Racket Brackets

Now, when we tell you what today’s participatory sports event is called, we want you to try and remain calm. Don’t overreact. Although it’s extremely scary-sounding, it’s just a name. OK, starting at 9 a.m., the Plaza Tennis Center (4747 J.C. Nichols Parkway, 816-784-5100) is host to the Spring/
Summer 2011 Bracket of Death. Now, “Bracket of Death” just refers to the tournament that’s coordinated by some area tennis players as, basically, an endurance challenge, because it’s compressed into one day. And the champion — who has to survive something like 90 games of tennis — receives what we are going to warn you in advance is a scary-sounding trophy. It’s name? The Belt of Death. OK, you seem really jumpy. But it’s just a regular trophy-style belt and doesn’t have rotating blades or any of that Saw II crap. The entry fee is $25, and anyone can become a spectator by going there and looking. For more information, see bracketofdeath.com.

Sat., June 4, 9 a.m., 2011