Almost 200 people turned out Saturday for the Stonington Community Center's first annual Dodgeball Tournament.

So many teams signed up - 19 - that COMO Athletic Director Jay Mellow said he had to cut off registration.

"I didn't expect interest to be this high. I didn't think we would have to turn people away but we had to because of the number of teams. We wanted this to be an all-day tournament but not an all-day-and-night tournament," he said several days before the event.

There were six youth, two family, seven business and four adult teams that competed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"I have no idea why it's so popular. I actually had individual people sign up and I placed them on teams," Mellow said. "I guess people want to come down and throw balls at each other."

The competition was streamed live on the COMO website and also broadcast in the adjacent auditorium where there were refreshments, a dunk tank and raffle. Teams were also allowed to practice in the COMO gym in the weeks leading up to the tournament.

Sponsors for the tournament included Davis Standard, Precision Fitness, The Pizza Place, Lowe Carting and Recycling and Import Auto.

Mellow said dodgeball is one of the events the COMO has added to fill in programming during the traditionally slower times from the end of youth basketball to the start of spring programs.

The COMO has also added a youth floor hockey league during this time.

Mellow said the success of the dodgeball tournament could lead to the COMO hosting a dodgeball league and a multi-day tournament next year.

J.WOJTAS@THEDAY.COM