Started earlier this year, the Oregon State group is ready for competition

In dodgeball — where rubber balls fly toward players at high speeds — there are really very few courses of action available: dodge, dive, duck, deflect or catch.

With each comes risks, ranging from rug burn to black eyes to the dreaded “out.”

Different players fill various niches on dodgeball teams. For Oregon State University freshman Jacob Curtis, that means playing the sacrificial lamb for the good of the group.

“I’m the strategic getting-hit person. I’m basically bait,” said the 19-year-old from Hawaii. While OSU’s opponents are preoccupied hurtling balls at Curtis, his teammates move in for the kill.

Curtis said he hopes to be promoted soon, perhaps to someone who focuses on catching balls to get his teammates back in. But even as the decoy, he’s having fun.

“The intensity’s good, and even if you get hit in the face, it can still be a friendly game,” he said. “It’s good competition, not to mention great exercise.”

Tonight OSU’s dodgeball team leaves for Las Vegas, where the students will compete in the National Dodgeball League’s 2006 World Championship. This is the university’s first year attending the event.

“I’m hoping that we’re going to do well. We love to play. I want to make the statement that we’re here to play. We’re not just going to be a bunch of pushovers,” said Zach Kelleher, a sophomore majoring in biology.

Seven members are included on the team’s official championship roster — six players and one alternate. However, additional teammates are going along to support the squad.

The event is open to all National Dodgeball League members. Teams pay $95 per player to register. At stake is a share of the $25,000 purse.

The team was founded by OSU senior Joshua Curtis, who, along with brother Jacob, grew up playing the sport. The group became an official OSU club at the end of last winter term.

“It started as an activity for me and my friends, and it just kind of exploded,” Joshua Curtis said.

During the school year, the team practices three times a week (Wednesday from 8 to 10 p.m. in Dixon Recreation Center, Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. in McAlexander Field House and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at McAlexander).

These sessions are open to those on campus and the rest of Corvallis — although Dixon membership is required to attend the Wednesday practices — and sometimes attract up to 60 people, according to Joshua Curtis.

“I actually really like the camaraderie of it. It’s really taking on a family environment. It’s really social,” said Curtis, who also appreciates that it’s a sport anyone can play, regardless of age, size, gender or experience.

“There’s been a really good response on campus to the club. It’s a great way to meet people.”

At a glance

On the Net: For more information about dodgeball and the 2006 World Championship and Convention in Las Vegas, see the National Dodgeball League’s Web site at www.nationaldodgeball.com.

Quick Fact: One way to score an “out” in dodgeball is to hit your opponent with a ball. The other is to catch a ball the opposition throws at you.

Mary Ann Albright covers higher education. She can be reached at maryann.albright@lee.net or 758-9518.