Kickball tournament hopes to continue fellowship among archdiocese’s young adults

Rebecca Perry has some words of encouragement for young adults on the fence about signing up to participate in the third annual Catholic Young Adult Kickball Tournament.

“Don’t be afraid if you aren’t that great at sports,” said the 24-year-old former athlete at The Catholic High School of Baltimore. “There are a lot of people who will be participating who aren’t very athletic. It’s all about fellowship and fun.”

Emily Carroll, a FOCUS missionary with the team from Towson University, makes a through during 2022 kickball tournament at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

For the third straight year, the Archdiocese of Baltimore will host a kickball tournament for adults ages 18-35 at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park. This year’s event is scheduled for Sept. 21, beginning with Mass at 8 a.m. and competition starting about 9:30 a.m.

Father Steven Roth, director of vocations for the archdiocese, will celebrate Mass and roll out the ceremonial first pitch.

The young adults group at Immaculate Conception Church in Towson is organizing the tournament this year, taking up the torch from the evangelization department of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore. Perry, an athletic trainer at St. Paul School for Girls in Brooklandville, is the Immaculate Conception group’s president.

After competing in the event the past two years, she was eager to see the tournament continue.

“It’s a great way for young adults of the archdiocese to get together,” Perry said. “There are a lot of parishes where there are only a few young adults in the parish. This is a great opportunity for them and others to get together, do the Catholic thing by going to Mass in the morning and then have some fun.”

Last year’s event attracted 160 players, who competed on 16 teams.

More than 60 young adults are already registered for this year’s tournament, and Perry expects that number to grow to more than 120.

The tournament will run for several hours with lunch served following the competition.

“I loved it,” said Perry of her experience at the previous event. “It was so much fun and a great way to make new friends with fellow young Catholics.”

Young adults can register with a team or register as a single player and they will be added to a team.

To register, click here or email youngadult@theimmaculate.or g .

Also read:

Kicking up fun: Kickball tournament brings young adults together

Parishes reach out to young adults in creative ways

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org