Dodge, duck, dip

For those thinking participating in the 2010 Sun Life Financial GenNext Dodgeball Tournament might leave them with welts and bruises, organizers say to throw those reservations away.

The balls are very soft and difficult to throw hard, said head referee Brad Welyki.

"There’s a lot of strategy involved in the game," he said. "If anything you might be sore the next day for using muscles you haven’t used in a while but you’re not going to get hurt on the court."

The third annual tournament – held at the Sports Dome on March 27 – is steadily growing with the availability for 32 teams this year. Last year registration was capped at 20 teams.

"Right now we have 18 (teams) committed and spots are filling up fast," Welyki said. "We want to get to our maximum of 32 and there’s still some room."

With the number of teams up this year, organizers hope to raise $16,000 for the United Way of Thunder Bay.

"We’re going to be bigger and better," said Welyki. "Last year we had four courts running at a time. This time we’re going to have six. We’ll have bigger prizes, more people playing. It’s a lot of fun."

There are prizes for top individual fundraiser, top team fundraiser, best dressed and for most team spirit. Last year saw teams with names like the Bounty Hunters, Crazy Chefs and Juggernaut Hamsters.

"We encourage the teams to be creative in their name and creative in their costumes as well," Welyki said. "The competition does come out in it but the day is a lot of fun."

In addition to the regular matches throughout the day, the tournament includes a Last One Standing event where every player in the tournament can participate in a free-for-all where the last one standing wins a 42-inch LCD TV with a DVD player and the movie Dodgeball.

Registration ends this Friday, March 12 and teams need a $100 deposit. Teams must raise a minimum of $500 to participate. Anyone wishing to register can contact the United Way of Thunder Bay at www.unitedway-tbay.on.ca.