”It’s a hit!”

Starting next week, Common Ground Church of the Nazarene will be holding their annual archery tag season that is available to all members of the public. The game is a combination of dodgeball and archery that has been gaining popularity throughout the Midwest over the past few years.

The game features two teams of five players in a field with blow up covers firing arrows that have cushioned ends at each other to score points. Participants, who wear a mask similar to a paintball mask for protection, begin with a bow in their hands with arrows scattered across the field. After the start, events proceed much like dodgeball, with players scrambling to grab the arrows and fire them at the other team. Rather than knocking people out of the game, hitting an opponent is worth one point and catching an opponent’s arrow is worth three points. The team with the most points after four, five-minute quarters will win the game.

“The best part about this is that almost any age can participate,” stated Rod Penrod, who is a pastor of evangelism at the church. “In what other competition can you have fifth graders competing on the same team right next to their grandpa.”

Sign up for the league will occur this Saturday, March 11th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Common Ground, which is located at 6555 North Piqua Road in Decatur. The cost of the League is $60 per player, with a discount for friend/ family joint registration. Entry to the league includes participation, as well as a jersey and an award for the League champions. Participants must be fifth grade or older to participate.

Teams will be organized depending on the number of people that sign up. Last year, there were six teams. The season will begin on Tuesday, March 14th and will conclude on Saturday, April 29th, with games being on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and practices on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more information about Archery Tag at Common Ground, contact Dalton Hitchcock at 432277-6627 or Steve Harvey at 260-223-6141.