Apr 13, 2025 By Garrett Neese 4 min read

The Bowman Construction Sitting Ducks have a simple strategy for winning at dodgeball.

“We watch them, and we’ll hit the best players,” said Chevy Miller of Carmichaels. “And we have speed, so we always try to get to the ball first.”

They rode that philosophy to their fourth win in five years at Growing Up Greene’s fifth annual dodgeball tournament, taking home the Coalbie Cup, named for the group’s therapy dog.

Dodgeball was picked for the fundraiser as a way to engage local families and give community members a free afternoon of entertainment, said Aaron Houser, executive director of the child advocacy group Growing Up Greene.

The nonprofit operates on a lean budget, Houser said.

“That’s allowed us to get through COVID, that’s allowed us to get through the inflation period — and not only survive those periods, but we’ve expanded our programming,” Houser said.

While there was a $100 entry fee for teams, it cost nothing for people to come in and root.

This year’s tournament, held April 5 at EQT REC Center in Waynesburg, had a record number of 20 teams — some from sponsors, some from the community who’d seen the fun and wanted in.

Some teams also paid to cover the cost of others who wanted to play.

“We had quite a few community teams this year, and that’s what we wanted,” Houser said. “We’re building on this every year, and I think it’s paying off.”

There were no age brackets, leaving the field open for anyone to test their mettle.

The last man standing on runners-up Million Dollar Ballers was Theo Phillips, 9, of Waynesburg.

He admitted to some nerves in the final standoff.

“I’m not really a thrower, I’m just a dodger,” he said.

He plans to compete again in next year’s tournament, slated for April 11, 2026.

This was his third tournament. His mother, Jessica Phillips, had found out about it through a family friend at the courthouse.

“I just love having the whole community come out for something fun, and raise money for it,” she said.

For Houser, the most gratifying thing about the turnout is the spotlight it puts on child welfare. The nonprofit offers a variety of programs for children in need, whether court-ordered child advocates or comfort bags for foster care children.

“Child welfare should not be something that’s whispered about,” he said. “And it should not be something that is left in the dark for only the families and the courts to deal with. Child welfare affects every community in Greene County. And I think the more awareness we have, the more understanding people are.”

Patrick Barber of Waynesburg, an intern for Embroid’em, had been asked if he could round up a couple of his friends for the Dodgefathers, the team that ultimately won the tournament.

“Being in Greene County, showing support for the locals here, especially in this type of tournament, goes a good way for us, because we get to have fun, and also a good way towards children in Greene County,” he said.

Mutwali Stewart, a Waynesburg University freshman playing for the Dodgefathers, agreed.

“I had a great time,” he said, “I think the turnout was crazy. We had fun. It was a great time. I look forward to doing it again next year.”

Logan Bowman of Jefferson was happy to come away with the win. But he was even more excited to see Saturday’s turnout.

“More people are joining us,” he said. “It’s always good. Win or lose, we’re coming back to spread the word for the kids.”