February 2001 — this first game is played with more than only “Spielman’s” involved. John brings many soccer balls to Scott’s little league baseball practice and the whole team plays a couple of rounds. Some of the dads played too. Scott wins the youth category and becomes the number one U-12 player in the country. Scott will later follow his older brother as the leader through the categories, becoming the number one U-14, U16 and U-18 North American Player.

April 2004, Easter Sunday — At a family gathering a group goes off to play Cross-country BigBall at the local park. Kathy Spielman becomes the first female to play the game. Danny re-establishes his control over the U-16 category with two victories. On this day, John’s brother Steve Spielman, coined the official Cross-country BigBall Slogan “I am honored to be playing the . . . game in the world” (some words left out because they weren’t very nice). By the end the games degrades to using one of the players running around the field as the goal. Everyone likes the “Player Victim” variation.

April 2004, Day after Easter Sunday — Steve Spielman and Jeff Oechsli play a short game of Cross-country BigBall, the first game played without John Spielman, the father of Cross-country BigBall, present.

August 2004 — Cross-country BigBall Expands to Oregon. The Spielman’s and the Winter’s get together in Sunriver Oregon for a round of Cross-country BigBall. The games are played at and around Fort Rock Park. Some of the first recorded photos of Cross-country BigBall are taken. Tessa wins and takes control of the U-9 girls category.
The second round of the Sunriver Oregon Game at Fort Rock Park, August 2004
And they’re OFF!
April 2005, Game with the Codys before dinner “almost” around two soccer matches. Ben becomes the first to play Cross-county BigBall on a public street. Monica establishes herself as the number one U-18 girl in the North Americas. Danny almost breaks a school window. He also, moves from boys U-16 to U-18 and maintains his number one slot.

June 2005, The CrossCountryBigBall.com web site is published.

July 2005 Sunriver Open — A big game at the Three Rivers School in Sunriver Oregon named the “Sunriver Open” by Danny just after the first round ended. In this historic game the first women only rounds are played including Kathy Spielman, Anita Price, Melinda Maleck, Linda Sawyer, Aidan and Sarah. Kathy Spielman wins the first womens round and holds her position as the number one female in the sport. Other coed rounds are also played as the women are joined by John Spielman, Danny, Scott, Steven Spielman, Jeffrey, Collin and Nolan. Everyone had fun and the Three Rivers School Theater gets a top rating from all players. In particular, the players all enjoyed the “pit” goal including Kathy Spielman who go a stick in her leg during that round. Unfortunately, there were two casualties in addition to the Kathy Spielman stick incident when Collin and Danny got stung by bees.
Sunriver Open 2005, Start of Round 3. John Spelman, the Father of Cross-country BigBall is furthest from the camera starting a winning round.
First All Womens Game July 2005 — Kathy Spielman, Melinda Mallek, Sarah, Anita Price and Linda Sawyer launch some line drives at Three Rivers School.
July 2008 — The Palos Verdes Open for 2008 is held at the “PVIS Campus and Beyond”. The Spielman’s, Liehr’s, one Winter and deCiutiis’ participate. Casualties include Brodie the Dog that lost a tooth from a bat and two soccer balls. Danny maintains his lead in the Men’s Division with a solid performance. The Canadian National Champion was present for his first American Theater experience. The longest canyon run in the history of the game was won by Jason and there was a considerable amount of street play in Palos Verdes Estates. Participants included John Spielman, Danny, Scott, Elisa Liehr, Mike deCiutiis, Zack, Julian deCiutiis, Tom Liehr, Jason, Whitney Liehr and Spencer. It was a large group and everyone got along OK except for Lisa Liehr, who used some questionable techniquies during the 5th round.
PV Open 2008, Start of Round 4 — On the left showing superior form is DANNY SPIELMAN, Current World Champion
Cross-Country BigBall Fanatic and Track Star Whitney Liehr cruises up a difficult canyon course.
Elisa Liehr and Julian deCiutiis progress up the canyon as Danny Spielman works on getting his ball out of a tall tree.
PV Open 2008, Round 5 involved some street play. Scott, the U18 champion, forgot his shirt.
August 2008 — The first Interstate Competition is held near the California/Oregon border. Participants included John and Danny Spielman and rookie Bigballer Justin Mitchell. John edges out his younger challengers to claim the title of 2008 Interstate Champion.
John Spielman triumphs over the first interstate competition.
Danny Spielman leaving California, slightly behind John Spielman
Danny Spielman and Justin Mitchell race across the California-Oregon Border
July 2009 — The Palos Verdes Open is again held at the PVIS Campus. The Spielman’s, Liehr’s, two Stanford track stars, the Winter’s and a deCiutis’ competed for the glory. Two Mitchells and the Aguora Spielman-Oechsli’s are not able to attend due to various medical excuses such as the stomach flu and a bad ankle. This event included three notable new features including aerial photography of round one, an interesting relay round and Elisa Leihr did not get caught cheating. Participants included John Spielman, Danny Spielman, Scott, Elisa Liehr, Zack, Kara Bennett (from the Stanford Track and Field Team), Tom Liehr, Jason, Whitney Liehr (also from the Stanford Track and Field Team), Spencer, Paul Winter, Julie Winter and Deena Sheridan. This was Deena’s first event and she is clearly the most beautiful woman ever to play the sport. For the relay, the group divided into three player teams, one ball for each team. The teams positioned their players on the course to optimize the strengths of each member. Ball identification was a big issue because the ball was often “passed” between players that could not see each other. Other than some skinned knees and dirt, no mammals were wounded during this event although a couple of balls were lost. After the game everyone enjoyed the usual Lime Fruit Floes and a salmon dinner cooked by Deena (isn’t she just amazing?).
A perfect “Popcorn” start for the Palos Verdes Open.
Complete aerial coverage of the first round. Look for Danny Spielman, World Champion, in the red shirt and Scott, U18 champion, crossing the basketball courts as he wins this round.
Julie Winter belts a line drive.
Zack moving his ball across the PVIS green.
The first round continues. Tom and Whitney Liehr can be seen crossing the basketball court. The Spielman’s (in red and green) are ahead of them closing on the goal.
The group takes a break after the first round and discusses their strategies for Round 2.
Scott, the current U18 champion, follows a roller down the big hill during the relay round. Notice that Scott carries the bat in his left hand.
The relay round starters – Danny Spielman, Tom Liehr, Whitney Liehr, Julie Winter and Spencer – watch from above as the race finishes below them.
Kara moving the ball from the upper field to the lower field during the relay round.
Deena Sheridan, Jason and Scott relax after finishing the relay round.