You can imagine Debbie Skeen gets a little bored these days.
Skeen, formerly Debbie Vetter, was one of the most successful track athletes in Chardon High School history by the time she graduated in 1974: nine state championships.
She went on to win 13 national championships at Iowa State University, and was inducted into both schools’ athletic hall of fames.
But the activities have slowed over the years.
Skeen and former Chardon classmate Connie Varner (1972) played women’s rec league softball in Newbury this summer. And the two got to thinking.
“I told Deb we need to do something,” said Varner via telephone, slightly out of breath because she had been climbing stairs at home to get steps on her FitBit. “Debbie has done a wonderful job going around and organizing and keeping everything on track.”
Rec league volleyball and basketball are a little too demanding.
What about a different sport? One played in backyards throughout Geauga County at barbecues and parties. Anyone, regardless of age or ability, can play.
They decided to start an indoor cornhole league, to be played inside Jan. 8 to March 26 at IGNITE Indoor Sports Center, 510 Center Street, Chardon.
“Why wait for summer?” Skeen said of the game that resembles horseshoes, where bean bags filled with shelled corn are tossed at a wooden board with a hole at the top. “We always loved sports, but as we got a little older, things were a bit strenuous.”
The league will meet each Thursday 9 to 10:30 p.m. and cost $7 per session. There are no other fees, and participants can come as many or few times as they’d like.
Skeen thinks the pay-as-you-go approach will benefit those with busy schedules. She often encounters adults who want to play in softball leagues, but aren’t sure how much time they can commit, making the up-front payments an issue.
“Just come when you can,” Skeen said, adding it will benefit a player to come with a partner, but solos can always be paired up.
Local merchants made the cornhole boards for the 12-week league. And local businesses, like Richard’s Maple Products, Hibbett Sports and Sage’s Apples Fruit Farms, are donating prizes for the “Minute to Win It” event at the end of each night.
“It will be indoors, it’ll be warm, and it will get you out of the house in the winter,” said Varner. “Who knows where this is going to go.”