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Darts anyone? For the eight teams competing in the Howard County Dart Association league, the answer is a resounding yes.

Just about every Wednesday night the league gathers at area bars such as the Buttermilk Tavern in Elkridge, the Judge's Bench in Ellicott City and the Rams Head Tavern in Savage to compete for fun and bragging rights.

On this particular Wednesday, the place to be is Golden Sports Bar in Ellicott City. Four teams have come more than ready to throw down (darts that is). The scene is pretty packed for a weeknight.

Layers of cigarette smoke fill the air and the smell of adult beverages permeates the room. Players prepare for the competition while Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and The Grateful Dead's "Touch of Grey" blast in the background.

College basketball games play on strategically placed televisions, and Keno is available for those needing a bit of gambling with their beer and darts.

One by one, players step to the line, aim for their spot and manually keep track of their scores.

Games include singles, doubles and four-person team competitions in a variety of formats.

There is no taunting or name-calling, just mild celebration and absolute sportsmanship.

At times, the atmosphere seems more like some friends getting together for a few drinks rather than a heated competition.

"From the most experienced players to the novice players, everyone has fun, socializes with each other and gets along," says Roy Simmons, president of the league since 2002.

"Over the years I have made some good friends in the dart league and, even though she no longer plays darts, I met my wife, Berni, at JK's Pub when I first joined in 1987," Simmons adds with a smile.

Chris Douglass, first-year steel-tip darts player and Simmons' teammate on the R's Kickers, agrees.

"The friendships we all build is the best part about playing, the new people you meet and the friends you make. We all get together outside of darts."

Amid the socializing and clowning around, there are dedicated, talented players who can't seem to get enough of the sport.

"Think of the one thing you really like to do: that's darts for me." said Lynn Martin, who is in her fifth year in the league and was the women's state champion for steel-tip darts in 2001.

"Darts are the only thing I've been competitive in, the only thing I really want to win at. It really gets under your skin."

The Howard County Dart Association was formed in 1982, playing in such area bars as JK's Pub in Wilde Lake and Sneakers in Long Reach. The league was strong back then and had about 32 teams competing in four different divisions by its heyday in 1987.

Today, the league has dwindled to eight teams comprising about 50 active members, most of them men. New talent is always needed and appreciated.

"I'd like to see some more competitive women in the league. There are only four right now," Martin says.

With changes in priorities and the loss of several former players, it hasn't been easy for the HCDA to keep throwing.

"Over the years, with the closing of a lot of the neighborhood bars and the decline of steel-tip darts, we have managed to somehow keep going," Simmons says.

Electronic dart boards, which track scores automatically, use plastic-tipped darts.

Kevin Hemp, a league member since 1984, says the time is ripe for resurgence.

"There is always a lot of turnover, but I think we'll get back to where the league was when it was at its peak."

Despite the drop-off in participation this season, Simmons remains optimistic about the league's future too.

"We have just recruited the Columbia Ale House in Long Reach (three new teams) _ which, funny enough was the old Sneakers bar _ and have started a Saturday night 'luck of the draw' (pickup matches) to try to bring in some new players."

The Howard County Dart Association's seasons run from 12 to 18 weeks and take place in the spring, summer and fall. A banquet and awards ceremony mark the end of each season.

Spring season sign-ups begin Jan. 7, and play starts Jan. 21. The association hopes to at least double its current team total.

If you are interested in playing in the league, contact Roy Simmons at rsimmons@aqua.org or 410-964-3268.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.hcdadarts.com.

E-mail eshapiro@patuxent.com