Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMuggle Matchup
Students bring a human spin to the magical game of Quidditch every Sunday
By Amity Paye
Posted: 3/31/09, 12:19 AM EST Section: Feature
"It looks really complicated," said Joe Winderi, a freshman accounting major and Quidditch spectator. "It's like a mix between dodge ball and I don't know what."
The human-adapted form of Quidditch works like this:
Three Chasers on each team try to throw the Quaffle (a soccer ball for SU games) into one of the three goal posts on either end of the field in order to score points. The keeper protects the three round goal posts - in this case three hula-hoops, stripped of their pink sparkles and suspended about six feet in the air by plastic braces.
There are also two Beaters on each team who use Bludgers, small bouncy balls with a picture of Spider-Man on them, to hit other players. When hit with a Bludger, a player must run around his goal posts to take time out of the game.
"Where's the snitch?" someone yells from a passing car.
Shields, temporarily distracted from the game, responds, "we didn't have enough players, come join us," before being hit in the back with a Bludger.
However, as the car drives off, Shields forgets the absence of the Snitch. He regains his concentration and runs around his goal post.
Meanwhile Joe Astle, a freshman mechanical engineering major playing for Team Fire Truck, has retrieved the Quaffle and runs the length of the field. There is a collision and a broken broom is hastily thrown to the side, its top completely shaven off the stick.
Astle, however, is still on his broom and is not hurt. He continues toward the goal posts at the end of the field. As he throws the ball a Bludger just misses his arm. He is caught off guard and ends up missing the goal hoop by just inches.
"This is weird," says Astle, a first-time Quidditch player, looking disappointed about the missed goal.
Shields takes possession of the Quaffle and runs toward Team Fire Trucks' goal posts. Reaching them, he skillfully passes the Quaffle to a teammate who easily dodges the Keeper and deposits the ball into the closest hoop.
"Ooooh," says Shields, slapping high fives with his teammate. "I'm wicked."
As the players tire, the game ends. Shields sports the battle wounds of a torn sock and mud stains all over his clothes. He walks up to address the players of both teams.
"Good game, guys," says Shields, giving a full postgame pep talk. "Remember, we'll be back next Sunday, come and play again next Sunday."
ampaye@syr.edu
The human-adapted form of Quidditch works like this:
Three Chasers on each team try to throw the Quaffle (a soccer ball for SU games) into one of the three goal posts on either end of the field in order to score points. The keeper protects the three round goal posts - in this case three hula-hoops, stripped of their pink sparkles and suspended about six feet in the air by plastic braces.
There are also two Beaters on each team who use Bludgers, small bouncy balls with a picture of Spider-Man on them, to hit other players. When hit with a Bludger, a player must run around his goal posts to take time out of the game.
"Where's the snitch?" someone yells from a passing car.
Shields, temporarily distracted from the game, responds, "we didn't have enough players, come join us," before being hit in the back with a Bludger.
However, as the car drives off, Shields forgets the absence of the Snitch. He regains his concentration and runs around his goal post.
Meanwhile Joe Astle, a freshman mechanical engineering major playing for Team Fire Truck, has retrieved the Quaffle and runs the length of the field. There is a collision and a broken broom is hastily thrown to the side, its top completely shaven off the stick.
Astle, however, is still on his broom and is not hurt. He continues toward the goal posts at the end of the field. As he throws the ball a Bludger just misses his arm. He is caught off guard and ends up missing the goal hoop by just inches.
"This is weird," says Astle, a first-time Quidditch player, looking disappointed about the missed goal.
Shields takes possession of the Quaffle and runs toward Team Fire Trucks' goal posts. Reaching them, he skillfully passes the Quaffle to a teammate who easily dodges the Keeper and deposits the ball into the closest hoop.
"Ooooh," says Shields, slapping high fives with his teammate. "I'm wicked."
As the players tire, the game ends. Shields sports the battle wounds of a torn sock and mud stains all over his clothes. He walks up to address the players of both teams.
"Good game, guys," says Shields, giving a full postgame pep talk. "Remember, we'll be back next Sunday, come and play again next Sunday."
ampaye@syr.edu
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