It’s not exactly the big leagues, but don’t tell that to anyone involved in the Sedona Summer Recreational Softball League, since the level of play and the games they play in are just as serious as any other sport out there.

It’s not exactly the big leagues, but don’t tell that to anyone involved in the Sedona Summer Recreational Softball League, since the level of play and the games they play in are just as serious as any other sport out there.
Some teams have grungy T-shirts and jean shorts on, while others have full uniforms gracing the logo of their sponsor on the back as they stick out their chests and wear them proudly.
Players as young as 16 and new to the game can be seen in the distant right field position whereas the grizzled veterans of many recreational softball league nights can be seen at shortstop or third base, or sometimes even pitching.
Pitching. That’s an interesting word. No longer do 90 mph fastballs reign supreme or are devastating breaking balls that can curl mustaches and make a player look like he has Jell-O for legs around any longer.
The slow, high as can be, put some backspin on it with a little mustard from the third inning hotdog pitch is what rules these slow-pitch softball leagues.
Hot shots to the 45-year-old third baseman and high fly balls that seem to hit the moon and come back to earth keep the scorekeeper busy all night long.
Runs can be an interesting statistic as well. A casual fan walking by may look at the scoreboard and say, “is there a football game going on around here? And if so, where are the chips?”
Scores such as 35-31, 25-15 and 28-19 are no stranger to these games, as a team could be trailing 21-7 in the bottom of the fourth and when they take the field in the top of the fifth they would be looking to hold on to a slim 22-21 lead.
These are the true boys of summer.
They are men who thanklessly go to work all day in whatever profession they’ve chosen, and after that hard day’s work, it’s time to play.
Twenty-four-year-old Zach Beckwith, a member of The Other Team, is in his first season of summer softball in Sedona, and he’s enjoying every minute of it.
“I love baseball and softball, and it’s great to get out here, experience some competition and swing the bat a little,” Beckwith said.
Beckwith can be seen working at the Oak Creek Brewery on days and some nights, but in Sedona on Tuesday nights, he turns into a full-fledged softball player.
For years this softball league has been ruled by two teams, either Stakes & Sticks or A Day in the West, but some players and fans hanging around the snack bar in between a double header are saying the outcome may be different this summer.
Teams such as The Other Team and S.W.A.P. may have something to say about who takes home the T-shirts at the end of August.
What about C-C Stucco or High Desert Heat? These gentlemen will certainly throw their two cents in before it’s all over.
The favorite, of course, to win it all might just be Oaxaca, the team that lost in the spring championship just a few short weeks ago.
One can bet on those guys to go quite far in this league.
Even though there are plenty of good teams giving their all every Tuesday night under the Posse Grounds lights, these guys are out there for one reason, and one reason only. For the love of the game.
“I love to play softball. I haven’t played in a few years, but I’m excited for the opportunity,” A Day in the West starting pitcher Mark Brekke said.
With four games on two fields every Tuesday night beginning at 7 p.m., this summer shouldn’t be short on entertainment and it should be fun to watch.
So grab your lawn chair, get the grill out and fill the cooler before heading down to the Posse Grounds, as the weeknight warriors on the diamond need your support.

Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 131, or e-mail to bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com