began when friends were messing around with a tennis ball and eventually grew to include elements of lacrosse, street hockey, basketball, soccer and handball.

These were molded into one energetic whirlwind that draws players from a range of athletic backgrounds. Games are played on a street-hockey court between two teams of six players who try to throw, kick or head a size-one soccer ball through the net.

"The more we played, the more rules and concepts changed," says Francisco Pineda, a longtime RASCBaller who played soccer for 19 years.

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Each team member has a different skill, and together the game has taken on a life of its own — a pastime greater than its diverse parts. Pineda uses his feet to dribble, shoot and pass, while former baseball players excel with hard throws. Hockey players and wrestlers maneuver best past defenders near the goal.

"We've been playing so long that you can develop your own style and technique rather than just mimic what you've done elsewhere," says Beem, the sport's first net-minder.

RASCBall now attracts a steady group of players who practice once a week, usually on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, and scrimmage on Sunday afternoon. First-time players are encouraged to watch a video at the league homepage and then come out for a pickup game.

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Crosky hopes the game catches on around town and perhaps across Ohio.

"We want to get to the point where we can show sports facilities that there's legitimacy here," he says.

Rules of Engagement

The RASCBall website has game videos and a complete rule sheet. Here are the basics of the city's newest sport.

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Two teams of six play two 30-minute halves on a street-hockey court with stoppage only for fouls. Substitutions are made on the fly.

Teams score by throwing, kicking or heading a small soccer ball through an opponent's goal.

Throws are worth one point, kicks two and heads three. An extra point is added if the player scores from behind a bonus line 45 feet away. Throws are prohibited within the net-minder's area.

Like lacrosse, players are allowed to bump, push, block and check. Tripping, tackling and throwing elbows are prohibited. Fouls result in a throw-in similar to those in basketball.

To hear more about John Ross' RASCball debut, click to The Riot Act at ColumbusAlive.com. (Yes, he scored a goal.)

July 17, 2008

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