Half Ball Group Seeks Teams, Volunteers for Tournament

Following an have decided to host a mini tournament on Saturday, Oct. 1. The goal is to drum up some more interest in the game.

Five teams have already formed -- half of what organizers need to make the tournament happen.

To sign up your own team (with a six-person roster), get in touch with Potts O'Neil, Mark Champia, Tommy Jackson or email Jason MacDonald at halfballtourney@gmail.com. Entrance fee is $75 and it must be paid before Sept. 23.

And there are prizes, too, for the winners: First place wins free entry into the summer tournament that organizers have in mind. Second place gets 50 percent off entry; third place, 25 percent off -- and the rest of the players will have $10 knocked off their signup fee.

Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help coordinate the mini tournament and future meetings. The volunteer coordinator and sponsorship coordinator positions are open.

The Half Ball Committee, as it stands now, includes: Mark Chiampia, Chairman; Potts O'Neil, Director of Rules and Tommy Jackson, Treasurer.

What is halfball?

Here's the word from organizers: Halfball began when a group of kids were playing a stickball game and the white pimple ball split in half. Having no money for a new ball, the boys started throwing the ball at each other. All of a sudden one of the halfballs began to float toward the batter like a flying saucer. Legend has it that the batter doubled off a triple decker. Halfball was born.