Dart league starts new season

WINSTED —  The Northwest Connecticut Dart League opened its registrations for their 2017-18 season on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

Organized by Michael “Woody” Woodworth in his 10th year, the league is inviting casual and experienced players, individuals and teams to jump into the action, with a chance to win cash prizes. 

“It’s a casual sport and it gets people in a social environment,” Woodworth said. “It’s 95 percent just friendly and outgoing people who want to have a decent evening out. It also has a little bit of competition and fun.”

Catering to the crowd who might find recreational softball or soccer leagues to be too strenuous a commitment, Woodworth has grown the dart league from 12 teams in 2006 to over 40 today.

Playing mostly in Winsted and Torrington area bars, the league is divided into five divisions, from beginner level to veteran. Each division competes separately for their own prizes and titles, ensuring that even inexperienced players have a shot at glory.

Though there are certainly those motivated by the chance of have their name on a plaque mounted in their favorite bar, or carrying the season championship trophy out into the street to the adulation of onlookers, Woodworth says a large majority of people love the league for its social aspects, which is being able to relax and chat over a drink or two with friends and family.

“We have family teams, along with college friends on teams,” he said. “And then there’s some people that come in as two-person teams, that I combine and try to put together a fun team. So far that’s worked out pretty well.”

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Woodworth says his league has seen a few players who have honed their talents enough to consider taking them to the “big money” tournaments in Las Vegas, though so far it has not quite worked out due to family and other practical concerns. 

But again, what makes a simple game like darts most appealing, Woodworth says, is that it is local. No heavy commitment is required, or any long travel. Many people would probably be spending time at the same bars anyway.

“I know that people look forward to it,” said Woodworth. “Not only the players, but the bar owners look forward to that Tuesday night activity.”

Woodworth said the owners of the establishments where the league plays have gone “above and beyond” to welcome and accommodate his players, including setting up special drink or food promotions, displaying the plaques of winning teams or helping advertise to grow the league.

For more information, contact Woodworth at 860-485-4987.