Sweep and Score: D.C. Broomball at Kettler Capitals Iceplex

The District takes its social sports — and its corresponding post-game drink specials — seriously. Alas, after a stifling summer full of Bocce, kickball and cold brews, it's almost time to bring the fun inside. But if you're looking for something a little more stimulating than indoor cornhole this fall, D.C. Broomball is the answer.

We first wrote about broomball last year, when the sport was just gathering steam in the area. This season, official league games start Sept. 1, but newbies can get in some practice time during Saturday pick-up games held at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington.

"We're happy to see new players, and the old players will work with you," said said Ryan A. Schradin, the commissioner of D.C. Broomball. "The ego is very small on the ice."

"We joke around because it's the only CHASE [Capitol Hill Adult Schoolyard Entertainment league] sport that requires a helmet, but, you know — it's not kickball," said Schradin. "You're not kicking a ball and running to first, then chugging a beer. It's a real sport."

Schradin founded the D.C. Broomball league in 2008 with the hopes of finding players in the area other than his wife. "It started with Sarah and I. The two of us would pay our $10, go out on the ice and kinda stand there, knock the ball back and forth for an hour," said Schradin. "Luckily, D.C. is a place that has people from all different places — Minnesota, Ohio, the Chicago area and upstate New York, places where Broomball is very popular."

The popular Midwest and Northeast pastime opens its third season in the District this September. Commonly described as a cross between hockey, soccer and lacrosse, broomball lets players get intense interval training while honing unique skills — like running on ice.

"It's definitely your workout for the day. You're doing really one to three minutes worth of running, similar to hockey then you get one or two minutes of break," said Katherine Koleski, 24, who also plays in D.C. soccer and tennis leagues.

For 29-year-old James Cargo, the league's deputy commissioner, the draw of broomball was that it doesn't require skates. "I never learned how to skate until I was 18 and it's tough to play hockey not being a good skater," said the Ohio native. "But that kind of levels the playing field by taking the skating out of it." Cargo joined D.C. Broomball in 2008 after playing competitively at Miami University-Ohio.

Broomball is played with special shoes with deep grooves designed to maximize traction. The object of the game is very similar to hockey; shoot a ball into a 6-foot-by-8-foot net. According to Schradin, the most challenging aspect to the game is the stick used to play. It's basically a lacrosse shaft with a rubber, triangular broom end, which makes ball handling more challenging — and more fun, said Schradin.

"If you're adventurous, just sign up and come on out," he said. "A pick-up game is cheaper than a movie and you'll learn something."

» Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Saturdays, $10, 627 N. Glebe Rd. Suite 800 Arlington; 571-224-0555. (Ballston)

Written by Express' Rosemary Dorsett
Photos courtesy CHASE Sports Group

Posted By Express at 7:51 AM on August 16, 2010