Women's Games
The Founding Fathers of Hoover-ball might find it hard to believe, but the sport they considered unladylike is quite popular among women today.
Because Hoover-ball was played only by men in the 1930s, the game was adapted for women in the '90s. Three rule changes -- serving from mid-court, allowing one pass before the return, and eliminating restrictions on the return -- have allowed women to join in the fun.
In some ways, the women's game is more challenging and exciting than the men's game.
"You can't fully appreciate the game until you've played it. Catching one of these balls is like catching a bag of concrete mix dropped off a freeway overpass.... throwing it is like throwing a frozen turkey over the garage." - CBS Sunday Morning
"The men's game is basically a game of brute strength," said Beth Walsh of West Branch, one of the first women players. "There is more strategy and finesse involved in the women's game."
The first national tournament in 1988 attracted only one women's team -- The Hoover Bags -- but there were 15 women's teams in 1991.
In addition to competition, women find Hoover-ball a good year-round activity.
"It's really a great workout. I don't know any other sport except for maybe cross-country skiing that uses as many muscles," Walsh said. "And it's fun. Once you play it, you get hooked."
Women play with the 4-pound ball in tournament competition.
Coed play also has been experimented with. There, men play by men's rules and women play by women's rules.