More than 100 kickballers converged on Norfolk’s Lakewood Park this past Sunday to learn the rules and fundamentals of the sport at Stonewall Sports (SS) first kickball clinic as teams gear up for the league’s grand opening kickoff on Sunday, October 7.
Community response to the establishment of Stonewall Sports Norfolk surpassed all expectations. Stonewall Sports Norfolk is the 15th city to form a league and can boast the biggest launch the national organization has experienced to date. According to Martin Espinoza, Washington, D.C.-based Stonewall Sports Co-Founder and President, most SS league launches average 130-150 players and 6 teams. In Norfolk, response was overwhelming and organizers capped registration at ten coed teams and a total of 200 players.
On Sunday, players learned the rules of the game, basics of play and practiced kicking, pitching, passing, base running and other fundamentals before a scrimmage game. With team names such as “Suck my Kick”, “Sit on my Base” and “The Kiki Queens”, the atmosphere is casual with a focus on fun and community, regardless of athletic ability (or lack thereof.) Kickball games are played by at least eight players on a baseball field, last four innings/40 minutes.
The fall league kickoff takes place Sunday, October 7 in Norfolk’s Lakewood Park at 11:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony followed by the first game atnoon. The fall league will take place during October with a tournament set to take place in mid-November. According to Benjamin Canty, realtor and Commissioner of Stonewall Sports Norfolk, following the fall kickball league, a winter activity will be chosen in November.
Stonewall Sports Norfolk is not only a sports league, but a non-profit philanthropic organization and has identified the Transgender Assistance Project (TAP) and For Kids as the local charities they will support. Additionally, 16 area local businesses have signed on as sponsors for the inaugural season.
If you’re interested in attending Sunday’s kickoff opening ceremony and games, details are below.
