The World Games

[Neutral Corner]

Are going to be held here in Birmingham July 7-17.

The big news recently is the banning of Russia.

It's a strange semi-Olympics games, but there will be some cool stuff. They also have events that I've basically never heard of. Korf Ball? Floor Ball? Fist Ball?

I'm no kind of fan of most of this stuff. That said, watching some of the best in the world do their sports up close does not come down the road every day. Combat sports like Muaythai, Karate, Kickboxing Jiujitsu and Wu Shu. Archery. The Ultimate will be very good. Hell, they even have drone races.

This is a ticket listing but you get the events list and a schedule grid. I don't know to what degree I'll actually attend but I'll probably catch a couple of events.

The World Games 2022 Tickets

https://www.al.com/life/2022/03/alabama-sara-evans-nelly-yung-bleu-and-more-to-perform-at-protective-stadium.html

 

[Regan MacNeil]

Fist Ball sounds like the pastime in Hell.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

Nobody is beating Team San Francisco in Fist Ball.

 

[Neutral Corner]

Yeah, I knew that one was all teed up for y'all to drive.

Fist Ball appears to be very much like volleyball except that the ball must be struck with a closed fist or your arm. Open hand is not allowed.

 

[User 150927]

I thought it would involve your fist and a different part of someone else's anatomy.

 

[goalmouth]

You know what they say;

"Warm heart, cold fist."

 

[Batman]

Combat sports like Muaythai, Karate, Kickboxing Jiujitsu and Wu Shu.

I guess after the Chinese crackdowns on Hong Kong they needed a new host city for the Kumite.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Does Birmingham have the hotel space to handle the influx of fans for Fist Ball and the USFL at the same time?

 

[Neutral Corner]

I 'spect so. Not my problem.

Lots of hotel tax money to help pay off Protective Stadium.

 

[Batman]

Glad to see Tug of War making a comeback on the international stage.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

As a fan of obscure sports, this is right up my alley. I’ve always fantasized about being The Best at a sport. This gives folks a chance to be that - admittedly in sports 99-percent of us have never seen.

 

[dixiehack]

I keep hoping nobody from outside metro Birmingham will hear about this thing. It makes me feel like George in the diner when Festivus gets brought up.

 

[Neutral Corner]

As a fan of obscure sports, this is right up my alley. I’ve always fantasized about being The Best at a sport. This gives folks a chance to be that - admittedly in sports 99-percent of us have never seen.

That's kind of where I am. I'm not sure about the spectator value of something like archery, but the people competing are going to be far better than any I have ever seen. I'm interested in the hand to hand combat sports, even if I'm not educated enough in them to appreciate the various techniques being thrown. The parachuting for accuracy and drone races look just plain fun to watch.

I have an old friend who played lacrosse when he was young, and both his sons as well. I'm pretty sure that he'll go to that if he can get away from work.

I don't imagine that most of the crowds are going to amount to much, but what do I know? The only event that I'm pretty sure will pull a crowd is gymnastics.

Some of the events I can see without a lot of effort without these games. Our Olympic Wheelchair Rugby team practices here, and there is a big regional Ultimate tournament here every year, but I mean, when else am I ever going to see live Sumo wrestling, you know? The question is whether I'm willing to *pay* to see live Sumo. particularly over Muy Thai or Jiujitsu or Wu Shu Kung Fu.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

Are going to be held here in Birmingham July 7-17.

The big news recently is the banning of Russia.

It's a strange semi-Olympics games, but there will be some cool stuff. They also have events that I've basically never heard of. Korf Ball? Floor Ball? Fist Ball?

I'm no kind of fan of most of this stuff. That said, watching some of the best in the world do their sports up close does not come down the road every day. Combat sports like Muaythai, Karate, Kickboxing Jiujitsu and Wu Shu. Archery. The Ultimate will be very good. Hell, they even have drone races.

This is a ticket listing but you get the events list and a schedule grid. I don't know to what degree I'll actually attend but I'll probably catch a couple of events.

The World Games 2022 Tickets

https://www.al.com/life/2022/03/alabama-sara-evans-nelly-yung-bleu-and-more-to-perform-at-protective-stadium.html

Go watch the billiards. There’s a better than 50-percent chance I may be there.

 

[Neutral Corner]

I had thought about that one. I can't imagine that it will be terribly crowded either.

Looks like the floor price for the cheap seats is $25 pretty much across the board, up to $175 - which ain't happening.

 

[poindexter]

I know more about Birmingham and Alabama than I ever wished to know.
Birmingham and the UP.

I'm old enough to remember when sj.com was New York City-centric.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

This is the consolation prize for the pool and billiards industry, which had originally lobbied to be included in the 2024 Paris summer Olympics but were handed the World Games instead as a sort of test run. The attitude is that if they can redeem themselves in Birmingham they may be able to be included in future summer games. Looks like they'll be competing in pool, three-cushion billiards and snooker, which is played on a 6 by 12 foot table. Compare that to the average coin-operated bar table you see, which is three-and-a-half feet by seven.

Additionally, the European Pool and Billiard Federation just banned players from Russia and Belarus from competing in the European championships so I expect similar for the World Games.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

How is Pickleball not in this event?

 

[UPChip]

Yeah, I knew that one was all teed up for y'all to drive.

Fist Ball appears to be very much like volleyball except that the ball must be struck with a closed fist or your arm. Open hand is not allowed.

That reminds me of playing volleyball in elementary school. I remember the ball went to a kid and he delivered a perfect right cross and nearly put it straight through the middle of the net.

That said, I'm kind of curious to see what they can do in Alabama in July.

 

[UPChip]

I know more about Birmingham and Alabama than I ever wished to know.
Birmingham and the UP.

I'm old enough to remember when sj.com was New York City-centric.

You're welcome?