The Hagerstown Area Church Softball League, is a Christian (non-profit) organization comprised of teams from many churches, with various denominations, coming from the three-state region of Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Our League has a long history and over the past years from playing in empty lots and pastures to playing in the beautiful Softball Complex at the Fairgrounds in Hagerstown, MD.
Our main mission is to provide an exciting environment where Christians can come together and play softball and find fellowship with one another. We encourage our team coaches to: “Sow the Field, Prepare for Harvest, and Claim their Team for Christ.” We feel that each team is a mini-ministry and extension of the churches for which they represent. The Lord told us he would make us “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:17) and we use softball as the bait to bring people to the church via the softball field.
Our League is sanctioned by the Amateur Softball Association and abide by their rules, as well as, our own rules and by-laws, governed by an executive committee who sets policies and oversees the League. We have six divisions of competition with various levels experience, open to both men, women and teenagers aged 14 and up.
Our by-laws require that all players attend their team’s church at least two Sundays per month -beginning in April and lasting throughout the season to be eligible to play ball.
Let Their Be Light
Currently our League, in conjunction with Hagerstown Fairgrounds Softball Association, is in the midst of the “Let There Be Light” campaign. This initiative is currently raising funds and getting local government agencies on-board to erect stadium lights over the ball fields. In 2008 we erected lights over one field and we are currently raising money to light the other two fields. Our goal to light the fields is so that we can play ball later into the night and open up our League to more teams.
Annual Sports Dinner
Our Annual Sports Dinner is a night of fun, good food, music and always includes a special guest. Our guests in years past have been: Luke Scott, Adam Lowen, Scott McGregor and the late Pat Kelley, all of whom are or have been affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles Baseball Organization and Tommy John who once pitched for the New York Yankees. Our Sports dinner is the ultimate purpose of our League. In years past, we have had many people come to accept Christ at the dinner who may not have done so otherwise.
We currently have two annual fundraisers which help generate money for the lighting project: A Bingo and a Golf Tournament are our annual fundraisers. All of our events are open to the general public. Our League would be blessed if you would help suppot these fundraisers.
If your Church is interested in joining our League, please contact: Mike Kelbaugh, President, at: Ph# 301-800-3701 or DrumLikeMe@AOL.com.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:5-7