The Proving Grounds — Conshohcken’s outdoor sports complex — hosted Pa.’s first Big-Ten U.S. Quadball tournament. The competition’s centerpiece may be better known by its former branding, Quidditch. Erin McCarthy explained in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Quidditch is, of course, the fantasy sport of the Harry Potter book and film series, a high-flying contest of soaring brooms, multilevel goals, and a ball with wings.

The earthbound version retains the hoops and the balls and includes a vestige of flight, as players run while straddling a stick meant to approximate a broom.

The name change came in protest of Potter author J.K. Rowling’s 2020 comments about the trans community.

The Montgomery County event saw 60 teams competing on 12 pitches to crowds from as far away as California and Texas.

Michael Rodriguez attended as a means of encouraging Philadelphia youth to give the sport a whirl. He runs Quadball camps to teach new players its finer points.

Rodriguez sees multiple benefits to play: the physicality and team-building, as well as the literary tie.

“If kids are reading Harry Potter, it’s a good supplement,” said Rodriguez. “Reading is really good for kids. So is running around.”

Full coverage of U.S. Quadball in Conshohocken is at The Philadelphia Inquirer.