By David F. Dawes

THE Christian boys of summer have enjoyed good weather and friendly competition this summer, as part of the Men’s Interdenominational Slopitch League.

The 2007 Year End Tourney champs were New Life Community Fellowship. They defeated North Douglas Pentecostal Church in the final game July 21.

For the regular season, the final standings were (in order): Colwood Pentecostal (22  wins); North Douglas (19); New Life (15); Church of Christ (15); Glad Tidings (14); Parkdale E-Free (11); Centennial Park (10); Saanich Baptist (5);  Central Baptist (5); and Arbutus (3).

Tim Barss, who has run the league since 1994, has endeavoured to take it beyond the Christian community.

A few years ago, he put together an all-star team from the church league, and entered the Slo Pitch National (SPN) league provincial qualifiers. The church team  qualified three times.

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Barss still looks forward to the regular games.

“The league’s been around over 25 years,” he said. “It promotes sportsmanship, integrity and having fun – and honouring God in it all. It is semi-competitive – meaning that the quality of baseball is good.”

Another key aspect is the opportunity for players to share their faith.

“The quality of play has brought out unchurched players,” Barss said, “and this has been a good outreach. It’s also a great way for friends and family from church to come out and be fans – to enjoy the sun, and get to know each other watching a game.”

Another enthusiastic participant is Jeremy Mills, BCCN’s advertising representative on Vancouver Island.

The league, he said, “is a great way to fellowship, and meet some other guys from other churches. We play double headers every Monday, and we start by having a prayer together as a group. Its fun!”

 More importantly, he said, “you can learn more about someone – including yourself – in an hour of play, than almost anything else.”

Contact: churchleague.ca.

August 2007