This article could really be named, "Why I like Softball." Softball is one of those games that everyone, no matter age or size, can play. I remember, as a kid, family and friends getting together several times a month to play softball. About thirty or forty people, from all walks of life, would show up to these weekend games. It was an all day affair with softball games lasting the entire day. It was not just softball that attracted people but the food and camaraderie.

Softball is not like any other ball type game. Unless you are playing in a competitive league you do not need the skills of a super star to participate. That is why we liked to play it during these weekend gatherings. Everyone could fully participate. And, because everyone could participate we all had a good time. The game is paced in such a way that you can talk to friends that you have not seen in a while or meet new people.

You had time to truly interact with people to build a friendship. Playing softball just facilitated those conversations. Playing the game acted like a big giant on goping ice breaker. After each game the teams were broken up in such a way that everyone eventually had had the opportunity to play on a team with everyone else. This meant that everyone one had an opportunity to interact with everyone else.

Without knowing it and without trying you were getting to know and network with people that you normally would not feel compelled to interact with. For me that was the beauty of these weekend gatherings. For me that was the beauty of softball. These were not overly competitive games. So there was no animosity between teams and team members. We were there for each others friendship.

These weekend softball gatherings have lasted to this day. Over the last thirty years I have met hundreds of people. Hundreds of people that I have become friends with and have gotten to know very well. If I need a plumber, I call someone that has been to the weekend games. If I need a banker, the same applies. These friendships built up over the years and it is all because we played softball as a game and not as a sport. I think that is where many gatherings go wrong. The games meant to bring people together are played as sports and not as games. Sports at gatherings breed competition and are not productine. Playing softball instead as a sport facilitated fun and shaped friendships.

These weekend gatherings have created fantastic memories. Softball has been a big part of those memories. That is why softball is my favorite game. For me, at least, it is about friendship, camaraderie and just having simple plain fun.