Vancouver men's and women's fast pitch begins this week and registration is open for the competitive adult leagues until June 15.
The sport is characterized by blistering pitches, launched from a wind-milling, underhand throw.
"We've all played pretty high-level ball," said the league's social director Kate Jones. "We go out there and play good ball and also have a great competitive scene."
The first pitches of the spring season were thrown Tuesday at Connaught Park, where six Metro Vancouver women's teams play in a league that has seen its numbers decline.
Last year eight teams competed in the competitive "C" division league but this year the number fell to six. The league's recreational slow pitch division broke away unexpectedly last year to form a distinct league.
"Back in the day, in the '70s and '80s, this was a 30-team league," said Jones. The league counted 13 teams when she arrived from Ontario nine years ago.
"This year is about rebuilding," she said. "We're looking for a way to let people know we're around."
Players range from 18 years old to their late 40s and hail from all parts of Canada. The "C" classification means the pitcher's mound is 40 feet from home plate, but Jones said the games are played at a high level. An "A" classification indicates the mound is 43 feet from home.
"If you think it's been a long time since you've been in the game, it probably hasn't. You can find men's and women's games happening at the diamonds on almost every night of the week, followed by barbeques and a great social scene at the Meraloma clubhouse."
The women's league includes Jones' team, the Meralomas and is rounded out by North Vancouver and Vancouver teams, the Lynn Valley Heat, LMS Steel, Springs, Reelers and Panthers.
Several teams will compete at the World Masters Games next summer in Italy.
"Those games are sort of like the Olympics, but for us people who are hitting the age of 35 and older," said Jones. "We're all there to play some good fast ball and meet some new people. We still have that competitive edge, even through we may not be 16 years old."
The men's league has two divisions and hosts an icebreaker tournament for more than 25 teams this weekend.
For more information and to register for the women's league, contact [email protected]. For details about the men's league and to register, contact [email protected].
