KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2010 / SPORTS
15
RECREATION
Playground game gaining with grown ups
Spectators watch a game of kickball at Hobbs Park on May 23. The game was part of the Kaw Vally Kickball League, which is in its ninth season this year.
Matt Kuhlman/KANSAN
Kaw Valley Kickball League expands to become a local summer fixture
BY MATT KUHLMAN mkuhlman@kansan.com
The large crowd of people gathered at Hobbs Park on May 23 marked the beginning of summer in Lawrence. The crowd, as well as the firework shows and general feeling of excitement, were also signs that the 2010 Kaw Valley Kickball Season was underway.
Now entering its ninth season, the KVKL established itself as a major presence in the Lawrence community during the summer months. Starting with eight teams in 2001, the league began as a Sunday afternoon ritual for employees at various downtown businesses. Now, the roster includes 30 teams, with an estimated 500 participants playing games at eight different locations throughout the city. KVKL Commissioner Nick Lerner attributes the league's success to more than people's affinity for a playground game.
"It's about kickball, but it's really more about this community we've created," Lerner said. "We could be playing lawn darts or some other slightly competitive game and I think wed all still have fun. It's about getting together and seeing the same people over and over again."
David Hodges, a senior from Topeka, has played for his team, the Screamers, since 2006 and said that kickball was one of his favorite ways to spend the summer.
"It's an extremely social event. It's what KU students miss out on when they go away for the summer," he said.
Lerner admits that the league has changed from the original leisurely spirit that it was founded on because the addition of teams raised the level of competition. The increase in the number of players also requires a stronger central organization to keep things running smoothly. He said that the league's popularity made it necessary to impose changes, such as registration fees for teams, so that it could continue to thrive.
"We couldn't have game of the week at Hobbs and still be the old league that we were. The rogue league that just showed up at parks and played," he said.
The KVKL regular season lasts for 10 weeks, with games played on Sundays at either 5:30 or 7:00 p.m. as well as a featured game of the week at 9:00 p.m. The featured game is played later so that a majority of the teams have a chance to fill the stands at Hobbs Park in East Lawrence and watch a good, competitive game of kickball. It is typically a very lively environment and the highlight of the kickball game -day with impromptu musical performances, food vendors, fireworks and even the occasional streaker.
The featured game also brings out many spectators who do not play in the league. Natale Collar, a
senior from Kansas City, said she has attended games for years despite never playing in one.
"I've worked for several businesses that are involved in kickball, and I come because it's an interesting thing that brings the community together. It's competitive, but it's still fun," she said.
KVKL has also used its growth and popularity to help benefit the community. According to the league website, KVKL, in
Kickball games are played every Sunday at 5:30 and 7 p.m. at the following locations:
conjunction with the Mutual Aid Society and KU School of Social Welfare, raised $1,912 to help a four-year-old girl in her battle with cancer. Last year, VKVL donated $1,200 to the Douglas County Dental Clinic and it has an agreement to donate all aluminum cans collected at games to Cans for the Community, an organization that raises funds for other area nonprofit organizations.
South Park
Douglas County Fairgrounds
Lyons Park
KICKIN' IT
Holcomb Park
Edgewood Park
Water Tower Park
Move In Special
$400 Security
Deposit Special
Hobbs Park
Broken Arrow Park
saddlebrook@sunflower.com | www.firstmanagementinc.com | 785-832-8200
Games of the week are played at 9 p.m. at Hobbs Park, 11th and Delaware, every Sunday.
June 13: Asteroid Head vs. Range-life Records
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June 20: Sacred Sword vs. Yellow Sub
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The schedule for games of the week through June 27:
June 27: Das Boot vs. Murda-Tang Clan
The final five weeks of the schedule will be made following the week 5 (June 27th) games. For a complete updated schedule, visit www.kawvalleykickball.com.
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