CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Sixteen teams competed in a game that turned an open field into a “Devil Dog” park as Marines ran, jumped and caught their way through an ultimate frisbee tournament here March 13.
The Camp Pendleton Athletics department held the contest at the Camp Horno Football Field.
Eddie Bolanos, the coordinator of the tournament, said this is the second time they have held an ultimate Frisbee tournament on the base, and the turnout has improved this year.
“Last year we had 13 teams that entered and this year we have 16,” said Bolanos. He also said many service members cannot make it to these events because of operational commitments.
Competing teams were placed on a double-elimination bracket so that if they lost a match before finals, they would have a second chance to win.
A regulation field is 70 yards by 40 yards, with end zones 25 yards deep. Each time the offense completes a pass in the defense's end zone, the offense scores a point. Play is initiated after each score. Each point begins with both teams lining up on the front of their respective end zone line. The defense throws the Frisbee to the offense. A regulation game has seven players per team; however these teams were limited at 10 players.
The event coordinators encouraged sportsmanship, fair play and competitiveness, but never at the expense of respect between players, adherence to the rules, and the basic joy of the game.
Cpl. Andrew J. Singer, a communications technician with 9th Communications Battalion, said the part he likes most about the frisbee tournament is that he gets to be on a team with members of other sections in his unit. “Typically when we have sporting events the sections or platoons will compete against each other. It’s nice compete on the same team.”
After numerous games with 16 competing teams, the Marine Corps Base ROIC (Resident Officer in Charge) Stars climbed to the top and won the tournament.
The winning teams earn points toward their overall standing in the 2013 Commanding General’s Cup. The cup is held annually and provides various recreational sports for Active-duty service members to compete in. Teams with the most points at the end of cup wins a cash prize for their units recreational funds.
For more information Commanding General’s Cup events visit www.mccsCP.com/athletics.
Please contact Cpl. Trevon S. Peracca at Trevon.Peracca@usmc.mil.