sports

Dear PoPville – Local Resident Selected to 2013 USA Dodgeball Team

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

I’m a Persian American professional athlete selected by the United States Dodgeball Organization to the 2013 USA Women’s Dodgeball Team. I am one of six women from across the nation who made the team. On September 27th, I will be making a very expensive trip to compete in New Zealand against five
other countries for the gold. While many of us enjoyed playing dodgeball as a kid, it’s a growing sport amongst adults that’s gone beyond the national level and stemmed into the international arena.

This will be the second international tournament of its kind and it will be streamed live for the world to see. I’ll be posting the link on my Facebook page,  Paniz Asgari USA Women’s Dodgeball, so fans may watch us LIVE!

I’m asking for support from our amazing DC community to help send me to New Zealand so we may bring home the gold together! Sponsorship donations may be made here.”

International Segway Polo Tournament – World “Woz” Challenge Cup at Hotchkiss field at Gallaudet University

By Prince Of Petworth

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Well this is awesome – thanks to Shannon for sending word and photos. From Woz Cup 2013:

“We are honored to host the International Segway Polo Community in Washington, D.C., from July 20th to the 24th for a four day World “Woz” Challenge Cup at Hotchkiss field at Gallaudet University. The Cup will not only showcase the beauty of Washington D.C., but will also offer Segway Polo teams from around the world a chance to meet and play the sport they love.”

And there is still time to watch them:

How much does it cost to come watch the Woz Cup?

Nothing! It’s free!
Where is the Woz Cup?

Games will be played on Hotchkiss Field at Gallaudet University in Northwest Washington DC.
When will games take place?

Games will be played Sunday, July 21st through Wednesday, July 22.

Game times are 10am-1pm and 5pm-8pm. The Championship game is scheduled to start at 5pm on Wednesday.
What is Segway Polo?

Basically, Segways + Polo = Segway Polo!

2 teams of 5 players each (riding Segways, of course) attempt to put hit a ball through the goal of the opposing team. Play consists of 4 8-minute chukkas. For more, check out the International Segway Polo Association.

Who plays Segway Polo?

This year, 9 teams from 5 countries will compete:

Balver Mammuts (Germany)
Blade Allstars (Germany)
Funky-Move Turtles (Germany)
Polo Bears (USA)
Silicon Valley Aftershocks (USA)
Segway Polo Club of Barbados
Cedars (Lebanon)
Stockholm Vikings (Sweden)
Stockholm Saints (Sweden)

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Kayak on the Anacostia! Ballpark Boathouse in Navy Yard Soft Opening Saturday at 11am

By Prince Of Petworth

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The following was written by Navy Yard ANC Rep David Garber.

After over a year of hounding the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development’s office daily to get them to take the steps necessary to open a privately-run kayak rental vendor at Diamond Teague Park, I’m happy to report that the Ballpark Boathouse — run by Boston Outdoor Recreation, Inc., the same company who runs the Key Bridge Boathouse — will finally be soft opening this weekend.

Diamond Teague Park is located at the corner of 1st Street SE and Potomac Avenue SE between Yards Park and Nats Park. This is pretty big news for this side of the city, as it’s the first kayak rental operation on the Anacostia River.

Operations at the boathouse will ramp up throughout the rest of this outdoor season, and will expand with rentable storage racks next spring where residents will be able to keep their own kayaks.

For now, the hours of operation are Saturdays and Sundays from 11am – 8pm. Because this is a soft opening, they’ll be starting small and working out the kinks over the next few weekends. An official grand opening is planned for later this summer.

More info here.

Randomly Awesome – French Open Watch Party at Takoma Station Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth


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From Council Member Bower’s Office:

We just found out today that the District Department of Parks and Recreation and the Citi Open Tennis Tournament are co-hosting a French Open Watch Party this evening at Takoma Station located at 6914 4th St NW. There will be complimentary food buffet (until 7pm), drink specials all night and prizes will be raffled off as well. So, if you are a tennis fan or want to check out a Ward 4 gem, do stop by and enjoy!!

Dear PoPville – Watch Your Bags at Nationals Games

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user k-willow

Dear Popville,

On Memorial Day my fiance and I attended the Nationals game, and her purse was stolen out from under our seats around the sixth inning. The same thing happened to a couple sitting next to us. We were in the last row of Section 135, so it was definitely possible for someone to get directly behind our seats, reach down, and grab the bags without us immediately noticing. After the fact, a guy who had been standing in the area thought that he had seen something suspicious–two kids seemed to be distracting him by asking him to take their picture while two male adults were behind our seats. So that may well be the group responsible for the heist, although there is no security footage to verify this.

Anyway, I’m wondering if anyone else out there has had this experience or heard of a similar scheme taking place out at the ballpark, or at any other area sports venues. It sure seems like something whoever is responsible wouldn’t pull just once; they knew what they were doing by targeting our seats at a full game.

Red Bull’s FLUGTAG Contest at National Harbor this September, Register by June 1st to Participate

By Prince Of Petworth

The folks at BYT tell us:

The Flugtag will launch in five cities across the country, including National Harbor’s Southpointe Waterfront, on September 21.

The requirements are simple: each team has one pilot and four people to aid in the takeoff. The craft must weigh no more than 400 lbs. (including the pilot) nor exceed a 28 ft. wingspan. Judges are looking for craftsmanship, creativity, and showmanship.

It’s free to enter, just fill out an online form and post sketch of your flying design.

DC Brau Brewing Limited-Edition Beer for DC United

By Prince Of Petworth

From DC United:

The special DC Brau craft beer will be a unique, one-of-a-kind brew, crafted specifically for D.C. United and its fans to enjoy. One thousand gallons of the beer will be produced and will be made available exclusively at participating D.C. United official bar partners and at the DC Brau Brewing Company.

While the beer is currently without a name, the two have partnered to launch a contest giving D.C. United fans the opportunity to name the new brew. Fans can submit their suggestions online.

The brew is planned to become available for order on June 11.

Beer Specifications

Classification: Ale
Approx. ABV: 4.5-5.0%
IBU’s: 15
Hops: U.S. Fuggle, U.S. Cascade
Malts: Pale, CaraPils

Opera in the Outfield is Saturday, May 18 at Nationals Park

By Prince Of Petworth

M&MS Opera in the Outfield Show Boat on May 18 - Photo by Scott Suchman
Photo by Scott Suchman courtesy of Kennedy Center

From a press release:

Washington National Opera celebrates its fifth season of free opera simulcasts at Nationals Park with the M&M’S® Opera in the Outfield performance of the American classic Show Boat on Saturday, May 18. Gates open at 5 p.m. for “pregame” activities for the entire family. Show Boat will be broadcast live from the Kennedy Center Opera House to the high-definition screen at the ballpark at 7 p.m. Free seating will be available on the outfield grass and in the stands. Registration, including a chance to win prizes, is now open at OperaintheOutfield.org

Ten new members of the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame Honored Apr. 28th

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

From a press release:

Ten new members of the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame will be honored prior to the Washington Nationals series finale against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, April 28 at Nationals Park. This year, the renowned sports club will enshrine the following inductees:

o Elgin Baylor – Former NBA All-Star and Basketball Hall of Famer
o Bobby Beathard – Former General Manager, Washington Redskins
o Dave Bing – Former NBA All-Star and Basketball Hall of Famer
o *Maurice “Maus” Collins – Former Head Football Coach, Archbishop Carroll & Gonzaga High Schools
o Mike Gartner – Former Player, Washington Capitals
o Phil Hochberg – Former Stadium Announcer, Washington Senators & Washington Redskins
o *George Michael – Celebrated WRC Sportscaster
o *Sam Rice – Former Player, Washington Senators
o Bob Wolff – Sports Broadcasting Pioneer
o Willie Wood – Former Green Bay Packer and Pro Football Hall of Famer

* Inducted Posthumously

These honorees were selected based on their outstanding contributions to the world of sports, thereby bringing honor and recognition to the Nation’s Capital while furthering the high standards of athletics in the Greater Washington community. They will join a select group of Washington-area standout athletes and sports personalities, including Sammy Baugh, James Brown, Dominique Dawes, Josh Gibson, Walter Johnson, Sonny Jurgensen, Morgan Wootten and many others, already in the DC Sports Hall of Fame.

Each new inductee will receive a Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame plaque commemorating their induction during the pregame ceremony, and their names will be added to the large Hall of Fame display at Nationals Park, located on the side of Garage B facing the field.

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