In the movie “Dodgeball,” character Patches O’Houlihan declares that to be true dodgeball players, an athlete must learn the “five D’s of dodgeball: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge!” There was a whole lot of dodging, ducking, dipping and diving Saturday evening in the first-ever Dodgeball Tournament sponsored by the Bearcat Booster Club.

The tournament was held Saturday evening at the DHS Gym before a crowd ready for some action! Organizers said 12 teams signed up for the event, including teams of from businesses and groups in the community, a squad from Three Rivers College in Dexter, and from Briggs & Stratton in Poplar Bluff and other members of the community. A total of 12 teams participated in the tournament and four referees were in charge of the rules of the game.

Nobody likes to be hit with a dodgeball, especially one not thrown by a wimpy freshman in high school physical education class. These teams took the game seriously.

The rules and game structure are much different than the images people may have from childhood. For the start of the game, 10 dodgeballs are placed at the centerline of a basketball court. Each team stands on opposite baselines, awaiting the start signal. Players then sprint to half court to get possession of the balls and start attacking the opposition. Once all players on one side are gone, the team left is awarded one point.

Winner of the championship were the “Dodgefathers” sponsored by First Midwest Bank. Second place were the “Top Guns,” with employees of the City of Dexter as squad members.

The Dodgeball tournament was the culmination of an exciting week of DHS Homecoming Week activities.