Neighborhood Church Softball League Nearing 20th Season

Did you know that the Seattle Church Co-Ed Softball League has been going on for almost 20 years?

And we've learned that one of our readers, Ken, who lives near the school, has been playing for almost the entire time. Amazing!

This unique softball league just started up again and continues most Sunday afternoons through the end of July. Most games are played at Laurelhurst Park, once the Little Leaguers fences are removed.

Michael Romoser, coodinator for the the St. Stephens Church 'Stones" softball team, gave us the scoop, from how it all got started, how there are no umpires, how league rules state players most socialize after and much more.

Read on to learn about on this great league and long standing tradition amongst churches in the neighborhood emphasizing fellowship.

"The Seattle Church Co-ed Softball League is a great thing — a well organized league that’s nearing twenty straight years of fellowship at Laurelhurst Park."

Mike says he believes the origins of the league got started by the former Priest at St. Bridget’s Church who got a team together to play St. Stephen’s Church.

"I think those were the first, so it was a Laurelhurst community thing from the early ‘90s," Mike says.

He goes on to say:

"By the mid ‘90s Green Lake Adventist and Assumption Parish had joined in. Seattle Community Church, also right there across from Laurelhurst Park, also got a team together by the late ‘90s. St. Catherine and Faith Lutheran joined about five years ago.

So it’s been the same six teams for about five years now: St. Stephen’s, Assumption, Community, Faith Lutheran, Green Lake and St. Catherine. Works out nicely because a team plays the other twice each year for a ten-game season.

St. Bridget pulled out 4 or 5 yrs ago, deciding to join a more competitive league.

Ours, while spirited, is not particularly 'competitive' as we have moms and dads, mostly in their 40s and 50s, making up most rosters. Big age variance though; there are lots of players in their 30s, and a few in their 60s and 20s, too.

The league has always been an adult co-ed league.

To balance things out a bit, the gals get to hit a smaller, 9” diameter ball that can really take off. The guys are only pitched 10” “Limited flight” balls, though it’s hard to tell that they are that limited. Also, there’s no encroaching the infield on weaker hitters. All outfielders must remain 30’ from the infield dirt for all hitters until the ball is struck.

Importantly, the league rules repeatedly refer to 'the spirit of the league.' That it’s a church league designed for fellowship. For example, it is written in the rules that both teams should stick around afterwards to visit.

The 'most participants' award probably goes to Community Church, with its bevy of young couples.

Most games they show up as a true 'community' with barbeque grills and lots of little ones running about the sidelines.

A real family affair. Often, both parents play; one watches kids while the other is batting.

It is a common thing that the game waits a moment to resume while dad or mom races back to the field after dealing with a little kid issue off field. It’s a good thing.

Being in a park setting like Laurelhurst is great for the young families that play. Kids can play on the playground while mom and dad, just steps away, play with their adult friends on the diamond :)

Important to note there are no umpires. Each team provides a 1st and 3rd base coach who make all the calls. Those base coaches are essentially making calls on tight plays regarding their own team, and in the spirit of the league, really close calls tend to go to the fielding (opposing) team.

That’s what it’s about. Having fun."

Thanks Mike for all this interesting information and the pictures!

(Team picture above is from 2005 with the 1st Place Stones Team
Picture below is Tracy from the Stones Team)