The Catholic Young Adult Kickball Tournament is bigger than ever

The second Catholic Young Adult Kickball Tournament, scheduled for Sept. 16 at St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park, promises to be even bigger than last year’s inaugural event.

There are 160 players divided into 16 teams that will compete in this one-day tournament, representing several area parishes, the UMBC campus Catholic ministry, and even a team of young adult nuns.

Eight referees, mostly priests, are lined up to officiate, and organizers expect a crowd of around 100 spectators.

“It’s going to be so much fun,” said Angelus Virata, tournament organizer and director of evangelism at the National Shrine Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore. “The purpose of the kickball tournament is to bring together and unite Catholic young adults in the Archdiocese of Baltimore from diverse racial, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.”

Virata noted that this year’s participating teams are more diverse than ever. They include a team made up of black Catholics from West Baltimore and a team of Spanish-speaking Catholics from the Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown. Other newly participating teams are from St. Alphonsus National Shrine in Baltimore and Mount Calvary Catholic Church, a Baltimore Parish of St. Peter’s Chair Ordinariate.

The day will start at 9 a.m. Mass celebrated in the seminary chapel by Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R, urban vicar. Sister Giovana of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, a member of the Poor Sisters of Jesus Christ based at the Baltimore Basilica, will then lead the rosary prayer.

Archbishop Lewandowski will throw the first pitch around 10 a.m. on the field.

Registration to participate in the tournament is closed, Virata said, but everyone is welcome to attend mass and watch the tournament. Free pizza, ice cream and other treats will be offered to players, volunteers and anyone watching the games. There will also be a court available for those not attending the tournament to play informal matches, Virata said. Those coming to watch the tournament must register before September 11th.

“We really want this to be a family event,” she said.

The league game is expected to start around 2:45 p.m., depending on the length of the semi-finals. The winning team will receive a $200 gift card to a local restaurant and (new this year) the coveted Baltimore Catholic Cup trophy.

The Catholic Review is one of the sponsors of the tournament, which is also sponsored by Seek the City to Come, Knights of Columbus of San Juan Neumann, Baltimore Council 1611 of the Sacred Heart of Jesus-Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Highlandtown and the Holy Name Society. .

For more information and to register to watch the tournament, visit archbalt.org/kickball

Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org.

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