Cleveland Clinic? Medical Mutual? Who will be 2011′s cornhole champ?

The most strenuous athletic event in healthcare is back. MedCityNews.com’s Medical Cornhole Tournament is Aug. 18 in downtown Cleveland.

Cornhole, known as bags outside of Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky, is almost a statewide backyard pastime for residents in Ohio – including the local medical industry. Last year 50 teams and 150 people came out to network. This year we’re planning for a robust field of 64 teams from hospitals, trade groups, medical startups, equity investors and service providers who make up Ohio’s healthcare industry. There will be more sponsors, more entertainment and lots of cornhole (note: healthcare outlets from other states – particularly our friends in North Carolina and Minnesota – are welcome to attend as well).

The winning team will get a cornhole set, various prizes and the coveted title of MedCityNews.com’s Medical Cornhole Tournament Champions.

Last year, the ginormous championship bracket went to Medical Mutual, which ran off 15 unanswered points in the finals to topple the healthcare-focused firm Perspectus Architecture and take home the title. Perspectus, which is located across from MedCity Media’s headquarters in Cleveland’s Shaker Square, has been spotted regularly playing cornhole in recent weeks. They are ready for redemption. But likely so are teams like 2009 Cornhole Champions Cleveland Clinic Innovations. And with $28 million in exit money in their coffers, Innovations should have been able to splurge on some lessons.

This year’s tournament is sponsored by Downtown Cleveland Alliance, STERIS, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Ohio State Medical Association, Benesch and MedBed Connect. Additional sponsorship packages are still available. Contact MedCity Media to either reserve a team or inquire about sponsorship opportunities.

This year’s cornhole tournament and picnic will start at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18 and is tentatively slated for Gateway Plaza in Cleveland between Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena. You’ll get a little time to size up the competition before the games begin at 5 p.m.

Each team costs $25 but it is free to attend. You can register through Constant Contact.

We’ll play, rain or shine.

Yeah, we take it that seriously.

More than 150 people took part in the fun in 2010. They came from hospitals, medical manufacturers, insurers, Cleveland venture capital funds and other medically related organizations such as the Ohio Hospital Association, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, BioEnterprise, Early Stage Partners, Cleveland Medical Mart Convention Center and NDI Medical. Did we mention that there are some great networking opportunities at an event like this?

We’ll see you all on Aug. 18.