By Shelden Rogers
Playing competitive baseball and hanging out with friends. That’s what it is all about for players involved in the long lasting South Hastings Baseball League.
The league is celebrating it’s 80th season this year, and players are excited to get this special season underway.
Kris Parkinson of the Master Bedroom Brewers is in his 16th season with the South Hastings Baseball league. He said he has seen the league grow by three teams during his time in the league.
Parkinson likes the fact that he has something competitive to do at 37 years old.
“There is no real baseball league around like what we have. I don’t think there is a league in general that has a bunch of old guys that are playing competitive anything,” said Parkinson.
It’s not all about baseball to Parkinson though.
“When you play a sport with your buddies every week, that’s what it’s all about. Getting together with the guys and having some fun,” said Parkinson.
The league includes nine teams, with about 18 players on each. The regular season runs from the beginning of May to the end of July, with each team playing each other twice. Games are played at the Tyendinaga Township Recreation Complex in Melrose.
Parkinson and the Brewers came within one run of a championship last season and are eager to get this season underway.
After the loss last season Parkinson thought he would never play again.
“I was done with baseball, but a month came before the season started and you get those butterflies again and you want to play,” he said.
Parkinson said baseball is a great way to drop reality for a few hours.
“You get to be a kid again for two and a half hours and not worry about anything else. When I’m up to bat I don’t feel like a dad anymore,” said Parkinson.
Pitcher for the Master Bedroom Brewers, Brent Bain, said the league means a lot for people in the area.
“It does a lot for all the kids that can play baseball and all the older guys that can still stick around and play around here,” said Bain.
Another member of the Brewers, Shawn Mcleish, said the league is a great opportunity for older baseball players.
“It does a lot for all the kids that can play baseball and all the older guys that can still stick around and play around here,” said Mcleish
He said the fun continues beyond the game as well.
“You get to hang out with the guys, play baseball, have beers after the game, it’s fun,” said Mcleish.
Coach for the Shannonville Hawks, Brian Kring, has been in the league for the past 30 years. He says the league is great for the local players.
“It gets all of the local guys together and it’s important to socialize and be competitive out here. We get to see the guys a couple times a week, it’s great,” said Kring.
Parkinson sees a bright future for the league. He sees himself involved with the league long after his playing days are over.
“A lot of people have kids, and when they get to be 16 years old maybe they will want to play, then we can run the team,” said Parkinson