Have you heard about SGF Kickball? If not, here’s what you need to know. SGF Kickball is the brain child of Meador Park Neighborhood Association President Bobbi Ream and Delaware Neighborhood Association former President Kevin Evans. It was born out of a desire to foster deeper connections between Springfield neighborhood associations. During a round of friendly smack talking about whose neighborhood was better, Kevin threw down the gauntlet and Bobbi accepted, suggesting matters be settled with a game of kickball. The two brought in Rountree and Phelps Grove Park neighborhoods and in the spring of 2019 the neighborhoods went head to head at Meador Park. Rountree took home “The Bobbi” that year which is the trophy aptly named after Bobbi Ream.
The following year SGF Kickball invited all neighborhood associations to participate. More than 10 associations signed up. Right before the 2020 tournament was scheduled, the pandemic hit. Kickball was put on the back burner, but kept simmering for a couple of years.
The spring of 2022 saw the second SGF Kickball tournament of neighborhood associations. This year Woodland Heights came in like a lion and dominated the tournament! The Bobbi was passed to the new champions who have plans to display the trophy at the schools in Woodland Heights.
Planning for the 2023 tournament is already underway and the date has already been secured from the parks department. Teams will once again meet on the field in a friendly competition on April 23 at Meador Park. All Springfield neighborhood associations are invited and encouraged to come out and share in the fun.
The planning committee is happy to attend neighborhood association meetings to answer any questions about SGF Kickball, give suggestions on how to get a team together, and talk about the experience of coming together with other neighborhoods to build the bonds of community that will take this generation forward. Contact sgfnakickball@gmail.com for more information.