The professional AUDL team is now playing across from the sports complex. Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter for everything you need to know about Philadelphia every day. The Philadelphia Phoenix has arrived. In their home opener on Friday night, Philly’s pro Ultimate Frisbee team trampled the Tampa Bay Cannons and won 21-16. It was a suitably big gig for the 2021 season, when the Phoenix plays for the first time in their eponymous city. The home field is now the South Philly Super Site, directly across from the sports complex. Founded in 2013, Phoenix is one of 22 teams in the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL), which runs from June to August and culminates in a championship weekend. After some heavy thunderstorms in the afternoon, the sky opened to a fine spring evening, paving the way for hundreds of spectators to grab the stadium. Fans of all ages sat on classic grandstands, framed by the backdrop of Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field. Emily Cohen for Billy Penn In front of a home crowd, the Phoenix showed themselves tough. On the field, team boss and starting player Mike Arcata was the front runner with three points. New player Nate Little, a Philadelphian, scored the last point of the game along with several other memorable games. Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Quick 101 on AUDL Ultimate, which is a kind of mixture of soccer, basketball and American football: the game is played on an 80-meter-long field bordered by 20-meter-long end zones. There are 14 people per team, and it’s all about getting a catch in the opposing team’s end zone. You can’t walk with the disc in hand – once you stop you’ll have to make a pivot foot – so the frisbee has to be passed from player to player. You also cannot hold the disc for more than 7 seconds. Quarters are 12 minutes long, with a 15-minute half. Emily Cohen for Billy Penn There was a mini-ultimate game between the Masterman School and the Science Leadership Academy at halftime on June 4th in South Philly. The high school teams were pretty even, ending in a 1-1 draw. Emily Cohen for Billy Penn For other children in the stands, the Phoenix created an activity area called “The Nest”. It was populated with puzzles, games, and painting stations, and was overseen by Kelly Fleury, a local preschool teacher. Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Adults with a penchant for beer was able to pick up cans from nearby Second District Brewing, and sandwiches were also available. Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Sweettooths of all ages got the chance to partake in custard from startup Poppa’s Custard – think of the cream in your favorite donut – which has been handing out samples and selling glasses all night. Emily Cohen for Billy Penn After the game, fans were invited to enjoy specialty drinks and food with the players at the Black Cat Tavern. Emily Cohen for Billy Penn The Phoenix will host the New York Empire on June 11th. Tickets ($ 12) are available online. Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn Emily Cohen for Billy Penn
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