Lansing, MI - The slug bug community is in the midst of the biggest
controversy the game has ever seen since the "no slug backs" rule
was introduced in 1978. The issue? Whether to include
the new Volkswagen Beetles as sluggable cars. Many players
see this as an opportunity to introduce a whole new generation of
'Slug-Buggers' to the game, while others contend that the integrity
of the game is at stake.
Purists of the
game have argued since the new Beetle's introduction that the it
should not be sluggable. We caught up with Jason Smithers at
Slug-Bug-a-rama 2000. He said, "Those new cars shouldn't
count. The game has been fine for over 20 years without them. Why
change now?" He also questioned the new colors, "Those
colors are a step too far. I mean 'Slug bug white' is fine
but 'Slug bug vapor?' What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Kyle Bessman, part of the game's new guard, has a different opinion, "It
adds a whole new dimension to the game. Before
we'd often go hours without seeing one, then one day Jimmy says 'Hey
let's use the new ones'. Life has never been the same since
then."
In August the Slug Bug Council is set to rule on the heated issue. Intense
lobbying efforts on both sides have been in full force since January. Until
their ruling the Council is telling participants to consider the
new bugs sluggable on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and to exclude
them on the rest of the days.
For those not familiar with the game, the rules are simple. The
first person to see a Volkswagen Beetle announces "Slug Bug,
no returns" while punching the other person. Variations
on the game also include announcing the color, and two hits for a
convertible.
Purists of the
game have argued since the new Beetle's introduction that the it
should not be sluggable. We caught up with Jason Smithers at
Slug-Bug-a-rama 2000. He said, "Those new cars shouldn't
count. The game has been fine for over 20 years without them. Why
change now?" He also questioned the new colors, "Those
colors are a step too far. I mean 'Slug bug white' is fine
but 'Slug bug vapor?' What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Kyle Bessman, part of the game's new guard, has a different opinion, "It
adds a whole new dimension to the game. Before
we'd often go hours without seeing one, then one day Jimmy says 'Hey
let's use the new ones'. Life has never been the same since
then." 
