SUN CITY – Gloves can get broken in, jerseys made and rosters chosen, but little preparation can be made for the sensation sure to be found at this year’s Sun City Senior Softball All Star Game at Eakin Field on August 6 at 6 p.m.
The All Star game is played between the National and American Leagues of the Sun City evening 16-inch softball league. Two players, along with one alternate player, from each of the league’s 13 teams are selected by their teammates. Players wear their regular team caps along with special red and blue “Sun City All-Stars” jerseys.
Several aspects of the All Star Game make it unlike any other softball game at Sun City. First, the crowd is significantly larger. Bob Kennedy, president of the league and N.21 resident, estimated there were about 400 to 500 people at last year’s game.
“We had people lined up. All the stands were full; there were chairs all over the place behind the home plate, and then there were people all the way down both right and left field lines,” he said.
Fans are encouraged to show up early if they would like a seat, or bring one of their own otherwise.
The crowd at the All Star Game is not only large but bold. Umpires can expect a raucous “rhubarb” – or heckling – from the crowd after an unpopular call.
“Usually there is some controversy, somebody makes a play, somebody blows a call, an umpire, you name it,” Donald Keeney, N.27 resident and an officer of the league, said. “Generally the attitude of the people for the most part watching the game is one of fun, so whenever something happens it gets blown out of proportion.”
The game will be announced through a P.A. system and Citizens Bank of Huntley – the game’s sponsor – will provide fans with hotdogs. A 50-50 raffle will also be held.
Perhaps the biggest difference about the all-star game is its connection with National Night Out, an effort to stop crime while bringing communities together.
In past years, officers from the Huntley Police Department and Huntley Fire Protection District have come out to see the game and participate in the night’s activities.
Aside from the extra touches and large crowd, the All Star Game is a chance to see some of Sun City’s best athletes take a swing, pitch, or fly ball.
“I think for the age of the group that lives here, we’ve got some very good athletes that coexist with us within this community,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy said the entire league has a competitive spirit but does not forget to have fun either.
“We try to make it fun, but when you cross those white lines, there’s still a competitive edge that all these guys have from their youth,” he said. “But at the same time, as we go on and off the field, there’s always some high-fiving going on and joking and laughing.”
