BEST OF 2009

Best Amateur Sports League: Happy Hour Kickball

Best Amateur Sports League, Happy Hour Kickball
THE POINT OF KICKBALL isn't actually to compete: It's to drink. That idea is nicely summed up in the name of this Montgomery County league founded in early 2007. "I think that because we're a bit smaller [than other leagues], we have more of a collegial atmosphere," says founder Chris Bocquet. In addition to parties after games — which also serve as fundraisers for charity — the 1,200 members of Happy Hour can test their drinking game prowess in the Beer OH Lympics, held every four months.

Year-Round Fun: Starting in January, the league is introducing indoor dodgeball. That, along with bowling, will keep members entertained during the colder, kickball-less months.

» Happyhourkickball.com.

» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.

Photo by Kevin Dietsch for Express

ALSO IN BEST OF 2009
COMMENTS (9)

  • Yeah B.O.O.O.O.M.!!!!

    By Cap'n Tim , Posted November 6, 2009 7:15 AM

  • This is well deserved! Truly the best kickball league in the biz. The members are fantastic and the founder, well, he's just THE BEST!

    By A-Rod , Posted November 6, 2009 8:33 AM

  • total bull@#*& that not a sport.It's a bunch of booze hounds ,coming up with a reason to get drunk....

    By wayne , Posted November 6, 2009 4:34 PM

  • @ wayne - i'm not sure anyone's arguing with you? :)

    By Brad Longley , Posted November 6, 2009 10:18 PM

  • I remember when CB approached me about participating in this new league he had envision, "Happy Hour Kickball." It makes me proud to see what this league has become and to know the good charitable works that the league helps to fund. Congratualtions Chirs!

    By Big C , Posted November 7, 2009 3:56 PM

  • It's great that the winning league plays for a charity instead of for profit like so many others in the area. Fees are cheap too - under $50 for over a dozen games!

    By Jason Yang , Posted November 9, 2009 10:31 AM

  • I am sure you guys have a blast, and that is nice to see a sport can facilitate that. But I really wish Express would have understood their own category of "Amateur Sprots League". There are some true amatuer sports being played in the area, and it is just not right that this award went to a league that is all about drinking first. It disrespects the the organizations out there that are true leagues. Perhaps Express would recategorize you to "Best Drinking League" or something similar and allow a true "Amateur Sports League" to rightfully be recognized!

    What do you say, Express?

    By ron , Posted November 9, 2009 10:32 AM

  • The aversion to associating the categories of "Amateur Sports League" and "drinking" amuses me when virtually every social sports league has a sponsor bar linked to its activities. Granted the Express did opt to highlight what the league's name suggests (and does not try to hide), but the league is as serious about exerting its physical prowess on the fields as it is in the bar afterwards. It's too bad that those that have never stepped foot in the league aren't big fans of fun, but we do invite you to visit our site and entertain the idea of a social sports league that loves to party as much as it loves to play ball, give to charity and make friends (insert Kumbaya music). We welcome you with open arms!

    By A-Rod , Posted November 9, 2009 2:44 PM

  • @ ron - perhaps if you had nominated and voted for your preferred choice?

    By Brad Longley , Posted November 10, 2009 11:22 AM
POST A COMMENT
All comments on Express' blogs will be screened for appropriateness, spam and topic relevance, so there is likely to be a delay before your comment is displayed. Thanks for your patience.
Remember personal info?
(you may use HTML tags for style)