Batter up!

Three generations represented in adult softball league’s coed team lineup

by KELLEN HOLTZMAN

OAK RIDGE – A promise is a promise.

Lindsey and Justin Stewart pledged to their children, Ryan and Kenzie, that they would revive a coed adult softball team when the kids were old enough to join.

When Ryan hit the magic number, Lindsey paid a visit to Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation Director Terry Lannon. She and Justin had participated for several years in an Oak Ridge adult softball league that ran its course, and the couple sought to get the old slowpitch band back together.

“I went to Terry’s office and said, ‘Terry, our son’s 16,’” Lindsey said. “‘It’s time to start it again.’”

Patti O’Neil gets set to take a swing last Friday in adult coed softball action at Oak Ridge Town Park.

Lannon and the Town of Oak Ridge did just that, and this summer, Lindsey’s and Justin’s L J Custom Homes team went back into action,

Lindsey Stewart, on playing with her husband, son and mother-in-law in an adult coed softball league with most of the same faces from the squad they fielded a decade or so ago. And while Kenzie still isn’t quite old enough to sign up, Justin’s mother, Patti O’Neil, is playing, giving the L J Custom Homes’ roster an ever-sorare, three-generational flair.

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“A lot of the residents here in town approached me about it,” Lannon said, “and after we went and offered it, we got six teams pretty quick. We decided to run a summer league, since there was no conflict with [Oak Ridge Youth Association] in needing field space.”

The new league got underway in mid-June, plays once a week on Friday evenings and will wrap up its season later this month.

On Friday at Oak Ridge Town Park, L J Custom Homes squared off against the Kernersville Swingers, a team whose players have been around the bases a few times. The Oak Ridge outfit donned gray L J Custom Homes shirts, while the visitors sported an assortment of mismatched, colorful jerseys representing other competitive adult softball teams – a sure indication that the Swingers boasted some serious, seasoned talent.

Nationwide, the popularity of adult softball leagues has waned in many areas following its heyday from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. Lannon himself represents the adult slowpitch softball player of yesteryear. He used to play league ball three nights per week and played in tournaments another couple of weekends a month, before finally hanging up his cleats when he turned 60.

“We ran some really successful leagues here in the past,” Lannon said of the town’s Parks and Recreation department. “We had upwards of 12 coed teams playing in the spring or the fall. We had a men’s program that had between six and eight teams every season.”

Lannon said the adult softball leagues went by the wayside as Oak Ridge Youth Association’s programs grew along with their need for more field time, but after being approached last year about a coed league, he decided to start back up with that.

Lannon filled in as scorekeeper last Friday as L J Custom Homes did its best to keep up with a superior opponent. Despite their eventual loss, the home team had its shining moments –like when the 16-year-old Ryan Stewart swiftly and effortlessly flew around the bases to plate a run. The Swingers had some ringers that could really knock the cover off the ball, with accurate and strong arms defensively to boot.

Lindsey Stewart played right field and second base while Ryan slotted in at left field and shortstop, and Justin took the rubber.

Justin pitched to his mom, Patti, who set up shop behind the plate as catcher.

“Most people my age are not as dumb as I am,” the 71-year-old mother and grandmother quipped, “but I still refuse to grow up. I don’t want to grow up, so softball, I figure I can do.”

The exercise is a bonus, she said, although the biggest bonus was just the chance to play with family, especially grandson Ryan, who is a competitive ice hockey player away from the summer softball diamond. He inherited his hockey prowess from his dad, a southern California native (Lindsey hails from Buffalo, New York).

Lindsey’s explanation of her team’s approach to softball might also strike a chord with adult recreational sport participants at large, particularly the ones over 40 (and even some in their 70s, like Patti).

“We want to win,” Lindsey said. “We’re out here to win, but we’re out here to have fun, too. And not get hurt. That’s the biggest thing. I told Terry we cannot get hurt. We have jobs!” council and Planning Board member Mike Stone, and newcomers Jim Harton and Michael Greeson.

Current council member Spencer Sullivan did not file for re-election this November when his term expires.

Oak Ridge Town Council has five members, each serving staggered four-year terms (with two elected in one municipal election and three elected in the next municipal election). Ann Schneider, who currently serves as mayor, and Jim Kinneman, who serves as mayor pro tem, are midway through their four-year terms, with their seats open in November 2025.

Oak Ridge’s mayor is elected from among the town council members; although the mayor serves at the pleasure of the council and can be voted in – or out – at any time, the council traditionally votes for its mayor every two years in December, following the previous month’s election.

Summerfield

Summerfield has five council members who serve staggered fouryear terms and a mayor, who is elected separately by the citizens for a two-year term. Mayor Tim Sessoms has filed for re-election; newcomer Linda Wendelken has also filed for the mayor’s seat.

Summerfield’s mayor does not vote on matters that come before the council except in the case of a tie vote.

Council members Lynne Williams DeVaney, who serves as mayor pro tem, Jeff Davis and Reece Walker have all filed to run for another four-year term. Joining the incumbents on the ballot for the three open seats will be Heath Clay, Christopher Conner, Greg Fox, Jonathan L. Hamilton and Teresa Winfree Perryman.

Council members John Doggett and Janelle Robinson are midway through their two-year terms, with their seats opening in November 2025.

Stokesdale

Stokesdale’s Town Council has five members, including the mayor, who is elected separately by the citizens and votes on all matters that come before the council. All council members serve staggered four-year terms.

Council members Derek Foy, who serves as mayor pro tem, Jim Rigsbee and Jimmy Landreth have all filed for re-election in November; Mark Nadel, a former Planning Board member and candidate for Town Council, has also joined the race for one of the three open seats.

Mayor Mike Crawford and council member Tim Jones are midway through their council terms, with their seats opening in November 2025.

For info about registering to vote, polling locations and more, visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/ board-of-elections. Early Voting information for the 2023 election cycle will be posted closer to voting dates in October and November.

The Robinson family of Summerfield shared this photo of Clara, a miniature Hereford, which was taken less than 24 hours after she was born.

Dexter, a 2-year-old Australian Silky, loves to go on walks at the park with all his friends and play with his favorite toy, Shaun the Sheep.

The common whitetail or long-tailed skimmer (Plathemis lydia) is a familiar sight across much of North America. In addition to their gossamer-winged beauty, dragonflies prey on mosquitoes and other small flying insects. Northwest Observer’s page layout designer, Yvonne Truhon, captured this photo of a dragonfly resting on a redbud leaf as she was preparing to leave home and head to the office in Oak Ridge.

18-year-old Chihuahua who loves his naps! He has been with his family since he was just 6 weeks old.