Dust off your gloves, bats and cleats! After a three-year hiatus, Campus Recreation Services (CRS) is once again offering faculty/staff softball games this summer!
“I hope some of you can still recall the fun that we had during past summers and have been anxiously awaiting word about the return of fac/staff softball,” says Freddie Lipata, assistant director of CRS, noting that the games are held whenever there are enough players at the Patriots Point softball field, Mondays through Thursdays, at 6 p.m.
Two games have already been played – both as 4v4v4 softball drills, with groups taking turns in the outfield, infield and at-bat.
“Groups were randomly drawn so we had staff from athletics playing with a geology professor, the spouse of an EHHP professor playing with a staff member from Addlestone, a staff member from Campus Services HQ playing with somebody from IT, etc.,” explains Lipata. “No umpires, no arguments, but a whole lot of fun. I hope we can get a few more games and a few more staff members to join in the next couple of weeks before we start the fall semester!”
Need more information before you go up to bat? Lipata answers everything you want to know in this Q&A:
I’d like to play but I don’t have any equipment.
CRS will provide softball gloves, bats and balls.
What’s with the wood bats?
Nostalgia. No, more importantly: It was an effort aimed at player safety and a way to keep the ball in the park.
It has been several years since I played. What caliber of skill do I need to play in this league?
We are looking at offering some fun and a shared experience with your colleagues. As with any team sport, there will be a considerable range of skill on display.
I want to play but there are only three of us in our group.
We will do our best to form a team of free agents or try to get you placed on an existing team.
Must the teams be coed?
After several years of trying to get a coed league established, we realize that the teams are not necessarily interested in this option. (So, no.)
What kind of softball league is planned?
ASA rules are used, but there are modifications. Substitution rules, for example, permit players to move in and out of the game at any time. Nine players are positioned in the field, but more than nine are permitted to bat.
Who umpires the games?
The games are self-officiated. The players are responsible for arriving at the correct decision on all plays. After all, isn’t there a “little umpire” in all of us?
Are teams expected to have uniforms?
Not at all, though we’ve had teams get very creative in their attire.
Can my spouse participate?
Yes, your spouse may play. Other family members are not permitted to participate.
How do I sign up?
Email Freddie Lipata with the following information:
- Your name, department, phone number.
- If your department wants to play as a team, please include a roster.
- List all of the available times that you or your team can play.
- Whether or not your team wishes to play more than one game a week
- Whether or not your team is interested in playing a doubleheader
Those who wish to participate but don’t have a team to join don’t have to strike out on their own: They can simply let Lipata know they’re interested, and he’ll get the ball rolling!
