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Kickball for big kids

Last Updated: Feb. 20, 2003

It's just like grade school recess - running around in the dirt, kicking the heck out of a big, red ball and tagging bases. But in this adult kickball league, the rules involve beer.

Fail to supply an umpire for games in the Midwestern Unconventional Sports Association, and the penalty is buying a pitcher for the other team, or handing over $5.

"Players will remember we are all out here for fun," says another rule for the league, which is signing up teams for its spring kickball season. Teams play on weeknights and Saturday afternoons at five parks around the city.

MUSA, which began in Milwaukee in the fall of 2000 with six teams, has swelled to more than 150 teams with more than 2,500 players in Milwaukee and in three other cities.

With team names like "Picked Last in Gym Class," "Chronic Wasting" and "Bike Rack Bullies," games tend to be more fun than fierce. Players also like to quench their thirst. In an online survey of what they're doing to prepare for the spring season, more kickballers say they're doing "12-oz. curls" or "downing some car bombs" than doing hamstring stretches.

Teams can register on the league's Web site, at www.musakickball.com. Base cost is $395 per team, covering up to 15 players. Registration deadline is March 2.

Corissa Jansen

A version of this story appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 21, 2003.