The second Catholic Young Adult Kickball Tournament, set for Sept. 16 at St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park, is shaping up to be even bigger than last year’s inaugural event.
There are 160 players on 16 teams set to compete in the daylong tournament, representing several area parishes, the Catholic campus ministry at UMBC, the National Shrine of St. Alphonsus in Baltimore and even a team of young adult religious sisters.
Eight referees, mostly priests, are lined up to officiate, and organizers expect a crowd of about 100 spectators.
“It’s going to be so much fun,” said Angelus Virata, tournament organizer and director of evangelization at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore. “The goal of the kickball tournament is to gather and unite Catholic young adults in the Archdiocese of Baltimore from various racial, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.”
Virata noted that this year’s participating teams are more diverse than ever. They include a team made up of Black Catholics from West Baltimore and a team of Spanish-speaking Catholics from Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown. Mount Calvary Catholic Church, a Baltimore parish of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, will also compete.
The day will begin with 9 a.m. Mass celebrated in the seminary chapel by Auxiliary Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R, urban vicar. Sister Giovana of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, a member of the Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ based at the Baltimore Basilica, will then lead the praying of the rosary.
Bishop Lewandowski will roll the first pitch at approximately 10 a.m. on the field.
Registration for competing in the tournament has closed, Virata said, but everyone is invited to attend Mass and watch the tournament. Free pizza, ice cream and other treats will be provided to players, volunteers and anyone watching the games. There will also be a field available for those not competing in the tournament to play informal pick-up games, Virata said. Those coming to watch the tournament must register by Sept. 11.
“We really want this to be a family-friendly event,” she said.
The championship game is expected to kick off around 2:45 p.m., depending on how long the semifinals last. The winning team will receive a $200 gift card for an area restaurant and (new this year) the coveted “Baltimore Catholic Cup” trophy.
The Catholic Review is one of the sponsors of the tournament, which is also sponsored by Seek the City to Come, Knights of Columbus of San Juan Neumann Baltimore Council 1611 of Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown and the Holy Name Society.
For more information and to register to watch to tournament, visit archbalt.org/kickball
Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org.
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