Founder of Granny Basketball in Lansing reflects on how the league has grown over its 20-plus years as she returns to Iowa ...

Barb Trammell, former Lansing resident who founded the concept of Granny Basketball in 2005 (as proclaimed on the Lansing welcome sign in the submitted photo below) and who now lives in California, returned to the state of Iowa in mid-July for the Granny Basketball National Tournament played in Ankeny July 17-19. A former member of the original Lansing Great Dames Granny Basketball team, Trammell brought her current Granny Basketball team, the California Poppies, to this year’s National Tournament in Iowa, with fellow former Lansing Great Dames players Sharol Zweibohmer of Lansing and Denise Tinker of Elgin joining the Poppies in playing in this year’s National Tournament. Trammell is pictured in the middle of the three ladies in the front row of the submitted team photo at right below.

Reflecting on the start of the Granny Basketball League 21 years ago and its growth in popularity, Trammell shared, “Four teams participated in our very first tournament game in Lansing during Fish Days 2005 (Lansing won, 23-13, over Waterville). There are now over 800 women who play on 57 teams in 11 states and one team in Canada. There is also still a State Granny Basketball Tournament in June in Des Moines, sponsored by the Iowa Senior Games.”

“Fans seem to enjoy watching the 1920s version of girls basketball, which includes the antique-looking uniforms and dainty rules: no running, jumping or physical contact,” Trammell further shared. “The game is played on a regular court, divided into thirds. Most Iowans remember the half-court, six-on-six game played by most Iowa girls in the 1940s, ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. What most don’t know is that prior to 1935, girls played on three courts, a version of basketball that is now perfect for able-bodied - but not necessarily fit - women over the age of 50.”

Trammell further points out that there are many Granny Basketball images and videos that can be found on YouTube and the Granny web site, www.grannybasketball.com. The Granny Basketball League is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Gate receipts from games are donated to various charities.