Kickball, a longtime gym-class favorite, becoming popular among adults
John Oliverio tore a hamstring once while playing kickball.
Another time, he tore a tendon in his hand.
And there have been many bumps and bruises from playing the sport.
But while kickball might be bad for Oliverio's body, it's been good for his soul.
“I want to go as long as I can physically, and when I can't I want to ref and/or just coach,” said Oliverio, 46, of Crafton. “I enjoy the sport: You're outside, and the camaraderie and relationships you build through a fun activity are so important.”
Kickball, a sport widely associated with school gym class, is rising as an adult activity in the United States. The World Adult Kickball Association operates in 35 states, and several organizations offer leagues.
The largest local company is the Pittsburgh Sports League, which operates leagues in nearly two dozen sports, including kickball.
The PSL began hosting kickball leagues in 2001. Today, kickball is the PSL's second-largest sport behind softball, with leagues running in the spring, summer and fall and about 2,800 players projected for 2015.
“It's the competitive, while not-so-serious, sport that everybody played in gym class,” PSL director Greg Mitrik said. “It's not specialized, whereas softball is basically people who played baseball or softball their entire lives. Anybody can run up and kick a ball, run around the bases and catch it.”
Columbus-based Sports Monster operates leagues in six markets, including Pittsburgh. Ryan Ransom, the Eastern Region sports manager for Sports Monster, said although kickball isn't the organization's most popular activity in Pittsburgh — again, softball is No. 1 — it continues to grow.
Stonewall Kickball, a national organization for LGBTQ people and supporters, also operates leagues in Pittsburgh and other markets.
The PSL also holds a yearly fundraiser, Kickball for a Cause; this year's tournament, held the first weekend in August, included more than 30 teams. Another kickball fundraiser, hosted by Metal Photo Service, will take place Saturday at White Oak Park.
Part of the draw of kickball is its nostalgia — “(People) always use fifth grade as the year they last played. I'm not sure why,” said Suzie Lachut, a PSL kickball player since 2008.
Lachut, who captained her own team, said each year she tried to add a player new to the Pittsburgh area to the squad. Over the years, she brought in players from Nashville, Buffalo, Colorado and Canada.
“It's a really great way to drive connections between people, especially folks that are transplants to Pittsburgh, as a way to meet new people and make relationships that are lasting,” said Lachut, 31, of Whitehall.
Oliverio said some teams meet for happy hour before the game or go out together afterward.
Relationships have kept Oliverio playing the game for more than 13 years; he joined the PSL as an individual before forming his own team in spring 2002.
He's the only remaining player from his original team.
Kickball continues to draw new players because of its accessibility: Leagues are coed, and no equipment is required. Also, “your athletic ability does not translate into how good you play kickball,” Oliverio said.
“I think that's a pretty cool caveat of the whole thing because the most athletic guy or a former baseball or soccer player could be the worst kickball player,” he said. “And maybe the guy who never made any sports teams is your best kickball player.”
Doug Gulasy is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at dgulasy@tribweb.com or via Twitter @dgulasy_Trib.
