Biddy Basketball Is Traditionally Fun

Biddy Basketball was founded at St. James Church on Main Street in South Grafton over 40 years ago. It was created so that young parishioners had a chance to play organized, but non-competitive basketball. Today, it provides the same opportunity for non-parishioners from grades one to eight.

Biddy Basketball is a co-ed league with three seperate age groups. First and second graders play together, as do third and fourth graders. The fifth through eighth graders play together as well. The league runs on Friday nights from about 5:20 until about 8:30, with various age groups showing up at different times.

The league maintains its "fun" but uncompetitive feel by giving players equal playing time regardless of skill and limiting specific players to four baskets before that respective player is forced to sit out. Each age group's session usually starts out with a few drills or warmups before proceeding with a short game.

Biddy basketball keeps costs down so that nearly anybody can afford it. Also, you are only charged the fee as a family, not by the amount of children you have, which means siblings are very welcome to play together. The modest fees are used to help fund St. James.

 The league operates in large part to organizer Tim Murphy, who is a longtime member of the church. Coaches, scoreboard operators, concession workers and other employees are strictly volunteers, and often former Biddy players themselves. Some of the people involved with the program have been involved since its inception.