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JBLM intramural sports offer fun and exercise

Volleyball, bowling and soccer set to tip off

Intramural bowling season begins Feb. 8. File photo

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If you like playing volleyball, if you like chasing and kicking a soccer ball, or if you like drilling a double into the outfield, Bruce Antonowicz has some advice for you:

Sign up.

JBLM intramural sports has opportunities for servicemembers and families to take part in the sport of their choice, including football, basketball, bowling and softball.

The rewards are simple -- having fun and staying in shape. It's really not about winning.

"It gives them a way of staying in shape and it gives them camaraderie," said Antonowicz, the JBLM intramural sports director. "Sometimes, it just gives the opportunity to work out the stress."

For active-duty military, JBLM offers 10 intramural sports. The most popular are softball, flag football and basketball.

Volleyball began last week, and Antonowicz is hoping for more teams to sign up.

Mark your calendars for the start of the following sports: Feb. 8, bowling; March 12, soccer; April 9, golf; April 17, basketball; June 11, softball; Aug. 20, flag football; and Oct. 1, indoor soccer.  

There are no tryouts. Simply go to Cowan Field to get the form and you'll be assigned to your unit team.

"It's your unit that you play for," Antonowicz said. "The units have to provide a team."

To make it fair, units with more soldiers or airmen are in a different league from units with fewer available players.

Golf and bowling are the least popular of the sports.

"But people are still participating," Antonowicz said. "You want to provide the opportunity."

In the past, there were 50 men's basketball teams with 12 players on a team.

To encourage turnout for JBLM's intramural teams, there's a Commander's Cup trophy awarded to the brigade that finishes with the highest score. Brigades are awarded points for how their teams finished throughout the year in intramural sports.

In addition to the Commander's Cup intramural league, there are additional open leagues for family members and others with access to the base. In that league, women's volleyball starts Feb. 17, open women's basketball starts April 7, spring flag football starts April 14, open softball starts April 7, open basketball starts June 16, open volleyball starts June 16, and open softball starts Aug. 18.

JBLM also offers fun runs throughout the year like the Turkey Trot, the Jingle Bell Jog and the Freedom Run.

"We're just trying to give the servicemembers the opportunity to participate in something promoting fitness and well-being," Antonowicz said.

For more information, contact JBLM intramural sports by calling 253.967.4768, visiting jblmmwr.com, or stopping by Cowan Field.

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