Helluva good time: Plummer Handball Bash is Friday through Sunday at Peak

COEUR d’ALENE — Get ready for some hands-on fun this weekend.

The seventh annual Plummer Family Helluva Handball Bash is taking place Friday through Sunday at the Peak Health and Wellness Center in Coeur d’Alene. Ten of the top professional players in the world of handball, eight 70-year-old Ironmen and 14 novice players will be on the courts to showcase their handball prowess.

“I believe it’s the best sport any athlete can play,” said former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer, who created the handball tournament event with his family. “It’s also a sport that you can play your whole life.”

Handball consists of two teams that try to score as many goals as possible using only hands. It is played on a court and consists of two half-hour periods. The teams split into two groups followed by round robins, quarterfinals, semifinals and a final competition.

The Handball Bash will provide a free youth clinic around noon Saturday for any youngsters who are interested in the sport, age 8 and older. Plummer, who will be playing in the pro-am doubles, said all kids need to do is show up.

“We welcome both boys and girls to come try this wonderful game,” he said.

The Bash will serve as a fundraiser for the Jake Plummer Foundation, which supports at-risk children and families as well as raises funds for programs and services for early-stage Alzheimer’s patients, their families and caregivers. Funds from the event will be donated locally to the Area Agency on Aging in North Idaho and Campfire Inland Northwest, Camp Sweyolakan.

“Come on down and watch some of the best handball players in the world play right in your own backyard,” Plummer said. “If you like what you see, just ask and I’ll personally give you gloves, goggles and a ball and cut you loose in the courts. This game will change your life forever.”

Plummer said businesses such as Edwards Smith Construction LLC, Spokane Seed, Parker Toyota Scion, Iron Horse Bar and Grill, Texas Roadhouse, A to Z Rentals, Kootenai Health, Big Bear Deli, Fisherman's Market and Grill, Centennial Distributors, Doma Coffee and The Days Inn have supported the event to help make it one of the best tournaments in the nation.

This World of Pro Handball-sanctioned tournament starts at 2 p.m. Friday. Peak Health and Wellness Center is located at 940 Ironwood Drive.