By Tim Sullivan
It’s a sunny and warm Saturday afternoon in April and I’m taking in some Ultimate at Walker Park in Edgewood. Team Plinko and Team Communist Bananafesto of the Atlanta Flying Disc Club league (afdc.com) are engaged in a competitive, but preternaturally friendly game. In lieu of referees, a metronomic mantra of “Play Hard, Respect Your Opponent” seems to ably govern the field of play.
I’m struck by the absence of confrontation – confrontation that is as common to adult recreational basketball, soccer and flag football leagues as pulled hamstrings. Even the player-officiated ALTA Tennis league is notorious for contentious calls, but the vibe here is clearly different.
“I play soccer, too, and on the soccer field I fight,” says Katherine Kearns of Communist Bananafesto. “I never fight in Ultimate.”
The Spring League serves as a refresher for the upcoming summer season. The co-ed teams are comprised primarily of lithe, 20-and 30-somethings although some more senior players are on hand as well. While the workout is clearly rigorous, the reserved nature of the competitors may be why some 800 Atlantans choose to get their exercise by chasing a flying disc.
Here’s how it works. Seven players on each side seek to successfully pass the disc the length of the field to score one point. Games are played to 13 with a halftime at 7 and there is a 90-minute limit to each game. Defense is somewhat similar to basketball in that it is usually man-to-man but many zone variations are employed as well, particularly when trying to defend highly skilled players. And from where I’m sitting, there is some serious talent and athleticism on the field.
The league offers clinics to newcomers to hone their disc skills as there are a few different techniques to send it down the field. Some instances call for the backhand toss we all learned as kids but, the favored method is the forehand or the flick. The more advanced players pull this off effortlessly, zipping the disc to an open area where their receiver is heading, usually in a sprint.
I witness a jaw-dropping hammer throw where one player throws the disc overhand from his shoulder, lofting it high in the air over the defenders and inverting it upside down to cut through the wind. The disc drops perfectly in his receiver’s hands for a point.
A rare instance of bravado occurs when scoring after a particularly long point, Benjamin Rainwater of Team Plinko spikes the disc in mock celebration. An audible hush comes over the sidelines. Did he just do that?
“Did you see me spike the disc?” asks Rainwater at halftime. “I shouldn’t have done that. That is frowned upon” he says with a chuckle.
Outside the lines of play the culture of Ultimate is on display as well. Relaxed spectators keep one eye on the action and another on small children, dogs or The New York Times. In addition to water bottles and orange slices, players sip on miniature Miller Genuine Draft beers. A growler of a mysterious beverage sits atop the cooler. Save for a short, albeit serious strategy meeting at halftime, the teams intermingle and share laughs. The party, it seems, will continue after the last point is scored.
“There is a great sense of community in the Ultimate world,” says Brian Lynch, Summer League commissioner, “and an Ultimate player visiting or moving to a new city can find the local scene and usually just jump right in.”
An invasion of inchworms descends upon the bleachers, taking up residence on shoulders and shins. Most players do not flick them away though, choosing to leave them be and count them as good luck. Some folks play in adult recreational leagues to work out stress and perhaps attempt to relive their glory days. Ultimate players play for the same reason they enjoyed team sports as a kid – it’s fun. What a grown-up concept.
The sign-up period for Summer League play is now open at afdc.com.
I PLAYED ULTIMATE FOR A LONG TIME AND IT WAS THE BEST TIME I EVER HAD, EXCEPT FOR WHEN I WAS WATCHING NENE ON REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA. I WONDER IF SHE HAS EVER PLAYED CAUSE THEN SHE WOULD BE THE BEST WOMAN IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE, TOTALLY CLASSY AND ELEGANT BUT ALSO FUN AND ATHLETIC. I WISH SHE WOULD SIGN UP FOR SUMMER LEAGUE CAUSE I WOULD PUT HER ON MY TEAM AND HUCK IT TO HER ALL THE TIME.
That Benwater is out of control. He needs to be banned from Summer League.
Did you see me spike it?
i heard that ultimate is almost as fun as kickball so i want to play but im scared of that rainwater fellow spiking discs and calling fouls when he obviously doesnt even carry a rulebook with him at all times but i think ill play because i do like miller high life and inchworms.
I think benwater is the best sports nutritionist in the goalty league. He brings hand grenades and reminds me to wear my hat. Once, I saw him play in shoes without cleats.
Katherine can be really mean on the field. Look at her teasing those guys with the disc. She has no limits.
i two like articles on inchworms, but who took that awesome pic? i heard that that rainwater fellow sometimes is actually a pretty cool guy. boom!
isn’t rainwater a redundant name? b/c rain is water, isn’t it?
but spiking the disc is just good publicity.
I played with benjamin rainwater and he can be a tremendous athlete as long as he eats his vegetables.
I heard only kickballers drink MGD.
I’m confused. There’s a passing mention of dogs in the article, but the description of the rules doesn’t include them at all. How can you play ultimate discball without dogs?
Ultimate is a fantastic sport with world-class locals, like Brian Lynch and Benjamin Rainwater.
That benjamin rainwater guy, he’s a pretty good player. But I heard if he wants to take his game to the next level, he needs to eat his vegetables.
I play ultimate, but not to make friends. I play to win.
I just clicked the link and the AFDC website wouldn’t let me sign up. i’m freaking out! Am I going to be able to play summer league?
I’m confused. Do guys pay ultimate laying down?
I think it is a complete farce to allow people with such names to be celebrities. Pretty soon parents will name their kids after these hooligans! I will not stand for it! Benwater Hallsworth will never happen. End of rant.
Yes, generally boys play a version of ultimate called ‘average frisbee’. Instead of running swiftly and jumping highly, they roll around on the ground and are gently handed frisbees and tiny beers by friendly, athletic women.
Does Frito know about this article? No one tell him, otherwise he’ll find a way to ruin it for everyone.
Mr. Ben Rainwater is both smart and funny. He told me that if I trained really hard, that I could compete and be on this club team called “Ozone”. He made it sound like a lot of fun. I also remember something about jello. Ben also told me I needed to get a new outfit, but I didn’t understand that part.
I hear that Benwater guys is mean to girls on the field. And whats with all the MGD? I though that ultimate players were limited to PBR and/or drinks with umbrellas? And how can I become one of those friendly, athletic women that hands discs and tiny beers to gentlemen suitors lying on the ground, thereby emasculating them?
Are there some sort of forums for people to not only find out about the local games, times, etc but also to communicate with other folks that play flatball in the atlanta area. I’d like to get to know folks a little before I commit to an entire summer around them.
I thought this needed one more comment about benwater needing to eat vegetables
Frisbee isn’t a contact sport? This is confusing.
I hear that Ben guy actually really causes trouble…just ask “Mr. Nice Guy”. In all seroiusness this league is a great way to meet people, exercise and have fun. It’s all about the Spirit of the Game and no one likes to play with evil spirits :p
I DON;T UNDERSTAND YOU PEOPLE……PEOPLE LIKE GRATUITIOUS POSTER…OR SHOULD I SAY GRATUITOUS POSER? EVERYONE NEEDS TO EAT VEGETABLES….THEY CONTAIN VITAMINS AND MINERALS AND IRON. IRON HELPS US PLAY. EVEN NENE GETS VEGETABLES WHEN SHE GOES OUT TO THE FANCY RESTURANTS IN BUCKTOWN. I THINK SHE LIKES ASPARAGUS THE BEST, WHICH IS GOOD CAUSE I HEARD THE FRISBEE LEAGUE HAS A DEAL WHERE YOU CAN GET DISCOUNTED ASPARAGUS AT ONE OF THE LOCAL PLACES AFTER LEAGUE PLAY AND I THINK THIS BENJAMIN RAINWATER FELLOW SHOULD EAT SOME OF THE ASPARAGUS SO HE GROWS UP BIG AND STRONG.
mr. tomato there are in fact forums for anyone interested in reading about a lot of frisbee nerds argue about obscure rules and inside jokes if interested please go to http://www.afdc.com/forum i hear it is a great place to meet women and make lots of friends
mr. pretzels im not sure that rainwater fellow needs to be any stronger it sounds like he is a bit of a menace 2 the league as it is