The Marble League (formerly known as the MarbleLympics) is an annual event where marbles from different teams compete against each other in a number of different sports events. It is run by the JMRC. So far, there have been 5 Marble Leagues. All competitors are 16 mm in diameter.[1]
History
The Marble League was started in 2016. It grew out of the Knikkegen Marble League, a marble sports competition started by Jelle and Dion Bakker. In 2013 the KML grew in popularity due to appearing in a viral TV featurette about the growing popularity of marble sports tournaments. The next year the KML received applications from around the world, most of which the Bakker brothers had to decline. The growing popularity of the KML attracted the attention of Greg Woods who ran the Fruit Circuit. In late 2014, Woods met the Bakker brothers and they began planning an expansion to the KML that would add an international league. In 2015 this plan was expanded further to the entire tournament, becoming the Marble League 2016.[2]
Overview
| Year | Hosts | Champions | Beginning | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | - | Savage Speeders | August 5, 2016 | September 9, 2016 |
| 2017 | - | O'rangers | July 1, 2017 | August 19, 2017 |
| 2018 | Snowballs | Midnight Wisps | February 9, 2018 | April 28, 2018 |
| 2019 | Oceanics | Raspberry Racers | April 19, 2019 | June 11, 2019 |
| 2020 | Team Galactic | Savage Speeders | June 21, 2020 | August 16, 2020 |
Teams
- Main article: Marble League Teams
As of 2020, there have been 34 teams of which 28 are still active.
Marble League 2016
- Main article: Marble League 2016
The original Marble League logo used in 2016 and 2017.
The first annual Marble League was held in 2016 and was won by the Savage Speeders. There were 16 teams and 12 events. This was the only Marble League where there were no qualifying rounds, as it was the first year.
The sixteen inaugural teams are as follows; Pinkies, O'rangers, Rojo Rollers, Snowballs, Kobalts, Savage Speeders, Limers, Oceanics, Thunderbolts, Team Primary, Chocolatiers, Balls of Chaos, Team Galactic, Jawbreakers, Mellow Yellow, and Team Momo.
Final Standings
| Rank | Team | G | S | B | Tot. | Pts: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Savage Speeders | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 44 |
| 2nd | Mellow Yellow | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 41 |
| 3rd | Thunderbolts | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 41 |
| 4th | Team Momo | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 38 |
| 5th | O'rangers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 31 |
| 6th | Rojo Rollers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 30 |
| 7th | Jawbreakers | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 21 |
| 8th | Balls of Chaos | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 21 |
| 9th | Kobalts | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 20 |
| 10th | Oceanics | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 19 |
| 11th | Team Galactic | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 18 |
| 12th | Team Primary | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 17 |
| 13th | Chocolatiers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 16 |
| 14th | Snowballs | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| 15th | Limers | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| 16th | Pinkies | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
Marble League 2017
- Main article: Marble League 2017
The second annual Marble League was held in 2017 and was won by the O'rangers. The points system was changed for 2017, and a qualifying round was held for the first time.
Four new teams debuted in the 2017 season, including the Jungle Jumpers, Midnight Wisps, Shining Swarm, and Quicksilvers.
Final Standings
| Rank | Team | G | S | B | Tot. | Pts: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | O'rangers | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 156 |
| 2nd | Savage Speeders | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 150 |
| 3rd | Mellow Yellow | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 119 |
| 4th | Midnight Wisps | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 118 |
| 5th | Team Galactic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 115 |
| 6th | Pinkies | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 114 |
| 7th | Shining Swarm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 112 |
| 8th | Chocolatiers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 110 |
| 9th | Team Momo | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 106 |
| 10th | Limers | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 101 |
| 11th | Oceanics | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 99 |
| 12th | Thunderbolts | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 83 |
| 13th | Jawbreakers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 83 |
| 14th | Team Primary | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 71 |
| 15th | Jungle Jumpers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 66 |
| 16th | Quicksilvers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58 |
Marble League 2018
- Main article: Marble League 2018
In 2018, the first Winter Marble League was held instead of the regular Marble League. Additionally, it was the first edition to be held in a host stadium, in this case the Snowballs' Arctic Circle.
24 teams entered the qualifying rounds, split into three groups of eight. The top four of each group would be qualified for Marble League 2018. Although eight new teams entered the qualifiers, only four qualified, those being the Hazers, Raspberry Racers, Minty Maniacs, and Crazy Cat's Eyes.
After injuries sustained by Momomo and Momomomo of Team Momo, Team Momo and Team Primary, the latter of which did not qualify, temporarily merged to compete as Team Momary.
The championship was won by the Midnight Wisps, with the Savage Speeders and Oceanics in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Final Standings
| Rank | Team | G | S | B | Tot. | Pts: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Midnight Wisps | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 139 |
| 2nd | Savage Speeders | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 138 |
| 3rd | Oceanics | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 130 |
| 4th | O'rangers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 121 |
| 5th | Balls of Chaos | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 116 |
| 6th | Hazers | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 111 |
| 7th | Snowballs | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 110 |
| 8th | Raspberry Racers | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 110 |
| 9th | Thunderbolts | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 109 |
| 10th | Crazy Cat's Eyes | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 96 |
| 11th | Team Galactic | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 95 |
| 12th | Team Momary | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 90 |
| 13th | Minty Maniacs | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 77 |
| 14th | Limers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 76 |
| 15th | Mellow Yellow | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 76 |
| 16th | Pinkies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 |
Marble League 2019
- Main article: Marble League 2019
The new Marble League logo that was introduced in 2019.
The 2019 Marble League's logo.
The fourth annual Marble League was held in 2019 and was won by the Raspberry Racers. It was the first edition to have 16 events instead of 12 events. The 3-point penalty for disqualification was also dropped this year.
Two new teams debuted, the Indigo Stars and the Green Ducks.
Marble League Showdown
- Main article: Marble League Showdown 2019
2019 contained the first edition of the Marble League Showdown, a tournament where the teams who failed to qualify for Marble League 2019 competed to qualify for the next year's qualifiers. Marble League Showdown 2019 was won by the Snowballs. Marble League Showdown 2019 was the first tournament to use the "Marble League" branding, replacing the "MarbleLympics" name.
Final Standings
| Rank | Team | G | S | B | Tot. | Pts: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Raspberry Racers | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 216 |
| 2nd | Green Ducks | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 204 |
| 3rd | Hazers | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 184 |
| 4th | Mellow Yellow | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 149 |
| 5th | Savage Speeders | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 146 |
| 6th | O'rangers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 139 |
| 7th | Jungle Jumpers | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 138 |
| 8th | Team Galactic | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 134 |
| 9th | Balls of Chaos | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 131 |
| 10th | Midnight Wisps | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 128 |
| 11th | Crazy Cat's Eyes | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 125 |
| 12th | Chocolatiers | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 121 |
| 13th | Thunderbolts | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 119 |
| 14th | Indigo Stars | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 112 |
| 15th | Pinkies | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 97 |
| 16th | Oceanics | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 70 |
Marble League 2020
- Main article: Marble League 2020
Logo used in 2020
The fifth annual Marble League began in June 2020. It is to be hosted by Team Galactic. This was the first year that no new teams debuted, although this is the first year the Hornets and Bumblebees have participated in the main Marble League after participating in the Showdown in 2019.
Final Standings
| Rank | Team | G | S | B | Tot. | Pts: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Savage Speeders | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 202 |
| 2nd | O'rangers | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 195 |
| 3rd | Minty Maniacs | 4 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 194 |
| 4th | Midnight Wisps | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 187 |
| 5th | Crazy Cat's Eyes | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 160 |
| 6th | Hazers | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 147 |
| 7th | Team Galactic | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 147 |
| 8th | Team Momo | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 135 |
| 9th | Raspberry Racers | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 133 |
| 10th | Oceanics | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 133 |
| 11th | Bumblebees | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 106 |
| 12th | Green Ducks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 101 |
| 13th | Thunderbolts | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 99 |
| 14th | Mellow Yellow | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 94 |
| 15th | Balls of Chaos | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 92 |
| 16th | Hornets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 86 |
Marble League 2021
- Main article: Marble League 2021
The sixth annual Marble League will begin sometime in 2021. It will be hosted by the Crazy Cat's Eyes.
Rules
Points System
- Main article: List of Marble League points scoring systems
Below is the official scoring system, introduced in 2017.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 20 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Disqualifications
- Main article: List of Disqualifications
Events
| Event | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balancing | 1 | 3 | 1 | ||
| Relay Race | 2 | 6 | 6 | 12 | |
| Collision | 3 | 3 | 15 | 15 | |
| Sand Rally | 4 | 12 | 16 | ||
| Long Jump | 5 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Water Race | 6 | ||||
| High Jump | 7 | 8 | 13 | ||
| 10 Meter Sprint | 8 | ||||
| Team Pursuit | 9 | 6 | |||
| Precision Slalom | 10 | ||||
| Quartet Diving | 11 | ||||
| Hurdles | 12 | 5 | 9 | 6 | |
| Funnel Spinning | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 5 Meter Sprint | 4 | 5 | 10 | ||
| Block Pushing | 7 | 7 | 7 | ||
| Steeplechase | 9 | ||||
| Archery | 10 | ||||
| Underwater Race | 11 | 1 | |||
| 5 Meter Ice Dash | 1 | ||||
| Ski Jump | 2 | ||||
| Halfpipe | 3 | 2 | |||
| Bobsled | 4 | ||||
| Speed Skating | 5 | ||||
| Snow Rally | 7 | ||||
| Snowboard Cross | 8 | ||||
| Curling | 9 | ||||
| Gravitrax Biathlon | 10 | ||||
| Ice Hockey | 11 | ||||
| Sand Mogul Race | 12 | 9 | |||
| Gravitrax Slalom | 4 | ||||
| Summer Biathlon | 8 | ||||
| Hubelino Maze | 10 | ||||
| Dirt Race | 11 | ||||
| Rafting | 12 | ||||
| Elimination Race | 13 | ||||
| Surfing | 14 | ||||
| Newton's Cradle | 4 | ||||
| Triathlon | 8 | ||||
| Black Hole Funnel | 11 | ||||
| Team Aquathlon | 14 | ||||
| Marble Marathon | 16 |
References
- ↑ @Jelles_com. Twitter (11th January 2018). “The official size of marblelympic athletes is 16mm, but their friends from Sand Marble Racing are actually bigger with a diameter of 24mm!”
- ↑ Stynth (31st January 2020). RetRollSpective – Team Primary. Marble Sports.
| Marble League | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tournaments | 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 | |||
| Qualification | 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 | |||
| Friendly Rounds | 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 | |||
| Marble League Showdown | 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 | |||
| Stadiums | Bakker Bowl · Arctic Circle · Seven Seas Stadium · Andromedome · Felynia Coliseum · The Pond · Superhive Stadium | |||
| Miscellaneous | Marble League Records · Teams · Individual Performances · Appearances · Points Systems · Jelle's Marble Runs Committee · Jelle's Marble Association | |||