Danville’s Matt Grimes has become addicted to cornhole, and is planning to attend the ACO U.S. Nationals & "King of Cornhole" - JANUARY 23 & 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV. (Jesse Osbourne photo)

Sunday June 29, 2008

Ace in the hole: Grimes moving up cornhole rankings

By LARRY VAUGHT larry@amnews.com

BURGIN - While Matt Grimes isn't sure everyone would consider cornhole a sport, he knows he's proud of his proficiency in the increasingly popular game.
He recently went to Cincinnati and beat the 16th-ranked player in the world.
"I am now planning on attending the ACO U.S. Nationals & "King of Cornhole" - Las Vegas - JANUARY 23 & 24, 2009. How corny is that?" said Grimes, a Danville resident and the athletics director and softball coach at Burgin.

Actually, it's not corny at all based the rising popularity of the sport.
The game is a popular attraction at tailgate parties before major sporting events and is popping up at more and more festivals and fairs.
Cornhole officially joins 30 other sports at the Bluegrass State Games next month and seems to be the game of choice for many as horseshoes was 25 years ago. There was even a bill introduced in the Kentucky legislature to make cornhole the state's official sport.

The American Cornhole Organization reports that the game has gained popularity throughout the world, especially with the help of military personnel. The association helps promote the game and helps establish guidelines for equipment and tournaments.
"I have no idea how long it has been around, but it has really taken off recently," Grimes said.
He got started when a friend went to his wife's family reunion a few years ago and played. The friend came home and built his own cornhole boards.
"I was curious about what he was doing and ended up starting to play that way," Grimes said. "I really like it. It is interesting, but it is also more laid back to where you can enjoy it. When I go to UK games to tailgate, I play. Occasionally I find a tournament."

Grimes, who is ranked No. 111 in the world by the ACO, knows cornhole is more popular in Ohio and Indiana than Kentucky. However, with no disrespect to NASCAR - especially since Grimes is from the same Indiana town as NASCAR star Tony Stewart - he still believes cornhole is growing faster than any other sport.

"There has been a movie filmed about it, and they are trying to find someone to put it on the big screen now. There is a reality show in the works. There is a pro tour being discussed," Grimes said.

'We would play from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.'
Grimes says he's a perfect example of how addictive cornhole can be.

"Once I started, I was hooked," he said. "You can play singles or doubles in tournaments. I have a couple of other guys I take turns playing with in tournaments, and we all love it. We would play from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"Then I went to Ace Hardware and bought spotlights so I could play at night. It's kind of like golf. You get addicted and want to do better.

"There is a tournament in August in Cincinnati where they are trying to bring in the top 16 players in the world. Heck, the No. 1 player in the world is from Alexandria.

"I want to go to Las Vegas just to see how I can do. I will have to get (Burgin superintendent Richard) Webb to cover for me since it is the same weekend we are hosting the 12th Region All 'A' Classic, but I'm sure he'll take care of me."

Grimes says the biggest key to success in cornhole is using the proper technique to toss the bags.
"You have to know what you are doing," he said.
Grimes normally practices at least an hour per day. He's not sure anyone at Burgin really understands how much he plays, but he is proud that Burgin did start its own cornhole club at the school.

"It's not as easy as it looks," he said. "I know it sounds like I am overanalyzing things, and maybe even sounds like I am nuts. But it is like stepping to the free-throw line in basketball. You cannot change the way you shoot from one time to the next. You find what works and stick with it.

"There are three different grips, a couple of different stances. But it's not easy. It takes work to put that bag where you want it every time."
Yet it truly is a labor of love for Grimes.

"When I was in middle school, I thought I wanted to play basketball at UK. Then I was going to play for the Boston Celtics and fill in for Larry Bird," Grimes said. "That didn't work, but now here is my chance to be a professional athlete in cornhole. How great is that?"

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For more information on cornhole, visit http://www.americancornhole.org/.

Copyright: The Advocate-Messenger 2008