Summer’s coming to an end, and now it’s time to get ready for the cold New England winter. But first there’s fall ~ and that means …. kickball? Oh yes, the World Adult Kickball Association is where you should be this fall.

John Crawford and Joe Rossi, members of WAKA and players of kickball, have been a part of the organization since they heard about it a few years ago.

“It’s a social sport, trying to get people together and having fun,” said Crawford, of the league’s main reason for existing. “We don’t play for a prize. Teams get trophies and awards, and winning is awesome, but really, it’s all about having fun.”

WAKA’s presence in Worcester began in 2010, after Greg Boyce, a head of the league then, lobbied in Worcester to get the necessary permissions for the league to start playing. The plan was to give people a place to meet new friends and create new relationships.

“We wanted something that was a little more lax than other sports leagues. Softball and sports of that nature are fun, but can be very competitive,” Crawford said. “Kickball really is a dynamic thing. The teams don’t have set rosters, due to people leaving the league because of things happening in their lives. So we always have an influx of new people coming in.”

The league typically plays at Crompton Park in Worcester on Wednesday evenings. In order to play, you must register on kickball.com, which has a comprehensive system connecting players to local leagues. The registration period for the upcoming season closes Sept. 3 (although latecomers are encouraged to contact the organization). The season is eight weeks long, with a playoff tournament at the end of the eighth week.

“Again, it is about fun. However, there is a glory in being the best kickball team in the league for that season,” Crawford said.

WAKA is not only a New England regional league but a nationwide organization that is constantly changing and trying to recruit new members. Having made the change from WAKA to WAKA Social Sports, the group encourages people to join the league with the hopes of meeting new people and playing a longtime recess classic. Kickball, however, is not the only sport the organization offers.  WAKA offers flag football, dodgeball, cornhole and even bar sports. Needless to say, the league wants people to join for all it has to offer adults.

“For me, as someone who started a few years ago, I didn’t know anyone who played,” Rossi said. “I was never really able to meet anyone at bars, ever, but the kickball league helped me meet friends and form relationships.”

“Winning is awesome,” Crawford said, “but we want to have fun.”

For those interested in joining the league, visit kickball.com and click on an area nearest you. For more information, email John Crawford at jcrawford@kickball.com. Registration costs $60- $76, depending on the season. 

By Kevin Swenson