Many adults have taken up kickball as a way to exercise and have fun. Although the basic idea remains the same, players kick a large red baseball and attempt to hit three bases. Adult Kickball adds fun to the game as well as socializing and raises money for local charities.
In 1998, a group of friends formed the World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA Kickball), to encourage active living and socializing. Their thought? As with all team sports kickball encourages cooperation and sportsmanship. Kickball isn’t like baseball or soccer, but it doesn’t require any extreme athletic ability.
The idea caught on. WAKA Kickball has grown to be the largest kickball association in the world. There are thousands of clubs across the U.S. as well as teams from London and Iraq. Adults of all ages come together to have fun, make new friendships, keep active, and take advantage of the WAKA social activities like happy hours or division parties.
Like in fifth grade, rules exist, but not too many. The season typically includes eight regular games and one division tournament. The division champion will be eligible to participate in the Founders Cup World Kickball Championship which is held each year in Las Vegas. There’s more to adult kickball that just playing the game.
“Ultimately, the goal of WAKA is to bring fun, friends and happiness to people,”David Lowry is co-founder of WAKA. “WAKA is in the happiness business.”
A typical kickball player will be a young, social worker. Each team is unique and each division has its own personality. However, some teams are there primarily to have fun and others come for the glory. Others focus on WAKA’s secondary goal of raising funds for local charities. Over $300,000 has been donated to local charities by WAKA and WAKA sections. A lot of the money is collected through parties, auctions for bachelor and bachelorette and other unique events.
Women and men play kickball in WAKA in equal numbers. This makes it a great way for potential partners to meet. There have been many kickball relationships over the years.
It’s never too late for you to sign up for a team close to you. Kickball.com has more information.
