The First Friends Church (FFC) Men’s Softball League is designed to provide quality competition in a friendly fashion for men age 15 and up based on FFC’s values. The League begins in April and ends in July. It is open to men in the Stark county area and is split into two divisions by experience.
At First Friends, we are planning to change the softball format and league style in this upcoming 2024 season and going forward. We will no longer have a bring your own team format, but instead we will have individual sign ups with drafted teams. We will still have a Monday competitive division (Old Testament) and a Wednesday recreational division (New Testament).
“The reason behind this change is that at First Friends our purpose is to reach people for the gospel and to foster an environment for people to come, experience and hear the gospel’s good news. In fulfilling that, we have structured our leagues to be gospel centered, competitively balanced, and hospitable to all. In all of our other leagues, we have dropped the bring your own team format because these three core values are not always met in that format. This change in format will allow us to welcome the individuals who can not form their own or find a team to play locally, it allows each coach to pick top players, and it allows us to help foster the ministry that we seek in our softball community. We understand that many of you have played with us for many years and this is a home for your team. We do apologize for the inconvenience that this may bring.”
—Ryan Barnett, Director of Sports Ministry
Teams will play a weekly doubleheader. Day for each division: Monday competitive division (Old Testament) and Wednesday recreational division (New Testament). There will be 6 double headers (12 games), one mid season tournament and end the season with a double elimination championship tournament. Times: starting at 6:15pm.
There will be a short devotional time where we share biblical principles with the players and encourage them to pursue a life with Christ every week. Home Team is responsible for devotions.
Location: First Friends Church, 5455 Market Ave N, Canton, OH 44714
Requirements for Participants:
- League is for men ages 15 and older.
- Commitment to playing 80% of all games.
- Individual registration is required, and teams will be drafted.
- One or two requests will be considered, no requests are guaranteed
- Completed registration form and payment submitted is required.
- Two Divisions based on skill level
Dates: April 22 (Rescheduled to May 15) – July Games played on Wednesday evenings at 6:15pm doubleheaders
Fee: $70.00 $60.00 fee due to shorter season. Registration Fee for individual, includes jersey. Teams consist of a minimum of a 12 man roster, maximum 15 players.
Refund Policy: $5.00 fee retained if refund requested. No refund will be given to any player who withdraws on or after the first week of games. An exception may be granted at the discretion of the staff due to medical reasons only. Further, no refund will be given to any player removed from the league during the course of the season for disciplinary reasons.
Registration Information: Registration will be available at least one month prior to start of league. Please email Ryan Barnett rybarnett@firstfriends.org if you would like to coach a team. Register online with debit/credit card payment or at the church Welcome Desk with check/cash. Office hours – Mon – Fri 9am-3pm. Registrations will be accepted until May 15, or league fills up, whichever occurs first.
Please note: Requests that effect the competitive balance of the team cannot be honored.
Click on “Register Now” button above to register online with debit/credit card (when available) for the recreational division (New Testament)
CLICK HERE TO PRINT INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION FORM and submit form with check/cash payment at church Welcome Desk during office hours.
Skill Assessments: Wednesday April 24 (Rescheduled to May 15) at 6:15pm on First Friends ball fields. Men will be placed by positions into teams and scrimmage. After the scrimmage the coaches will pick teams.
Games: May 22 will start double header games. The final game of the season is end of July. Teams will play every team 4x (2 doubleheaders), have an in season tournament and finish with a double elimination championship tournament.
Make up games TBA, check with coach.
Gender Policy Statement: (Oct 12, 2017) Please note that when we list ‘boy’s/men’s’ or ‘girl’s/women’s’ we are referring to the birth gender of the participant. For all of our leagues, classes, unless they are designated as Coed, it is our policy that players participate within the gender designation that complies with the previous statement. We want to thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Weather Cancellation Policy: Evening activities will be re-evaluated by staff and decisions for cancellation will be made and posted on website one hour prior to start of activity.
Questions? Call 330.966.6868 or email sports@firstfriends.org.
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