Spotlight Sports – Cornhole
I don’t think anybody knows for sure when and where the sport of Cornhole originated. Some believe that the game originated in 14th-century Germany. They played a game called “Bean Bags” and immigrants could have brought the game to the United States. Others think that Native Americans invented the game using animal bladders filled with beans. Here’s what I believe. Cornhole is a very simple game and basically anybody can play it and have fun. In the past, I think it was probably played all over the world with slightly different equipment and formats.
It never really caught on with the masses until fairly recently. Cornhole’s renewed popularity can be attributed to the United States, particularly the midwest in the early 2000’s. I guess I was a little ahead of the curve. My father-in-law and I built my first set of cornhole boards back in the mid 1980’s. Where I live, it’s currently common for every household to have at least one set of boards. I personally have five sets and we often have simultaneous games going on during family get-togethers.
The Cornhole craze has quickly spread to other parts of the country and the world. The game’s simple set up and easy to learn rules makes it appealing to athletes and non-athletes alike. It is often played at social gatherings, tailgating parties, and other outdoor events.
Modern Cornhole is also sometimes known as “Bean Bag Toss” or “Baggo”. It’s usually played on lawn, but can be played on concrete or other hard surfaces. Players toss small bags filled with corn kernels or beans at a wooden platform with a hole in it.
Here are the basics of cornhole:
Equipment
The Cornhole boards are typically rectangular wooden platforms that are 2 feet wide and 4 feet long. They are usually elevated off the ground at an angle. The back edge is raised and the front end is lower creating a slight slope. There is a 6 inch diameter hole centered on the raised back end of the board. It takes 2 boards to play a game.
The Cornhole bags are 6 X 6 inches square and should weigh 1 pound each. As stated earlier, the bags are normally filled with corn kernels or beans. The bags are typically made of various types of durable fabric as they take a beating. Each player or team uses a set of 4 bean bags. Each set of 4 bags are of different color or design than the other set.
Many people design their own Cornhole boards and bags like I do. However, there are a plethora of places online and offline where the equipment can be purchased. You can find bags and boards with very unique designs, logos, and color schemes.
Objective
The objective of the game is to score points by tossing the cornhole bags into the hole. You can also score by simply landing them on the board. Each bag that goes through the hole is worth three points. Bags landing on the board but not in the hole are worth one point.
Gameplay
Games can be played by individual players or by teams of 2. When playing as a team, your partner will stand behind the board you are throwing to. The boards are spaced 27 feet apart. A decision must be made on which team gets to throw the first bag to start the game. Play starts with a player from each team taking turns tossing a bag at the opposite board. When all 8 bags have been thrown, the score for that round is tallied. Now your partner and the other opponent take their turns tossing the bags back to your board. Whichever team scores in a round, gets to throw first the next round.
The same rules apply when playing a singles game of Cornhole with only 2 players. The difference is that after throwing all 8 bags, you and your opponent walk to the opposite board. You tally the score and then throw back the 8 bags to the board you started at.
Players must throw their bags underhand only. You must stay within the designated throwing area and you can’t cross the foul line.
Scoring
When all 8 bags have been thrown, the score for that round is tallied. For every bag you throw in the hole, you get 3 points. For every bag that just lands and stays on the board, you get 1 point. The same holds true for your opponent, so they cancel each other out. As example, if you score 8 points and your opponent scores 7, your team scores 1 point that round. The first team to score 21 points while leading by at least 2 points wins.
The Evolution of Cornhole
It has been fun and exciting watching the evolution of the sport and I still love playing. While it’s known as a game for everybody, there is now a huge interest in competitive Cornhole. It started out with a few informal tournaments organized by avid amateur fans. In 2005, The American Cornhole Organization (ACO) was founded. It has been instrumental in standardizing the rules and promoting the game to new heights. The framework it created helped to establish Cornhole as a legitimate sport.
Numerous leagues and organizations have since been formed. The National Cornhole Association (NCO) and the American Cornhole League (ACL) host various tournaments throughout the year. Many of these tournaments are open to both professionals and amateurs.
With professionalism came sponsorships. These relationships with national brands have provided financial support and solidified the sport’s position in our culture. ESPN now televises major Conrnhole events on a regular basis.
While Cornhole is most popular in the United States, it continues to gain an international audience. There are on-going efforts to establish the sport in many other countries. In addition, there are already leagues being formed and tournaments being held in Asia and Europe.
Summary
Cornhole has come a long way baby and I believe it is here to stay. Such a simple game to play and enjoy, and like most games, brings people together. If you haven’t tried it, you need to. It’s family friendly as kids love to play too. What a great way to spend time with the ones you love most!
