The basement auditorium of the Second Church in Dorchester served as a great venue for an afternoon of dodgeball and socializing. Seth Daniel photos
The dodge ball tournament held last Saturday (March 21) in the auditorium of the Second Church of Dorchester was not your garden-variety fifth grade gym class style-competition. The charity event was, rather, a sometime cut-throat afternoon of missile-like throws, jarring direct hits, and more than a few nimble evasions of fast-moving red dodgeballs.
Jeremy Colon, of Dorchester’s Revamp Training, organized the 18-plus event to get traction in meeting his $13,000 goal for the Boston Marathon. He will run to raise money for InnerCity Weightlifting – a Dorchester-based program that trains formerly incarcerated men and woman, as well as Special Olympians.
Yaritsa Sanchez was ready for the competition on Saturday. Seth Daniel photo
Colon and Kathy Le started Revamp in the St. Mark’s area in 2020 but quickly outgrew the space and moved a few blocks down to their new gym where they’ve operated since 2023-24. With a combination of community programs and personal training operations, Revamp has grown in both popularity and its network of neighborhood folks.
Saturday was proof positive, with six teams showing up to play in the deceptively large basement auditorium of the Moultrie Street church complex. With names like the DodgeFathers, Gym Class Heroes, and Dorchester Deflators – the afternoon was set for a fun showdown. And the competition was stiff and serious.
Scott Curtin of Gym Class Heroes protected himself and moved in for a strike. Seth Daniel photo
Games were played best two-out-of-three, with the winner advancing in the double elimination format. After the dust had cleared, and the dodgeballs had landed, it was Lauryn’s Launchers that took top prize and the zany DodgeFathers who leap-frogged into second place.
The DodgeFathers: Nate Oaks, Jack Cushman, Mike Ritter, Jasen Lambright, Phil Cheng, and Brad Giguerre. The Dorchester dads group took second place. Seth Daniel photos
The Gym Class Heroes were a key contender in the tournament. Pictured here are Lisa Curtin, Brian Glavin, Lisa Dunn, Rose Devlin and, front row, Scott Curtin and Chris Wallen. Seth Daniel photo
Dorchester Deflators Bill Kelly, Garrett Foley, and Marie Pacelli. Seth Daniel photo
Dorchester’s Jeremy Colon, of Revamp Training on Dorchester Avenue, used the fun tournament to raise money for his Boston Marathon charity – InnerCity Weightlifting. Seth Daniel photo
Mo B. and Luis Ruiz rush to get to the dodgeballs after the whistle signaled the beginning of the game. Seth Daniel photo
Mel Rath, of Lauryn’s Launchers, took stock of the situation. The team eventually won the tournament. Seth Daniel photo
Tena Tucker made a quick move to avoid a fast-moving dodgeball. Seth Daniel photo
Backed into a corner and the last man standing, Bill Kelly of Dorchester Deflators made a difficult catch to keep alive in the competition and send his attacker to the sidelines. Seth Daniel photo
The Lauryn’s Launchers team let loose on Brad Giguerre, who tried unsuccessfully to dodge an incoming throw, in what was a tough match Saturday afternoon. Seth Daniel photo
