Eagle’s Trace residents compete and have fun using popular new video game

By Alan Suderman
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

On a recent summer day, Art Lewicki hit about 40 home runs in less than an hour. After a dramatic comefrom- behind victory in the semifinals, Lewicki cruised to an easy win in the finals to be crowned Eagle’s Trace first-ever Home Run Derby Champion.

He beat out 13 other residents who came to try their hand at knocking dingers out of the park in honor of Houston Astros star Craig Biggio’s 3,000th career hit.

So how did Lewicki manage such a mighty feat? With a little help from the “Wii”.

The newest video game console from Nintendo is taking the nation by storm and attracting fans from all different age groups. The Wii (pronounced “wee”) features a wireless handheld controller that detects motion and operates in three dimensions.

Players can try their hand at sports like bowling, fishing, golf, baseball, boxing, and tennis—all while indoors using the Wii remote and a TV. It allows players to compete while standing up and imitating the same motions they would make if they were actually rolling a bowling ball down an alley or swinging a bat for a home run.

“It gives you a chance to get exercise and compete without going out in the heat,” Lewicki says. “I can now compete with my son-in-law.”

Look out, grandkids!
Video games have long been a favorite of teenagers, but Nintendo Wii is catching on at the Eagle’s Trace campus. No doubt, many grandkids will be surprised when their grandparents challenge them to a Nintendo boxing match or a round of golf!

Joy McMillin came in second at the Home Run Derby despite having no previous Wii experience. She says the console is so simple that anyone can enjoy it right away without having to spend hours learning.

“When I told my granddaughters about the competition, they got so excited that I thought I’d better give it a try,” McMillan says.