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http://www.myspace.com/chicagobikepolo "Wednesdays 6:30-9:30. Sundays 2-8. Garfield Park between Monroe and Jackson."
This I believe is a hardcourt game. We play grass polo down here in Hyde Park. We'll start up again in a week or two... not nearly as competitive/skilled as the Garfield Park players.
J., If I could play bike polo in Lincoln Park, that'd be perfect.
I checked out the group/team that plays in Garfield Park before I posted this discussion, and A. that is pretty far from me, and B. I think the people who play there are experienced and probably pretty serious about it.
Thanks everyone, keep it coming!
Yeah, but I've never been good at sports, and I'm not really competitive either. So I'm not sure I'd ever take it serious enough to be able to play with people who have been playing for a long time, and are serious about it. I really want to play bike polo, but just for fun. I don't want to test anyone's patience either. Hah.
A. that is pretty far from me
Aren't you on a bike, meaning nothing is really that far inside the city?
Jackie said:A. that is pretty far from me
Where in Hyde Park? I want in on this---beginners welcome?
Starting up again in a couple of weeks, either on the Midway or in Jackson Park, depending on the soccer schedules. I'll post the info to the calendar when it's ready. Oh, and by all means beginners are welcome. We play the "traditional" bike polo. Some call it Indian rules, some grass polo.
This is as opposed to the much faster hardcourt game, also called "little beirut".
The games differ both in equipment and pacing. The hardcourt game is basically street hockey on bikes. They use a street hockey ball (smaller/harder/faster) and usually DIY mallets. The game allows for body checks, mallet-on-mallet action, and generally more aggressive play. This is not to say that the Garfield Park game isn't welcoming to beginners -- it's just that the style is different. It's usually 3 on 3.
The grass game is played on a larger field is generally 4 on 4. It can be a lot more tiring because (a) you're not supposed to put a foot down while in play and (b) due to the bigger scale, there's a lot of huffing and puffing chasing down balls. You use what is essentially a miniature soccer ball, which is a little less dangerous, but when hit by a skilled player, can be lofted high into the air with a lot of control. This game is much closer to soccer than hockey. I prefer it because it's a bit less hectic, and if you fall, it's on grass. And because it's so tiring, folks are less likely to get violent or overly aggressive :)
The best players I've met around here for the grass game tend to be young guys from India or Pakistan, where there are actually high school leagues! Watching these guys wail the ball 50 meters with accuracy is awesome, and better yet they're usually riding 50 pound clunkers and still ripping around the field!
All that said, both styles are fun. The grass game is a bit softer, and therefore maybe easier for some newcomers to deal with.
DonRay A.K.A. Zesty said:Where in Hyde Park? I want in on this---beginners welcome?
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