Battle For The Backyard

With July 4th coming up, odds are you might be headed out to a backyard BBQ. If your friends are like mine, it's only a matter of time before you break out some of the classic games you grew up playing. So the question I put out to you now...what is the greatest backyard game you played as a kid, that still makes for a great time when you're hanging out with your buddies now? We're looking for one or more of the following: nostalgia, chill out factor and ability for serious backyard rivalry and competition if desired.

Let's throw a few off the list right away. In my personal experience, I haven't seen a whole lot of croquet in my post college years, nor have I seen a whole lot of people over ten playing scoop ball (not sure I ever really knew what it was called in the first place). On the reverse end, I don't think bocce ever had mainstream appeal with the under ten crowd and just to cover all our bases...Slip N' Slide and the long discontinued Wet Banana are backyard classics, but not games. (If you do plan on breaking these out though, beware of roots. I can still feel those bad slides all these years later.)

So here for your consideration is the field for Just My Show's Battle For The Backyard: WIFFLE Ball, Frisbee and horseshoes. Of course, like any good debate, all sides must have a fair chance to state their case. Below is a representative of each, who will try to convince Just My Show listeners that their game is the best. Listen to each audio clip, think long and hard, and then cast your vote by leaving a comment. Write in votes are welcome.

WIFFLE BALL: Stephen Mullany, VP of The Wiffle Ball Inc.

(and grandson of the inventor)

Listen

FRISBEE: David Waisblum, Frisbee Product Manager at WHAM-O/ Professional Frisbee Disc Golfer

Listen

HORSESHOES: Alan Francis, World Horseshoe Tossing Champion (record 12 time world champ-the Tiger Woods of horseshoes)

Listen

(Photos courtesy of The Wiffle Ball Inc. , WHAM-O, White Distributors)