Sports and Recreation

Softball

Ballplayers of all ages have many opportunities to join leagues or indulge in games for fun in local parks. Except in winter, fields are often heavily scheduled for league play, especially in the evenings and on weekends. Pickup games must defer to league teams. Churches and community recreation departments frequently have solid programs as well. The Optimist clubs sponsor many, many teams in our area. Their clubhouse numbers are listed here, but be advised, you'll seldom get an answer except during the evenings when meetings are held, so watch for flyers at school, announcements in the newspapers and notices posted in the parks.

Cape Fear Optimist Club, (910) 762-7065 (1st, 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays after 7 PM)
Supper Optimist Club, (910) 791-5272 (1st and 3rd Mondays after 7 PM)

City of Wilmington Parks, Recreation and Downtown Services
302 Willard St., Wilmington
(910) 343-3682

The Recreation Division hosts 11 adult men's, women's and coed leagues, including a league for seniors, during the spring, summer and fall. Team registration for the fall season is August 1. Registration for the spring/summer season is March 1. Play is at Empie Park and Roland Grise Middle School. Fees range from $250 to $600 per team. Call for information and registration forms.

New Hanover County Parks Department
230 Market Place Dr., Ste. 120, Room 103, Wilmington
Reservations (910) 798-7275

Softball leagues and other groups desiring to use diamonds in the county parks need to reserve them through the Parks Department office. Also, this department maintains a list of organizations offering adult and youth softball. Call them for contact information.  

Wilmington Senior Softball Association
7231 Lounsberry Ct., Wilmington
(910) 791-0852

With ten teams and over 130 players in two divisions, the Wilmington Senior Softball Association offers seniors a place to "play ball!" Men aged 53 to 61 play in the Atlantic Division, while the Coastal Division fields teams for ages 61 to 70. Spring training begins in March and the season of seven-inning games runs from April to October, with the exception of the month of July when there is no play. Registration for the 60-game season is $75.

Doubleheaders are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Empie Park located at Park Avenue and Independence Boulevard in Wilmington, Ogden Park on Market Street in Ogden, and Veterans Park off Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington. Warm-ups start at 8:15 AM and play begins at 9 AM.

If you aren't inclined to play but want to see some great softball, come on out and watch. These guys are champions, literally. For every year since 1998 (except 2003), teams have won a gold medal in the North Carolina State Senior Games. Two of those years, three teams went undefeated to win the gold.

For more information, contact League Commissioner Phil Rose at (910) 791-0852.  

Wrightsville Beach Summer Co-ed Softball League
1 Bob Sawyer Dr., Wrightsville Beach
(910) 256-7925

Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation organizes co-ed league play for teams of all skill levels. Registration for the summer league opens in March, and games start in April. Registration for the fall league opens in July, with play beginning in September. The cost is $395 per team.

Brunswick County Parks and Recreation
     Parks & Recreation Bldg., Government Complex, Bolivia 
(910) 253-2670, (800) 222-4790

Brunswick County sponsors a men's league, a women's league, a co-ed league and a girls' league. Registration for a men's or a women's league is in July and play is August through November. The team fee is $450. Co-ed adult leagues play at Lockwood Folly. Teams are required to have a team name and a contact person. Co-ed registration is in the middle of May and play is June through August. The team fee is $450. The league for 13- to 15-year-old girls follows Dixie Softball rules and regulations. Teams are located in Shallotte, Waccamaw, Lockwood Folly, Southport and Leland. The registration fee is $25. All-Star teams are chosen at the end of season to play in the state tournament.

Oak Island Recreation Department
3003 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
(910) 278-4747

Dixie Youth Softball, a league for girls, is divided into appropriate age groups of 6 to 8 and 9 to 12 year olds. Teams play in a supportive and fun environment against other county teams. Practices are held the softball field in Smith Park. Games are held primarily on weeknights.

Onslow County Parks and Recreation
1244 Onslow Pines Rd., Jacksonville
(910) 347-5332

Onslow County sponsors adult softball leagues from late July to late September. Fees are charged per team and per player. Call the above number for more information.