Carpentersville fire fighters plan dodgeball tourney

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Interested in helping out the Carpentersville Fire Department in an athletic, yet untraditional way?

Carpentersville fire fighters from the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4790 union are holding their first dodgeball tournament, scheduled for Saturday at Dundee-Crown High School.

Dodgeball? Why?

"We felt it was an opportunity to get people to come out and exercise and have fun and kind of knock off the rust from the winter," said Matt Benson, the fundraising committee chairman. "We wanted people to participate and have a good time."

Portions of the proceeds raised from the tournament will go toward the union's charitable causes — last year, for example, the union helped make Christmas a little merrier for a pair of Carpentersville families who would not have been able to give gifts otherwise.

"We're trying to raise money so that we can continue to do programs like that and give back to the community," Benson said.

More than 20 teams are participating and so far, more than $2,000 has been raised in sponsorship and registration fees. Fire fighters from other towns, including East Dundee, West Dundee, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Huntley and Arlington Heights are playing.

You are invited to play as well. Teams are composed of six people and it costs $120 per team to participate. Matches will be played in a round-robin format and last for three to five minutes each. A flying 8.5 inch foam-covered rubber ball is what you'll want to avoid during play.

"It won't hurt as much," Benson said. "It might still sting a little bit."

Registration starts at 11 a.m. and the tournament begins at noon. Spectators are invited to watch the games at no charge. High school students are invited to referee the matches.

For more information, visit www.iafflocal4790.org, send an e-mail to mbenson@iafflocal4790.org or find the union on Facebook or Twitter.

• Lenore Adkins covers the Dundees, Carpentersville, Huntley and Hampshire. To reach her, send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com, friend her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter or call (847) 608-2725.