Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge!

Do you remember standing, poised to defend yourself, as classmates taunted from the sidelines, clutching those large, red balls with the grooves in them, ready to toss them at you and see if you could dodge in time before getting smacked in the face?

If you do, and it brings a smile to your face and maybe even a laugh to your lips, rather than making you cringe, then the World Dodgeball Society (WDS) is looking for you.

The WDS is bringing a brand new, adult,co-ed dodgeball league to Palo Alto, beginning in just a few weeks, and they're looking for new blood. Games and meetups will take place each Tuesday night at the .

The off-the-cuff sport of dodgeball has risen in popularity since the cult-level success of the movie Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story in 2004, starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller. Dodgeball is no longer a sport only played in schoolyards--it is now a serious, adult sport that competes on an international scale, much like in the mock-world of the movie.

The WDS says, its groups are based on a foundation of not only loving the sport of dodgeball, but loving the fond memories it brings with it.

"We are your friendly, neighborhood, adult social group, centered around the time-honored game of dodgeball," WDS organizers say. "We love nostalgia, bringing folks together, helping and bettering the community and, of course, to party."

In addition to the weekly Tuesday night games, the WDS website talks of regular social events like "junior high dance re-enactments," foursquare championships, "drunken spelling bees" and more.

For those of you that may be thinking, "Ouch, in the movie it looks like it really hurts when you get hit with those balls," the WDS says, it has two levels of play. "Stay Puft," the standard form of play, uses a soft, "no-sting" ball, and "Bronson," the more advanced level of play, uses the old, playground style of balls that you remember and love--and that are known for leaving the occasional bruise.

So, if you've been looking for a new way to get a little exercise, meet some new friends and take a trip down junior high memory lane, the WDS will host two Open Gyms on June 14 and 21, 8-10 p.m., at the Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road. Organizers say, come, play a game, try it out and see if you like it!

Each dodgeball league has spots for 20 players, and must have a minimum of five females. Fully formed teams, small groups and individuals are welcome to join the league. If you join the league, the participation fee is $55 for the entire season. Open Gyms have a participation fee of $5.

For more information, visit http://dodgeball4ever.com or e-mail jayboogie@dodgeball4ever.com.