City hosts hardball, softball leagues

The Arlington Aces hardball league is in full swing for the summer, with local former high school baseball players keeping their skills fresh with weekly games.

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Aces hardball league is in full swing for the summer, with local former high school baseball players keeping their skills fresh with weekly games.

Arlington Aces is a city of Arlington hardball league led by Parks, Arts and Recreation commissioner Carsten Mullin. It began in 2010, and hosts weekly Wednesday night games at Evans Field near the Arlington Municipal Airport.

“For the first couple years it was increasing in popularity, but now he’s pretty much got his regular players,” said Sarah Lopez, Arlington Parks and Recreation director. “It’s a real complete league.”

Most of the athletes competing in the league played at the varsity level in high school, so there is tough competition between the teams.

“A lot of them are former Arlington High School baseball players,” said Lopez. “It’s an opportunity for them to stay active. I think the oldest person on the team is in his mid-40s, and he was a baseball star when he was in high school. It’s a great opportunity for them to keep playing baseball as adults.”

The league continues for eight weeks, with the final games played on Aug. 28. The city is also hosting a co-ed softball league, also on Wednesday nights at the Twin Rivers Park softball fields.

“The city softball league plays on Wednesday nights,” said Lopez. “We have eight teams this year and it’s very local. We have a lot of local businesses that make their own teams.”

This year’s local teams include  Sticks and Chicks, Anders Hay, Crosswalk Crew, Rocket Alley, Woodinville Wine Cellars, Cascade Valley Hospital, Double Trouble from Jones Construction and Just for Fun from the Stillaguamish Tribe.

The co-ed softball league wraps up play on Sept. 4. There are still local opportunities for adults to start playing sports during the fall.

“We have adult volleyball on Friday nights at Post Middle School, which is ongoing throughout the year,” said Lopez. “We also have the Bulldog Basketball league for adults, which is ongoing depending on how many people sign up for the leagues.”

For more information about summer and fall sports opportunities, visit www.arlingtonwa.gov.