Not Time for Drama in Del Rio's Dart League

May 14, 2008
By Stacy S. Jensen
Special to LIVE!

It's a social event with a little competition thrown in – at the dartboard.

On Tuesday nights, members of dart teams gather in their home bar or lodge to play for the Del Rio Dart Association.

The reasons people join are varied. For some, it's all about winning. For others, it's about the camaraderie of being with friends and teammates.

For a handful, it is solely about the beer. Some say they are a "beer drinking league with a dart problem."

No matter why they do it, most say it's all about the fun.

Joy Stephens began playing darts when she was 16 in England at a pub called the Wheat Sheaf. Back then, she played on lots of leagues.

"We didn't play for money. We played for a silver cup," she said. The winner kept the cup for a year.

In England, she played steel darts. In Del Rio, teams play soft tip darts on electronic boards.

"It's a social thing," Stephens said. "You get out. You have fun."

Stephens has been on area leagues for 17 years. She has been on Diamond Lil's Wannabe team for two years.

Teammate Rhonda Giles has been playing since the 1980s. She and Stephens used to compete in a women's league. Del Rio once had women, men and co-ed dart leagues; but participation has dwindled through the years.

Today, there is only a co-ed league, which requires teams have at least two women and two men for a "legal start," said Del Rio Dart Association President Matt Cook. The number of players on a team varies. The league's 10 teams have around 50 players in all.

Giles said women must play seven games during the weekly matches. Teams play a series of 15 games, which include one-on-one play and pair's competition.

Darts was a progression for Giles from bowling and bars to the dart league. She didn't do so well when she began playing. "I would go to throw and it would hit the walls."

Diamond Lil's Wannabe team is competitive. They were sitting in a first place tie going into their May 6 game. "Next week is the last week. So, we need to do good tonight," Ron Widrig said.

Widrig got involved with darts, because a bar he went to began a league in the 1990s.

"It's a very diverse league," he said.

Giles said there are people of all ages participating in the league. Participants have to be at least 21 years old to get into the bars.

Teams pay a fee each time they play. Some places offer free games while others require a fee for each game played on the electronic board.

Cook said the association checks the sites, measures the distance from the throw line to the dartboard and checks the stamp from the state comptroller's office.

It's a money league. So, there could be some cash for teams and MVPs at the end of the league; but it's all about the fun, Cook said.

"Some people on the teams are die-hard dart throwers," he said. "Others want to go out and have some fun."

He said the association keeps up with some of the administrative work like being there to dispute any problems between teams. Teams are also provided a "hotshot of the week," so they can keep up with weekly winners and scores.

Team captains collect funds, organize schedules and ensure notes are accurate. If necessary, the captains reschedule the matchups.

"I used to throw darts here and there," Cook said. When the Elks Lodge was shy one player, he answered the call. The team doesn't practice. They just go out and play.

"We shoot a few darts and have a good time," he said.

The winning team gets a trophy that is displayed at their home bar or lodge.

Games are on Tuesdays at Elks Lodge #837, Gorzugi's, Mary Ann's, Lorena's and Diamond Lil's.

Cook said some places have more than one team in the league.

Diamond Lil's Wannabe team is an eclectic bunch. Stephens picks up dealer trades for Ram Country. Giles works in an accounting firm. Widrig and Don Davee work at Laughlin Air Force Base. Rueben Garcia sells Kirby vacuum cleaners in Eagle Pass. He drives more than 50 miles to compete in the league.

"No one would take him," Stephens says before Garcia can explain why he drives that far to play.

Garcia played for 20 years in Del Rio. He does it "for the hell of it."

"It's fun and I like the competition," he said.

Davee began playing darts while serving in the U.S. Air Force in England. He played with steel tips in the 1970s. For two years, he's been playing here.

"It's a lot of fun," Davee said. "I love the competition."

"It's something to do on Tuesday nights," Widrig said. "It's a reason to go out drinking."

During one of the games, they switch a light off. Garcia said they typically play games in the dark. Widrig said the length of a game varies. It also depends on when someone can win.

The teams play twice in the league. "Once at your home bar and once at theirs," Widrig said.

With this league winding down, the May 6 competition at Mary Ann's was serious.

Bowlers have their own balls and shoes. Dart players pack their own darts that vary in style, color and weights. Some wear a T-shirt from their home bar.

Diamond Lil's Wannabes played the Buzzards Roosts Road Kills.

The Buzzards Roost's Road Kills team, which temporarily took roost at Mary Ann's, includes Lisa Dinoir, Jon Farren, Mary Tevington and John Martinez.

Farren said he enjoys it. "They were short handed players and someone called me," so he joined the team.

Dinoir said this is the team's first season and they play for fun.

Martinez begins yelling during his game. He made a "Shanghai." He did a happy dance. His reward – in addition to a good game – a belly rub from his teammates.

"Awesome," he says as he enjoys his success.

"I made my night," Martinez said later. He's been playing in the league for five years and enjoys getting together and meeting new people. "If we win, we win. If we lose, we lose."

The Buzzards Roost's Road Kills didn't win that night. Diamond Lil's Wannabes won 11 to 4.

The Wannabes and Gorzugi's Dart Kings were in the lead going into this season's final game May 13. While Diamond Lil's Wannabes lost their final game by one match, the team won the championship.

The association will have a banquet soon and then begin signing up teams for the next league. 

Team signup sheets are available at the team sites, Cook said.