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KANSAN.COM
SPORTS
Kickball players compete in local league
CHANDLER BOESE
@Chandler_Boese
Every Sunday evening in the summer, dozens of adults come together at various Lawrence parks to play a game typically reserved for elementary playgrounds.
The Kaw Valley Kickball League is a competitive group of 32 adult teams that compete from the end of May to August for a trophy. It's one of a few kickball leagues in the city — and one of the most competitive.
The league began more than 10 years ago, said Alex Hawman, who plays for the Hertz Doughnut D-Holes. Some of the teams have been around since the very beginning.
"It's pretty much just a giant family," Hawman said. "The people on my team, I've played with them for about five years now, two years in this league and three in the city league."
Hawman said the level of competition varies from team to team: some teams are just happy to be in the league, and others are in it to win.
Josh Davis has been competing for a few years on his team, the Ladybird Harpies.
"I play on a team that is not one of the better teams, and we don't take it
too seriously," Davis said. "We enjoy it, and we want to do well, but we don't lose sleep if we don't."
Elise Monaco, a two-year veteran of her team, the Rockets, said she loves when someone makes a good play and everyone celebrates.
"I love seeing somebody, especially if it's unexpected, take out someone that's been around for a long time," she said. "It's really nice to see the newcomers and the people that you don't expect to take it to the next level."
Monaco said her favorite part of the games is the trash talk. She said the rivalry is built up by the blog, Sundays in the Park, which picks the most competitive games of the week and discusses them.
"This group of people, so many of them have been here for years and years, so they really know how to push each other's buttons, so it can be really competitive," Monaco said.
This past Sunday was the last round of pool play before the teams go into playoff for their final few weeks.
"There are only a few weeks left for some teams," Monaco said. "The end is a sad moment and you have to work your ass off to get to that point."
FRANK WEIRICH/KANSAN
University of Kansas alumnus Alan Weil runs for first base after slamming the ball. This is his fourth year playing kickball.
FRANK WEIRICH/KANSAN Four year kickball player Joe Rachel, a member of the Rats, runs around the plate after a base hit Sunday evening.
FRANK WEIRICH/KANSAN
University alumnus Brandon Daley kicks the ball during a match between his team, the Goats, and the Rats in their game Sunday. Daley has been playing kickball for two years.
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