Disciple: Community in the Dugout

By Rob Kirby

In 1990, a ragtag group from St. Martin's, Charlotte, scratched together a softball team and took to the diamond. More than 350 games later, a few of the old timers, now joined by a new generation, continue to celebrate the annual summer rite of church softball. Donning richly colored jerseys, the players form a community known to its parish as the "Purple Martins."

Over the years, the squad has participated in leagues at all compass points around Charlotte. Recently, it has competed at a local Baptist church, where it is frequently fodder for, and yet occasionally foil to, the teams from the larger host church. 2014 was a magical year; after playing for 25 seasons, the Purple Martins celebrated their diamond anniversary by going on a victorious run to claim their first-ever championship title.

As in any church league, “the ringer” plays a key role. St. Martin’s has never been above fielding one or two talented outsiders who would not meet the canonical standards as communicants in good standing; call it targeted evangelical outreach.

But the core of the squad has always come from the faithful of the congregation. Players have included multiple wardens and three members of the clergy; seven father-son combinations and one third-generation competitor. The cohesion forged on humid weeknights carries forth to mission-ministry activities and Sunday communion.

For those on the margins of the church family, softball is a primary connector. The team mirrors the church itself. All walks of life – stock traders, truck drivers, lawyers, programmers, job seekers, students and teachers – can be found in the lineup. Senior citizens and teenagers are teammates. Players come and go while a few constants maintain the momentum. Some know the game-situations, strategies, and fielding techniques. Others play on instinct or rely upon youth or grit. Most are not unusually talented, but all play a part.

The Purple Martins play to win but don’t take the gametoo seriously. The customary pregame prayers have been followed, on occasion, by in-game violations of the third commandment. (Forgive us, oh Lord!) The action has included diving catches, clutch hits and at least one walk-off homerun. But as St. Paul told the Corinthians, “there are a variety of gifts.” So, too, there have been scores of dropped popups, errant throws and swinging third strikes. Laughs and smiles are plentiful.

Postgame, it is the custom of the Purple Martins to enjoy “ice cream” (known also as “adult beverages”). Gathered together, the glories are relived and embellished,the miscues are chuckled away, and the bonds of friendshipare set. Reflecting upon the joy of play, the blessing of fitness, and, with a nod to the gifts of Grace, the team has adopted a toast as its de facto theological statement: “We always win!”

What endures – for the Purple Martins and, likely, for many others who have gathered to play - is a mutual affection and a love of being and playing together that goes unspoken. Church softball is an opportunity to strive, to play, to sweat, to win and to fail. It is fellowship at its purest: the occasion to cheer for and to celebrate with your friends, to pick one another up and to be, if only for a few weeks a year, one community.

Rob Kirby is a member of St. Martin’s, Charlotte, and a longtime outfielder for the Purple Martins.