Commenter Of the Week: Brandon’s Sportacular
Posted on August 11th, 2008 – 12:00 PMBy Michael Rand
Choose your own adventure: The Sportacular
Last weekend, my associate The Murph held the first annual “Sportacular.” It was a daylong competition between four teams of four: 9 holes of golf, a 15-swing home run derby, a round-robin volleyball tournament and bagger. Basically an intense, sporty bachelor party without a bachelor.
The inaugural year was a success. For the most part. The golf was a perfect start to the day, but the tiebreaker – a putting contest – was sloppily conceived. While I loved the home run derby (hitting 12 bombs), most other competitors found it long and boring. Volleyball could have been a disaster if we hadn’t found an open court, and, before you point it out, yes, we realize bagger doesn’t fit anyone’s definition of a sport.
While everyone had a blast (despite my team, The [Redacted], taking second), and while we’re eagerly counting down the days until next year, we realize improvements must be made. A few kinks, here and there.
The spirit of this can-do (better) attitude is why I’m bringing the Sportacular up today. Any of you fellow Randballers care to weigh in with suggestions? Any sports to swap in, modifications to the schedule, ideas for a better competition? Bring it on.
37 Responses to "Commenter Of the Week: Brandon’s Sportacular"
Is “bagger” the game where you try and throw a beanbag through a hole in a slanted board?
I think we always call bagger, “bags”
Bagger sounds like an Atari game
“we realize bagger doesn’t fit anyone’s definition of a sport”
You just watch. In 6 months when ESPN 5, The Cinco first takes the air, bagger will be on right after ladder golf and right before a new show called Pushing it to the Limits. It’s based on men going shopping with their spouses and see how long it takes them to go crazy. Rand would win considering he likes shopping for Pug outfits considering he uses these outfits as ideas for the all the Randball T-Shirts he’s put out…
Any sports to swap in, modifications to the schedule, ideas for a better competition?
This is so not like me, but my mind went to teabagging and by your definition, it could be a sport if one plays defense.
Oh yeah, watch for language in the link I just posted…
This is so not like me, but my mind went to teabagging and by your definition, it could be a sport if one plays defense.
Reading Joker’s mind:
“The force is strong within this one…”
“the tiebreaker – a putting contest – was sloppily conceived.”
That’s weird, one of my kids was also conceived sloppily, during a putting contest.
“While I loved the home run derby (hitting 12 bombs), most other competitors found it long and boring.”
I like the Home Run Derby idea, but I am picturing some guys taking a lot of pitches. Can you prop up the bagger board behind the batter, and if the pitch hits the board it counts as a swing? If the pitch goes through the hole, it counts as 5 swings. If the batter bitches about the rule, it counts as a swing.
Rand must have used his editorial powers to take out all mention of the Hour of Power. I find the lack of alcohol based events disappointing.
I assumed bagger meant bagging groceries.
Disc Golf is another “fringe” sport that could be added.
I also agree with rk, booze must be involved. Maybe Beer Pong or Speed Quarters.
A bachelor party idea with a bachelor is 9 holes of golf (or 18 for a smaller group), then 9 holes of bar golf. Bar golf is performed in pairs, where each team drinks 2 beers at a bar…3 beers is a birdie, 4 eagle, etc. You get 30 minutes at each bar/hole then move on to the next bar/hole. The prize is a hangover!
I like keeping bags in it… That’s practically just as competitive with my buddies as golf is.
I would like to see the Home Run Derby as a wiffle ball derby, requiring beverages in hand, and some “fielding” necessary by the opponents.
That’s weird, one of my kids was also conceived sloppily, during a putting contest.
An approving, knowing nod in your direction, sir.
I would like to see the Home Run Derby as a wiffle ball derby
Wiffle ball home-run derby is a much better idea. Then people can bitch about the wind changing directions…
…and how does Jama’s brownie fit into this?
That brownie is long gone. I’m guessing it probably just passed St. Louis on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. God Bless the Mississippi for all it takes out of MN.
What would be the dimensions of this proposed wiffle ball derby? Would it be played in a backyard or something? Are we trending too much toward drunken, non-athletic activities if we swap this in?
Stay classy Spain!
I don’t think that’s how you get the locals to cheer for you.
Brandon
The beer mile seems like a perfect way to finish off your Sportacular.
Are we trending too much toward drunken, non-athletic activities if we swap this in?
I didn’t see anyone mention blogging.
If you add the beer mile, you’re obligated under the pirate code to include me next time.
The RSLF is mad that I haven’t already mentioned a similar event we’ve had in the past. I’ll try to remember all the events…
Dodecathon (12 events)
- hachet toss
- some stupid game that involves luck and not skill
- frisbee toss (you toss and catch yourself as far as possible)
- bowling ball toss
- golf ball targets
- egg toss
- swim + beer
- backwoods run + flip cup between laps
- beer shuttle run or beer mile
- 10 minute decathalon (points for doing various activities such as summersaults, cartwheels, laps around the volleyball ct, and drinking a beer)
- bag game (involves more balance than beans)
- bananagrams (crazy word game like scrabble on speed)
This all took place on Big Island on Lake Mtka and beer was heavily involved.
Please tell me that this event is held in conjunction with the Lake Minnetonka “Dil Dodecathon” hosted annually by Fred Smoot.
Wouldn’t you believe it….
You should have seen Daunte getting his ‘roll on after tossing the bowling ball.
We’re coming….
This all took place on Big Island on Lake Mtka and beer was heavily involved.
I know I’m simple country folk, but that’s redundant, isn’t it?
Brandon - If you want to have the Wiffle HR Derby in a proper venue, I suggest an outdoor hockey rink. Put home plate (or the strike zone) at about the blue line, and you’ve got natural walls. And in most cases, you’ve even got a bit of a green monster in LF (or RF, if you want to play facing the other direction).
Is competitive pork eating a fringe sport?
If WWL defines hot dog eating as a sport than pork eating s definitly a fringe sport.
We used to play whiffle home run derby at tennis courts. Nice high fences.
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