For some reason, lawn sports don't come in and out of fashion as much as you'd think they would. I don't know why: certain types of parties come in and out of style (fondue, tupperware), as do foods (fondue) not to mention clothes and haircuts and dance types. I do think bags/beanbags/cornhole is having a moment, but that's about it. Is it because so few parties actually are held on wide swathes of lawn? Is it because it's too hard to remember the rules of croquet? Because bocce ball gets boring after a little bit? Who knows. But I think that it's time for badminton to have a comeback. Here are the main reasons:

1.) You don't need a ton of equipment, people, or rules to have fun playing badminton. Technically, yes, the game requires a court and a net but if you're just kicking it at a backyard party, all you need are two racquets, two people, and a shuttlecock (which I will refer to here as the "bird," which is what I remember our coaches calling it when I played high school badminton.)

2.) You don't need a lot of room if you don't care whether you play the game regulation or not. A small back yard or even an alley is fine.

3.) It can be as competitive as you want it to be. This is what I really like about the game. You can have fun just poinking the bird back and forth with a friend without sweating too much--you could even do it with a beer in your hand, if you're fairly adept. Then again, you can play nasty as well. Few things are as satisfying as smashing a bird in your opponent's face--except maybe doing one of those really obnoxious little "doink!" shots that just dribbles over the net, far out of reach.

4.) It is pleasing. Returning a difficult shot; sending the bird high into the air; the melodic little "dunk" the bird makes when it hits against your racquet. Badminton can be a very relaxing game, one that makes you appreciate a moment of summer even as it seems to slip through your fingers.

5.) I am good at it. This helps. I played in high school (yes, we had a team, and a good one at that, so step off) and while I wasn't a very noteworthy player, I got good enough to surprise a few people when we play in the back yard. So come play with me! And let me beat you. It'll be fun for all. Especially me.