Most people associate cornhole with tailgate parties and beach vacations, but for Lackawanna County residents TJ Griffiths and Tony Lucarelli, it is a competitive sport.
After being forced to travel out of the region to participate in cornhole tournaments, the duo decided it was time to create their own league in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Six months later, NEPA Cornhole has hosted two tournaments and is gearing up for its biggest one yet.
The inaugural NEPA Cornhole Tournament at PNC Field takes flight on Saturday. This tournament invites two-player teams of all ages and abilities to sign up for a double-elimination-style round of games, which guarantees each team plays at least two games.
Prizes for the winning team include up to $750 in cash, customized team jerseys and the ability to throw the first pitch at Saturday’s RailRiders game. Second and third place teams also have the chance to win cash prizes.
Sign-up fees are $60 per team, which covers participation in the tournament as well as entry for two to the baseball game that night. Griffiths said he hopes to have 64 teams competing in Saturday’s tournament. From social media advertising, the tournament attracted teams hailing from Luzerne and Lackawanna counties and even New York.
“It’s a sport on the rise, especially locally,” Griffiths said. “So I hope we have contributed to that. We’ve had a pretty good response, a lot of people contacting us saying ‘This is great’ and telling us how they like to play. And that’s males, females of all ages. Our first tournament, everyone had to be at least 21 because it was at a bar, but some people were in their 60s. It’s really a nice sport that anyone can do.”
NEPA Cornhole recently had boards and bags commissioned in New Jersey that are tournament quality, Griffiths said, and the tournament runs based on national rules.
In the future, Griffiths said he and Lucarelli are working toward hosting more tournaments, including one at the Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston, as well as creating a winter league.
For those interested in watching the event, tickets are $10 and also cover entry into the RailRiders game. Stadium vendors will also be open for snack purchases throughout the tournament.
“I’m an ex-athlete so it’s a nice competitive game to play now,” Griffiths said. “Now it’s almost like a cornhole community is starting with the same people traveling and going to events in the area.”
Visit nepacornhole.com to register for the tournament before Saturday. Bags fly at noon.