Ultimate Frisbee Group Plays Weekly at Magruder Park

Every Saturday from mid-morning to early afternoon, the group known as Hyattsville Ultimate can be found tossing a disc around Magruder Park.

Weather permitting, this group of ultimate Frisbee enthusiasts has hit the park for their weekend exercise for the last five years.

Hyattsville Ultimate came together when city resident Colin Strauss Riggs and his brother and neighbor decided to start organizing regular local ultimate Frisbee games.

"We publicized it in town," Strauss Riggs said. "Then we started meeting up and people came more and more."

These days, according to Strauss Riggs, as many as 15 people come down to the park, with at least six weekly regulars showing up to play a game or two. 

The group meets at Magruder Park, located along Gallatin Street, Hamilton Street and 40th Place, due in part to its size, convenience and location.

"We have a good selection of fields here," Strauss Riggs said. "Even during soccer season we can usually find a place to play at Magruder Park. It's also really close to my house."

Although the group has long-established members, anyone is welcome to drop in on a Saturday, participate and become a regular.

"I would highly recommend [joining]," said John Feffer, who has been playing Ultimate Frisbee for 30 years. "We're a pick-up game and we welcome players at all levels."

The skill level of players participating Hyattsville Ultimate varies greatly, according to Strauss Riggs. Even though some players are higher on the skill spectrum, the focus of the group remains on simply having fun.

"We try to be low key and concentrate on having fun," he said. "I enjoy ultimate because there's a way of playing that's very easy-going."

According to Feffer, the group values "the spirit of the game — a greater emphasis on fun than competition."

Other than simply showing up, people interested in joining Hyattsville Ultimate can join the group's email list by visiting http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/hyattsvilleultimate/.

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