FLYING HIGH

Frisbee family

Annabelle Sikes The Frisbee football group meets Sunday mornings at Blue Jacket Park for a few hours of fun, family and Frisbee.

The Frisbee football group that meets Sundays in Baldwin Park has been taking the field for about two decades.

ANNABELLE SIKES STAFF WRITER

For a certain group that meets in Baldwin Park, Frisbee is more than just a sport.

It’s a way to bring people of all ages and skillsets together.

Tammy Bishop discovered the group while looking up local pickup Frisbee games after moving in 2008 to Florida. In 2009, she showed up for a game and has been part of the group ever since.

“I consider it my therapy — mentally and physically,” she says.

The group started at AdventHealth on Mills Avenue, which used to be Florida Hospital, about 15 to 20 years ago. What began as a small crew of hospital employees has since turned into much more. After playing a few small games, the members posted on Meetup and began to grow.

Now, as many as 40 people come out to play in the pick-up games.

Over the years, Geo Gregory,

Continued on page 26

ABOUT FRISBEE FOOTBALL

Frisbee football is also a great form of exercise, Bishop says. It stimulates the brain and body, and is a no-contact sport. People can play as little or as much as they want.

The players follow the rules of USA Ultimate, which can be found on the organization’s website, and play seven-on-seven games.

Players only can progress by throwing or catching. If the Frisbee is dropped on the ground, it is considered a turnover. When the person receiving the Frisbee catches it they can pivot in place to throw the Frisbee, but they cannot move from where their feet are planted. They have 10 seconds to throw the Frisbee.

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Annabelle Sikes Tammy Bishop, left, enjoys participating in the weekly Frisbee football games.

Continued from page 24 one of the longtime active players of the pick-up games, has watched friendships, relationships and families grow and flourish.

“I have watched some of these kids grow up over the years while being part of this group,” Gregory says. “We have one couple that met here, got married, had kids and now still comes out to play with their kids.”

The players explained they are not part of a club or affiliated with an organization, so anyone can show up — as long as they are prepared to have fun.

“Everyone has different cliques, and this is just one of my families,” Gregory says. “I have been playing Frisbee since I was a kid.”

Over time, the players have traveled to different fields across Orlando. Baldwin Park has now been the permanent location for quite some time. The group meets at 10 a.m. every Sunday at Blue Jacket Park.

Gregory explained over time with people being so active on the field, Baldwin Park asks residents to let the field rest. The players do their part to chip in by bringing grass seed and dirt as needed.

“Frisbee football is really a combination of all the sports in one,” Gregory says. “That’s one of the things that makes it so great.”

Bishop says the group’s cohesiveness makes it unique to other pickup groups.

Players of all ages and skill sets are encouraged to come out and participate. One player from the original crew is 70 years old, and his grandson who plays is 10 years old.

Gregory says in the future he wants to get a group of beginners together on Sunday before the pick-up games and teach them how to throw.

Those interested in learning how to throw or who want more information on the pick-up games can contact Gregory at Geo@geoffreystudio.com.

IF YOU GO

FRISBEE FOOTBALL WHEN: 10 a.m. Sundays WHERE: Blue Jacket Park, 2501 General Rees Ave., Orlando INFORMATION: Gregory, Geo@geoffreystudio.com.

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