Tara Harvan of Evans City tosses a bag during cornhole league competition at the Evans City VFW. Cornhole, or bean bag, is similar to horseshoes in that teams of two players each try to toss a bag into holes about 30 feet apart.

EVANS CITY — For sports fans, February and March can be the coldest of months.

Football season has ended, major league pitchers and catchers are slowly filtering into spring training and basketball's post season — both pro and collegiate — haven't yet started.

Now racing fans do have NASCAR, but Sunday afternoons can still lack the excitement of an NFLSunday.

But at the Evans City VFW, people have found a way to fill the sports void: Bean bags.

Each Sunday about 24 people meet at the VFW for their cornhole league.

Cornhole, also known as corn toss, bean bag, bean toss, soft horseshoes and Indiana horseshoes, originated in Germany in the 14th century, and then was rediscovered in the hills of Kentucky more than 100 years ago, according to the American Cornhole Association.

Much like horseshoes, cornhole players try to throw bean bags into holes in platforms about 30 feet apart during matches.

Teams of two take turns tossing the bags and earning points for each one landed in the hole, worth three points, or on the platform, worth one point.According to the national association, matches are played until the first team reaches or exceeds 21 points at the end of an inning, but, depending on the players or the league, rules can vary.In the Evans City league, which started in February, 12 teams of two battle each week for cash prizes.For $20 per person, anyone can enter the league, said Cathy Young, one of the league's organizers.The biggest difference between horseshoes and its bean bag counterpart is that cornhole can be played anywhere.At the Evans City VFW, the league's home is in the building's back room. However, the game is popular elsewhere, like tailgate parties, because of the game's mobility.For Young, the ease of play and mobility is what attracts many to the game."A lot of people play it,"she said.The game's popularity extends beyond Evans City.Bars throughout Ohio also hold tournaments and notable players include Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, who holds a cornhole charity tournament each year.For information on the Evans City VFW's league or to join, call the VFW at 724-538-9070. For information about the sport and the American Cornhole Association, visit www.playcornhole.org.

Lisa Andrews of Evans City adjusts the scoreboard for the cornhole league at the Evans City VFW. About 24 people compete in the league each Sunday night.