MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Thirteen teams from Cherry Point and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing units gathered Monday to kick off the fall intramural softball season.
The league consists of teams ranging from 13 to 20 military and civilian players.
W. Dennis Bellamy, the Semper Fit director, said Marine Corps Community Services is always willing to hear new ideas for activities or sports leagues.
“The high interest in the four spring intramural sports is what brought about the pay-to-play fall softball league,” said Bellamy.
The season will be played in a round robin style where each team will face every other team in the league at least once. At the end of the regular season, there will be a double-elimination tournament. The season is scheduled to end in December with the top two team’s receiving shirts.
Practices will be held daily and games are scheduled to be played Monday through Thursday evenings at the air station softball fields.
Playing an entire season takes commitment, but it gives participants something to look forward to at the end of the day, said Bellamy.
“Sports are a productive and fun way to relieve stress, compete and build camaraderie,” said Bellamy.
The opening doubleheader featured matchups between the Banshees and Ripped on one field with the Avionics Reapers and the Scorpions playing on the adjacent field. The Banshees took the win in game one, ending with a score of 1-0 and the Avionics Reapers finished with an 11-6 win over the Scorpions.
Bellamy encouraged the members of the Cherry Point community to come out to watch and cheer on their favorite team. The more support the sports teams have, the better, he said.