User:Mudshark85

The Game of Frisbeer

Overview

Frisbeer is a game involving frisbee golf discs, glass bottles, and plastic poles. Though there are many variations of how to play this game and what to call it, the title 'The Game of Frisbeer' refers exclusively to a version that surfaced in southeastern Ohio around 2009. This version seems to be a more 'cut throat' and physical way to play the game. Although there is often 'rough play' between players, any true player of Frisbeer will insist that it is a 'gentleman's game.'

Frisbeer is played outdoors, and can be played in any weather conditions. In the early days of the game, most Frisbeer games took place in the Spring and Summer, when groups of men would congregate to watch and/or listen to The Cincinnati Reds, which explains why a lot of terminology in Frisbeer is derived from Baseball terminology.

Materials and Setup

To play a legitimate game of Frisbeer, one will need two glass bottles. The size, shape, or color do not matter. It is only important that the two bottles are the same. One will also need two plastic poles, no larger than 2" in diameter. It is widely agreed upon that 1.25-1.5" PVC electrical conduit with a flared end works best. These poles should be somewhere around 4-5.5' in length. The last part of the equation involves two Disc Golf discs. The weight and size of the discs does not matter, nor do they have to be the same, what is important is that all players agree that the discs are good enough to use for the game.

Much like Cornhole, The Game of Frisbeer is played by four people, and there are two goals with two people standing at each. In Frisbeer, the goal is a plastic or PVC pole or pipe, inserted into the ground. The glass bottle is placed on top of the pole. There is no official distance between the poles, and often the pole distance is determined by the yard where the game is being played.

Rules and Scoring

'The Game of Frisbeer' is played to eleven points, and a team has to win by two points. There are two teams consisting of two people. Each pole has a representative from each team. The object of the game is to knock the glass bottle off of the pole with a frisbee. If the bottle is knocked off, the two people on the other side of the thrower must try to catch the bottle. Physical contact is permitted after the frisbee makes contact with either the bottle or the pole. If a frisbee hits the ground it is considered 'dead,' regardless of whether or not it rolls or skips and hits the pole. Players must stand behind the pole on their side at all times, especially when throwing towards the pole on the other side of the court. The only time it is acceptable to roam freely, is when there is a scramble for an airborn bottle. A player or team can declare time out by raising a hand, and stepping out of the area next to the goal known as the batter's box.

Throughout play, everyone involved in the game can only use one hand. This is typically regulated by all players holding beverages in a hand of their choice.

The Blue

To keep the game as 'gentlemanly' as possible, it was decided sometime in 2011 that any spectator who had enough knowledge of 'The Game of Frisbeer,' should act as a referee to settle controversy. The Blue stands out of the way of players and flying discs, but remains in a place where they have a clear view of both goals. The Blue has the ultimate say, and even has the authority to eject players from the game. Sometimes a game will have two people acting as a Blue.

Games can still exist without a Blue, but all disputes are settled by the players. Some players of 'The Game of Frisbeer' consider 'Blue-less' games: "strictly recreational."

Scoring Breakdown

Causing a bottle to come off of the pole will grant the throwing team one point. If the team mate of the thrower catches the bottle, the throwing team is granted two points. If the representative from the opposing team at that end of the court catches the bottle, as opposed to the thrower's team mate catching it, the opposing team earns a point, and the throwing team earns nothing.

Breaking the bottle from frisbee impact alone is an automatic win for the thrower's team. There is no documentation that this has ever happened, but some players still believe it is possible. There are many cases where a bottle has shattered upon impact with the ground, but this is rather common and does not earn any points for either team. The bottle is simply replaced.

Pole Tending

When attempting to catch a loose bottle, the players may not make intentional contact with the bottle until it is completely airborn, or after it has fallen past a ninety degree angle on the pole. Pole Tending calls are often very controversial, as all of the players have a different view of the play in question. If a referee is present, (a.k.a a Blue) the Blue makes the final call, and decides the appropriate penalty. If there is no Blue, it is either a point for the victim, or a point taken from the culprit. The term 'Pole Tending' is a play on words derived from Goaltending in Basketball.

Interference

Though rarely called, interference can be called by a Blue only. This is appropriate if there is excessive physical contact between players before a play has started, or if a player takes his opponent out of the play by knocking him to the ground while a frisbee is in mid air. The Blue decides the penalty, also.

Language of the Game

Over the years of development in 'The Game of Frisbeer,' interesting language has formed to describe some parts of the game. Here are some examples:

The Blue- The term for the game's official(s)
Six-Four-Three- This is a term, taken from a double play in Baseball, that is used to describe when a player hits a bottle and his team mate catches it. This gives the team two points.
Batter's Box- The term for where a player stands.
Pole Tending- The term for prematurely touching a falling bottle.
Walk-off- The term for an 'instant win' where a player shatters a bottle from striking it with a frisbee disc. Taken from Baseball's 'walk-off home run.'
Crowding the plate- Often yelled by a player towards the official, to let the official know that he/she thinks that their opponent is offsides and/or coming over into their standing area (only observed before a throw.)
Ordering up some heat- The term for when a player signals to his team mate that the opponent is crowding his area, or getting physical before a disc is thrown. The player who receives the 'heat request' will then whip a frisbee at the opponent in question as hard as he can, with intent to scare the opponent away from such behavior. See also: Chin Music.
Chin Music or Sweet Chin Music- The term for the the hard thrown frisbee after a player has 'ordered heat.'