| By Debra Erdley TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, August 3, 2008  |
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Keith Hodan/Tribune-Review
The 40-year-old computer network administrator wiggled his fingers, blew on his shooter, and bounced it back and forth on the wooden ring at the North Park Ice Rink Saturday morning as he prepared to display his skill at the 16th Annual U.S. National Marbles Championship.
Kimmell of Baxter, Tenn., is the tournament's godfather. He first organized the annual event 16 years ago to give adults a venue for play and provide former youth champions an opportunity to strut their stuff on a bigger stage. Yesterday marked the first time the two-day event has been held in Allegheny County. The Allegheny County Department of Parks long has sponsored a marbles program for youngsters.
"It was one of my dreams. It took a couple of years to put it together, but eventually we came up with this tournament. You'll see some of the best shooters in the world here today," Kimmell said.
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Molly Kimmell, of Baxter, Tenn., lets her shot fly during a preliminary game. Keith Hodan/Tribune-Review |
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Amber Ricci,12, of Shaler takes careful aim during a preliminary game yesterday in the 2008 U.S. Marbles Championship. Ricci is the 2008 Girls National Marbles Champion. Keith Hodan/Tribune-Review |
He also coaches young players in his spare time. It's a game of patience and skill, and it gets youngsters away from their computer screens, Kimmell said.
Tournament rules at the U.S. National championship limit play to those 14 or older, but past champions from the National Marbles Tournament, a Wildwood N.J., youth event, are permitted to play in the adult tournament regardless of age.
That meant both John Leffakis, 14, of Lawrenceville, who won the boys division in Wildwood last month and Amber Ricci, 12, of Shaler, who took the girl's division, were both permitted to play yesterday.
Ricci, a fourth generation player, relished a chance to hone her skills in the adult world. She collected a $2,000 scholarship when she won the girl's division at the Wildwood tournament in June. The only drawback to winning is she's barred from future competition at the Wildwood tournament.
She grinned, flashing her braces briefly as talked about her passion. The great-granddaughter of Pittsburgh marbles legend Walt Lease, Amber began playing marbles when she was 3. Next year, she's planning to coach her 4-year-old sister, Sierra.
But yesterday, she was on to bigger things. Dark hair bobbing in a pony tail as she stalked around the 10-foot ring in flip-flops, shorts and a T-shirt, Ricci held her own in the adult world of marbles. She easily bested Kimmell's wife, Molly Kimmell, 26, another former Wildwood champion, in her first two rounds.
The male and female champions will be determined today in final play at the North Park Ice Rink today.
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Dan Denillo, 30, of the South Side, lets his shot fly Saturday during a preliminary game in the 2008 U.S. Marbles Championship at the North Park Ice Skating Rink. The top 8 winners of Saturday's games advance to today's finals. Keith Hodan/Tribune-Review |
Debra Erdley can be reached at derdley@tribweb.com or 412-320-7996.
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