LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (NCC News) — The crack of the bat is one of the sweetest sounds of summer. On Wednesday nights, that sound can frequently be heard at Hopkins Road Park as an adult softball league plays its games.
“We have a nice squad from the base, and we come out here and play, and it’s a nice summer break,” said Chris “CeeJay” Jackson.
The league is organized by Salt City Sports and is seen largely as a way to wind down and have some fun. Jackson said he joined the league because one of his friends in the Air Force was creating a team called Diesel Nation. However, the league even enticed an observer and part-time player from the Netherlands.
“It’s fun to watch, it’s good to watch, it’s good to see what the local people are doing over here,” said Frank Johnson, who says he met members of the team at a bar.
While at first sight, this league may just seem like an average adult softball league, though, Jackson says the games get intense and there are some serious players.
“This league is top-notch, some of the best players that travel all across the nation, even during the winter time, these guys play nationals and always end up in Florida, and a couple of national champions over there, tournament teams,” Jackson said of the team Diesel Nation faced this past week.
Even on days where Diesel Nation comes up short though, they still love to come out and play ball. The comradery is what has kept a lot of people coming back every week.
“We got a couple of family members that come out and hang out, it’s nice, it’s nice to break up the week, something I look forward to in the summertime, even if we do lose half the time,” Jackson said.
For the players, Wednesday nights are the highlight of the week from late April until late August.