Waste Ball
MAPPA Lab’s Official Sport, since 2023
WasteBall: the legendary origins and the modern competition
WasteBall was officially invented in 2023, but its history goes back much further. It all stems from a moment that anyone who has ever had lunch in the office knows well: the sandwich on the fly. And, above all, the paper that wraps it.
Who has never found themselves crumpling the sandwich wrapper into a ball and attempting a perfect roll in the waste bin? What for many is a simple habit, for us has become art and competition.
WasteBall takes its first steps just like this, thanks to Salvatore Basile and his undaunted search for the perfect basket in the paper bin. In the background, the burlesque commentary of Prof. Gabriele Gattiglia, who counted 2 points for every centre in the paper bucket, and -2 points for every centre in the plastic bucket.
The official birth was due to a visit from Francesco Carrer (York University), who was formally challenged after having lunch in the Laboratory. From that moment, the game took shape, evolving into the discipline we know today.
The World WasteBall Association
Today, the beating heart of WasteBall is in Pisa, at the Laboratorio Mappa (Via dei Mille 19, 56124 Pisa – PI, Italy). The World WasteBall Association is based there, with its current president Salvatore Basile and official notary Elisa Paperini.
The Official Rules
The rules of WasteBall are simple, but don’t be fooled: the competition is fierce.
- Who can play: anyone having lunch at the Lab table can participate, with a maximum of three throws each after the meal.
- The shooting position: you shoot from a precise point next to the table, without crossing the line drawn by an ancient piece of scotch tape, there since the dawn of time.
- The score:
- +20 points if the ball enters the paper bucket.
- -20 points if it enters the plastic bucket.
- 0 points for each empty shot.
Why? Because the climate crisis is real and recycling counts!
- Trick-shot and glory: each player can attempt as many trick-shots as he/she wants in the three throws available, in the shape of his/her choice. In this case, the score (positive or negative) is doubled. Caution: those who fly high risk falling, but they say the view from up there is priceless.
- The ball is sacred: every season has its own ball, created at the beginning of the tournament and used until the end.
WasteBall at MAPPA: tradition and self-financing
The Pisan coordination of MAPPA has developed its own set of rules, adapting the game to local needs. Each coordination can develop its own set of additional rules, according to its own characteristics and needs.
- The official season runs from September to the end of June, with play-offs in July.
- Each player has a nickname, assigned by the group and non-negotiable, because WasteBall is not only a challenge, but also a style of relationship. We reject the capitalist society that wants us only intent on producing, and claim our right to play and play together.
- Participation fee: the first ever game and the one on one’s birthday are free. All other games cost 50 cents per player. The proceeds self-finance the play activities of the Lab.
- Each week, the player who has scored the most ‘papers’ is awarded €5 from the common till. At the end of the season, the winner of the tournament receives a prize and a trophy. And the leftovers from the till? They go to finance the great feast of the Free MAPPA Republic, celebrated every 2 June to coincide with Italian Republic Day.