Slowpitch softball to usher in another Crested Butte summer

Opening day Monday, June 4

While I enjoy covering the athletic accomplishments of the residents of the Gunnison Valley, there are a handful of sports that are truly the highlight of my tenure, year in and year out.
High school sports, of course, are always a good one to cover because the onslaught of hormones can often shine through in the strangest of ways, whether it is a complete breakdown or an incredible breakthrough.
Ironically, the same can be said for local adult coed softball—though it’s not the onslaught of hormones so much as it is the onslaught of THC, or alcohol, or ego, or a combination of all three.
I have seen some amazing stuff happen on the local diamonds, both amazingly good and amazingly bad, but nonetheless still amazing.
Anyone can ride a bike around and around for however many miles or run on a trail for even more miles, or in the case of Brian Smith, do both.
Actually, that’s not true. Only a handful of people can either ride or run for a really long time.
Bike racers have expensive gear.
Ultrarunners have expensive shoes, a bible (Born to Run) and a batch of Iskiate perhaps.
But, anyone can play softball— that’s what makes it so great to watch.
Softball players have a mitt, maybe a bat, maybe some cleats, a beer (or six) and no bible. Yet the sport can be just as competitive and, sometimes, more mentally demanding. It’s gotta be tough to maintain your concentration in the outfield when you’ve got a couple beers in you, it’s a brilliant evening in Crested Butte and there’s a saucy woman playing second base in front of you.
And the split-second decisions that one must make in the field would mentally cripple the strongest ultra marathoner.
You’re playing shortstop with runners on first and third and a sharp grounder is hit to you.
Do you scoop it up and flip it to your second baseman, who may or may not make the catch, let alone turn the double play, all the while holding the runner at third?
Do you scoop it up, sprint over and touch second and fire to first for the double play, only to be harassed for not “letting the girls play?”
Do you scoop it up, tap second for the force and then charge at the runner on third to hold them, giving up the double play?
I’ll tell you what often happens.
Either the shortstop scoops it up and starts sprinting to second for the force, stops short to shovel it into the chest of the second baseman (or woman), who then drops it, the run scores and no one is out…
OR, the shortstop scoops it up, sprints to get the force at second and then fires over the first baseman’s head allowing one run to score and the batter to move into scoring position…
OR, the shortstop scoops it up, taps second base for the force, charges the runner at third to hold him/her and then fires to third base for the tag only to have the ball sail over the third baseman’s head or under their glove, allowing the runner to score.
And those are just a few of several scenarios that play out every game. No wonder softball players drink; it’s a stressful sport (er, game).
My suggestion: Scoop, flip to the second baseman and call it good, no matter what happens.
So, here we are on the cusp of another summer of slowpitch softball.
There are eight rec league teams, including a batch of local high schoolers led by teacher Bill Thomson, and nine comp league teams, but for the first time in over a decade, no Airheads (has anyone broken the news to Rob?). Men’s league teams are still needed, according to Parks and Rec program coordinator Lauren Alkire.
“We’re hoping for inter-league play with men’s teams in Gunnison,” says Alkire, “but to do that we still need a few teams up here.”
Comp league games are Mondays and Wednesdays at 5 and 6:30 p.m.; rec league games are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 and 6:30 p.m.
Can the Rent-A-Gades carry over their post-season heroics from last season and defend their comp league title?
Can the Rastas repeat?
Is there any new talent out there?
Opening day is Monday, June 4.