“Remember the five D’s of dodgeball: Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive, and . . . Dodge!’’

— Actor Rip Torn, as coach Patches O’Houlihan, “Dodgeball’’

Dodgeball is something of a cultural hot potato. For baby boomers like myself, dodgeball was in integral part of our youth. I loved the game, with all its unbridled chaos. I’m guessing that’s a draw for almost any kid.

Others might have been drawn in by the sophomoric Vince Vaughn/Ben Stiller hit, “Dodgeball,’’ which was released a decade ago.

Recently, though, dodgeball and a few other traditional gym games (such as ‘tag’) have fallen into disfavor among some parents and school officials.

But in certain corners, the game is flourishing.

Every Tuesday night, the Watertown Middle School gym comes alive with the sights and sounds of adults engaged in good-natured battle in Boston Ski & Sports Club’s co-ed team dodgeball league.

According to league coordinator Scott Buckley , the league is thriving, with as many 15 teams in a revolving seven-week season, even as it has morphed from 20-somethings to players in their mid-30s.

The 36-year-old Buckley started as a participant about the same time the movie “Dodgeball’’ debuted, and has been playing ever since.

“With this particular league, many people have played in the same league for years, so a strong friendship has developed,’’ said Buckley, a lawyer from North Reading.

“At first there was a lot of drinking afterwards, but as we’ve all aged, that’s been replaced – or supplemented – with children’s birthday parties, barbecues, house-warming parties, etc.

“It’s a great game because it’s simple, but it also is a balance between individual talent and team play,’’ said Buckley. “We see new teams join all the time where they have strong arms, but they don’t play well together. Dodgeball is fun because there’s a good mix between individual and team talent.’’

There are obvious differences between the BSSC league and the movie “Dodgeball.’’

The traditional, stinging red rubber balls have been replaced by foam-covered models in a variety of sizes. And league rules stipulate that head and face shots don’t count as outs, according to Will Tang , a 35-year-old engineer from Wayland.

“This is to prevent people in the league from ‘head-hunting,’ but no one in the league intentionally goes head-hunting anyway,’’ said Tang.

“It’s just not good strategy to aim for the smallest part of the body like someone’s head or face. It’s generally better to hit someone in the legs or feet, somewhere below the belt where it’s most more difficult for someone to catch the ball.’’

The intensity of the games, though not as over-the-top as the cinematic version, is still palpable on the 48-by-72-foot court. Teams, six to a side, play 10 to 12 games per night in a round-robin format. The winner is declared when all opponents have been legally eliminated. Or, last team standing wins.

“I really like the friendly competition that occurs during games,’’ said Kimberly Usseglio , a 30-year-old high school teacher from Watertown.

“You make friends and enemies with people. It’s healthy competition.’’

Added Buckley, “Dodgeball attracts a unique type of person, someone who is a little bit athletic, a little bit competitive, a little bit social, but someone that doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

“You have to be able to laugh at yourself we all can do that in this league.’’

That social aspect goes hand-in-glove with the sport, said Usseglio.

“All teams play on the same night at the same time,’’ she said.

“The league is self-refereed [members take turns during their team’s bye weeks], so when teams are low on numbers they can pull refs to sub for the team. You get to meet so many people and have a great time throwing things at them for fun. They won’t get mad at you.’’

Though it might not be readily apparent to a spectator, dodgeball isn’t complete mayhem. Athleticism is a plus, but not a requirement.

“Baseball was my best sport growing up and dodgeball is a great sport to play indoors if you have a good arm and/or you can catch pretty well,’’ said Tang.

“I can throw well, I can catch from time to time, and I can dodge fairly well. It’s probably the only other sport – aside from softball – that I can think of where my former baseball skills apply quite well.’’

For others, a big draw is that dodgeball is accessible to anyone.

“You don’t need to be a hardcore athlete,’’ said Bartlett. “Just go out there and have fun. We have teams who are competitive, and some who just want to have a good time. My team falls right in the middle.’’

And despite the game’s mixed reception in area schools and recreation departments, it still engenders a sort of “Back to the Future’’ affection.

“I’m a teacher, and the school I work in still plays dodgeball,’’ said Usseglio.

“So it’s fun to hear them talk about it, and then tell them that I play in a dodgeball league.’’ For more details on the BSSC league, visit bssc.com. A new league season starts June 7.

If you have an idea for the Globe’s “On the Move’’ column, contact correspondent Brion O’Connor at brionoc@verizon.net.