By Tim Sullivan
The Atlanta Ultimate Flying Disc Club at large may debate these findings, but this scribe is declaring East Atlanta the Mecca of the sport. Atop that Mecca sits Emory Researcher and UFDC ambassador Brian Lynch.
Is it Ultimate Frisbee, Ultimate, or something else?
Most just call it Ultimate. Frisbee is a trademarked term by Wham-O. In the 80’s, the sport moved from Wham-O discs to Discraft. They fly better.
Can you briefly explain the sport?
It’s often called Frisbee football by people who played some version of it in middle school gym class –
Ray Kodell! That was my gym teacher. He called it Flick Ball, and we played with a ball because we were too spastic to throw a disc. We thought he invented it. Anyway, you were saying?
Each team has seven players. Running with the disc is not allowed. A goal is scored by catching the disc in the end zone. The defense tries to knock the disc down, or force a throw that hits the ground. They then become the offense.
Better workout – game of Ultimate or three mile run?
Definitely Ultimate.In a competitive game, you are constantly sprinting and making hard cuts.
What is the furthest you’ve traveled to play a game?
I have gone to Seattle to play in a huge tournament called Potlatch. Over 100 teams participate from across the country.
Potlatch, huh? Interesting. The megawatt movie producer Joel Silver is often credited with inventing the game in the late 60’s. Does he live in East Atlanta?
I have not seen Joel at The Earl as of yet, but I am hoping to bump into him. I have some ideas for Die Hard 5: The Die Hardest.
Maybe he is bummed out that the Heaping Bowl & Brew closed. How difficult is it for someone to pick up the skills needed to play?
It’s really easy. Ninety-five percent of the sport is running, and anyone can do that. The throws come later. Veteran players are really helpful in teaching the game, and having new people come out is always encouraged. Most leagues are co-ed. Check out www.afdc.com for more info.
What pro athletes would make the best Ultimate players?
This is often debated, with the common consensus being a football wide receiver.
True or False: Facial hair and Miller High Life are acceptable on the sidelines of the Ultimate field.
The sport attracts unique personalities that love to have fun. Nothing’s better than playing hard against someone, then sharing a beer and good conversation on the sideline post-game.
Tim Sullivan heads up the Cabbagetown Running Club and is a Buckhead business owner. Look for his column every month and visit his blog at www.timmydaddy.com
I HAVE MET THIS GUY AND HE ACTS REALLY WEIRD AND THE ONLY THROW HE MAKES TO ME IS A REALLY HIGH IN THE AIR BLADE AT THE GOAL LINE THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CATCH AND ONE TIME IT HIT ME IN THE HAND AND MY HAND GOT ALL SWOLLEN FROM IT AND I DROPPED IT AND WE LOST THE GAME. HEY IS THAT SETO ON THE MARK? I THOUGHT HE DIDN;T PLAY DEFENSE?
Seto seems overly concerned about the area directly behind him. I would be only moderately concerned about Lynch hitting a receiver 12 inches behind me. Lynch IS a poor man’s Cricket so maybe this defense is justified…
It has recently been proven by science that Grant Park is in fact the mecca of the sport of ultimate.
Although I will give this Lynch fellow credit for sitting atop the mecca of high life drinking and blade throwing.
do they wear shoes?
I applaud Seto’s innovative marking style. Using only your face to block the disc is not for the faint of heart…
Also, who took this awesome photograph and is there any way I could get in touch with that person and perhaps pay them money?
Seto is clearly playing grabass. With himself. You can’t love others until you love yourself I guess.
Tim! Great article and thanks for mentioning the UFDC, I always thought is was the AFDC, but I’m a spaz. I think the all caps guy is talking about me. Other than that, great interview of the mayor of East Atlanta.
I’ve heard that the league needs more women participants. Ultimate is way better than kickball. Just saying.
p.s. I enjoy my semi-frequent runs with the Cabbagetown Jogging Club. Keep up the good work with the Chew and Jump Around 5K!
Thats Swanson Sr. on the mark. Definitely not Seto.
I heard on good authority that Lynch is wearing a hat in that picture.
Come play ultimate!!
It’s more fun than running 3 miles. Both can be done slowly enough to not count as much of a work out, or very fast to make you tired, but just running sucks.
Mr Pretzels is weak sauce. I catch Mayor McStaches blades all of the time.
i once used my cricoid cartilage to block the disc. it hurt. also my nose. which broke. ok, i made that part up, but it did bleed a lot.
East Atlanta is also the mecca of Goaltimate. Where’s the article on Goaltimate?
Cut for 2
I don’t think that is a hat, but it is a helluva great imitation of a 70’s fro… probably a wig. Along with beer, the UFDC strongly promotes throwback attire and costuming 😉
I think kickball is way cooler than this hippy sport.
heart,
Paco
Nicely done guys…..
Two days of diarrhea finally subsiding. Now to eat an entire digiorno’s frozen pizza!
Wait, is this facebook?
Lynch forget to mention that this game is very much pants optional.
12. Brian Lynch has been seen doing which of the following:
a) skying Frito
b) constantly sprinting
c) making hard cuts
Wonderful article about a great sport. The Atlanta Ultimate community is one of the best and always has a great time.
This Brian Lynch guy reminds me a lot of myself. Great hairstyles, deceptively fast and often howls on the sideline. However, I’ve yet to see him rip the arms off a stormtrooper.
Brian Lynch rocks! Who want’s to start a fan club?
Excellent photo by Christina.. catching that stupid marker post-gas fanning is awesome
Look how he’s holding it. It’s definitely coming.
Brian Lynch is not and has not ever claimed to be the mayor of East
Atlanta. He and anyone else truly “in the know” readily identify the mayor of East Atlanta to be the one and only Matt Hilt, attorney to the stars. This is a well-established fact and by claiming Mr. Lynch to be the mayor of our fine intown neighborhood is borderline libelous.
Fun fact: Blynch has a man-crush on Matt Ryan. That is all.
This Lynch fellow sounds like a pillar to the eastside community. I would by him a champagne of beers anytime.
Who is that guy?
Signed,
The President of the UFDC
I’m intrigued by Mr. Lynch dodging the final hard-hitting question.
I’m confused…where’s the mustache?
BETTY CHILDS YOU ARE SO WRONG. WHEN I MET THIS GUY HE WAS VERY DIRECT AND ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS EVEN THE ONES I DIDN’T ASK. HE WOULD NOT STOP TALKING ABOUT NUTCRACKERS AND MATT RYAN. I TRIED TO FACEBOOK HIM, BUT HE SAID HE IS ONLY USING FRIENDSTER. ALSO BETTY I THINK I SAW YOU ON THE MOON BOUNCE ONCE.
Who elected Irene president of the UFDC?
I thought she was only good for top 10 lists (6 and 9 reserved for Romey).
Although he would not personally claim to be mayor of the EAV, Mr. Lynch can be quoted (while standing inside the EARL) as saying “I am a pretty important person here.”
Brian Lynch is a great coach. When I play Ultimate with him, he always tells me, “Every time I throw the disk to you, throw it right back to me.” He throws lots of crazy throws. Every time he throws a turnover, he tells me, “never throw like that in a real game.” But he never tells me when the real games are.
I am excited because he told me that next year, he will teach me the no-run defense. I hope that is soon because I get tired sometimes.
I SAW THIS GUY ON SUNDAY PLAYING IN CANDLER PARK. HE WAS REALLY NICE AND EVEN AUTOGRAPHED MY COPY OF THE PAPER FOR ME. I ASKED HIM IF HE WAS GOING TO WATCH THE REAL HOUSEWIVES SHOW LATER AND WHAT HE THOUGHT ABOUT NE NE. HE ONLY TALKED ABOUT THE FALCONS AND MATTY ICE THEN HE THREW THE DISC ALL STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR AND IT CAME DOWN REALLY HARD ON MY HAND AND MY HAND SWELLED UP AND GOT ALL FAT AND I HAD FAT HANDS.
Is this like ultimate fighting witout the fighting? Splain me pleez