14
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1987/University Daily Kansan
Darcy Chang/KANSAN
Buddies market new baseball game
BY LIZ SYVERSON Special to the Kansan
A wadded paper ball and a plastic baseball bat inspired four college friends in 1982 to create a baseball game that could be played safely indoor.
Now, five years and 853,000 later, a KU graduate student and his three partners are marketing that game internationally. They call it "Screwball."
Tom Girard, Lawrence graduate student, and his business partners developed the game and its equipment. Screwball is an indoor-outdoor baseball game which can be played one-on-one or in team competition.
Screwball was born during the fall of 1982 when Girard and some college friends were playing a baseball-type game at their Southwestern College residence hall.
The popularity of the game grew, rules for play were created and a new sport was soon developed.
Equipment for the game originally consisted of a plastic baseball bat and a wadded paper ball. Different balls were used by players, but the paper ball was favored.
Now Screwball equipment consists of a polyethylene plastic bat and a polyurethane foam ball. An optional ball for outdoor play, made of a denser foam, is available.
The game has caught on with some local groups, and Girard is trying to
expand upon it.
"The children are getting maximum use, great pleasure and success with the baseball game," she said.
Children in the University's Perceptual-Motor Clinic play the game to develop hand-eye coordination, said Janet Fisher, the clinic's director. Girard said he donated a set of equipment to the clinic.
This fall, KU students will have the opportunity to play Screwball in intramural league competition, Girard said.
Marketing plans for Screwball include participation in the New York Sporting Goods Show in September. Girard is working with various retail establishments locally and nationally to market the game.
International marketing of Screwball requires patents in Japan and possibly Europe. Indoor Activities for Screwball will 2015 an hour for patent attentive fees.
Southwestern College friends Ron Richardson, Todd Allison and Girard decided to go on their own to develop their idea. The group formed Indoor Activities Unlimited Inc. and located its headquarters in Girard's Lawrence home to develop and market their product. Screwball equipment is manufactured in Taiwan.
Lawrence businessman Steve Pipia became involved in marketing Screwball after Girard and Richardson consulted him.
"Screwball came from Kansas, and that's exciting." Piai said. "The product can give new recognition to the state. We're centrally located for shipping, and the only bad part is the inventory tax in the state.
"Tom is totally dedicated to the success of the product."
Girard and his friends knew there were possibilities for the game's continued development, but they didn't know where to start.
"I see myself as the coach of our organization's team." Girard said.
Girard said he was quick to acknowledge the contributions of his business partners. He said he was especially grateful for Richardson's business acumen and Allison's willingness to invest in a risky venture.
Girard said that his academic experiences at KU had made him more demanding of himself in the business world.
Indoor Activity Unlimited partners have experienced all the frustrations and some of the joys of developing a new product.
"Many people don't realize that product development takes a long time," Girard said. "People who know about my involvement with Screwball will tell me about ideas they have for products. Some people seem to think that an idea can be developed overnight.
"I tell those who think they have good ideas to come back to talk to me in three years, if they still think that they have a good idea."
"Five years and $85,000 have been invested in the development of Screwball.
The partners of Indoor Activities Unlimited, Inc., plan to expand their marketing line soon. They plan to market "Kikbak," a piece of equipment developed in Canada which helps improve soccer kicking techniques, Girard said.
Tom Girard, Lawrence graduate student, right, and Steven Piipa, director of sales and marketing, demonstrate Screwball. Below stands the prototype of future store displays.
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