Cracking the Bat: Unleashing the spirit of Softball

By Ron Gray

At Sun City’s Softball Field, the batter digs in at the batter’s box and anxiously awaits the delivery of the pitch. The pitch is high arching and the batter takes a vicious swing, a swing that would be fitting for Major League Baseball’s Homerun Derby. The bat connects with the ball, just barely, and the ball ticks off the bottom of the bat and rolls softly in front of homeplate in fair territory.

The catcher, pitcher and the first or third baseman (basewoman) charge the ball at full speed. The batter’s teammates shout to the batter from the dugout “Run, run!” The batter takes off at full speed toward first base. As one of the fielders gets to the ball, they spin toward first base and throw the ball as hard as they can as the player covering first base stretches toward the throw while keeping a foot on the base.

As the hitter crosses first base and the ball arrives, one of Sun City’s outstanding umpiring crew puts both arms out to the side signaling that the batter is safe. Some umpires shout “safe”, sometimes in very dramatic form. From the dugout and/or from the stands, a familiar sound can be heard: “Sun City Single!” Yes, the batter has just hit a Sun City Single.

As you sit in the stands and watch your friends and neighbors playing softball, and possibly also enjoying a “Hot Dog Day”, you will know what it means when you hear someone call out “Sun City Single” when the speedy runner beats the throw to first base after hitting a swinging bunt. Sun City Singles are but one of the many enjoyable moments while playing or watching Sun City Softball.

Come on out and watch the Tuesday/ Thursday League (highest rated men and women players), the Saturday League (men and women who are not Tuesday/Thursday players and others who work during the week and can’t make it to Tuesday/Thursday games), the Ladies League (Sundays with the possibility of occasional Wednesdays) and the new Community Rec League (Tuesday afternoons). There is also an Instructional League and other alternatives including Travel Teams. There are many alternatives for players of all levels.

Come on out! Perhaps you will have the opportunity to call out “Sun City Single”.