The play's the thing, but not everything

Shul softball players compete but it’s all in fun

Issue of August 29, 2008

The umpire yells, “Play ball!” A ball ‘thuds’ as it’s caught cleanly in a mitt. A runner scrambles to take his next base, dust kicked up in his path.

The sights and sounds are reminiscent of a professional baseball game, but are actually being created by your own neighbors. The Five Towns Shuls Softball League is wrapping up another summer of play, with members of all ages together in an environment that is both competitive and fun. Players want to win, but not as much as they would like to have a good time.

“The purpose of the league is to create achdus. Friendship goes along with the competition,” explained league commissioner Eli Dworetsky. Rabbi Avi Billet, a member of Beth Sholom’s team, concurs.

“Everybody’s here to have a good time. It’s great that all of the shuls can play in a fun league with no high pressure or expectations.”

Leagues involving various shuls in the community have existed before, as teams come from all over the Five Towns to participate in sports such as little league baseball. But a league of this nature has, surprisingly, only been around for a short time. Dworetsky says that the league got its start when “some guys from North Woodmere said it would be nice to play a game together.” Then, three years ago, a league consisting of only four teams was created. According to Gordon Zisholtz, a member of Young Israel of North Woodmere’s original team, “the league started only three years ago and it has grown to eight shuls - and plenty of shuls want to join.”

There is, in fact, a “waiting list” of five shuls that would like to join the league next summer, confirmed Dworetsky. Shul softball teams take being the best seriously, meaning sometimes they have to put a little extra effort into chasing down fly balls or running out grounders. The league features games called by professional umpires. And amongst the sounds of heated, yet friendly, banter heard between players is a sense of passion. Teammates will not hesitate to point out mistakes, if only jokingly. Plays are dissected and rules reviewed. But the priority is always to enjoy the game.

“Some of the players and managers, like myself, are frighteningly intense about the league,” agreed YINW’s captain, Jordan Hiller. “Eli is the perfect commissioner for this league because he really just wants everyone to have a good time, not care about the results, and get everyone together on Sundays.”

This Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. Shteebl (Congregation Bais Medrash) will take on Young Israel of North Woodmere (Rashi division) on Field 1, and Chabad will play Beth Sholom on Field 2 (Rabanu Tam division). Immediately afterward, the victors of each game will represent their respective divisions in the league championship on Field 2.