Barn Is Perfect Venue For Axe Throwing

2019 - Volume #43, Issue #1, Page #02

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When Jeremy Andrews and a few friends started throwing axes for fun in 2015, they had no idea it would lead to an official league, and throwers getting “nerdy” about axe types and learning heritage skills like forging, handle-making and precision axe sharpening.

    Andrews set up targets against a barn on his 10-acre property on the outskirts of Battle Creek, Mich. Appropriately, the league is called BTL AXE, named after the call letters for a former private airport in Battle Creek.

    “It’s an old barn that needs to be sided anyway,” Andrews says of the facility the league currently uses - on the outside in nice weather and on the inside during the winter.

    The league got started when Andrews gave his 12 groomsmen axes for gifts and threw a post wedding axe-throwing party in 2015. With encouragement from his wife, Erin, they joined the WATL (World Axe Throwing League). In the fall, 22 members met once a week for 8 weeks, and Andrews expects 44 members for the winter league.

    “It’s like bowling for the 21st century. I think people flock to the new and unusual, so I don’t know if it will be huge 10 years from now, but I think it will grow,” he says.

    Axe throwing is an inexpensive sport to get into, with hatchets costing as little as $8. Membership fees run $160 for 8 weeks with 40 throws each week. The fee helps cover the costs of the targets made of 2 by 10 SPF wood. Though targets are soaked with water to make them last longer, the center target is usually replaced at least once each week. Andrews also put in fencing between the throwing lanes. Two throwers share the 12-ft. wide spaces and simultaneously throw at targets 12 ft. away.

    Points are given for hitting the 4-in. bullseye (6) or rings (4, 3, 2 and 1). On the 10th throw of the 4 rounds, throwers can opt to aim at a blue ball on the outer edge for 10 points.

    Axe styles vary to suit each thrower, but must meet weight and length regulations set by WATL. The league follows the organization’s safety requirements and adds on some of its own.

    “Safety is No. 1,” Andrews says, and from the beginning he set up rules that include his right to remove throwers he deems unsafe.

    It has become so addictive for some, that a couple members now forge their own axe heads and another makes handles using wood from trees on Andrews’ property.

    Already, Andrews has booked bachelorette and birthday parties and hosted corporate axe-throwing events. With a trailer and portable gates, he will make axe throwing mobile, taking it wherever customers are interested.

    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jeremy Andrews, BTL AXE, 251 Waubascon Rd., Battle Creek, Mich. 49037 (ph 269 832-0777; www.btlaxe.com; gobtlaxe@gmail.com).

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Barn Is Perfect Venue For Axe Throwing FARM HOME Miscellaneous When Jeremy Andrews and a few friends started throwing axes for fun in 2015 they had no idea it would lead to an official league and throwers getting “nerdy” about axe types and learning heritage skills like forging handle-making and precision axe sharpening
    Andrews set up targets against a barn on his 10-acre property on the outskirts of Battle Creek Mich Appropriately the league is called BTL AXE named after the call letters for a former private airport in Battle Creek
    “It’s an old barn that needs to be sided anyway ” Andrews says of the facility the league currently uses - on the outside in nice weather and on the inside during the winter
    The league got started when Andrews gave his 12 groomsmen axes for gifts and threw a post wedding axe-throwing party in 2015 With encouragement from his wife Erin they joined the WATL World Axe Throwing League In the fall 22 members met once a week for 8 weeks and Andrews expects 44 members for the winter league
    “It’s like bowling for the 21st century I think people flock to the new and unusual so I don’t know if it will be huge 10 years from now but I think it will grow ” he says
    Axe throwing is an inexpensive sport to get into with hatchets costing as little as $8 Membership fees run $160 for 8 weeks with 40 throws each week The fee helps cover the costs of the targets made of 2 by 10 SPF wood Though targets are soaked with water to make them last longer the center target is usually replaced at least once each week Andrews also put in fencing between the throwing lanes Two throwers share the 12-ft wide spaces and simultaneously throw at targets 12 ft away
    Points are given for hitting the 4-in bullseye 6 or rings 4 3 2 and 1 On the 10th throw of the 4 rounds throwers can opt to aim at a blue ball on the outer edge for 10 points
    Axe styles vary to suit each thrower but must meet weight and length regulations set by WATL The league follows the organization’s safety requirements and adds on some of its own
    “Safety is No 1 ” Andrews says and from the beginning he set up rules that include his right to remove throwers he deems unsafe
    It has become so addictive for some that a couple members now forge their own axe heads and another makes handles using wood from trees on Andrews’ property
    Already Andrews has booked bachelorette and birthday parties and hosted corporate axe-throwing events With a trailer and portable gates he will make axe throwing mobile taking it wherever customers are interested
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Jeremy Andrews BTL AXE 251 Waubascon Rd Battle Creek Mich 49037 ph 269 832-0777; www btlaxe com; gobtlaxe@gmail com

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