MB6: 2010 World Championships – The Old Orchard, Dimondale, MI
Registration is underway for the 6th annual Monkeyball World Championships. Play starts at 10 a.m. on August 7. Anyone is welcome to play, just make sure you sign up ahead of time. More MB6 information, including registration information >>
MB5: 2009 World Championships — The Old Orchard, Dimondale, MI
We knew ahead of time that MB5 would be the best World Championships to date, but what we didn’t know is the amount of fun we could have in a driving rain storm. The rain started before setup at the Old Orchard began, continued throughout the day, and was at its heaviest during the beginning of the afternoon session. The amazing part? There’s never been more smiles at an MB event. Maybe it was because we love Monkeyball. Maybe it was because we tore through 4 kegs. Whatever the reason, we had fun playing in the rain. The Center Courts featured the Top 16 players in the world, and in the end, we had a new champion as Logansport, Indiana’s Chuck Trinoskey (silver medalist at MB1) defeated Marietta, Georgia’s Jason Salmon. Full review of MB5 >> or Video review of MB5 >>
MB4: 2008 World Championships — The Old Orchard, Dimondale, MI
With the Old Orchard now the permanent home (at least for now) of the Monkeyball World Championships, we aimed for 100 players. We added 6 more courts bringing us to 18 simultaneous games, two of which were set in the middle of the field. The two Center Courts and surrounding tents, trailer and PA system became the focal point of the day’s activities. 110 players (including 15 from the Southern Monkeyball Conference of Alabama and Georgia) attempted to dethrone the two-time defending champ Dean Allen. In a performance reminiscent of MB2, Dean Allen went undefeated against all comers and defeated Andy Frushour in the championship match. Full review of MB4 >>
MB3: 2007 World Championships — The Old Orchard, Dimondale, MI
After MB2, we knew we needed more room. The inaugural champion, Jim Blair, offered his property for our event. Appropriately dubbed the Old Orchard (since the property was an apple orchard only a few years prior), the grounds were the perfect place for our growing game. 81 players balled on 12 courts, and the skill level of the ballers had greatly improved since MB2 — probably because many more adopted the Pinch throw. Defending champ, Dean Allen, lost his first game of the day to Andrew Alexander. And even though Dean didn’t dominate like in ‘06, he still made it to the championship match where he avenged his opening round loss and defeated Alexander for his second straight World Championship. Full review of MB3 >>
MB2: 2006 World Championships — Carp National, Mason, MI
Sometime in the early 2000s, Joe Frushour saw a ladderball-type game at a campground and introduced it to his kids. After some tinkering with rules, equipment and the name of the game, the brothers Frushour decided on the name Monkeyball and started playing by the Frushour rules. So it only seemed natural that one of the initial World Championship tournaments were played at the Godfather of Monkeyball — Joe Frushour’s — house (also know as Carp National). The event drew 60 ballers (on 8 courts) and a local news crew — Monkeyball was now on the map. In terms of the competition, there really wasn’t any — Dean Allen rolled through the competition with his “pinch” throwing style, ultimately beating Curtis McFall in the championship. Full review of MB2 >>
MB1: 2005 World Championships — Rockford & Strathmore, Lansing, MI
It all started with two neighbors throwing some ropes and drinking some beer. Andy Frushour and Curtis McFall, homeowners on the corner of Rockford and Strathmore in Lansing, Mich., decided to invite a group of friends over and have a big Monkeyball tournament. 30 players showed up the first-ever World Championships, where Jim Blair (aka “JB”) topped Chuck Trinoskey in the Finals. After the event, it was decided that we would: 1) do it again next year; 2) make it even bigger in 2006; 3) make a website to promote the game; and 4) write a rule book instead of letting the Commish make up rules on the fly (see Rule 3.0.1 in the official tournament rule book). Full review of MB1 >>