SOFTBALL BRINGS PEACE
2011-06-21

Softball has been a part of the Generations For Peace camps since the initiative was launched in 2007. The program stresses a release of political, religious, and ethnic boundaries, and by utilizing sport to break down such barriers – often times in war-torn nations – International Softball Federation President Don Porter has been known to say that it’s much better if someone in one of those countries opts to “throw a ball, not a bomb.”

It turns out that the two were at one time very closely related.

The city of Manassas, Virginia, is preparing to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first battle of the Civil War. One of the activities being planned is a slow pitch softball tournament. In the lead-up to such, the Virginia-based International Senior Softball Association has issued a press release that includes a mention that, “History tells us that the Civil War soldiers camped at Manassas during the war routinely played a game called ‘round ball.’ The game played during the war was very similar to the game of slow pitch softball as it is played today.”

Next month, local officials will reenact a Civil War era round ball game. Two local business owners and longtime softball team sponsors, including ISF Director of Senior Softball RB Thomas, Jr., have been asked to organize the teams for a Noon-time game.  Players will wear period attire for the demonstration event.  The game will be held at the historic Jennie Dean Field and will follow a parade in Old Town where many of the battlefield reenactors will be participating.

For 150 years the ball game has now been a part of the social fabric at Manassas, which was the site of the ISF Senior World Cup up until the last couple years when it moved southwest to the city of Salem, including the 10th edition of the event that just concluded approximately ten days ago.

In addition to Generations For Peace, the ISF also works with Peace And Sport to continue working to use softball as a means to bring boys, girls, men, and women together regardless of age, race, gender, or political or religious affiliation.