Once upon a time-in the early 1990s-RLC had a few men that wanted to form a softball team and play in the local church league. Some of our players had experience in the military, a few played college intramural sports, and the rest had just wanted to play ball with their dad. We formed our team with no knowledge of the competition.  After my initial meeting with the league, I came away with the sinking feeling of leading lambs to the slaughter. Our opponents each fielded at least eight outstanding ball players, all of whom could hit a ball further with one hand than any of ours could with two. Their speed-well, I won't even discuss that! 

We went to our first practice with great expectations. All too quickly, I could only shake my head in disbelief. How could so many have so few ball skills? At least no one was injured! Thankfully, a few really knew how to play the game, and they became our heroes. Even after several practices, there was no improvement in our team. But, and more importantly, the guys were having the time of their life playing together!

For the next two years, our softball team continued to hold its head up as it ventured into the land of the Fredericksburg Church Softball League-dominated by the Baptists. There seemed to be no end to the number of young, strong, fast, power hitting, play making, ball players on their teams! Believe me, the old coach was thankful for the slaughter rule which only allowed the winning team to be ahead by 10 points before stopping the game. Oh, we had a few heroes. You could hear the yelling from afar, when one of our young players would smash a home run. Well, as I said, we were short on talent but long on fellowship.

After a few years, the team was dissolved. But, the great fun and wonderful memories will never be forgotten. The good "old days" as remembered by the "old coach."

As told by Bill Bushman, the "Old Coach"