Basketball’s not the only game in town

Are you looking for a way to get physically fit and have a lot of fun with your friends? Then try Kin-Ball.
Kin-Ball is a fast-paced new game being played by boys and girls in gym classes at South Central Junior-Senior High School in Elizabeth.
At first glance, Kin-Ball looks like “mob action.” Lots of students running around the gym laughing and batting at a huge pink ball. You’d think the players are out of control. They behave more like spectators at a professional baseball game knocking a beach ball around in the stands than students in gym class.
But, believe it or not, the game has rules, designated teams and point scoring.
Kathie Dawes, a physical education teacher at the school, said Kin-Ball was developed by a group of Canadian physical educators from different Quebec universities who wanted to create a sport that would be without physical or verbal violence and enjoyable to play.
“Kin-Ball is a fun game that even our most un-athletic and less competitive student can play and have fun with, while getting a lot of exercise,” Dawes said. “After playing this game for a short while, these kids will be huffing and puffing.”
Kin-Ball is played by teams of four; the object of the game is to keep the ball from hitting the floor. Each team is identified by a color, and before the ball is served, a color is called.
The ball is served by one player, volleyball style, while the other three team members act as the “tee.”
The team whose color is called must catch the ball before it hits the floor. If they catch it, they call a color and serve. If the ball hits the floor before the team can catch the ball, every other team receives a point.
“Because of the size of the ball, several team members have to work together to catch the ball,” Dawes explained. “This teaches the team members to corporate to achieve a common goal.
“The kids really like this game, and even when we take a break, they end up knocking the ball around between themselves.”
Derek Kaiser, an athletic-looking student from Elizabeth, said, “In Kin-Ball, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose. The game is pretty fun and better than other kinds of gym classes.”
While boys and girls play the game together, Kaiser said, “That’s not a problem. We don’t blame the girls if we lose because we all have to work together as a team.”
“This is much better than other gym classes,” gasped Kim Beanblossom, an out of breath, red-faced female student from Laconia. “This is good exercise and fun.”
The Kin-Ball equipment was provided for the school through the generosity of First Harrison Bank of Corydon at a cost of about $300 for the ball, an extra “bladder” and a pump.
“Kathie Dawes made a presentation to us for this equipment last school year, and we decided to help the school get it,” said Aaron Smith, marketing director for First Harrison. “We are a community bank and like to find ways to help with projects in the communities we serve.
“We were happy to deliver this Kin-Ball to her school last October.”