The sun sets, casting a warm glow over the field. Softballs fly between teammates during warmups, cracking against leather gloves with each catch. Players stretch and chat with teammates and friendly rivals. It’s a typical late-summer evening in Mt. Lebanon, where the adult slow-pitch softball league gathers for another game.

Since 2017, the South Hills Sportz Club organizes eight softball teams a year, about 130 players total, as a way for adults to be active and meet new people.

Jeremy Simpson, Lebanon Avenue, is a coach, player and co-founder of the league. The idea came about while coaching his daughter’s youth softball team.

“We always had a game at the end of the season — a coaches’ game — but every year someone would go crazy, try to play too hard and get hurt,” said Simpson. “And I thought, why don’t we just get our own league going, so we don’t have to show off once a year? I just enjoyed playing with the kids when I was coaching throughout the years, and I got better at it, and figured this is something fun we could do to stay young and meet people.”

Simpson teamed up with Tim Defeo, McNeilly Road, to build an official adult sports league for the South Hills. The club also offers a kickball league, which Simpson said is a “good gateway to ease into softball,” for people less familiar with the sport.

“Most of our coaches have been doing it for five, six or seven years in a row now. They all know each other and help one another out,” Defeo said. “If one team is down a player, the other one will offer their players. The game is competitive, but at the end of the day, it’s a competitive-friendly environment.”

The league continues to grow, attracting an average of 30 new players each season, while still retaining a core group of players from previous seasons, said Defeo.

Simpson added, “I think the best thing is meeting people. I work with a guy at my company who moved here from Texas, and I brought him into the league because he didn’t know anybody in Mt. Lebanon. He made 10 friends right off the bat.”

The club’s leadership committee meets several times a year to set up teams, amend rules and discuss opportunities for growth. In 2024, they acquired local sponsors to raise funds and offset costs for players and held an end-of-season award banquet for players and coaches.

The softball league has two divisions, each with its own champion at the end of the season. Games are played at Middle Field on Cedar Boulevard, and Jefferson Field, with warm-ups starting at 8:30 p.m. and games beginning at 9. The atmosphere is relaxed, with no drinking, and a friendly competitiveness.

Emily Paus, pitcher and coach for the Panda Bears and leadership committee member, said her favorite thing about playing is the social connection. “The league is an easy way to meet new people and get to know their families, but I especially love that I’ve gotten to play with old friends from high school.”

Paus grew up in Mt. Lebanon but now lives nearby on Hillsdale Avenue in Dormont. “The best part is you don’t have to live in Mt. Lebanon to join; surrounding South Hills area residents are always welcome! Sign up independently or grab a group of friends and join the fun,” said Paus.

Registration for the fall season runs from March 1 to June 30 each year, with the potential to close early if spots are filled. The fall season starts in mid-August, lasting about six to seven weeks with at least 10 games per team. The club is considering adding a spring season in future years, depending on field availability and interest. Discounts are available to EMS workers. More information is available at shsportzclub.org.

Whether you’re looking to start a new hobby, meet new people or relive some of those childhood memories on the softball field, Simpson said: “Come out, have fun and enjoy the game.”