Lord Of The Swings: Faith And Fun Converge On The Diamond In Church Softball League

For more than five decades, local faith communities’ Sunday worship in their churches has been followed by fellowship on the softball field.

“The ability to meet other churches in the area to have fellowship is great, and the ability to join a low-pressure league to play a softball game for pure fun is refreshing,” Kevin Berard, team coordinator for St. Andrew by the Bay Catholic Church, said. “But what I love most about the league are the friendships that my family and I have made through the team, which without the softball team, would be unlikely to have made a connection.”

Scott Wiley, league scheduler and member of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, joined the Woods team in 1987, and estimates the league dates back to the mid-70s. The church league runs from April through August, and games are played at Cypress Creek and Elvaton parks through field permits obtained from the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks. Teams pay a registration fee to cover the costs of the rented fields and carry their own insurance.

Each game begins with a prayer and ends with a handshake. Play follows basic baseball rules with some additions to make the game safer. Games are competitive enough to have fun but not enough to brew rivalries.

“It is important to start everything in prayer. Our league is Christian, and Jesus is called to be the linchpin of our lives,” Berard said. “Starting the games in prayer, as for everything in our lives, keeps in mind the tenants that we are called to live — love of neighbor, respect for others, and a sense of gratitude for God and the gift of his creation.”

Lori Sexton, team coordinator for Severna Park United Methodist Church, said, “Prayer reminds us that the league is about more than softball. Prayer reminds us to be grateful for the opportunity to play, ask for everyone’s safety, and that fellowship is more important than the final score.”

Teams umpire their own games and there are no playoffs or championships. The member-based rosters include students through players in their 70s. Some are former high school or college softball or baseball players, and for some, the league is their first time on the diamond.

Sports alone cannot heal a divided world, but for these teams, softball forms a community and a commonality for people. Sam Sica, coordinator for the Pastorate of the Visitation, said, “I think sport is important because it shows we can have different views or religions but still come together as a team to play a game for fun, faith and fellowship.”

Berard added, “Spreading love, respect and understanding comes from faith, and for us, this league is a faith grounded in Jesus.”

League members include College Parkway Baptist Church, Heritage Baptist Church, Pastorate of the Visitation, Severna Park United Methodist Church, St. Andrew by the Bay Catholic Church, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church.

If your church is interested in learning more about the league, contact Scott Wiley at wilecoy2us@gmail.com.