SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — Get ready to relive your childhood memories with a twist! Kickball, the beloved game from recess and gym class, has grown up.
Leading the charge in Central New York is the Syracuse Sports Association (SSA), which has been the heart of adult recreational sports since 2010.
Andrew Cherock, owner and director of the SSA, sums it up perfectly.
“In everything that I do I try to keep fun and laid back. If you want to be a pro at something you go be a pro. This isn’t the spot for it. This is the spot to get out, meet some people, and have some fun,” Cherock said.
SSA’s mission is simple: Forget the worries of daily life and dive into a world that’s all about good sportsmanship, team camaraderie, and a healthy dose of friendly competition.
“I grew up in the area and everybody always said there’s nothing to do in Syracuse. I figured I would give people something to do, starting with kickball. I eventually branched out into other sports,” Cherock said.
Since its inception, SSA has offered men’s and women’s flag football, softball, bowling, basketball, and many more.
The recent SSA kickball season concluded with intense matches. When asked about who he thought would win it all, Cherock pleaded the fifth.
In the quarter-final round, the team Can I Kick It triumphed over Pitches be Trippin with a 4-0 victory.
However, Can I Kick It faced defeat in the semi-final round, losing 10-3 to Kicking Dead.
The final championship saw Kicking Dead fall to the Immortals, who clinched the title with a 3-1 win.
Josh Balloni has been a member of the Can I Kick It team for almost three years now. Balloni joined as a substitute but quickly became a regular. He was a little broken up about the loss but all in good fun.
“It’s tough. We played so great in the first game and then the second game all it takes is an error or two and then you lose steam and then it goes downhill from there. I have a lot of fun and it’s a great way to get outside and get some exercise and have some last-worthy friends,” said Balloni.
Another Can I Kick It member had a different point of view.
“The windshield is bigger than the rear-view mirror for a reason. Life moves forward. Fortunately, a lot of us play every single day. If we didn’t get it Tuesday, there’s always Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. No Saturdays,” Chris Magill said.
Magill recently joined the Can I Kick It team but isn’t a stranger to recreational sports.
“I lived in Charlotte for the last eight years. I’ve played a lot down there and now I play up here too. I was the new guy at one point, now I’m getting adopted by everyone,” said Magill.
With the spring season wrapped up, the summer league starts on June 24 running Monday to Friday for six weeks.
Can I Kick It may have fallen short in the championship but it’s safe to say Balloni and Magill will be kicking it all summer long.
For more information on how to join, visit SSA’s website.
