Bryan Stableford throws a Frisbee around Sam Kaye during an Ultimate Frisbee League game Wednesday night at the Fredericksburg Field House. Six teams play in the league each week. rls View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

Ultimate Frisbee goes indoors

New Fredericksburg Field House hosts fledgling league that is equal parts competition and social gathering.

By TAFT COGHILL JR.

Date published: 3/18/2005

By TAFT COGHILL

Wednesday nights at the Fredericksburg Field House serve more than one purpose for local Ultimate Frisbee enthusiasts.

Not only does the field house offer a warm indoor sports facility for adults to indulge in their passion, it also hosts something of a social gathering.

Sixty players have already signed up for the Ultimate Frisbee league that is in just its second week of existence.

Players said one of the main attractions to the new league is that it's a safe way to meet new people with common interests.

Men and women play the sport together, and are mainly on an equal playing field. Physical contact is minimal, so anyone who can catch a Frisbee is useful.

"The social experience is what brings people in," said Kent Gold, who was a consultant on the field house project. "[Ultimate Frisbee] is a sport and and social club in one."

Added field house assistant manager Brevin Boyd: "It's a true co-ed sport, and it's all about the spirit of the game. There are no referees, so we have to have mutual respect for each other."

On Sunday afternoons, more than 20 Ultimate Frisbee players can be seen running around outside at Old Walker-Grant High School in Fredericksburg.

But there, players are at the mercy of weather conditions. That's why they're enjoying the cozy new indoor environment.

"I enjoy it," said Drew Weaver, 28, who travels from LaPlata, Md., to participate. "Everywhere I've played, there's a great group of people. It's a fun and easy-going sport."

Ultimate Frisbee has been around for more than 35 years. It's played at a fierce pace and is similar to football, without the contact. Players throw a disc around until one catches it in scoring territory. Scores are one point each.

It's a popular sport among college students and older high school kids. Bryan Stableford, 42, found that out on Wednesday night. Stableford, an avid disc golf player from Fredericksburg, was recruited to play in the league by Boyd.

"It's totally different from disc golf," Stableford said. "We don't do so much running. But this is good exercise. I can do it to get in shape."

A few University of Mary Washington students play as well. Sam Kaye, 21, is a member of a club team at UMW, but said he couldn't resist joining the new league.

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Date published: 3/18/2005