Today's society integrates the fantasy world with video games, such as Halo and War Craft, and our parents' parents played Dungeons and Dragons. Though these games come and go in popularity they are often viewed as odd and those who enjoy playing them, even odder. I can say that fantasies are a part of everyone's life. We all want something we don't have or wish we had something we may never have, i.e. a multi-million dollar home, to be a hero, to be the president or something to that effect.
But the question put into play today is: What happens when fantasy and reality meet?
Well, apparently it leads people to run around crazily with a broomstick between their legs chasing down a guy with a ball on his back. What the heck?!
The last time we heard about somebody getting chased around by someone with a broom in their hand was probably when the neighborhood kids took the apple pie out of Old Lady Wilkins' window.
But the game of Quidditch has rapidly spread across college and high school campuses all across the country. Yes, it's the based off the same game referred to in J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter series.
It started in 2005 at Middlebury College in Vermont by Alexander Manshel, the game's first commissioner. Since then, the game has reached over 400 colleges and 300 high schools in the U.S. That's quite the expansion of something that didn't exist five years ago.
Here are some quick facts about the game for the novice to know:
- Each player wears a cape... usually a good way to get ripped to the ground, just saying.
- Players must have one hand on the broomstick at all times... I'd be tempted to use it as a bat otherwise.
- A volleyball, substituting a Quaffle, is used to shoot through the hoops at each end of the pitch (the field the game is played on).
- Dodge balls, in place of Bludgers, are used to hit opposing players.
- The seeker must chase down the Snitch (typically a veteran cross-country runner) and remove the snitch from them, often a tennis ball or sock, used like a flag in flag football.
- 7 players at one time can in play.
- It's a co-ed sport.
It's an intriguing idea and probably viewed as nerdy. But the unique part about the game is that it brings a piece of fantasy to life. It allows the rest of us the hope that one day our ideas or dreams my come true, and nothing, and I mean nothing, is out of the realm of possibility.
So, the next time you're out and about and you see some goofy kids hobbling around with broomsticks between their legs chasing a guy with a ball tied to his back, realize that there might be something to it more than meets the eye. Maybe that would be a fun challenge; maybe they are making fantasy work with reality.
Check out the IQA at http://www.internationalquidditch.org/.
