John Biedel is no stranger to the Marietta "Old Timers" slow pitch softball league.
Biedel is in his 19th year in the league. He has been playing slow pitch softball for 38 years, and seems to enjoy it very much.
"It's fairly cheap entertainment," Biedel said. "It's just fun getting together and being with the guys. It's always a good time."
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JORDAN HOLLAND The Marietta Times
Randy Neader gets ready to swing during Marietta Old Timers softball action at Hadley Field Friday night.
The league meets for games every Friday at Hadley Field, each team playing a double header. Each team's record in the regular season determines seeding for a double elimination tournament that decides the champion.
Biedel, who has played on the championship team each of the last two years, says that while people take the games seriously, it is still a fun, recreational activity.
"People get pretty competitive," said Biedel, who is a captain of his team. "But it is laid back, too. It's something everyone has fun with."
The ages in the league range from 35 to 72-years-old. There are around 12 people in the league in their 60s, making the league not only a source of entertainment, but a way to stay in shape.
At the beginning of the season, each team is assigned two captains, who draft players for their team. While teams are not given official names, each team is a assigned a number and certain color. One benefit of the league is that there are never any forfeits. If a team is missing players, they pick up people from other teams, allowing everyone a chance to play two games.
"The teams are always pretty equal," said Biedel, whose team is currently 6-2. "Last year towards the end of the season, there were four teams all within one game of each other. It's just the luck of the draft."
Biedel used to play baseball in his younger days, and said that this league is sort of a way to stay in touch with the game. A pitcher in the past, Biedel has recently switched to catcher. Along with 19 years as a player, Biedel was also the league commissioner for five years.
The league has grown in numbers over recent years, and currently has about 103 people participating.
For Biedel, nothing will top spending time with his fellow players.
"It's fun to play and it's always competitive," Biedel said. "But the best thing is the camaraderie with the guys. That's what it's all about."
