Broomsticks aground, Quidditch Cup comes to NYC

[November 15, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- More than 40 broomstick-riding teams are competing in the two-day Quidditch World Cup tournament in New York City.

Long a fictional fixture of the Harry Potter novels and movies about teenage wizards, the sport features players who fly on broomsticks. But in real life, the rules have been adapted to a ground game for "muggles" -- humans without magical powers.

Teams from around the world that competed in a Manhattan park Saturday with rules similar to the sport created by J.K. Rowling in her books. The matches call for chasers, beaters, keepers, seekers and a snitch. Goals must be scored and the snitch caught.

The tournament continues Sunday.

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Online:

International Quidditch Association: http://www.internationalquidditch.org/

[Associated Press]

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