All Photos: Mike Bare. View full-sized image.
On Sunday January 18, 2026, after a full day of No Coaster Con (NCC) excitement, ACE Western Great Lakes kept the momentum rolling with a lively post‑NCC tradition. They strapped themselves into bumper‑car‑like vehicles, grabbed plastic scoops and attempted a sport that vaguely resembles lacrosse, basketball and mild vehicular misconduct. Yes — it was WhirlyBall time again, the official sport of “I swear I meant to do that.”
The WhirlyBall event brought together 25 ACE members for an afternoon of fast turns, friendly rivalry and plenty of laughs, proving once again to be the perfect outlet for coaster fans who weren’t quite ready for the weekend to end. Teams rotated through a series of spirited matchups, each one filled with quick plays, dramatic near‑misses and the kind of good‑natured ribbing only ACE members can deliver. There were high‑speed spectacles of zig‑zags, accidental teamwork and at least three people discovering they have no idea how to steer a WhirlyBug. The court echoed with laughter, competitive shouting and the occasional “Wait, which goal is ours again?” Whether someone was a seasoned WhirlyBall veteran or a first‑timer just trying to steer straight, the energy stayed upbeat and inclusive.
While swapping stories from NCC panels and park announcements, spectators cheered on their friends battling it out on the court, offering encouragement such as “Nice shot!” and “I think you just scored on yourself.” The mix of camaraderie and competition made the event feel like a natural extension of the weekend’s enthusiasm.
As the final game wrapped up and the last WhirlyBug rolled to a stop, the consensus was clear: this was exactly the kind of fun, low‑pressure gathering that makes ACE events special. It offered a chance to unwind, reconnect and close out the weekend with a shared experience that was equal parts silly and spirited. One thing’s certain: coaster enthusiasts may love airtime on roller coasters, but they’re surprisingly good at creating it on a WhirlyBall court too.
With another successful WhirlyBall outing in the books, many attendees are already looking forward to making this post‑NCC tradition even bigger next year. Gratitude was expressed to the employees at Whirlyball Vernon Hills, Illinois, for making this year’s event special. We can’t wait till next year’s event.
— Scott and Bonnie Heck, ACE Western Great Lakes Assistant Regional Representatives
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