On a particularly hot and muggy Thursday evening in July, a group of local athletes began to converge at Clifford Park in Boothbay. The players, ranging in age from under 10 to over 60, were already sweating from the heat, but started warming up to play Ultimate Frisbee.  

In its second season, the Boothbay Ultimate Frisbee Pickup game has attracted players from the peninsula and beyond to join what they call a competitive and friendly group who plays for the love of the game.  

The group plays every Tuesday and Thursday in the summer from 6 p.m. till dusk, now at Clifford Park. Ben Snead, the group’s organizer, welcomes both new and experienced players to join. “Anyone visiting the area who plays and needs their fix (should join),” Snead said. “Plus anyone who lives locally that plays, or wants to learn a game that provides great exercise without thinking about exercising.”  

Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact sport akin to soccer. Teams from four to seven compete against each other, passing the flying disk across a field to score points. A common scene on college campuses, the sport is now recognized worldwide.  

Snead has been playing for over 20 years and is passionate about spreading the sport. He said the competitiveness of running first drew him in because he is fast. However, that does not mean he likes it. “I despise running, can't stand it,” Snead said. “But I'll do it here because you're not thinking about it. You're chasing the Frisbee and doing these sprints. It's just so much fun and people love it." 

According to Snead, most anyone can play ultimate except those who are totally immobile or have significant injuries. At 62, he said he can no longer keep up with the 20-somethings, but there are alternatives.  

“Speed is your friend, but if you don't have the speed then you learn how to throw really well,” he said. “I still can't throw. I've been playing for 22 years, I'm not a thrower, and I need to start becoming a thrower because I can't run anymore." 

No stranger to field sprints, Aubrey Mitchell plays lacrosse for Maine Maritime Academy. She is a relatively new Ultimate player and learned the sport last season. She joined the group last year by chance. Mitchell and a group of fellow interns from Bigelow Laboratory were playing kickball while an Ultimate Frisbee game was going on. Snead invited them to join and, since then, Mitchell has become a fan. 

"I came back almost every time because I loved it, and it’s a great learning atmosphere,” she said. “Everybody is super sweet and there are super experienced players, but they are also really good teachers." 

Mitchell is back this summer and encourages others to join. She said Ultimate may be hard to pick up for people without a field athlete background, but she has had fun learning it. "You kind of just get thrown into it. They are just like 'Go out and play and throw the disc and you'll be fine.' ... They are very friendly to new beginners. It’s a great place to come and learn."   

While there may be many rules to learn, players said the culture of Ultimate Frisbee attracts players who share the love of the sport and a healthy level of competitiveness.  

Marshall Dodge from Damariscotta is an experienced player who participates in several Midcoast Ultimate groups. He got into the sport in college due to the people. He had intended to join the soccer team but “found the coolest people out playing Ultimate."  

In Ultimate, there are no referees, and the game is officiated by the players. One of the core components of Ultimate Frisbee is called the “Spirit of the Game,” which emphasizes both integrity and respect between players. Dodge said arguments happen, but he has never seen one out of malice. “It's reliant on the integrity of the players to provide not only a fair space but a safe space for everybody," Dodge said. “... Everybody wants to be competitive because, at the end of the day, most of the people playing Ultimate are athletes. But everybody's mindful that it's up to them to keep the integrity of the sport."   

Lessons like these attracted Ralph Royle of Bowdoinham to play Ultimate with his children. Royle is another experienced player who plays in several groups. This year, his daughters wanted to join.  

At 7, Josie was the youngest player in Thursday’s game. She said her favorite part was making friends, and both her and her dad think she will be a better player than he is soon enough. During the game, her new friends gave her plenty of passes and opportunities to handle the flying disc.  

“It’s very inclusive, the sport overall,” Royle said. “... If you set the culture, people will perpetuate that because it's such a good culture to begin with."   

For more information, updates and how to join, visit Boothbay Ultimate Frisbee Pickup on Facebook.