Dodgeball and other injuries | The Press

A woman walks into the gym. I immediately notice his bandaged hand.

“Don’t tell her what happened, she’s going to freak out!” whispers her friend when she sees me approaching. Too late, I need to know. The injured woman explains to me that she dislocated her thumb trying to catch a ball a few days ago… But what am I doing here?

The answer is simple: when I learned that a dodgeball league was organizing recreational evenings to recruit members, I immediately wanted to participate. Because I’m good, you say to yourself? Oh no.

Because I carry childhood traumas related to this hobby (which consists, I remind you, of throwing a ball very hard towards opposing players so that it hits them). I was therefore fascinated to learn that adults are deciding to reclaim it and make it a passion, even a way of life.

I’m hardly exaggerating, you’ll see.

I was welcomed at the Center Yvon Deschamps by Marie-Douce Denis, president of the Dodgeball LGBTA Montreal league — the Ratons-Chasseurs. At the moment, nearly 200 players are part of it. Their sexual orientation and gender identity does not matter, any ally is welcome.

The 37-year-old plays here three nights a week.

“I’m often told that I give too much time to dodgeball and not enough to my family. But as an athlete, I have no choice but to maintain a certain level of training, otherwise I won’t be ready to represent Quebec at the Nationals! »

Because yes, there is a Canadian dodgeball circuit. Montreal will also host the 2023 national championship next spring. In the meantime, different leagues compete in the provincial network and some players even reach the world level.

Among the Ratons-Chasseurs, the elite rub shoulders with the amateurs. There are game nights for everyone.

“It’s a community that really sticks together,” says Marie-Douce Denis. The members go for a drink after practice on Thursday, they support each other on the field and in life.

“Here the last chosen does not exist”, adds the president. The teams are determined before the games so as to balance the forces. No rubber pains either. The balls used by the league are made of foam and coated with latex.

However, injuries do occasionally occur. Marie-Douce received a shot in the face, during a competition in the United States. Black eye and concussion.

This is partly why recruiting women is more difficult. Male throws can be scary. To attract more female players, the Ratons-Chasseurs therefore organize strictly female evenings a few times a year.

Which brings us to the Center Yvon Deschamps gymnasium.

Nearly thirty women gathered there that evening. The majority were dragged [souvent de force] by friends, others love dodgeball, but don’t dare to become regular league members.

They seem confident, unlike me who feels small in my shorts.

There are several softball and rugby players here. Girls who have tabarouette arms. Girls with knee pads (“I just wear them to look good,” a woman named Vicky tries to reassure me). Girls who, even with a dislocated thumb, come to play.

It impresses.

No matter, I step onto the field and wait for the first whistle. As soon as it rings, the players throw themselves on the ground to avoid the balloons (there are five of them at the same time), they shout, they challenge each other. I freeze.

“It has nothing to do with the small school, huh?” “A teammate told me just before throwing the ball against the calf of an enemy.

I end up coming out of my torpor and grabbing a ball. Immediately launched, immediately caught by an opposing player. I am eliminated. I have to wait on the sidelines until a teammate intercepts a shot and revives me.

I will often be on the sidelines during the two hours of play.

I get stuck everywhere, I’m an easy target and my arm is very weak. My opponents always recover the balls that I throw. I’m hurting my team.

However, each time I hand a ball to a teammate so that she can throw it for me, she encourages me: “We don’t care if you’re good or not! We are having fun ! It is by trying that we improve! »

They are forgiving.

After several minutes, I catch my first ball and resuscitate at the same time two eliminated teammates. I raise my arms to the sky shouting: “I MADE A WATCH ! »

I don’t really understand the joy that overwhelms me.

Quickly, my cheeks were soaked in sweat and my body was tired.

“It’s the only time in my week when I don’t think about anything other than avoiding balloons,” a teammate told me. It feels good. »

True. I’m in survival mode, completely absorbed in my surroundings rather than my thoughts.

Then, the unimaginable happens: I eliminate an opponent after having blocked one of his shots. My teammates applaud, I burst out laughing.

Incredible, but true: this game amuses me. My childhood wounds are healed, I tell myself…

At the same time, I eat a ball in the face.

My poor adversary profusely apologizes, while a mixture of burning and numbness spreads over the left half of my face.

One thing is clear: the women around me are resolutely strong. They would intimidate anyone with a ball in their hands. My face greets their power. But as imposing as they are, they are here for fun. And their pleasure is contagious.

“The worst has happened and you’re doing fine!” says Marie-Douce, running towards me.

She’s not wrong.

I am a new woman.

The next evening Just Us Girls will take place on November 23. For all information on the league and its events, go to the Ratons-Chasseurs Facebook page.