Adult Softball Growing In Popularity In And Around Town

When Tony Frigon moved to this town from Brick in 2008, he immediately started looking for an adult softball team he could join.

There were none.

"I started putting up some flyers and spreading the word,” said Frigon, 43, of Barnegat. With some friends from the area, Frigon was able to put together nine men's teams that first year.

The following spring, having discovered some interest from local women in the sport, Frigon formed three co-ed teams as well.

Four years later, Southern Ocean County Softball League, which Frigon helped form, is second largest men's league after Brick in the entire county, with co-ed not too far behind, boasting ten adult softball teams with members from all around the area.  Each team has 14 to 20 members.

“Softball has just taken off so much in the area,” Frigon said.

And the popularity seems to be growing.

“I’m currently in the middle of a conversation about forming a senior league,” Frigon said. “The interest is there for the seniors to get out. They come to our games. They like to watch, and they’d like to play.”

Back in 2008 the teams started playing at the Lower Shore Road fields, but now have moved on to fields in Manahawkin and Tuckerton, while they await a new field to be ready for them back at their old site.

As a kid Frigon played baseball and football, including varsity.

“After school there weren’t too many hardball leagues, so I kind of focused on softball,” he said. “There are a lot of people out there like myself. We work Monday through Saturday, we make time for our families, and this is just a good way for us to get together for a couple of hours, and just compete and be with our friends and just do something fun.”

Carrie Diona, 40, of Barnegat, also played softball in high school, but in college she pursued soccer instead. She was thrilled to discover there was a chance for her to play ball again close to home, Diona said.

"It’s a perfect opportunity to get out once a week and meet people from the neighborhood," said Diona, who has been a member of one of the co-ed teams since 2009. "Plus, I love playing ball. For me, it’s a win-win all around."

Frigon said now is the time to sign up for the men’s team, which will officially start playing on May 6. The co-ed team is pretty much set and ready to go, with their season starting this Sunday, April 1.

Frigon said he cannot guarantee a spot on the co-ed team at this point, but if someone with a strong interest contacts him, he will circulate the information and try to help.

“There is no set skill level,” Frigon added. “It’s pretty much open to adults, age 18 and above. We’ve got some very-very good ballplayers, and we some players who aren’t as strong, but they still like to get out there. We try to match people. Some teams are competitive; some aren’t. We try to offer a little bit for everybody.”

To sign up for the spring season, email Tony Frigon at socs609@yahoo.com .

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