A local Fairmount cornhole league will kick off its new season at the home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Philadelphia Cornhole League (PCL) will host The Cornhole Classic at Citizens Bank Park on May 3 at 11 a.m., founders Andy Banas and Chad Puchalski told Philadelphia Neighborhoods. They were not immediately able to share further details.
The two found their love for the sport during leisure play. Banas enjoyed playing at tailgates, while Puchalski enjoyed beach play, partnered with a beer. They decided to join a local league and began playing competitively.
At the time they were a part of PSSA, an organization that allows Philadelphians to compete in seasonal sports. During the wintertime, PSSA was hosting cornhole. As the season concluded, Banas and Puchalski wished to further their cornhole skills.
“We wanted to play cornhole year round and figured others felt the same,” said Banas. “We were friends with the owner of the Urban Saloon, so we had a space to start our own [league].”
After some discussion with owner Kellyann Beene, the two hosted a small league in the back room. After the first season, the league’s popularity grew to about 35 to 40 teams, hosting about 100 players regularly.
“If we have many teams playing that night, each team is limited to only one match,” said Banas. “If not, teams can play best out of three to get the practice in.”
Many of the matches became extremely competitive. PCL also hosts a pro-level league; on non-competition Wednesdays, the pro players practice and play singles against each other.
As cornhole gains professional players, the sport no longer looks like just a trend.
While the sport continues its drive to stardom, PCL remains hopeful about the possibility of extending the league. Recently, it has hosted day tournaments at the Urban Saloon and Mad River in hopes of gaining more players.
PCL will open its new season with a pool of more than 100 eager players at beginning, intermediate and pro-level play.
The seasonal league competes at Fairmount’s Urban Saloon and encourages sign-ups at only $80 per team through its website.
Images and Text by Amber Curtis
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