Q) Dave, is training for a swing-ball match important?

Dave) Well, I have a theory about that. Allow me to share. Baseball players do batting practice, football players pile on top of each other like a bunch of... well... big dudes in a pile of spandex, and volleyball players practice serves, sets and spikes. That's all well and good, but you have to ask yourself, "What should a swing-baller do to get in shape?" There are so many different aspects to the game, both aerobic and anaerobic, which influence an individual's ability to rise to the next level. Precision on the swing, accuracy with the foot, and agility behind the ball are all vital aspects of the game. The perfect player possesses these abilities and more. Yes, training for a swing-ball match is very important.

Q) Excellent. What type of training do you do for a match?

Dave) There is a certain training regimen that I have been following called Crossfit. To check out more about Crossfit, please visit their website as they can explain a million times better than I can. It can be found at www.crossfit.com. The following workout targets many of the muscles that are used in a swing-ball match.

Defensive workout:
• 25 yard shuffle sprint, right foot lead
• 25 yard shuffle sprint, left foot lead
• 25 double unders
• 25 body weight squats

Repeat this cycle three times. Keep time and try to beat yourself the next time out.

Offensive workout:
• 25 Hip Extensions
• 25 Leg Extensions (seated no weight)
• 25 Back Extensions

Repeat this cycle three times. Keep time and try to beat your time at the next outting.

Dave) These workouts should each be done twice a week with dribbling drills done on off days to improve ball agility and precision to the corners.

Q) That certainly seems like a great workout. Is there anything else you want to add?

Dave) I love shameless plugs, so let me use this as an opportunity. Feel free to visit the Swing-ball Facebook group or the message board to see if there is anyone interested in your area. We have numerous people in different areas that are very eager to play. Don't be shy, post on the boards and I'll see you out there. Get some!!

The phrase "it's just a game" appears regularly in common parlance, an attitude meant to comfort, console and appease those in the sporting realm. Not surprisingly, the U.S.B.A. has long found this expression untenable, for it goes against the three basic qualities of swing-ball - glory, passion, and intensity. Swing-Ball may be a game, but it is certainly not just a game.

To highlight this, we asked respected board member, Steve Battaglia, to provide a few brief words in the first of a series of articles about what our beloved sport means to us. Enjoy right here.

The map is here!! I am very excited to announce that we have incorporated a Google Map into our locations page. I am strongly encouraging people to post locations on the forum or to email me with information as to places that you can find swing sets and playgrounds that are suitable for a game of swing-ball. This is very important in helping us connect fellow Swing-ballers!!

Now, I would like to bring you some numbers we have been seeing lately. These numbers have been collected through our Google Analytics account. I am willing to share this information with you because there are several sources out there who are not taking Swing-ball as serious as we had hoped they would. Let me say that the numbers speak for themselves.

We are currently showing loyal members in:

• 39 States (not including DC)
• 15 different countries
• Greater than 85% more page views than competitors of a similar size
• Greater than 146% visits to the page than competitors of a similar size

Everything is coming together nicely, but it's time to get some real games going. Please post on the board to get a league going in your area. We are also going to be working on an instruction book for those of you working with children who are looking for a summertime activity.

Good afternoon, and Happy Swing-Ball Tuesday!

In light of the recent surge in popularity swing-ball has experienced in the last several weeks, the U.S.B.A. is now beginning to broaden its global footprint. An important aspect of this is the establishment of new leagues in areas previously untapped by the organization. To help accomplish this, the U.S.B.A. is looking for people who would like to start up leagues in these fledgling new markets. How can you do this? It's easy! The U.S.B.A. message board will be opening several threads based on geography, where those in these locations can post and contact one another. Don't see your area listed yet? Not a problem. Contact either myself or Mr. Boyd and we will put one up for you. After that, it's just a matter of recruiting! Invite friends, relatives, even bitter rivals, and soon your league will be featured on our current leagues page (expect news from the North Jersey division to come soon). This is an exciting opportunity to get involved at the ground floor of an exciting new sport!

Several other exciting new features can be expected in the coming days ahead, including:

• A google map with ideal swing set locations
• An instructional video and video advertising campaign

So keep visiting, sign up for the newsletter, and get involved!

The U.S.B.A. is happy to announce that swing-ball has been featured on the front page of Montegue Blister's Strange Games. Truly, it seems that swing-ball fever is a passion blind to geographic borders. Check out his excellent profile of our "dignified and exciting new sport" right here.

UPDATE: Swing-ball has received its second positive review of the day, this time from The Junk Yard Sports Community. According to the Junk Yard: "This is the kind of thinking that transcends boundaries, that integrates the real world into the world of play, that engages new skills, and creates opportunities for the expression of excellence."

The USBA's first public appearance was a resounding success, with our mobile swing set making a grand promenade around its place of birth. You can enjoy a few images from this exciting day on our new multimedia page!

Have more pictures of the U.S.B.A. float? Send them in! Contact us here or here.