Non-stop action. Fast paced play. Impressive athleticism. Amazing plays. Absolutely a blast to watch.
These are some of the adjectives of the most popular sports in the country. It also describes the game played by the Portland Stags, a team that just entered its second season. The league they play in? It is known as MLU, or Major League Ultimate.
That’s Ultimate as in Ultimate Frisbee.
Many of you probably grew up playing Ultimate Frisbee at some point in your childhood. I certainly did. It was a blast.
For those who aren’t familiar with the game, it can be described almost as a mix of soccer, basketball and lacrosse. The objective is simple: each team attempts to move the disc across the field into the end zone as many times as possible. On offense, the team can move the disc unlimitedly as long as the disc never hits the ground or goes out of bounds. The player with the disc has to stop and has a limited amount of time before they have to pass the disc.
What does all of this mean? It means Major League Ultimate is a game that is always moving. There is never a dull moment. There are some incredible plays that happen in Ultimate. In the first game of the season (and the first professional Ultimate game I had ever seen), there were incredibly full field length passes that hung up in the air just long enough for the sprinting players to reach it for a score. I saw diving defensemen sacrificing their bodies for a chance at forcing a turnover. There were athletic diving and jumping catches. It was a spectacle to behold. To be honest, I can’t wait for the next Portland Stags home game (it’s May 3rd by the way).
This is a sport that deserves everyone giving it a shot. They have complete games online (OSN’s Brad Stein did the play by play for the first game this season) for those who want to check it out before going. Also, unlike so many sporting events, it is a reasonable value. The opening game this season was at Doc Harris Stadium in Camas, WA. Parking was free. Tickets were $12 each and cheaper with student or military IDs. In my opinion, it is $12 well spent for a rollicking couple hours of athletic competition.
About the Stags themselves, they, like the league, are entering their second season. Their inaugural season didn’t go so well. The team finished just 1-9. While many of the league pundits and Power Rankings had Portland projected to finish last in the Western Conference (consisting of the Stags, the San Francisco Dogfish, the Vancouver Nighthawks and the Seattle Rainmakers) again, the Stags worked quietly in the offseason to acquire some talent and improve their team cohesion.
On Opening Day, the hard work of the Stags was evident. Taking on the Vancouver Nighthawks (projected as a playoff team), the Stags made a statement to start the 2014 campaign. They won 23-21 in a back and forth game that was absolutely riveting. The Stags are confident this will be the first of many victories and a playoff berth this season.
Opening Day of 2014 was my first MLU game. It won’t be my last. I may have picked a great one to start with. MLU Commissioner Jeffrey Snader said on Twitter that the game was “One of the most exciting games ever.” No matter what, I saw a lot to love in my first game.
I hope to see you there when the Stags return home on May 3rd to take on the San Francisco Dogfish at Doc Harris Stadium at 3 PM. I’ll be there with bells on.
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