(Credit: Eric Rowley/Metromix)
As the weather creeps toward sweltering, there’s a select group in the metro who refuse to let their snow pants languish in a bottom drawer.
Monday nights, the 70-odd members of Des Moines’ broomball league pull on their pads and spongey, oversized shoes to take the ice at the Metro Ice Sports Facility. Third-year boomballer Eric Shultz, 27, of the EFCO Super Studs (you’ll know him when you see someone rocking a cutoff shirt on the rink), got his start in the sport as part of an ISU intramural league. He found the Des Moines broomball community online and loved the league’s scrappier style.
“They don’t have all the crappy penalties to keep it safe,” Shultz said. “Here, it’s more about actually playing. It’s not as drunk as college.”
Mandy Keller, the league’s unofficial spokesperson and one of four female players, is quick to add that the winning team does, however, get a post-game pitcher of beer. From the looks of the game, the players earn it: Unlike hockey, where players can glide along the ice, in broomball, you have to take every step.
Athleticism needed: Moderate. There’s no gliding in broomball, but you can call for a sub if you tire out.
Commitment level: Depends. If you play one half-ice game a week, it’s low. Some leaguers play four games in a row, though.
Past injuries: One of the few female players tore her ACL.
Play broomball
What you’ll need: A helmet (like a hockey helmet), special broomball shoes, shin/knee pads, gloves and a stick.
Info: Register for the winter season at desmoinesbroomball.com. Spring games are held at the Metro Ice Sports Facility, 5100 N.W. 72nd St., Urbandale, dmicerink.com
