The fastpitch diehards of Omaha
February 11, 2010
Omaha, NE
OMAHA, NE – The game has shrunk. The numbers of teams have dwindled. But yet in Omaha the fastpitch diehards carry on – especially the likes of Matt Christensen, Darren Dubsky, and Rick Nice.
Abandon their summer passion? No way.
Put men’s fastpitch softball in a coffin, lower it into the grave, shovel dirt over it, and just walk away?
Not on their lives.
Yes, the numbers are down, says Christensen, from about 60 teams in the Omaha City League 20 years ago to just six now.
The solution to reverse the dwindling numbers? A youth movement, say the three diehards.
Christensen is no Pollyanna. He realizes that 21st century youngsters have a glut of recreational options. Thus some must be coaxed into the sport. Sort of like dangling a carrot in front of a horse’s nose. It takes work, but it can be done. And he’s proven it.
He took an age 23-under team comprised of local Nebraska kids and a pitcher from Mexico to the ISC World Tournament in 2005. And from that experience he’s come away optimistic.
“A lot of the kids continue to play and it was probably the highest caliber of ball that they have seen,” said Christensen, who managed the 2008 A&L Farms team in the International Softball Congress World Tournament. And he currently catches for the Omaha Fastpitch Club.
