BUTLER TWP — Exercise, camaraderie and fun in the sun — that's what the Ultimate Frisbee League at Alameda Park is all about.

There are six teams in the league, which began the season in mid-June and plays three games every Thursday at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

After eight weeks of regular-season play, the teams will be seeded by their overall record and will compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine a champion.

The league completed Week Six Thursday at the park.

"As far as moving down the field and passing, it's kind of like football, but there's not much physical contact," said Jack Ferrari, 21, of Butler, who plays for Mega-Shark.

One of the attractions of the sport is that it's easy to learn.

"It's easier to pick up than a lot of sports," said Max Spears, 20, of Butler. "It's like a mix between football and basketball."

"It's also cheap," said Pat Fink, 21, of Butler. "A Frisbee and a pair of cleats, if you want them, that's a total of about $60."

Each team also pays a fee of $80 to join.

While most of the league's players are male, a few females also are involved.

The standard game of Ultimate Frisbee is 7 on 7, but the teams at Alameda will play with five or six on the field, depending on the number of players available.

Once a player catches the disc, he or she isn't allowed to run. That player must pass to a teammate within 10 seconds. If a pass is dropped or is deflected by the opposing team, that squad takes possession at that point on the field.

Games end when one of the teams scores 15 goals or an hour has elapsed.

Butler County Parks and Recreation Program Director Dave Hutner is impressed with the way the players respect the game and one another.

"The players basically referee themselves," he said. "They clean up after themselves, are very respectful and compete well with each other. Are we going to support that kind of activity? Absolutely.

"The players know the sport much better than we do," Hutner added. "We'll keep it structured, but this is their league. We're just along for the ride."

Hutner said the league has remained strong through its five seasons.

"Five years ago, I was checking out the facilities one day and I saw a bunch of kids on the field for an unorganized event," said Hutner. "They were playing Ultimate Frisbee. I started talking to some of them and they were very respectful. They started asking about possibly starting a league here and that's how it was born."

Spears was one of the players on the field that day. He estimates that, besides himself, five or six other players are still involved.

"I learned the game right here at the park," he said. "I found out that some older kids were coming up here to play after school and that's how I got into it."

Ultimate Frisbee is a sport for all ages.

At Alameda, the ages range from players in their teens to men over 60, and they play against each other.

"The men who are older probably played the sport in college," said Ken Scott, 52, of Mars, who plays for Marvin's. The team is made up mostly of players from Mars and the surrounding area.

Scott also is the coach of Mars High's team.

"I had a friend who played at Penn State and he started an Ultimate Frisbee tournament in Mars in 1977," Scott said. "That's where I was introduced to it and I fell in love with it.

"It's a quick, fun game," he Scott.

Andrew Wise is a student at Slippery Rock University interning at Alameda this summer. His duties include overseeing the league.

"These players really do love the game," he said. "A couple of weeks ago, it was 95 degrees out here, but they were still going hard."

For information about the Ultimate Frisbee League at Alameda Park, call 724-284-5383.