Church Softball League 2009

Summer church softball league swings into action

 

Marietta Mondays are back in Winterset. With five churches sporting softball teams, the friendliest competition in town is officially in full swing. Starting things off last Monday evening with warm sunshine and blue skies, the teams met on the pitcher’s mound for a word of prayer. Rosters filled by Faith Baptist Church, Grace Baptist Church, Winterset Community Church, United Methodist, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church exchanged—the play got underway.

 

Each game lasts about an hour, starting at a quarter past 6, 7 and 8:00 p.m. Teams are umpired by members of a church not currently on the field. To keep play moving along, each batter starts with a ball and a strike on the count. Teams are co-ed and an extra outfielder helps provide plenty of coverage in the grasslands.

 

Games are low-key and fun for families to enjoy together. While children kick soccer balls and climb the bleachers, church and community friends catch up and reconnect. Unless you keep track, you might not know the score when the teams call the final inning. However, win or lose, everyone meets on the middle of the field and congratulates each other on a pleasant evening out—not to say there aren’t a good number of scraped legs and limps by the end of the season, but the camaraderie is usually worth the effort and occasional injury.

 

Speaking of the season’s end, a traveling trophy heads home with the winningest team for a year-long stint in one of Winterset’s many church homes.

 

As you might imagine, there is no charge to come out and enjoy Monday evening games (Friday, this Memorial week and rainouts), so plan to bring the family and spend an evening cheering on your neighbors and friends at Winterset’s Marietta Fields.

As printed in the Winterset Madisonian 05-27-09