The Rules of the Game
History of the Game
Lab sports are generally thought to date back to ancient times
when scientists had to have additional occupations to supplement their
incomes.
Often they turned to sports as a way to make ends meet, but as
Universities began paying higher salaries they stopped playing for
pay and put their talents to use in friendly competition.
Lab Netball was not the first sport to make it off the courts
and into the lab, although most other attempts at indoor sports proved
to be too dangerous. Lab Bowling originated in England and enjoyed
great success until the much discussed "retirement" of Lord Kelvin in
1897. Lab Bowling never recovered from that event, even after the advent
of shatter-proof Pyrex.
The next era in lab sports takes us to Australia, where
school spirit makes it impossible for scientists to restrict rugby
to the playing field. Lab Rugby only existed for about 3 weeks in 1901
and was cut short by the untimely demise of professor Shelby.
After Shelby's death
no sport was able to make it into the lab until after World War I.
Sports finally returned to the lab after the advent of baseball, which
was fairly successful for many years. Lab Baseball required no
personal injury to make its way to the sidelines of science, but
instead was supplanted by a need to do more science and a lack of
national baseball during World War II.
During the 1960's lab sports gave way to less competitive activities,
such as staring at the lava lamp attached to square wave generator. The
1970's saw the introduction of Lab Racquet-ball, which only held on as
long as the bell-bottoms and beards, while the 1980's gave way to Lab
Moped Rally.
Finally in 1995 Lab Netball made it's advent in the Adler Laboratory at
the University of Utah. Although earlier reports of lab basketball exist,
this is the first institute to publish results.
The Rules of the Game
1) No practicing is allowed. Shots can be taken when the game is
not in play, but active practicing is strictly prohibited.
2) You must announce the beginning of your shots and count the next ten
shots.
3) At least one other entity must be present to verify your score.
4) Shots can rebound off of the ceiling, wall, or other non-living objects.
5) Although no actual points are awarded for causing the ball to land on a shelf
after your last shot, this activity is encouraged.
If you have a team and would like to have your scores posted here, let
us know. We're ready to expand the league.
Join the League