Canball Club scores as membership grows

It’s a hot summer day in Santa Monica. Sunbathers, surfers, and athletes stretch out on the beach. Tanned athletes play volleyball and four kids kick a ball around.But what is this? Senior Jack Cramer has just thrown a volleyball ... at a trashcan?Canball! The new sport and suddenly popular club is sweeping across the Samo campus. Canball Club meets every Wednesday in English teacher Pete Barraza’s room, T215, where students design canball logos, discuss official rules and plan tournaments.The object of the game is to throw the volleyball and hit the “can” or beach trashcan. There are four members on offense and three on defense, plus a goalie in a circular court. If the defenders tag the offender who has possession of the ball, there is a turnover and the offense and defense switch positions. The sport, although unique, is similar to team handball and soccer.Senior Jack Cramer and his family created the game about three years ago at the beach in Santa Monica. “We were trying to play volleyball,” Cramer said. “None of us was very good, however, and so we started playing keep-away with the volleyball. Soon one of us tried to prove his accuracy by throwing the ball at one of the trash cans. Then we started to play keep-away while also trying to hit one of the cans with the ball. Thus, canball began to take shape.”Cramer hopes that canball will go national. People who see the game played usually become interested and want to participate. “Ever since I was introduced to it, it’s been great. When I put my feet in the sand and have the ball in my hand … it feels right,” club member senior Charlie Schmittdiel said.It’s accessible for beginners who are just learning the Santa Monica Beach novelty, but can equally be competitive for those with experience who are confident at playing the sport.The Canball Club made its first public appearance last year on Club Day selling C&O’s infamous garlic balls. They will participate in Club Day again this year, selling the balls again, just two for a dollar. They are also planning a tournament — The Fall Canball Classic — that will take place during Veteran’s day weekend in November.The Classic is open to any four person team. Contact Jack Cramer, or join the club and you can be a “can-baller,” too.Chloe DirectorStaff Writercdirector@thesamohi.com