Summer Softball

(Pop-ups to the pitcher were common)



(Fastest kid on the team)




As the warm weather approaches and the days grow longer, it's natural to spend more time outside. For those who are restless and competitive, but don't want to try too hard, this means only one thing: summer softball season is officially underway.

Men and women of all ages gather together under the slow-setting July sun to pay homage to America's lazy passtime. After nearly a year of time off, or for some who play fall ball, the time is ripe to get the bats swinging all over again. Comprised of five to six teams, each divison is selected by the league, eighteen games are scheduled and the rivalries begin to take shape. For most teams, eleven players is the prefered capacity, but for those hungry to play, it sometimes takes more.

"It wasn't really my choice or desire to have so many people playing on the team, but it's hard to say no to friends," said Shane Small, right fielder for the Redwolves, "no matter how bad they are."
(Catcher Will Marshall displaying his immaculate catching ability)


With so many people playing on one team, there is difficulty getting every player playing time, or even at-bats for that matter. For a first year team, this decision was made in haste.

"We've actually been playing together for a while now, and we have a solid roster. We've figured out who is good in what position, and it feels more like a team than something just thrown together," said Scott Harris, a five year veteran of Fat Guy Softball.

The main difficulty is getting the attention of the league commissioner and gaining their acceptance for the admittance of a new team. This requires constant correspondence, whether by phone or email. Once accepted into the league, their is the rigorous task of paying dues, gathering a roster and finding a sponsor.

"My uncle agreed to sponsor the team with his business. It was crucial to the development of our team in terms of expenses, seeing as how his contribution paid for our jerseys," said Kyle Gamst, left-center fielder for the Redwolves.

(McCarthy lining one to center)

Not every team is necessarily required to have a sponsor, as some teams choose to make their own jerseys, or choose to represent themselves on their own. In the case of those who decide to go all out and have professional-looking apparel, a sponsor is key.

"I agreed to sponsor my nephews team, which amounted to around $500 to cover hats and jerseys. Needless to say, they picked out the most expensive ones," said Howey Face, uncle and official team sponsor of the Redwolves.

There is no easy way of going about selecting positions once the roster is filled, and it is basically left up to ability. For some, it comes easier than others and the choice is obvious. But with such an extensive roster, positions need to be shared, and at the very least filled when necessary.

"Our downfall was definately our roster size. Sometimes people were just no good at a position, or people wouldn't show up. In a way, it did help solidify something of a roster, but at the same time it's almost as though some were forced into positions that couldn't be filled," said Scott Craven, alternating first basemen for the Redwolves. "At the same time, most of us already had ideas of where we would play, so in the long run, it wasn't that much of an issue."

Once the season begins, it is up to the team to come together as a cohesive unit. For a group made up of mostly new comers, this is a difficult task. It is hard to pick up a game right away where most of the players left off almost six years ago.
(Gargano putting his batting cage experiences to good use)


"I'm finding it hard to just get back into the swing of things, you know? I haven't played baseball since Babe Ruth league, and what's worse is having to deal with a new style of pitching," said Chris Gargano, shortstop for the Redwolves. "I can still play, don't get me wrong, but it's been a long time, and I've never tried to hit a softball before this year, so it's a challenge."

When it's all said and done, it's about the joy of the game. There is competition, and even playoff chances at stake, but in the end it's about going out onto the field two or three times a week and playing the game we all love. It's easy to get frusterated, but it's all in good fun, and when you're playing with all of your friends, emotions are typically positive.

"Yeah, I get mad sometimes, when people mess up, especially when they're stupid mistakes. Then again, nobodies perfect, and even when we lose it's usually been a good game, and we can go out and have a drink and laugh about it later," said Jeff Horn, centerfielder for the Redwolves.