A common theme of adulthood is reminiscing on simpler times. For example, looking back and longing for the times when one could spend their day outside playing a recreational sport without worrying about the world. Indeed, while missing one’s childhood is a common sentiment, why waste that time reminiscing when one can join an adult softball league?
This simple notion grew into an idea that would put local adults back on the field of play. With previous experience managing sports leagues, Timmy Defo, former president of Mt. Lebanon Soccer, started an LLC in 2017 to create the Adult Softball League, and they have been active every year since.
To sign up, it costs $99 and Defo plans to keep it under $100 for each of his leagues. If registration closes, the league still allows about 10 substitute players in case any team needs them. Substitutes only need to pay $30 to play, for insurance purposes.
“Nobody’s trying to make money on the programs,” Defo said. “We’re just trying to make sure we have things that can be expensive, like referees.”
Registration opens around March 1 every year, and it stays open until the league fills up (or, around June 3). There is a 120-player limit, and it usually fills up quickly. Defo predicts registration will be close to full by the end of May. While the Fall season brings more players, there are typically eight teams of 15 players in the Spring. They assign the coaches for each team, but usually the same coaches are present each season. Coaches also take feedback; they conduct surveys annually – mostly for safety reasons – but also in the interest of fairness.
Games are usually played at local fields, such as Middle Turf and Jefferson Field. The league uses an app called Game Changer for information about game times and locations, teammates, communication between members and more. The league also has a website that is sponsored by Dicks Sporting Goods, which is https://www.shsportzclub.org/. The league usually has two or three sponsors who contribute to the league annually.
Pete Damron, a member of the softball committee and a coach for one of the league’s teams, was present for the start of the league, and years later he is still grateful to be a part of it.
“I thank the players and coaches, committee and board for making this happen,” Damron said.
There are usually 14 games each season that span seven to eight weeks, typically running until the first week of October. They also have a playoff and tournament at the end of the season. According to Defo, out of the 120 league participants about 75 of them are skilled, and there are probably 15 really good players.
“Our league’s pretty chill, and everybody seems to really like it,” Defo said.
While the skill levels may vary, the league is generally recreational and social. Most people who are in the league have made many friends through it.
“It’s competitive, but it’s more about supporting each other and having fun,” Damron said. “I love to watch players from other teams encourage ours. It’s like one big team.”
Damron describes how each year their softball family grows, and to this day, it is an evolving community that creates long-lasting relationships.
“I’ve developed so many relationships through this sport and this league,” Damron said. “We have end-of-year parties, holiday celebrations, and team get-togethers after games. It’s truly an awesome experience.”
Defo believes playing softball is a great way to not only meet new people, but to decompress.
“We do so much for the kids. Sometimes you really need something for yourself,” he said.
If you ever were to feel the desire to jump back into your childhood, signing up for adult softball could be just the thing. You can send inquiries to leboadultsb@gmail.com.
