Have you ever heard of BulletBall? It’s a fast-paced table game with a story of heartbreak, viral internet fame, and incredible resilience behind it. Instead of paddles, you use your hands to smack a foam ball across a circular table, aiming to score on your opponent. Simple, right?
But the story of BulletBall is anything but simple. Its inventor poured his entire life into the game, facing crushing rejection on national television only to find a new purpose for his creation. This is the story of how a dream, a reality TV moment, and a pivot to inclusivity created a truly unique sport.
Let’s dive into the history of BulletBall.
Key Takeaways
From Family Fun to Invention: In the 1980s, Marc Griffin and his wife created BulletBall as a simple, hand-smacking table game inspired by a cat’s toy, designed for accessibility with options to sit or stand during play.
Heartbreaking TV Rejection: Griffin’s 2006 appearance on American Inventor—after selling everything to fund his dream—ended in universal rejection, turning him into the internet’s “BulletBall guy” through a viral, cringe-worthy moment.
Pivot to Inclusivity: By 2009, BulletBall transformed into a recognized inclusion sport, endorsed by organizations like NCHPAD for its wheelchair-friendly design and therapeutic benefits for players with disabilities.
Resilience in Print: In his 2019 memoir Endless Dreams, Griffin chronicles his faith-driven perseverance, turning public failure into a five-star-rated story of determination available for just $5.17 on Kindle.
Legacy of Perseverance: Though official equipment is scarce today, BulletBall endures as a fast-paced, rule-simple game to 21 points, proving that true success often emerges from the ashes of rejection.
The 1980s: A Hobby is Born
In the mid-1980s, Marc Griffin and his then-wife, Delores, invented BulletBall as a fun pastime. Family gatherings and weekend picnics became the first unofficial testing grounds for the game. One account suggests the idea sparked while they were simply rolling a cat’s toy ball back and forth across a table, when Marc declared they needed some rules.
From the beginning, the game was designed to be both competitive and comfortable. Players could choose to sit or stand, making it an accessible and adaptable activity for everyone present. The goal was straightforward and resembled table tennis: hit the ball to your opponent’s side of the table so they can’t return it.
2006: A Crushing Debut on American Inventor
Fueled by a passionate belief that BulletBall could become an Olympic sport, Marc Griffin took his invention to the reality TV show American Inventor in 2006. Many people mistake the show for Shark Tank, but his appearance on this earlier program would become infamous.
On the show, Griffin shared the immense sacrifices he had made. He had quit his job and sold his house, his car, and even his wife’s wedding ring to fund his dream. When one of the judges asked what he had left after selling everything, Griffin’s emotional reply was, “I have BulletBall.”
The judges, however, were not moved. They universally rejected the idea, with one bluntly stating, “You’re not going to make it with this. It’s not going to happen.” The gut-wrenching segment went viral, with many viewers calling it one of television’s most “cringe-worthy performances,” and Griffin became known online simply as the “BulletBall guy.”
2009: A New Purpose as an Inclusion Sport
While the TV appearance was a painful setback, it wasn’t the end of the story. Griffin’s persistence found a new, more meaningful direction. In 2009, the game was officially recognized as an inclusion sport.
This pivot was a game-changer. The National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD) published information about BulletBall, highlighting its therapeutic benefits. The game’s design, which allows for sitting or standing and relies on upper-body movement, made it ideal for players of varying physical abilities.
The table height is specifically designed to accommodate a standard wheelchair, allowing players easy mobility underneath it. The side rails, once just part of the game, now served a dual purpose by preventing the ball from rolling away.
This achievement transformed BulletBall’s reputation from a failed invention into a valuable activity embraced by organizations like the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and used in events like the St. Louis Senior Olympics. Griffin even founded a company, Inclusion Sports, with his brother Charles to market the game to this new audience, though the company has since closed.
2019: The Story is Told in Endless Dreams
More than a decade after his infamous TV appearance, Marc Griffin chronicled his incredible journey in a book titled Endless Dreams. Published in 2019, the 278-page book details his experiences and emphasizes the power of faith and determination in the face of failure.
The book gives readers a look into the life of the man the internet knows as “The BulletBall Guy” and shares the lessons he learned along the way. It holds a five-star rating on Amazon and is available on Kindle for around $5.17. Griffin has since written other books, including a story of survival called HEART ATTACK.
What Equipment Do You Need to Play BulletBall?
Playing BulletBall requires very little specialized equipment beyond the table itself. Here’s what you need:
- The BulletBall Table: The game is played on a unique circular table with guardrails to keep the ball in play. It was sold in two main versions: a full-size table and a smaller tabletop model. The removable side rails make it easy to transport and store.
- The Ball: The game uses a brightly colored foam “bullet ball.”
Unfortunately, it appears that official BulletBall tables are no longer sold anywhere. This has led some dedicated fans to build their own tables by finding the dimensions from old videos and photos.
What are the Rules of BulletBall?
The rules of BulletBall are designed to be simple and create a fast-paced game. While house rules may vary, the official guidelines follow a clear structure.
Serving
To start a point, the ball is placed in a triangular-shaped area in the center of the table. The server then hits the ball, and it must land within that triangle. Each player gets two attempts to complete a legal serve.
Scoring Points
If a player fails on both serve attempts, the opponent is awarded one point. A standard game is played to 21 points, much like table tennis. If the score is tied at 20-20, a player must win by a margin of two points.
Gameplay and Hitting
During a rally, the ball must cross into the opponent’s colored playing area before they can hit it. A player loses the point if they hit the ball and it misses the opponent’s colored zone. Players use their hands, arms, or any part of their upper body to hit the ball.
Side Rails
The side rails are a key part of the game. The ball is not allowed to touch the side rails during play. However, if the ball hits a side rail and bounces back into your playing area, you get one chance to hit it back to your opponent.
Final Thoughts
The story of BulletBall is more than just a game. It’s a powerful lesson in perseverance.
Marc Griffin’s journey took his invention from a family hobby to a viral moment of public humiliation and, finally, to a respected place as an inclusive sport. It’s a reminder that sometimes the greatest successes come after the most painful failures.
