Ben B's Big Ball Dodging Tourney 2026

Dear Team, 

Thank you for your interest in Ben B’s Big Ball Dodging Tourney 2026.   This tournament is to celebrate Ben’s love for dodgeball, and to raise awareness/funds for Ben Banks Jr. Foundation!  To learn more about Ben's Foundation please visit Benbanksfoundation.org.  

The tournament takes place Saturday March 28, please see below for grade/age group tournament times. This packet of information will give you all the details about the event, the registration process, and the game rules. 

For more information about the tournament, registration or general questions, please contact Marie Banks at ben@benbanksfoundatrion.com or call 412-498-1325.

BEN B’S BIG BALL DODGING TOURNEY -  SATURDAY, MARCH 28 2025

LOCATION: Blackhawk High School, 500 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 - ENTER AT THE FRONT FLAG POLE ENTRANCE.

AGE GROUP/TIMES AGENDA - CHECK IN/GAMES BEGIN

TEAM INFORMATION/REGISTRATION FEES - $70/TEAM - (6-8 person team)

Ages 8-12 - (grades 3,4,5) Check in: 9am/Games begin: 9:15am

Ages 10-15 - (grades 6,7,8) Check in 11am/Games begin: 11:15

Ages 14-80 - (grades 9,10,11,12 & Adults) Check in 1pm/Games begin: 1:15

PLEASE INVITE FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO BE Spectators cheering on their favorite team, and try their luck at winning a basket.
Basket raffle will be drawn at the end of the tournament at 4pm. You do not need to be present to win.  Baskets will be delivered to winners who are not present during the drawing.

FOOD VENDORS  JUDY'S JIMMY'S - Will be onsite all day selling food and drink items throughout the day. A FOOD TRUCK Will be on site selling lunch options.

BASKET TICKETS $20/25  &  50/50 TICKETS $10/1

Baskets and 50/50 will be awarded at the end of the Tourney at 4pm. You do not need to be present to win. Baskets will be delivered if you are not in attendance.

RULES, REGULATIONS, AND WAIVER

1.  TEAM consists of 6-8 players.  An even number of players will compete on each side; others will be available as substitutes.. Teams must come up with an appropriate team name. Team uniforms should be matching shirt colors and athletic wear, we reserve the right to disqualify for inappropriate attire, poor sportsmanship or conduct.  No street shoes or marking shoes will be allowed. All jewelry must be removed prior to the start of the match.

2.  DOUBLE ELIMINATION a match consisting of the best of 3 games.   Each game will last a maximum of 3 minutes. The game is over when all of a team’s players are eliminated or if time elapses, the team with the most players left wins. If, after time has expired, there is a tie, there will be a 1 minute sudden-death period between the remaining players where the first team to have a player eliminated loses. If there is still a tie, then it is double sudden death overtime in which there will be a “duel” between the two team captains.

3.  THE GAME BEGINS by placing the dodgeballs along the centerline: three on one side of the center hash and three on the other. Players then take a position behind their end line. Following a signal by the court monitor, teams may approach the centerline to retrieve the balls. This signal officially starts the contest.. Once the ball is picked up from the middle line, at the beginning of the game it must be run back to your teams back out of bounds line. The ball is then considered checked in and game play can begin.

4.  YOU ARE OUT IF  a Referee says you are out. You or your uniform is hit by a live thrown ball. A live ball you throw is caught by the other team. You lose control of the shield ball while blocking a live ball and then the shield ball falls to the ground.  If you cross the center hash line on the opening rush. The Definition of "LIVE" ball is: A ball that has been thrown and HAS NOT TOUCHED ANYTHING, including the floor/ground, another ball, another player, the referee or other item outside of the playing field (wall, ceiling, etc.), 

5.  THE THROWER IS OUT IF you catch a live ball that has only hit you, it counts as a catch, and the thrower is out. Once the ball hits you or is deflected by you, only you can catch the live ball to make the thrower out. Teammates cannot get a thrower out by catching a deflection that hit another teammate. 

6.  VIOLATION in order to reduce stalling, a violation will be called if a team in the lead controls all 5 balls on their side of the court for more than 5 seconds. This also applies to teams that have a tie score in overtime or sudden death play.

7.  REFEREES will officiate all games. Referees cannot see everything, and players are expected to play by the honor system. If you know you are out, go out. If you think you may be out, go out. The referees are volunteers, please be kind.  REFEREES DECISIONS ARE FINAL—NO EXCEPTIONS!