Kids can join the fun of cornhole through Kids Throw Too

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Cornhole is among the fastest growing recreational sports in the country. While it was previously popularly among bars and backyard barbecues, children and participants of all ages has helped to grow the sport.

Kids Throw Too was created for youth like Trevor Caballero, who at seven years old was the youngest person to win a sanctioned cornhole tournament.

“They are trying to grow the sport of cornhole with kids,” Ryan Schmidt of Pampa said. “Cornhole has always been a bar sport but right now it’s growing into one of the most popular sports in the United States.

“It’s blowing up and is something that if your 90 years old, or if your five years old, you can play it. If you get good, you can become a pro.”

Rules for youth cornhole are similar to that of the American Cornhole League, with the boards being a little closer at 18 feet (27 feet for ACL).

“The rules go to 21 and go with ACL leagues,” Ryan said.

Here in Pampa, seven-year-old Huxley Schmidt has competed in several tournaments, winning first place (five to seven bracket) in a Kids Throw Too tournament in Seguin.

“Now he plays with pros and he has gotten pretty popular,” Ryan said. “So he and his dad (Justin) founded Kids Throw Too and held their first cornhole tournament in Seguin.”

Locally, Huxley competes at Smoke Cornhole, located at 213 S. Price on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.

“They have a youth division so when there are enough kids, Huxley can play with other kids,” Ryan said.

Huxley has been playing cornhole for a little more than a year, winning his first tournament in an Oklahoma Cornhole Association.

“So now he is a champion in Kids Throw Too and in Oklahoma,” Ryan said.

Huxley said he likes to play because it’s fun.

“I like to play because it’s fun,” Huxley said. “The hardest part is making an airmail (straight in the hole instead of sliding on the board). You have to throw it over-hand instead of under-hand.”

Huxley will play in another OCA tournament next weekend followed by playing in the Texas Cornhole League, who doesn’t have a youth division, in Denton.

The last time he competed against adults in the TCL was in Mesquite when he finished 13th.

Ryan appreciated the support and sponsorships from local businesses such as Smoke Cornhole, Back 2 Activity, Tailored Touch, Endura Products and local players to help send Huxley to the Kids Throw Too tournament in Seguin.

For more information on Kids Throw Too, visit https://kidsthrowtoo.com/ or call Smoke Cornhole at 432-352-7836 or visit their Facebook page.